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 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
MOIssued 12/2003P-12
Postsec.
Community College
The Commission of the Future of Higher Education was created by Executive Order 03-07 on March 17, 2003, with a final report due by January 1, 2004. The purpose of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education shall be to develop plans to strengthen and improve postsecondary education in Missouri. The commission's objectives will include, but are not limited to: identifying ways to increase the number of Missourians prepared to pursue training and education after high school, including technical, community college, and college or university education; increasing the number of high school students who enroll in and complete such programs; enhancing the affordability of postsecondary education for students from families at all income levels; and increasing the civic and economic benefits of advanced education for individuals, their families, communities, and the state of Missouri.

Report was issued December 31, 2003. http://www.mocbhe.gov/commission/pp/finalreport.pdf
Title: Executive Order 03-07
Source: Missouri State Web site

CASigned into law 08/2003P-12Existing law requires the state board of education, upon recommendation of the superintendent of public instruction or the members of the state board of education, to appoint five public members to the Advisory Commission on Special Education. This bill would require the board to select one of those members from the charter school community.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0601-0650/ab_615_bill_20030811_chaptered.html
Title: A.B. 615
Source: California Legislative Web site

CTSigned into law 07/2003P-12Establishes a state "after-school committee" to make recommendations on a state-wide after school system through enhanced agency coordination, maximization of public and private funding and community partnerships. http://www.cga.state.ct.us/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=5723&which_year=2003&SUBMIT.x=10&SUBMIT.y=10
Title: H.B. 5723
Source: Connecticut Legislative Web site

ILSigned into law 07/2003P-12Creates the Illinois Early Learning Council Act. Establishes the Illinois Early Learning Council to coordinate existing state programs and services for children from birth to 5 years of age in order to better meet the early learning needs of children and their families. Provides for the appointment of members to the council who represent both public and private organizations and who reflect regional, racial and cultural diversity. http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=565&GAID=3&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=3196&SessionID=3
Title: S.B. 565
Source: Illinois Legislative Web site

COSigned into law 06/2003P-12Concerns closing achievement gap; creates a program to assist schools that have received an unsatisfactory rating or have a significant achievement gap; establishes a commission to propose actions to close the achievement gap. http://www.leg.state.co.us/2003a/inetcbill.nsf/fsbillcont/F2377ACD76563BFA87256C7500641173?Open&file=254_enr.pdf
Title: S.B. 254
Source: Colorado Legislative Web site

GASigned into law 06/2003Postsec.Creates the "Improvement of HOPE Scholarship Joint Study Commission". http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2003_04/sum/sr220.htm
Title: S.R. 220
Source: Georgia Legislative Web site

HISigned into law 06/2003P-12Establishes the Commission on Fatherhood within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to provide for a statewide program, on a permanent and continuing basis, to promote healthy family relationships between parents and children that are father- friendly and inclusive; requires Lieutenant Governor's Office to provide staff and administrative support to the commission. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/getstatus.asp?qu=sb1423&showstatus=on&showtext=on&press1=docs
Title: S.B. 1423
Source: Hawaii Legislative Web site

MESigned into law 06/2003P-12Establishes a task force to study the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents. Establishes membership of task force, appointments to which must be made within 30 days of effective date of this resolve. Requires the task force to examine the behavioral, developmental, social, emotional and educational needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents not receiving adequate services due to a lack of appropriate resources. Specifically, the task force must examine: 1. Services that are currently available to serve the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents and the ability of those providers to provide culturally competent, linguistically accessible services; 2. Demographic data of the numbers of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents in need of such specialized services and projections regarding the number of deaf and hard-of-hearing younger children who may require such services in the future; and 3. Proposals designed to improve the delivery of services to meet the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents, including, but not limited to, the development of in-state specialty services, collaborative agreements with bordering states and states with specialized facilities and training initiatives. Requires the task force to submit a report, including findings and recommendations, to the legislature by December 10, 2003.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billtexts/LD055301-1.asp
Title: S.P. 193 (LD 553)
Source: StateNet

MESigned into law 06/2003P-12Implements the recommendations of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council. Increases the council membership from 21 to 22, increasing appointments by senate president from 10 to 11, thereby increasing from one to two the appointees who are senate members.
Establishes a legislative co-chair and youth chair for the council. Establishes procedure for selection and term length of each chair. Requires the state education commissioner, secretary of state and director of the office of substance abuse to develop recommendations to establish a permanent youth advisory committee in the executive branch to serve as a resource for any state agency charged with developing, implementing or enforcing policies that relate specifically to youth. These recommendations are to be reported to the legislative youth advisory council.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billdocs/LD075101.doc
Title: H.P. 557
Source: www.mainelegislature.org

NHBecame law without governor's signature 06/2003P-12Requires state commissioner to make public a list of schools not meeting performance targets. Establishes strategic responses for local education improvement plans. Requires state department to work cooperatively with the school or district(s). Establishes corrective action plans and sets minimum requirements, including: (a) Identify the area in which the school failed to meet the annual statewide performance targets established under RSA 193-H:2. (b) Identify and describe the strategy the school intends to implement to improve its performance.
(c) Establish and explain a strategy designed to promote family and community involvement. (d) Detail how the school district budget reflects the goals of the local education improvement plan. Allows other elements, including: (a) The school's curriculum including curricular priorities and instructional materials. (b) Instructional models that incorporate research-based practices that have been proven to be effective in improving student achievement. (c) Formal and informal opportunities to assess and monitor each child's progress. (d) Evidence of data-based decisions. (e) Structural reform strategies that may include schedule, organization, support mechanisms, and resources. (f) Shared leadership structure to support school improvement. (g) Professional development that is aligned with school improvement goals. (h) External support and resources based on their effectiveness and alignment with the school improvement plan. (i) Extended learning activities for students. Repeals and reenacts the duties of the Legislative Oversight Committee to include: I. Review the development and implementation of the school performance and accountability program II. Review the provisions of RSA 193-H and submit a report of such review annually to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the governor, and the chairpersons of the house and senate education committees.
III. Propose legislation that is needed. IV. Confer with the commissioner and the state board to identify operational principles which should guide the work of the department of education in supporting improved school performance and accountability. V. Analyze existing department of education programs and initiatives which support improved school performance and accountability. VI. Receive reports from the commissioner regarding the status of public education in New Hampshire, updates on the improvement made by local school districts toward achieving satisfactory progress in statewide student performance under RSA 193-H:2 and status reports on the on-going issues and implications of school accountability at the state and federal level. VII. Review and approve statewide performance targets developed by the department of education and recommended to the legislative oversight committee by the state board of education. VIII. Receive reports from the state board relative to statewide performance targets. Propose legislation to be submitted to establish such statewide performance targets in state statute during the legislative session following the approval of any recommendations which the state board of education is required to make. http://gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2003/hb0139.html
Title: H.B. 139 (193-G:1)
Source: http://gencourt.state.nh.us

ARBecame law without governor's signature 05/2003P-12Creates a Health Advisory Committee; coordinates efforts to combat inadequate health care on the educational performance of children. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2893.pdf
Title: H.B. 2893
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site

MDSigned into law 05/2003P-12Extends the Aging Schools Program to fiscal year 2004 and every fiscal year thereafter; Requires the impact of the proposed goals, objectives and implementation strategies on public school facilities and capital improvements that may be needed to implement the district master plan to be included in the comprehensive master plan that every district must annually submit to the department. Extends through fiscal year 2005 the requirement that the state provide 90% of costs for school construction projects in Baltimore City and 75% of costs above 20 million. Requires Baltimore to provide at least $16 million for school construction through fiscal year 2005. Expands duties and membership of Task Force to Study Public School Facilities. Requires the task force to submit an interim report of its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2002 and a final report of findings and recommendations by December 31, 2003.
http://mlis.state.md.us/2003rs/bills/sb/sb0498e.rtf
Title: S.B. 498
Source: mlis.state.md.us

MNSigned into law 05/2003P-12Language is effective immediately and applies to 2005-06 school year and later. Establishes assessment advisory committee of up to 11 members, all of whom are chosen by the state commissioner of education. Specifies required membership of commission. Requires commission to review all state assessments, submit its recommendations to the commissioner and legislative committees that have jurisdiction over K-12 education policy and budget issues. Requires the commissioner to consider the committee's recommendations before finalizing a statewide assessment. Committee expires on June 30, 2014.
See Section 11: http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/getbill.pl?session=ls83&version=latest&number=HF302&session_number=0&session_year=2003
Title: H.F. 302 (multiple provisions)
Source: www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us

MTSigned into law 05/2003P-12Establishes a K-12 public school renewal commission to propose amendments and new provisions to components of K-12 education, including governance and finance structures and the state and federal roles in public education. The commission must include at a minimum the governor, the superintendent of public instruction and specified members of the state legislature. In addition, the governor must identify between 10 and 25 entitites to send a representative to serve on the commission and name a representative from the juvenile corrections division. The commission must present its findings and recommendations to the education and local government interim committee by September 15, 2004, and may recommend legislation. Provides an appropriation.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2003/billhtml/HB0736.htm
Web site for the Montana K-12 Public School Renewal Commission: http://www.state.mt.us/gov2/css/boards/renewal/default.asp
Title: H.B. 736
Source: data.opi.state.mt.us

ARSigned into law 04/2003Postsec.
Community College
An act to create the two-year college and technical institute study committee. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2844.pdf
Title: H.B. 2844
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site

ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Creates the committee on closing the academic achievement gap in Arkansas. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2657.pdf
Title: H.B. 2657
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site

UTSigned into law 03/2003P-12Creates the Public Education Legislative Task Force. The task force, in cooperation with the public education community, business, industry, employers, and parents, shall study and make recommendations for public education: (a) establishing a clear mission, objectives, and accountability; (b) considering the governance structure; (c) combining authority with accountability; (d) setting education priorities; (e) strengthening financial viability; (f) effects of and incorporation of the No Child Left Behind legislation; (g) considering school choice, including the enhancement of charter schools; and (h) other issues that may be recommended by the task force including the merits of available prior studies and reports done by others. A final report, including any proposed legislation shall be presented before November 30, 2003, to the Education Interim Committee. After that date, the task force provision is repealed. http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2003/bills/hbillenr/hb0257.htm
Title: H.B. 257
Source: http://www.le.state.ut.us/house/index.htm

AZIssued 01/2003P-12Establishes a Children's Cabinet to focus attention and resources on problems facing the state's children by collaborating and promoting coordinated policies and service delivery systems that support children, families and communities. Establishes an Advisory Commission on Child Protective Services (CPS) Reform to make recommendations to the governor and the Children's Cabinet on how the state can carry out its mission of serving the best interests of children, particularly those in greatest need of protection. Requires the children's cabinet to (1) Advise and make recommendations to the governor on the most effective policies and programs that promote the best interests of Arizona children. (2) Develop a coordinated inter-agency strategy for serving abused and neglected children with more effective and efficient service delivery, including coordination of behavioral health services, education services, health care services, substance abuse services and child welfare. (3) Develop a plan for maximizing Arizona's share of federal funds for programs that support Arizona children. Establishes membership of the children's cabinet and the Advisory Commission on CPS Reform; states the Advisory Commission on CPS Reform will conclude its work by June 30, 2003.

http://www.governor.state.az.us/eo/2003_4.pdf
Title: Executive Order 2003-04
Source: www.governor.state.az.us

+ 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