ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2000 State Policies / Activities

Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 810 • Denver, CO 80203-3442 • 303.299.3600 • fax 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org

The following summary includes policies enacted in 2000. This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. To view the documents, click on the blue triangle next to the topic of interest. To view all, press the button located at the top labeled "Expand All."

Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date].

State Status/Date Level Summary
+ Accountability
+ Accountability--Accreditation
+ Accountability--Measures/Indicators
+ Accountability--Reporting Results
+ Accountability--Rewards
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Drive
+ Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions--No Pass No Play
+ Adult Basic Education
+ Assessment
+ Assessment--Accommodations
+ Assessment--End-of-Course
+ Assessment--High Stakes/Competency
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol
+ Attendance
+ Attendance--Compulsory
+ Attendance--Truancy
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Business Involvement
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Cheating
- Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
NJSigned into law 11/2000P-12Establishes required funding level for charter school students; revises procedure for evaluation of the charter school program.
Title: A.B. 1344
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

WAUnofficially rejected by voters 11/2000P-12INITIATIVE 729 Authorizes school districts and public universities to sponsor charter public schools; states that the charter schools would be run by nonprofit corporations, accountable to their sponsors for financial and academic performance, but operated independently of school districts; states they would be open to all students and staffed by certificated teachers, who could choose to unionize.
Title: V. 10
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

CASigned into law 09/2000P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Requires the State Board of Education to develop criteria for the review and approval of charter school petitions. Makes technical revisions relating to passage of local school bond measures. Prohibits issuance of the bonds unless the property tax rate levied to meet the requirements of indebtedness incurred by a school district or community college district at a single election doesn't exceed a certain amount.
Title: A.B. 2659
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

CASigned into law 09/2000P-12Chapter No.464, Authorizes the governing board of a charter school to request, and the State Board of Education to approve, a waiver of any otherwise applicable provisions of the Education Code until 07/01/05. Requires the charter school to submit its application for a waiver to its chartering authority. Provides that if the chartering authority is a school district or county office of education, it must forward certain documentation with the waiver request to the State Board of Education.
Title: S.B. 1841
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

MASigned into law 08/2000P-12Chapter No. 227 of 2000., Relates to charter schools; provides that the Board of Education shall make the final determination on granting charter school status and may condition charters on the applicant's taking certain actions or maintaining certain conditions; provides for transportation reimbursment to municipalities of students of charter schools.
Title: S.B. 2027
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

CASigned into law 07/2000P-12Authorizes a charter school, that was not granted a renewal by the chartering agency, to submit an application for renewal pursuant to the procedures pertaining to a denial of a petition for establishment of a charter school.
Title: S.B. 326
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

CASigned into law 07/2000P-12Chapter No. 88; Prohibits the denial of a petition for the establishment of a charter school based on the actual or potential costs of serving individuals with exceptional needs. Clarifies that this prohibition shall not be construed to prevent a school district from meeting its obligation to ensure that the proposed charter school will meet the needs of individuals with exceptional needs, nor shall it be construed to limit or alter the reasons for denying a petition, as specified.
Title: S.B. 1914
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

DESigned into law 06/2000P-12Allows the children of charter school employees who are permanent and work at least 30.00 hours per week during the school year to be given preference in admission to the charter school; gives charter schools the same opportunity as local school districts.
Title: S.B. 301
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

DESigned into law 06/2000P-12Allows a charter school to give preference to children of the founders of the charter school so long as they constitute no more than 5% of the school's total student population.
Title: S.B. 308
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

FLSigned into law 06/2000P-12306., Provides an exemption from ad valorem taxes for facilities used to house charter schools; provides for the cancellation of certain taxes on real property acquired by a charter school governing board; prohibits reprisals against district school board employees as a result of involvement in an application to establish a charter school; requires a charter school to comply with certain cost accounting and reporting requirements.
Title: H.B. 2087
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

FLSigned into law 06/2000P-12171., Implements the 2000-2001 Budget Act; allocates moneys provided for workforce development; provides for budget amendment when program is moved; relates to funding for exceptional student programs; provides for funding Medicaid disproportionate share for mental health hospitals; provides for managed care contract funding; creates foster care review panels; funds libraries and disaster shelters; provides for solid waste and recycling grants; relates to state employee prescription drug company.
Title: H.B. 2147
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

HISigned into law 06/2000P-12Provides legal protection for new century charter school boards; allows groups of teachers at a school to form a charter school; requires the auditor to consider the advice of the superintendent and local school boards in setting the allocation for new century charter schools; appropriates funds for the establishment of additional new century charter schools, including the hiring of additional school personnel.
Title: S.B. 2218
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

NCSigned into law 06/2000P-12Session Law Number 72. Exempts from tax motor fuel sold to charter schools; defines charter school board as nonprofit corporation with charter to operate charter school.
Title: H.B. 1302
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

NHSigned into law 06/2000P-12Establishes a committee to study application procedures relative to charter schools and the admission preferences used in charter schools and open enrollment school districts.
Title: H.B. 690
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

WARejected by voters 06/2000P-12INITIATIVE 729; Authorizes school districts and public universities to sponsor charter public schools; states the charter schools would be run by nonprofit corporations, accountable to their sponsors for financial and academic performance, but operated independently of school districts; states they would be open to all students and staffed by certificated teachers, who could choose to unionize.
Title: V. 24
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

CASigned into law 05/2000P-12Chapter No. 19; Relates to existing law which provides that a charter school that serves at-risk pupils and operates under a charter approved before 06/01/97, in the county of Los Angeles may continue to operate until 06/30/99. Extends the date until 06/30/03. Deletes specified provisions and authorizes a charter school, as described, to be funded for not more than 2,000 units average daily attendance in any fiscal year, as if it were a community day school operated by the county.
Title: A.B. 696
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

COSigned into law 05/2000P-12Concerns public schools; authorizes charter schools to impose fees for excess transportation costs and to engage in the building, planning and inspection process; authorizes public schools to use capital reserve fund expenditures for certain purposes.
Title: H.B. 1124
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

KSSigned into law 05/2000P-12Concerns charter schools; increases the number of such schools authorized to be operated in the state.
Title: H.B. 2357
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

MNSigned by governor 05/2000P-12In lieu of a charter school's dissolution based on contract termination, the commissioner may approve the decision of a different eligible sponsor to authorize the school. Allows the commissioner, after providing reasonable notice, to terminate the existing relationship with the sponsor if the charter school has a history of financial mismanagement or repeated violations of law.
Title: H.B. 3800
Source: MN Department of Children, Families and Learning

MNSigned by governor 05/2000P-12Charter schools must give enrollment preference to residents of a town if the school is the only one located in the town serving a particular grade level. If a pupil lives within two miles of a charter school and the next closest public school is more than five miles away, the charter school must give that pupil preference for enrollment. Also, a charter school must give preference in enrollment to a sibling of an enrolled student and to a foster child of the pupil's parents.
Title: H.B. 3800
Source: MN Department of Children, Families and Learning

MNSigned by governor 05/2000P-12Expands the list of potential sponsors to include a charitable organization. Also clarifies that a charter school sponsor may be a Minnesota private college that grants two or four-year degrees and is registered with the Higher Education Services Office.
Title: H.B. 3800
Source: MN Department of Children, Families and Learning

PASigned into law 05/2000P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Act No. 16 of 2000., Amends the Public School Code. Provides funding for basic education, services to nonpublic schools, special education, professional development, school lunch and breakfast programs, higher education, full-time student community college reimbursement, higher education, vocational education and small district assistance. Provides for an official education assessment test. Identifies underperforming schools and permits charter and for-profit school and other improvements.
Title: S.B. 652
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

AZSigned into law 04/2000P-12Allows a sponsor of a charter school to request that the State Board of Education withhold state aid monies from a charter school if the charter school is not in compliance with state law or its charter; authorizes a charter school sponsor to request that the State Board of Education withhold up to 10% of the charter school's monthly state aid if the sponsor determines at a public meeting that the charter school is not in compliance with state law or their charter.
Title: H.B. 2363
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

AZSigned into law 04/2000P-12Relates to school district budgets; relates to charter school applications and requirements; specifies that the charter of a charter school is subject to the same electronic data submission requirements as a school district; defines the term submit electronically; requires that the budget format include an electronic format that shall be submitted for each proposed, adopted and revised budget; requires each governing board of a school district to publish an annual financial report.
Title: H.B. 2218
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

IDSigned into law 04/2000P-12Authorizes the Board of Directors of a charter school to borrow money as a nonprofit corporation to finance the purchase of school building facilities and, subject to the terms of such a contractual agreement, the board may use the facility as collateral for the loan.
Title: H.B. 677
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

IDSigned into law 04/2000P-12Clarifies that public charter schools operate independently from the existing school district structure and any local board of trustees and are responsible for their own operations; clarifies admission procedures with regard to over enrollment.
Title: H.B. 726
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

LASigned into law 04/2000P-12Makes several changes to the "Proprietary School Law" including the fact that it allows for proprietary certificates to be good for two years instead of one, and it provides for a punishment for schools that do not keep records of their students.
Title: S.B. 72A
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

VASigned into law 04/2000P-12Authorizes the creation of regional charter schools, operated by two or more school boards, which may be chartered directly by the participating school boards or by the Board of Education with the concurrence of the participating school boards; permits judicial review of a school board's denial of a charter application, revocation or denial of renewal of a charter; clarifies operation guidelines and requirements.
Title: S.B. 411
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

AZSigned into law 03/2000P-12Requires an applicant seeking to establish a charter school and an application for renewal of a charter to submit a detailed business plan; prevents school districts from sponsoring charter schools located outside the geographic boundaries of the school district.
Title: S.B. 1302
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

GASigned into law 03/2000P-12Allows the State Board of Education to grant a charter school petition if the local board of education refuses. The State Board of Education can call for a local tax referendum to support the charter school. Charter schools shall be subject to all the provisions of chapter 14 of Title 20, the accountability system.
Title: H.B. 1187
Source: Georgia Department of Education

NMSigned into law 03/2000P-12Relates to charter school enrollment procedures.
Title: S.B. 67
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

VASigned into law 03/2000P-12Authorizes the creation of regional charter schools, operated by 2 or more school boards, which may be chartered directly by the participating school boards or by the Board of Education with the concurrence of the participating school boards; allows the Board to establish procedures for receiving and reviewing applications, seeking public comment, and obtaining the concurrence of participating school boards for regional schools to be chartered by the Board.
Title: H.B. 785
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

NMDied 02/2000P-12Provides for start-up charter schools to be funded according to current year membership.
Title: S.B. 460
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

VASigned into law 02/2000P-12Permits the creation of residential charter schools for at-risk students by a single school division or by two or more school divisions as a joint school; provides that applications for residential charter schools are to include a description of the residential program, facilities, and staffing, any parental education and after-care initiatives, and funding sources for the residential and other services provided.
Title: H.B. 742
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Tax Credits
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Core Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Environmental Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Geography Education
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts
+ Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Multicultural
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Data-Driven Improvement
+ Demographics--Enrollments
+ Desegregation
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Equity
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Equity
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Litigation
+ Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ Finance--Private Giving
+ Finance--Resource Efficiency
+ Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures
+ Finance--Student Fees
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues
+ Finance--Taxes/Revenues--Alternative Revenues
+ Governance
+ Governance--Deregulation/Waivers/Home Rule
+ Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest
+ Governance--School Boards
+ Governance--Site-Based Management
+ Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies
+ Health
+ Health--Mental Health
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ Health--Teen Pregnancy
+ High School
+ High School--Advanced Placement
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Official English
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ Leadership
+ Leadership--District Superintendent
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Certification and Licensure
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure
+ Middle School
+ Minority/Diversity Issues
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--African American
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--Hispanic
+ No Child Left Behind--Assessment
+ Online Learning--Digital/Blended Learning
+ Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses
+ P-16 or P-20
+ P-3
+ P-3 Child Care
+ P-3 Early Intervention (0-3)
+ P-3 Ensuring Quality
+ P-3 Family Involvement
+ P-3 Finance
+ P-3 Governance
+ P-3 Grades 1-3
+ P-3 Health and Mental Health
+ P-3 Kindergarten
+ P-3 Kindergarten--Full-Day Kindergarten
+ P-3 Preschool
+ P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development
+ Parent/Family
+ Parent/Family--Parent Rights
+ Postsecondary
+ Postsecondary Accountability
+ Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees
+ Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans
+ Postsecondary Faculty
+ Postsecondary Finance
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures--Administrative/Leadership Issues
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges
+ Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary
+ Postsecondary Online Instruction
+ Postsecondary Participation--Access
+ Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements
+ Postsecondary Participation--Outreach
+ Postsecondary Students--Disabled
+ Postsecondary Success--Completion
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promising Practices
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year Round
+ School Safety
+ School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
+ School Safety--Code of Conduct
+ School Safety--Corporal Punishment
+ School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension
+ School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault
+ School Safety--Uniforms/Dress Codes
+ School/District Structure/Operations
+ School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation
+ School/District Structure/Operations--District Size
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Food Service
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Libraries
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Personnel (Non-Teaching)
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation
+ Service-Learning
+ Special Education
+ Special Education--Federal Law/Regulations
+ Special Education--Finance
+ Special Education--Inclusion (Mainstreaming)
+ Special Education--Placement
+ Special Education--Transition
+ Special Populations--Corrections Education
+ Special Populations--Gifted and Talented
+ Special Populations--Homeless Education
+ Standards
+ Standards--Implementation
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Politics
+ State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
+ Student Achievement
+ Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance
+ Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring
+ Student Supports--Remediation
+ Students
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Records/Rights
+ Teaching Quality
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Natl. Bd. for Prof. Teach. Stds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Special Education
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--State Prof. Standards Bds.
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Substitute Teachers
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Pay-for-Performance
+ Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits
+ Teaching Quality--Evaluation and Effectiveness
+ Teaching Quality--Induction Programs and Mentoring
+ Teaching Quality--Paraprofessionals
+ Teaching Quality--Preparation
+ Teaching Quality--Professional Development
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--At-Risk Schools
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights
+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Technology
+ Technology--Computer Skills
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Equitable Access
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Internet Safety
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban
+ Whole Child