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
+ 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
MOIssued 12/2003P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Commission on the Future of Higher Education
Executive Order 03-07
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 imp...

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CASigned into law 08/2003P-12Advisory Commission on Special Education
A.B. 615
Existing 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 ...

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CTSigned into law 07/2003P-12After School Programs
H.B. 5723
Establishes 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/c...

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ILSigned into law 07/2003P-12Early Learning Council Act
S.B. 565
Creates 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...

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COSigned into law 06/2003P-12Achievement Gap
S.B. 254
Concerns 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/...

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

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HISigned into law 06/2003P-12Commission on Fatherhood
S.B. 1423
Establishes 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 in...

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MESigned into law 06/2003P-12Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
S.P. 193 (LD 553)
Establishes 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...

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MESigned into law 06/2003P-12Legislative Youth Advisory Council
H.P. 557
Implements 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.
Estab...

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NHBecame law without governor's signature 06/2003P-12School Peformance and Accountability Chapter
H.B. 139 (193-G:1)
Requires 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 ...

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ARBecame law without governor's signature 05/2003P-12A Health Advisory Committee
H.B. 2893
Creates 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...

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MDSigned into law 05/2003P-12Public School Facilities
S.B. 498
Extends 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...

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MNSigned into law 05/2003P-12State-Level Assessment Advisory Committee
H.F. 302 (multiple provisions)
Language 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 ...

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MTSigned into law 05/2003P-12K-12 Public School Renewal Commission
H.B. 736
Establishes 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 mini...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003Postsec.
Community College
College and Technical Institute Study Committee
H.B. 2844
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...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12Closing The Academic Achievement Gap
H.B. 2657
Creates the committee on closing the academic achievement gap in Arkansas. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2657.pdf...

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UTSigned into law 03/2003P-12State System of Public Education Amendments
H.B. 257
Creates 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, ...

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AZIssued 01/2003P-12Governor's Children's Cabinet
Executive Order 2003-04
Establishes 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 ...

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+ 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