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
+ 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--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
+ 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--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
DEAdopted 09/2003P-12Amends Regulation 881 "Releasing Students to Persons Other Than Their Parents or Legal Guardians" to add the category of "relative caregiver" to the list of individuals who may have legal care of a child. http://www.state.de.us/research/AdminCode/Education/Education%20Administrative%20Code%20-%20800%20Health%20and%20Safety.htm#P4_57
Title: 14 DAC 881
Source: Alabama State Web site

ILSigned into law 08/2003P-12Amends the School Code. Relates to homework assistance information for parents. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide information on its Internet web site regarding strategies that parents can use to assist their children in successfully completing homework assignments. Provides that the Board shall notify all school districts about availability of information. http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=891&GAID=3&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=3763&SessionID=3
Title: S.B. 891
Source: Illinois Legislative Web site

MISigned into law 08/2003P-12Sec. 107a. (1) The family resource center curriculum blue ribbon study committee is established to explore and make
recommendations on implementing a new integrated system of delivering adult education and related family services
beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, including, but not limited to:
(a) Educational services, including, but not limited to, high school completion programs, adult basic education,
general education development (G.E.D.) test preparation, English as a second language programs, and early childhood
education.
(b) Family services, including, but not limited to, even start programs, 21st century learning center grants,
before- and after-school child care programs, parenting classes, and referrals for family and child services.
(c) Employment and training services, including, but not limited to, career preparation programs and work readiness
classes.
(2) The family resource center curriculum blue ribbon study committee shall consist of the following:
(a) Two members of the senate, 1 appointed by the senate majority leader and 1 appointed by the senate minority
leader.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, 1 appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and
1 appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.
(c) A representative of the Michigan association of community and adult education.
(d) A representative of the Michigan works! association.
(e) Three local adult education program directors, appointed jointly by the legislative members appointed under
subdivisions (a) and (b).
(f) Three local Michigan works program directors, appointed jointly by the legislative members appointed under
subdivisions (a) and (b).
(g) The state director of adult education.
(3) The timetable for the work of the family resource center curriculum blue ribbon study committee is as follows:
(a) Not later than September 1, 2003, report on its progress to the senate and house appropriations subcommittees
responsible for this act.
(b) Not later than November 1, 2003, make final recommendations to the senate and house appropriations
subcommittees responsible for this act.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/billenrolled/house/pdf/2003-HNB-4401.pdf
Title: H.B. 4401 (multiple provisions)
Source: www.michiganlegislature.org

NYVetoed 08/2003P-12Authorizes caregivers to review school records and to consent to medical and dental diagnosis and treatment of a minor child, excuse absences from school and participation in school sponsored activities.
Title: S.B. 2062
Source: StateNet

LASigned into law 07/2003P-12Provides for the establishment of a 2-year parental involvement demonstration program in local school systems, beginning with the 2003-04 school year. Program is to be funded with available funds (if they exist) from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, to establish programs in Title I-recipient schools chosen by the independent review panel from all schools identified by local board as having either lower scores on latest state assessment than the year before OR less than a five point improvement in such scores for use in determining the school's performance score as part of state accountability program. Independent panel review board must choose a cross section of elementary, middle and high schools, considering both test scores and an assessment of school readiness. Requires every participating school to submit to an official comprehensive evaluation of its parental involvement program by an independant parent review board. Allows schools that succeed in meaningful parent involvement to be eligible for awards. Requires schools found to be in noncompliance to comply with provisions of this section by one year from date of official review, if no waiver has been granted by the independent parent review board. Noncompliance may result in assignment of technical support and in random monitoring by the independent parent review board. Defines purpose, criteria and duties of independent parent review board. Requires state board to select an independent parent review board from applications from qualifying organizations. States that the independent parent review board must annual evaluate the effectiveness of a participating school's parent involvement policy in improving the school's academic quality, and that the findings resulting from such evaluations are to be considered public information and may be included in the state's report card.
http://www.legis.state.la.us/leg_docs/03RS/CVT1/OUT/0000KT46.PDF
Title: S.B. 706
Source: www.legis.state.la.us

LASigned into law 06/2003P-12Repeals provision allowing only one parent-teacher association or booster club for each school. http://www.legis.state.la.us/bills/byinst.asp?sessionid=03RS&billid=HB162&doctype=BT
Title: H.B. 162
Source: www.legis.state.la.us

HISigned into law 05/2003P-12Allows a caregiver of a minor who lives with the minor, but is not the minor's legal guardian, to execute an affidavit of caregiver consent to enroll the minor in school and allow participation in curricular and co-curricular activities;provides that a caregiver who makes a false statement in the affidavit of caregiver consent shall be subject to criminal penalties. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/getstatus.asp?qu=SB946&showstatus=on&showtext=on&press1=docs
Title: S.B. 946
Source: Hawaii Legislative web site

HISigned into law 05/2003P-12Requires public employers to provide at least two hours of paid (including travel time) leave during normal business hours to attend parent-teacher conference or parent-caregiver conference; limits employee to no more than two conferences per child in a calendar year; clarifies that the provision of paid leave not adversely interfere with the operations of the work unit nor require the applicable agency to incur additional human resources or overtime costs. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/getstatus.asp?qu=SB205&showstatus=on&showtext=on&press1=docs
Title: S.B. 205
Source: Hawaii Legislative Web site

IASigned into law 05/2003P-12Eliminates language requiring any district providing a family support program and that is requesting additional Phase III funding to meet the requirements of the main section describing family support programs and obtain department approval.
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/cgi-bin/Legislation/File_only.pl?FILE=/usr/ns-home/docs/GA/80GA/Legislation/HF/00500/HF00549/030508.html
Title: H.B. 549 (omnibus bill)
Source: www.legis.state.ia.us

ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Requires parental authorization for surveys or questionnaires administered to students requesting any personally identifiable information. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB895.pdf
Title: S.B. 895
Source: State legislative web site

ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Appropriates funds for commission on closing the academic achievement gap and parental involvement. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2067.pdf
Title: H.B. 2067
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site

ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Requires school districts to provide parents of students in grades nine through twelve (9-12) with a list of classes that are required to be taught by the school district. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2339.pdf
Title: H.B. 2339
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site

ARSigned into law 03/2003P-12Requires public schools to create a parental involvement plan. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1387.pdf
Title: H.B. 1387
Source: State legislative web site

SDSigned into law 02/2003P-12Amends 13-26-4.   A school may have teacher-parent conferences during the school year and not more than 16.5 hours may be counted as hours in session. Also, boards may designate a maximum of 5.5 hours of the 16.5 session hours as in-service teacher training.
Title: H.B. 1041
Source: http://legis.state.sd.us

+ 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 Attitudes
+ 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--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
+ Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance
+ Student Supports--Mentoring/Tutoring
+ Student Supports--Remediation
+ 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