ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2003 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 2003. 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--Compulsory
+ Attendance--Statutory Ages (Upper and Lower)
+ Attendance--Truancy
+ Background Checks
+ Bilingual/ESL
+ Business Involvement
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Closings
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Cyber Charters
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Finance
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Research
+ Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment
+ Choice of Schools--Magnet or Specialized Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Counseling/Guidance
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Alignment
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Environmental Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--International Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Multicultural
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Demographics
+ Demographics--Enrollments
+ Desegregation
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Equity
+ Federal
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Equity
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Federal
+ 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--School Boards--Training
+ Governance--Site-Based Management
+ Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies
+ Health
+ Health--Child Abuse
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ Health--Suicide Prevention
+ Health--Teen Pregnancy
+ High School
+ High School--Advanced Placement
+ High School--College Readiness
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
+ High School--Early Colleges/Middle Colleges
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Homework/Study Skills
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ Leadership
+ Leadership--District Superintendent
+ Leadership--District Superintendent--Compensation and Diversified Pay
+ 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
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Tenure
+ Mentoring/Tutoring
+ 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
TXRule Adoption 12/2003P-12Accountability
19 TAC 2.97.A.97.1 thru 97.4
Repeals old rules and establishes rules relating to public school accountability. Each school district must be assigned an accountability rating by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The accountability rating of a school district is based primarily on its overa...

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ARRule Adoption 11/2003P-12Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment, & Accountability Program and Academic Distress Program
ADE 162
Establishes rules governing the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program and the Academic Distress Program (ACTAAP). http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20162%20actaap.pdf...

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ILAmendatory veto by Governor - Bill Dead 11/2003P-12School Improvement and Student Achievement
S.B. 207
Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to implement and administer a student achievement improvement grant program to provide 2- year grants to school districts on the academic watch list and other school districts that have the lowest a...

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MISigned into law 08/2003P-12School or District Appeal of Determination Not to Have Made AYP
H.B. 4391 (multiple provisions)
Before publishing a list of schools or districts determined to have failed to make adequate yearly progress as required by the federal no child left behind act of 2001, Public Law 107-110, 115 Stat. 1425, the department shall allow a school or district to appe...

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MISigned into law 08/2003P-12Reporting Requirements
H.B. 4401 (multiple provisions)
Sec. 19. (1) A district shall comply with any requirements of sections 1204a, 1277, 1278, and 1280 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1204a, 380.1277, 380.1278, and 380.1280, commonly referred to as "public act 25 of 1990" that are not also
required by the no...

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MISigned into law 08/2003P-12Center for Educational Performance and Information
H.B. 4401 (multiple provisions)
Sec. 94a. (1) There is created within the office of the state budget director in the department of management and
budget the center for educational performance and information. The department of management and budget shall
provide administrative support to the...

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OHSigned into law 08/2003P-12State Public School Accountability System
H.B. 3--Section 3302.01
Creates the Ohio Accountability Task Force to study the state's accountability system (to make recommendations, periodically review fees for data analysis and reporting, periodically report to the department and state board, to examine the implementation of th...

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OHSigned into law 08/2003P-12AYP
H.B. 3--3302.01
This section defines "performance index score;" defines subgroups as major racial and ethic groups, students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged, and limited English proficient students. Defines "other academic indicators" as attendance rate for ele...

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OHSigned into law 08/2003P-12Measuring Attendance
H.B. 3 - Omnibus Bill -- Attendance Rates
Requires the department of education, by January 1, 2004, to provide to the General Assembly a feasible standard for measuring school district attendance rates....

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CAEmergency Rule Adoption 07/2003P-12Alternative Schools Accountability Model (ASAM)
Title 5 CCR 1068 thru 1074
Establishes emergency rules concerning alternative schools accountability model. CALIFORNIA REG 15452 (SN)
http://ccr.oal.ca.gov/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=125942&E22=Title%205&E23=1068&E24=&infobase=ccr&querytemplate=%261.%20Go%20to%20a%20Specific%20Sectio...

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NYAdopted 07/2003P-12No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
NYCRR 8 100.2 (bb)
Amends rules ensuring state and local educational agency compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act. NEW YORK REG 15972 (SN) http://www.regents.nysed.gov/July2003/0703brca2.htm From summary presented to board: Establishes accountability performance criteri...

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DERule Adoption 06/2003P-12School Accountability for Academic Performance
14 DAC 101, 103
Amended regulation to conform to state and federal statutes that address school, district and state accountability for student performance; added five levels of performance for students in grades 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9 in reading, writing and mathematics beginning i...

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FLSigned into law 06/2003P-12Education Accountability
H.B. 915
Expands legislative intent for K-20 education performance accountability system; provides requirements and implementation schedule for performance-based funding; provides mission, goals, and measures; requires collection of certain data; provides eligibility c...

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MDRule Adoption 06/2003P-12Review and Recognition of Schools under NCLB
COMAR 13A.01.04.09
A. The State Board and the State Superintendent of Schools shall annually review the progress of each local school system to determine if the school system is making AYP in reading and in mathematics and shall publicize the results of the review to each local ...

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MDRule Adoption 06/2003P-12Student Performance Areas to Include in NCLB Reporting and Accountability
COMAR 13A.01.04.04
A. Student Performance Areas. The following data-based areas shall be measured by the standards in Regulation .05 of this chapter and reported annually as provided in Regulation .06 of this chapter to assess school and student performance:
(1) Maryland School ...

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MDRule Adoption 06/2003P-12AYP Measures
COMAR 13A.01.04.05
A. The attendance rate represents the average daily attendance rate of students in grades 1-12, including ungraded special education students. Summer school attendance is excluded. The proficient standard is 94 percent and the advanced standard is 96 percent.
...

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NVSigned into law 06/2003P-12Alignment with No Child Left Behind Act - Accountability Provisions
S.B. 1 (Omnibus Bill)
The measure revises the public school accountability provisions of the Nevada Education Reform Act and related sections of the law to conform to requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The bill requires the state board to define the meas...

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TXto governor 06/2003P-12Personal Graduation Plans
S.B. 1108 (Section 28.0212)
Requires the principal or other staff to identify each student who (1) hasn't performed well on assessments; (2) is not likely to receive a diploma before the fifth year of high school and then develop a graduation plan for each student that (1) identifies edu...

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TXto governor 06/2003P-12Training for Teachers of ELL Students
S.B. 1108 (Section 39.024)
Requires the state agency to develop and make available teacher training materials and other teacher training resources to assist teachers in enabling students of limited English proficiency to meet state performance expectations. The teacher training resourc...

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TXto governor 06/2003P-12Intensive Program of Instruction
S.B. 1108 (Section 28.0213)
Requires districts to offer an intensive program of instruction to a student who does not perform satisfactorily on an assessment instrument administered under Subchapter B, Chapter 39. This program must be designed to: (1) enable the student to: (A) to th...

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VTSigned into law 06/2003P-12Homeless and Migrant Children
S.B. 185
This act clarifies that the state board of education is authorized to administer federal education funds available under the No Child Left Behind Act; for the next two years, authorizes the commissioner of education to make an annual, instead of biennial, dete...

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WVRule Adoption 06/2003P-12Measures of Academic Progress Program
Title 126, Series 14
Provides rules relating to the measures of academic progress program. WEST VIRGINIA REG 4253 (SN)...

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MDSigned into law 05/2003P-12Data Collection Forms for Schools
H.B. 1055
Extends the implementation date for the applicability of specified standards for data collection forms for schools, school systems, and the state department of education. http://mlis.state.md.us/2003rs/bills/hb/hb1055t.rtf...

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MNSigned into law 05/2003P-12School Accountability and Appeals Process
H.F. 302 (multiple provisions)
Requires the state commissioner of education to use objective criteria based on student performance levels to identify four to six designations for high- to low-performing schools. Performance criteria must take into account at least student academic performan...

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OHRule Adoption 05/2003P-12Licensure
OAC 3301-24-05
New definition states that a highly qualified teacher is one who holds at least a bachelor's degree and has full state certification through a Board-approved certificate or license, such as a professional teaching license for Pre K-3 or 4-9 at the elementary l...

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OKSigned into law 05/2003P-12Accountability
H.B. 1414 (Accountability Component)
Requires the state board to develop and implement in accordance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2001 (ESEA), P.L. No. 107-110, also known as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, an accountability system as provided for in 20 U.S.C., 6311 an...

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TXSigned into law 05/2003P-12Accreditation of Public School Districts
H.B. 2683
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, for purposes of determining the performance of a school district under this chapter, including the accreditation status of the district, a student confined by court order in a residential program or facility op...

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TXSigned into law 05/2003P-12Relates to Public School Dropout and Completion
S.B. 186
Requires dropout rates, including dropout rates and district completion rates for grade levels 9 through 12, be computed in accordance
with standards and definitions adopted by the National Center for Education Statistics of the United States Department of Edu...

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TXRule Adoption 05/2003P-12Youth Commission Schools
37 TAC 91.41
Amends rules concerning education administration. Clarifies that Youth Commission schools are accredited under certain provisions. TEXAS REG 85576 (SN)...

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WASigned into law 05/2003P-12Pilot Program
H.B. 2012
A new section is added to chapter 28A.630 13 RCW. Creates the special services pilot program to encourage participating school districts to provide early intensive reading and language assistance to students who are struggling academically. The goal of such a...

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WVRule Adoption 05/2003P-12Process for Improving Education
Title 126, Series 13
This rule establishes an accountability system to determine the adequate yearly progress of West Virginia public schools and a system of education performance audits which measures the quality of education and the preparation of students based on the standards...

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NMSigned into law 03/2003P-12Adequate Yearly Progress Section
H.B. 212 (Omnibus Bill)
Amends 22-1-2 to add new definition: "adequate yearly progress" means the measure adopted by the state board based on federal requirements to assess the progress that a student, a public school or school district or the state makes toward improving student ac...

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NMSigned into law 03/2003P-12Adquate Yearly Progress (AYP) for Schools
H.B. 212 (Omnibus Bill)
Outlines procedures and timelines for schools that have failed to make adequate yearly progress for two consecutive years (ranked as a school that needs improvement). These schools must develop an improvement plan with documentation of performance measures in...

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NMSigned into law 03/2003P-12Graduation Rates
S.B. 394
Requires school districts to track graduation rates for high school in the district....

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SDSigned into law 03/2003P-12Accountability System for Public Schools
S.B. 40
Establishes a single, statewide state accountability system. The system is required to hold public schools and public school districts accountable for the academic achievement of their students and must ensure that all public schools and all public school dist...

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OHAdopted 01/2003P-12Ohio's Proposal for a Unitary Accountability System
Resolution
Board adopted the design for a statewide school building and school district accountability system, which is officially entitled "Ohio's Proposal for a Unitary Accountability System." The measure puts the board on track to fulfill the requirements of the "No C...

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+ No Child Left Behind--Assessment
+ No Child Left Behind--Choice/Transfer
+ No Child Left Behind--Consequences for Schools
+ No Child Left Behind--Finance
+ No Child Left Behind--Parent Involvement
+ 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 Accountability--Diploma Mills
+ 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--Intellectual Property
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Tenure
+ Postsecondary Finance
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
+ 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--Completion
+ Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Purposes of Public Education
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Remediation (K-12)
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Week
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
+ School Safety
+ School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
+ School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension
+ School Safety--No Child Left Behind--Safe Schools
+ School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault
+ School Safety--Special Education
+ 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--Shared Services
+ 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
+ Special Populations--Immigrant Education
+ Standards
+ Standards--Implementation
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Ballot Questions
+ State Policymaking--Politics
+ State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
+ Student Achievement
+ Student Achievement--Closing the Achievement Gap
+ Students
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Employment
+ Students--Mobility
+ 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--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
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining--Strikes
+ Technology
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Equitable Access
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Internet Safety
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban--Governance