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
+ 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
+ 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
ILTotal veto stands 11/2003P-12Accountability Council
S.B. 564
Extends the repeal date of a Section requiring the establishment of the Chicago Schools Academic Accountability Council (from June 30, 2004 ...

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MTRule Adoption 09/2003P-12Definition of Combined School District
ARM 10.55.602
Establishes rules regarding the definition of combined school district. MONTANA REG 4387 (SN)...

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RIBecame law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 08/2003P-12School Districts
H.B. 5458
Requires any collaborative established under this chapter to track expenditures and investments and file a report each year with the board o...

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LASigned into law 07/2003P-12Half Hour of Daily Physical Activity for Grades K-6
S.B. 398
Starting in the 2004-05 school year and thereafter, requires every public school serving students in grades K-6 to offer students at least 3...

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LASigned into law 07/2003P-12School Support Personnel--Extra Compensation
H.B. 1858
Provides relative to extra compensation for noncertified school support personnel in the event such compensation is not included in the mini...

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AKSigned into law 06/2003P-12Community Schools
H.B. 165
Relates to Community Schools; encourages school districts to maintain school buildings and equipment. http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get...

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FLVetoed 06/2003P-12K-12 Public Education Instructional Materials
S.B. 1838
Changes date by which school superintendents must notify Department of Education regarding certain instructional materials;requires publishe...

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ILSigned into law 06/2003P-12Chicago School District Personnel Committee
H.B. 1235
Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Changes the name of an attendance center's professional personnel advisory co...

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LASigned into law 06/2003P-12Immorality Grounds for Dismissal of School Employees
H.B. 778
Adds a charge of immorality as a cause for dismissal of a teacher, bus driver, or permanent employee; defines immorality as conviction of a ...

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LASigned into law 06/2003P-12School Bus Drivers
S.B. 141
Requires a restriction which limits a person to operating only a school bus; provides that such restriction shall apply to a person who has ...

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MOSigned into law 06/2003P-12Changing District Boundary Lines
S.B. 686 (§ 162.431)
Requires that, in determining whether it is necessary to change the boundary line between seven-director districts, the board of arbitration...

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MOSigned into law 06/2003P-12Educational Service Agencies
S.B. 686 (§ 162.1180)
States that any public school district or districts may designate an educational service agency for the purpose of developing, managing, and...

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ORSigned into law 06/2003P-12School Districts
S.B. 11
Adds a new section. Repeals existence of county school districts. Requires county school districts that existed on the effective date of t...

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TNSigned into law 06/2003P-12Mold Abatement
H.B. 891
Creates task force to establish guidelines for mold abatement in public schools....

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AZSigned into law 05/2003P-12Electronic Bidding
H.B. 2376
Requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to adopt rules for the procurement of goods and information services by school districts and cha...

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AZSigned into law 05/2003P-12Use of School Facilities
S.B. 1250
States student political organizations may be granted the uncompensated use of school district property and may conduct lawful meetings on s...

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AZSigned into law 05/2003P-12Elections and School Personnel
H.B. 2279
Prohibits a person acting on behalf of a school district from using school district or charter school personnel, equipment, buildings or oth...

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CAAdopted 05/2003P-12Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998
Title 2 CCR 1859.61, .105, .106, .141, .142, .145, .147, .148, .150.1, .151, .152, .153
Establishes emergency rules concerning Leroy F. Greene Facilities Act of 1998, specifying amending the audit requirements for the Critically...

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COSigned into law 05/2003P-12Return of Library Resources
H.B. 1333
Permits a board of education of a school district to require the replacement or return of library resources by withholding a student's diplo...

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IAAdopted 05/2003P-12Attendance Center Closure and Grade Realignment
281 IAC 19.1, 19.2, 19.3
Promulgates administrative rules regarding attendance centers. Specifies that local board of a school district has discretion as to the numb...

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IASigned into law 05/2003P-12Early Intervention Block Grant Program Repeal Date
H.B. 549 (omnibus bill)
Changes repeal date from 2003 to 2004 on chapter establishing statewide early intervention block grant program. Components of this program i...

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IASigned into law 05/2003P-12District Reorganization
H.B. 549 (omnibus bill)
Changes from March to December 1 the date by which a petition to reorganize districts must be filed with the affected area education agency ...

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IAVetoed 05/2003P-12Removal of Contract Requirement for Part-Time and Substitute Bus Drivers
H.B. 549 (omnibus bill)
Removes the contract requirement for substitute and part-time school bus drivers.
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/GA/80GA/Session.1/HJournal/02...

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IASigned into law 05/2003P-12School Bus Drivers Who Are Insulin-Dependent Diabetics
H.B. 549 (omnibus bill)
Adds that school bus driver must be immediately suspended from duties, pending termination hearing by district board or authorities of nonpu...

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MDSigned into law 05/2003P-12Use of Solar Energy
S.B. 2
Relates to the pilot program to use solar energy in public school buildings. Extends program from solely newly constructed buildings to also...

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NDSigned into law 05/2003P-12Changing from High School District to Elementary
S.B. 2421 (Second of Four New Sections)
Beginning July 2, 2003, a high school district may not become an elementary district. http://www.state.nd.us/lr/assembly/58-2003/special-ses...

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NDSigned into law 05/2003P-12Joint Powers Agreements
S.B. 2421 (Third of Four New Sections)
If school districts participating in joint powers agreements wish to receive reimbursement for expenses, as provided in section 19 of this A...

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NVSigned into law 05/2003P-12Public School Libraries
A.B. 407
Authorizes school districts to open public school libraries to general public during times that are not regular school hours....

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OKSigned into law 05/2003P-12Retired Nonclassified Employees
S.B. 663
Adds provision to allow certain nonclassified personnel who return to work after retirement to be paid without penalty to their retirement. ...

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OKSigned into law 05/2003P-12Voluntary Consolidation
H.B. 1153
Renames and updates the Oklahoma Voluntary Consolidation and Annexation Act and Fund. Provides various financial incentives for district co...

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OKSigned into law 05/2003P-12Governance of School Districts
S.B. 216
Allows the boards of two or more school districts to contract with one superintendent to serve as superintendent of the school districts. A...

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TNSigned into law 05/2003P-12Grading Policies
H.J.R. 485
Requests the state board to study the issue of grading in Tennessee public schools with special emphasis on the area of numerical/letter gra...

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TXSigned into law 05/2003P-12Finality of a Grade
H.B. 1949
Sec. 28.0212. FINALITY OF GRADE. (a) An examination or course grade issued by a classroom teacher is final and may not be changed unless ...

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VTSigned into law 05/2003P-12Federal School Meals Programs
H.B. 54
Requires that a school district participate in the federal school breakfast program, and that a district may vote every two years on whether...

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VTSigned into law 05/2003P-12Education Law
H.B. 477
This act assigns duties appropriately carried out by staff and which are currently assigned to a supervisory union board to the superintende...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Personnel Policy Committee Requirements
H.B. 2802
Requires each school district to report compliance with personnel policy committee requirements. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Creation of a School District
H.B. 2608
Amends the laws pertaining to creators of a school by detachment. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2608.pdf...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Schools Districts and Public School Choice
S.B. 242
Requires all school districts to participate in public school choice. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB242.pdf...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Public Private Partnerships to School Districts
H.B. 2272
Allows school districts to enter into public-private partnerships whereby the school district enters into lease-purchase agreements for scho...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Schools to Use the Arkansas Public School Computer
H.B. 2459
Requires cooperative schools to use the Arkansas Public School Computer Network. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Policies for Public School Employees
H.B. 2717
Requires written personnel policies for public school classified employees....

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Academic Standards
H.B. 2775
Requires the Department of Education to define and publish academic standards and expected outcomes for students in pre-kindergarten through...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Classified School Employees
H.B. 2520
Provides for cost of living salary increases for classified school employees tied to the consumer price index. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Department of Education Website Requirements
H.B. 2887
Requires certain data be made available on the Department of Education website; includes financial data reports for school districts, admini...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Interim Policies for Consolidated Districts
H.B. 2842
Provides for an interim personnel policies committee in the event of consolidation of school districts....

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AZSigned into law 04/2003P-12School Board Contract and Certificate Actions
H.B. 2051
Deletes requirement for school districts to have prior approval of Board of Education in order to contract with each other; adds Board to pr...

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AZBecame law without governor's signature 04/2003P-12School Building Renewal Funds
H.B. 2096
Authorizes School Facilities Board to withhold building renewal monies until school districts comply with reporting requirements. http://www...

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IASigned into law 04/2003P-12School Health Insurance Reform Team Study and Recommendations
S.F. 386
Requires the insurance division of the department of commerce to establish a school health insurance reform team study and to make recommend...

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IDSigned into law 04/2003P-12School Bond Equalization Levy
H.B. 319
Relates to the school bond levy equalization support program to change the time limitations which govern certain bond and bond levy amounts;...

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KSSigned into law 04/2003P-12Kansas City Board Establishing Public Library and Branch Libraries
S.B. 82
Allows Kansas City board to establish and maintain a public library and branch libraries, to be paid for from general, building and retireme...

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MSSigned into law 04/2003P-12Method of Compensating Teachers and Other Employees
H.B. 742
Allows any licensed employee to be credited with a professional leave allowance with pay for every day of absence caused by required attenda...

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WASigned into law 04/2003P-12Appeals Process
S.B. 5437
Authorizes a petitioner or school district to appeal a decision by the regional committee to the state board based on the claim that the reg...

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WVSigned into law 04/2003P-12School Property Leases
S.B. 522
Relates to county boards of education to lease school property no longer needed....

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KYSigned into law 03/2003P-12Integration of Arts and Foreign Languages into Elementary School Curriculum
S.B. 154
Requires the department to create a program to promote the integration of the arts and foreign languages into the elementary school program....

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KYSigned into law 03/2003P-12Directors of Pupil Personnel in School Districts
H.B. 224
Allows a local superintendent to waive the requirement that a director of pupil personnel in a district devote his or her entire time to the...

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MTSigned into law 03/2003P-12School District Territory Transfer
S.B. 16
Revises the laws related to school boundary transfers; establishes criteria, a standard of proof and procedures for territory transfer heari...

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UTSigned into law 03/2003P-12Creation of New School Districts
H.B. 169
Provides a process for creating new school districts. The act provides for the transfer of school property to the new school district, a tax...

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SDSigned into law 02/2003P-12School Districts
H.B. 1040
Defines the consolidation of school districts. (1) "Joint district," a school district having territory in two or more adjoining counties. ...

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NJSigned into law 01/2003P-12Mandatory District School Breakfast Program Participation
S.B. 1498
Provides for mandatory participation in a school breakfast program for schools in a local or regional school district with a certain percent...

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+ 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