ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2001 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 2001. 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--Takeovers
+ Accountability--School Improvement
+ Adult Basic Education
+ Assessment
+ Assessment--Accommodations
+ Assessment--End-of-Course
+ Assessment--Formative/Interim
+ Assessment--High Stakes/Competency
+ Assessment--Legal Issues
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol
+ Attendance
+ Attendance--Compulsory
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Cheating
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Closings
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Research
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Geography Education
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ 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
+ Education Research
+ Equity
+ Federal
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Equity
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Litigation
+ Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ Finance--Performance Funding
+ 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--Child Abuse
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ Health--Suicide Prevention
+ High School
+ High School--Advanced Placement
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ 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--Preparation
+ Middle School
+ Minority/Diversity Issues
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian
+ No Child Left Behind--Adequate Yearly Progress
+ No Child Left Behind--Assessment
+ No Child Left Behind--Choice/Transfer
+ No Child Left Behind--Consequences for Schools
+ No Child Left Behind--Report Cards
+ No Child Left Behind--School Support
+ No Child Left Behind--Supplemental Services
+ 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 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 Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Undocumented Immigrants
+ Postsecondary Faculty
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Compensation
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Tenure
+ 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 Students--Disabled
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Religion--Prayer/Meditation
+ Rural
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
+ School Safety
+ School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
+ School Safety--Corporal Punishment
+ School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension
+ School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault
+ School Safety--Special Education
+ School Safety--Uniforms/Dress Codes
+ School/District Structure/Operations
+ School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation
+ 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--School Size
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Shared Services
+ School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation
+ Special Education
+ Special Education--Finance
+ Special Education--Inclusion (Mainstreaming)
+ Special Education--Placement
+ Special Education--Transition
+ Special Populations--Corrections Education
+ Standards
+ Standards--Implementation
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ Student Achievement
+ Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap
+ 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--Assignment
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers
+ 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--Preparation
- Teaching Quality--Professional Development
LASigned into law 07/2001P-12Deletes the provisions requiring teachers (contingent upon salary increases) to work an additional three days for staff development.
Title: H.B. 1447
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

HISigned into law 05/2001P-12Offers an incentive to state teachers to take professional development course work by allowing them a 100% state tax deduction on tuition costs.
Title: S.B. 1315
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

HISigned into law 05/2001P-12Makes an appropriation for the establishment and continuation of professional development schools for teachers. Full legislation is below.
Title: S.B. 1213
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

KYSigned into law 05/2001P-12Retains priority for funding to improve middle school mathematics teachers' content knowledge; permits the Department of Education to approve funding for other content areas during 2000-2002 for middle school teachers if all funds are not needed for the first priority; provides that funds in the Teachers' Professional Growth Fund do not lapse at the end of each year.
Title: H.B. 66
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

MDSigned into law 05/2001P-12Increases to 1,000 the maximum number of teachers eligible to participate in the State and Local Aid Program for Certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Title: S.B. 129
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

NDSigned into law 05/2001P-12On or before October first of each year, each school district is required to file a report with the state
superintendent indicating:
a. The amount and source of funds that were made available to the district for
professional development during the preceding school year;
b. The amount and source of funds that were expended by the district for professional
development during the preceding school year;
c. The number of district teachers who participated in professional development
activities during the preceding school year;
d. The source of funding for the professional development activities in which the
teachers participated during the preceding school year; and
e. The nature and scope of the professional development activities in which the teachers
participated.
Title: H. B. 1293--Professional Development Portion
Source: North Dakota Legislative Web Site

OKSigned into law 05/2001P-12Concerns Academic Performance Awards Programs, continuing education for mathematics teachers, National Board certification; removes authority of Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to establish repayment of certain student loans program; establishes teacher shortage employment incentive program; authorizes State Regents to make certain employment incentive payments, with limit on amount of certain incentive payments; authorizes reduction of employment incentive payments if funds not available; addresses extended programs. Implementation of these sections is to be delayed until the current expenditure per pupil in average daily attendance in public elementary and secondary schools in unadjusted dollars for the 1998-99 school year or any school year thereafter for Oklahoma, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics annually in the Digest of Education Statistics, reaches at least ninety percent (90%) of the regional average expenditure for that same year, and funds are provided.
Title: H.B. 1499--Multiple Components
Source: Oklahoma Legislative Web Site

SCSigned into law 05/2001P-12Amends Section 59-18-1930. The Education Oversight Committee shall provide for a comprehensive review of state and local professional development to include principal leadership development and teacher staff development. The review must provide an analysis of training to include what professional development is offered, how it is offered, the support given to implement skills acquired from professional development, and how the professional development enhances the academic goals outlined in district and school strategic plans. The oversight committee shall recommend better ways to provide and meet the needs for professional development, to include the use of the existing five contract days for in service. Needed revisions shall be made to state regulations to promote use of state dollars for training which meets national standards for staff development. Upon receipt of the recommendations from the comprehensive review of state and local professional development, the state department of education shall develop an accountability system to ensure that identified professional development standards are effectively implemented.
Title: H.B. 3534
Source: South Carolina Legislative Web Site

TXSigned into law 05/2001P-12From bill analysis: The number of special education students included in the mainstream classroom has steadily increased over the last twenty-five years. Many teachers in the regular classroom have at least one special education student in their classes, yet many of those teachers receive little, if any, training on instructing children with disabilities. The requirements and regulations accompanying the individualized education and behavior management plans associated with these students can be complicated and difficult to implement. A teacher who is trained to understand effective methods of reaching disabled students will be more capable of serving both regular education and special education students in the classroom. S.B. 1727 requires a school district's staff development to include training that relates to instruction of students with disabilities and is designed for educators who work primarily outside of the area of special education.
Title: S.B. 1727
Source: Senate Research Center

ARSigned into law 04/2001P-12Creates the Delta Leadership Act of 2001; creates the Delta Leadership Institute for teachers to provide high quality research based professional development for teachers in the delta region.
Title: H.B. 2545
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

NMVetoed 04/2001P-12Creates public school reading proficiency fund to help train teachers to teach reading and writing to students below grade level; sets up "enterprise centers" to provide fee-for-service assistance to districts; creates "probationary school intervention funds" for grants to probationary schools; requires colleges of education to form a consortium to develop criterion-referenced end-of-course tests for high schools (to be administered during 2002-03); makes appropriations for professional development days for teachers, teacher mentorship programs, etc.; appropriates dollars to summer programs, bilingual, art/music, full-day kindergarten; appropriates dollars to standards/assessment alignment, development of new assessments and early literacy interventions.
Title: S.B. 307
Source: New Mexico Legislative Web Site

NMVetoed 04/2001P-12Section 30, requires that by 2001-2002 budgets reflect a school year of at least 190 days. 180 days are for instruction and ten days are for teachers' professional development, provided that there is legislative appropriation to implement this requirement.
Title: S.B. 308
Source: New Mexico Legislative Web Site

NMSigned into law 03/2001P-12Senate Bill 28 amends Chapter 21, State and Private Education Institutions, NMSA 1978, to authorize two-year post-secondary educational institutions to award appropriate certificates upon completion of an education curriculum and program leading to alternative certification for certified school instructor or certification of educational assistant and professional development for teachers. This bill also amends the Public School Code to require the State Board of Education to approve education curricula and programs offered in two-year public post-secondary institutions that lead to certificates for alternative certification and coursework for professional development.
Title: S.B. 28
Source: New Mexico Legislative Web Site

UTSigned into law 03/2001P-12Modifies provisions related to State System of Public and Higher Education to address issues of teacher quality in recognition of relationship to student success; provides for comprehensive policy on teacher quality to include components on recruitment, preservice, licensure, induction, professional development, and evaluation; requires annual report to Legislature on state of teacher quality in state, to include reliable data on state's supply of and demand for teachers.
Title: S.B. 16
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

UTSigned into law 03/2001P-12This act modifies provisions related to the State System of Public Education by granting
tuition waivers to educators for courses taken at higher education institutions that satisfy
professional development requirements for retaining a license to teach. The law stipulates that (A) the educator is enrolled on the basis of surplus space in the class after regularly enrolled students have been assigned and admitted to available classroom space in accordance with regular procedures and normal teaching loads in that space within the institution's approved budget; and (B) enrollments are determined by each institution under rules and guidelines established by the State Board of Regents in accordance with findings of fact that space is available for the educator's enrollment.
Title: H.B. 211
Source: http://www.le.state.ut.us/house/index.htm

UTSigned into law 03/2001P-12Modifies provisions related to the State System of Public Education to address issues related to the Utah Performance Assessment System for Students (U-PASS); expands the categories for disaggregating student performance data to include limited English proficiency; requires each local school boards staff be provided a professional development program to effectively maintain U-PASS; requires additional data to be reported annually.
Title: S.B. 28
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

ARSigned into law 02/2001P-12Increases the award for subsidized teacher training for advanced placement courses. The award will now increase from $450 to $650 per teacher.
Title: S.B. 60
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

WYSigned into law 02/2001P-12Relates to regional development preschool system teachers; includes employment as a teacher in the regional development preschool system as school district service credit; modifying the teacher seniority adjustment computation under the foundation program formula to include such service.
Title: H.B. 113
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention
+ Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--At-Risk Schools
+ Teaching Quality--Reduction in Force
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights
+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Technology
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Equitable Access
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban