ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2002 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 2002. 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--NAEP (NAEP Results and NAEP Organization)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education
+ At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol
+ Attendance
+ Attendance--Truancy
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Business Involvement
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Cheating
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Charter Districts
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools
+ 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--Family Living Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ 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--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Does Money Matter?
+ Finance--Equity
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ 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--School Boards
+ Governance--School Boards--Training
+ Governance--Site-Based Management
+ Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies
+ Health
+ Health--Child Abuse
+ Health--Mental Health
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ High School
+ High School--Advanced Placement
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ High School--International Baccalaureate
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Official English
+ Instructional Approaches--Tracking/Ability Grouping
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ International Benchmarking
+ 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
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Recruitment and Retention
+ 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
+ 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--Full-Day Kindergarten
+ P-3 Preschool
+ P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development
+ Parent/Family
+ Parent/Family--Parent Rights
+ Postsecondary
+ 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--Intellectual Property
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Tenure
+ Postsecondary Finance
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges
+ Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary
+ Postsecondary Participation--Access
+ Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements
+ Postsecondary Participation--Affirmative Action
+ Postsecondary Participation--Outreach
+ Postsecondary Students--Disabled
+ Postsecondary Students--Minority
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Religion--Prayer/Meditation
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ 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--Expulsion/Suspension
+ School Safety--No Child Left Behind--Safe Schools
+ 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--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--Transportation
+ Service-Learning
+ Special Education
+ Special Education--Finance
+ Special Education--Placement
+ 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--Employment
+ Students--Records/Rights
- Teaching Quality
MISigned into law 12/2002P-12Allows school districts to contract with a person or entity for employment of qualified substitute teachers. http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2001-2002/publicact/pdf/2002-PA-0735.pdf
Title: S.B. 213
Source: StateNet

MISigned into law 12/2002P-12Provides that it is criminal sexual conduct if the victim is a minor between certain age groupings and the actor is a teacher, administrator or other employee or contractual services provider of a public or nonpublic school in which the victim is enrolled. http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2001-2002/publicact/pdf/2002-PA-0714.pdf
Title: S.B. 1127
Source: StateNet

MTRule Adoption 11/2002P-12Establishes rules regarding criminal history background check, substitute teachers, teacher license classification, definition of 'immoral conduct', investigation, and reporting of the surrender, denial, revocation or suspension of a license. Addresses accreditation, teacher certification, hearing procedures, and repeal of ARM 10.57.103 thru .407 relating to teacher certification.
Title: ARM New Rule I thru III, XXVIII, XXIX, XXX, XXXI; 10.55.602 thru .710 (non-seq); 10.57.101 thru .801 (non-seq.); Repeal 10.57.103 thru .406 (non-seq); New Rule I/Criminal History Background Check
Source: StateNet

CASigned into law 09/2002P-12Requires the Commission on Teachers Credentialing to deny the application of any applicant who is required to register as a sex offender. Requires the commission to suspend the credential of any credential holder who is required to register as a sex offender. Provides for reinstatement or revocation of the certificate upon final disposition of the underlying conviction. Requires suspension upon charges of sex or controlled substances crimes. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/01-02/bill/sen/sb_1651-1700/sb_1656_bill_20020911_chaptered.html
Title: S.B. 1656
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

NCSigned into law 09/2002P-12
Community College
Directs the state board to improve the state's tracking of dropout data; encourages the concurrent enrollment of state technical high schools, career centers, and community colleges; directs the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee to study the correlation between the compulsory attendance age and dropout rates, and the fiscal and instructional accountability of local school administrative units; relates to teacher renewal credits. Encourages local boards to adopt policies that require superintendents to assign to the core academic course, in 7th through 9th grades, teachers who have at least four years' teaching experience and who have received within the last three years an overall rating on a formal evaluation that is at least above standard. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/html2001/bills/AllVersions/Senate/S1275vr.html
Title: S.B. 1275
Source: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us

CAVetoed 08/2002P-12
Postsec.
Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to convene a committee of experts to determine programs and processes to increase the number and improve the quality of career technical education teachers. Requires an independent study to be completed that contains comprehensive data. Requires the final report to be submitted to certain legislative committees. Provides the study and report to be funded exclusively with federal funding.
Title: A.B. 1462
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

FLSigned into law 08/2002P-12Removes provision mandating that school boards fully fund a 5% reserve for all instructional and administrative staff. See bill section 697, page 1298, line 28, ff. Also bars local board member from hiring or appointing a relative to work under his or her direct supervision. See bill section 698, page 1303, line 6 ff. According to state legislative summary, "[Clarifies] that teaching experience applies to in-state and out-of-state public school teaching experience. If employees with unsatisfactory evaluations request transfer, requires superintendent to annually report to department on employees transferred, where transferred and what remediation" was undertaken. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/data/session/2002E/Senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s0020Eer.pdf
Title: S.B. 20E
Source: http://www.leg.state.fl.us

DESigned into law 06/2002P-12Reduces the leave of absence to one year for any teacher leaving a public school to teach at a charter school. http://www.legis.state.de.us/LIS/LIS141.NSF/vwLegislation/
Title: S.B. 298
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

CTSigned into law 05/2002P-12Lengthens statutes of limitations in cases of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or sexual assault of a minor to 30 years from date of victim's attainment of age of majority. Adds section stating that in certain cases of recovering damages for personal injury caused by sexual assault to a minor, there is no statute of limitations. Defines as Class B felony actions placing child in endangerment. Makes sexual assault in the first degree a class A felony if the victim is under 16. Expands list of those professionals mandated to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Establishes educational training program for accurate and prompt identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect, available to all mandated reporters. Requires that any mandated reporter who does not report must participate in an educational and training program; reduces maximum time in whic reporting must take place to within 12 hours. Allows state telephone hotline for child abuse to accept information from anyone. States that teacher records held by local or regional boards which are records of the personal misconduct of a teacher are public records and subject to disclosure. Disclosure of such records of a teacher's personal misconduct does not require the consent of the teacher.
Title: H.B. 5680
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

FLSigned into law 05/2002P-12Allows school boards more time to decide on personnel nominations when the Legislature adjourns before May 31.
Title: S.B. 20E
Source: http://www.leg.state.fl.us

GASigned into law 05/2002P-12Permits retired teachers to work as full-time teachers or improvement specialists in low-performing schools. Limits number of retired teachers district may hire, number of years a retired teacher may be re-employed. http://www.legis.state.ga.us/Legis/2001_02/fulltext/hb210.htm
Title: H.B. 210
Source: www.legis.state.ga.us

HIVetoed 05/2002P-12Establishes the office of the auditor as an authorized representative of the department of education and department of health, a state educational authority, or a state educational official, and as such, authorized to have access to any student or other records that may be necessary in connection with any audit or evaluation of any federal or state supported educational program, or in connection with the enforcement of the federal or state legal requirements which relate to the educational program. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/hb2231_.htm

Title: H.B. 2231
Source: www.capitol.hawaii.gov

IASigned into law 05/2002P-12Requires state board to establish standards for district and area education agency career development programs and for individual teacher career development plans. Requires state director to develop a transition plan for implementation of the career development standards established in statute relating to licensure renewal. Moves national board certification registration deadline for purposes of payment of one-half of national board certification fee from June 30, 2002 to June 30, 2005. Teachers must likewise register for national board certification by June 30, 2005 and be certified in three years to obtain 2,500 annual award. Eliminates age limitations of employees eligible for early retirement incentives, leaving these to local board discretion. Includes licensed preschool teachers in definition of "beginning teachers," "classroom teachers," and "teachers." Eliminates requirement that beginning teacher's mentor be classroom teacher. Creates new defintions for "intensive assistance" and "performance reviews" for non-beginning teachers. Revises section requiring boards to provide for evaluations of beginning teachers and performance reviews for non-beginning teachers. Requires state board to adopt state director-developed model criteria for teacher evaluation, advancement and career development. Encourages districts to evaluate their current career development alignment with their student achievement goals and research-based instructional strategies, and implement district career development plans. Reduces from 5 to 3 years the frequency with which teacher performance reviews must be conducted, and requires that these be based in part on individual career development plans. Makes additional changes to beginning teacher evaluation system and teacher career development programs. Establishes timeline for development of administrator preparation program. Establishes minimum teacher salary requirements. Requires department to undertake study of feasibility of change to student achievement and teacher quality program. Creates statewide career path pilot program: http://www.legis.state.ia.us/GA/79GA/Legislation/HF/02500/HF02549/Current.html
Title: H.B. 2549
Source: www.legis.state.ia.us

OKSigned into law 05/2002P-12Relates to the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation; provides for the budgeting of funds in certain categories and amounts; requires performance measures for budget categories; provides for duties and compensation of employees of the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation; limits the salary of the Executive Director; provides budgetary limitations; provides an effective date.
Title: S.B. 1010
Source: http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/2001-02SB/sb1010_enr.rtf

ALPocket Veto by GOVERNOR. 04/2002P-12Relates to certain public school teachers; provides for authority to contract with a local board of education to work less than full-time so long as their salaries reflect employment for less than a full day; provides that if such teacher is receiving benefits from the Teachers' Retirement System, the teacher shall conform to the criteria and prescribed limits for outside income. http://alisdb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/searchableinstruments/2002rs/bills/hb605.htm
Title: H.B. 605
Source: alisdb.legislature.state.al.us

IASigned into law 04/2002P-12Expands the board of educational examiners' authority with regard to licensee disciplinary investigations and proceedings.
Title: H.B. 2482
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

KYSigned into law 04/2002P-12Makes it explicit that the Office of Education Accountability has a responsibility to periodically review personnel policies and practices relating to recruitment, selection, evaluation, termination, and promotion of personnel.
Title: S.B. 166
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

MDSigned into law 04/2002P-12Includes Prince George's County home and hospital teachers and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) instructors in the definition of "public school employees." http://mlis.state.md.us/2002rs/bills/hb/hb0644t.rtf
Title: H.B. 644
Source: mlis.state.md.us

TNSigned into law 04/2002P-12Pilot program (January 2002 to January 2003) in four counties; creates neighborhood school program that requires 25 percent of teachers in participating schools (one elementary in each country) to live within 10-mile radius of school; program goal is to enable teachers to be aware of and respond to learning and living environment of students. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Chapter/PC0609.pdf
Title: H.B. 1537
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us

MSSigned into law 03/2002P-12Requires public school district audits to include tests for compliance with statutory requirements relating to the distribution and use of school supply funds; requires the State Auditor to report on school district compliance or noncompliance to the Legislature.
Title: H.B. 1069
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

WASigned into law 03/2002P-12Relates to the professional educator standards board; amends statutes; provides that the governor shall appoint or reappoint the members of the board.
Title: H.B. 2414
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

KYSigned into law 02/2002P-12Adds high school certificate of completion as an acceptable credential to meet qualification as a classified school employee. http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/2002rsrecord/HB282/bill.doc
Title: H.B. 282
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative
+ 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--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--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--Internet Safety
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban