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
PASigned into law 12/2003P-12Background Checks and Educational Improvement Tax Credit
S.B. 80
Amends the Public School Code. Amends provisions related to background checks of prospective employees, tax levy and limitations, per capita...

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CASigned into law 09/2003P-12Crimes: School Employees
A.B. 608
Requires the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol and arresting law enforcement to give notices to specified school officials upon ...

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NYSigned into law 09/2003P-12Background Checks-Supplemental Education Services
S.B. 5546
Requires that a criminal background check be performed on any individual who is employed by a supplemental education services provider....

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ILSigned into law 08/2003P-12Criminal History Records Checks
H.B. 564
Amends various Acts relating to criminal history records checks. Provides that applicants for various occupations, including prospective sch...

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MISigned into law 08/2003P-12Professional Personnel Register
H.B. 4391 (multiple provisions)
Requires the department to maintain a professional personnel register and certificate revocation/felony conviction files.
http://www.michiga...

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ORTemporary Rule Adoption 08/2003P-12Criminal Records Checks of School Employees
OAR 581-022-1730, -1732
Amends rules to authorize the Department of Education to conduct on behalf of a school district or a private school criminal records checks ...

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NCSigned into law 07/2003P-12Safeguard Children
S.B. 993
Enhances the ability of the State Board of Education to safeguard schoolchildren through automatic revocation of teacher certificates upon c...

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NYSigned into law 07/2003P-12Conditional Employment of Prospective Employees
S.B. 5059
Authorizes the division of criminal justice services is authorized to submit the fingerprints to the federal bureau of investigation for a n...

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WIVetoed 07/2003P-12Unpardoned Felons
A.B. 41
Permits an educational agency to refuse to employ or to terminate from employment an unpardoned felon....

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COSigned into law 06/2003P-12Criminal Conviction and Background Checks
H.B. 1114
Requires courts to report felony convictions to the Department of Education when the convicted person is a current or former employee of a s...

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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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MEVetoed 06/2003P-12Fingerprinting
H.P. 667 (LD 890)
Restricts fingerprinting of educational personnel to new hires. Specifies that statistics and other information gathered during fingerprint...

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MOSigned into law 06/2003P-12Teacher Job Sharing
H.B. 346 (multiple provisions)
Requires the state board to adopt rules to facilitate job-sharing positions for classroom teachers, as the term "job-sharing" is defined in ...

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MOSigned into law 06/2003P-12
S.B. 296 (multiple provisions)
Specifies that all valid teaching certificates issued prior to September 1988 are exempt from the professional development requirement that ...

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IASigned into law 05/2003P-12Requirement to Report School Employee Nonrenewal or Termination Due to Alleged or Actual Misconduct
H.B. 549 (omnibus bill)
Requires any local board, superintendent or head of any nonpublic school to report to the state educational examiners board every instance o...

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IASigned into law 05/2003P-12Temporary Contract to Fill Military Leave Vacancy
H.B. 549 (omnibus bill)
Allows a temporary contract to be issued to a teacher to fill a vacancy created by a leave of absence occasioned by a teacher's taking of mi...

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IASigned into law 05/2003P-12Grounds for Disqualification from or Revocation of Teaching License
H.B. 549 (omnibus bill)
Requires the state board of educational examiners to disqualify an individual from obtaining a teaching license or revoke the teaching licen...

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INSigned into law 05/2003P-12Background checks, criminal acts, contract and license termination, liability,
H.B. 1620
Revises policies a school may adopt concerning criminal history checks; requires a prosecuting attorney to notify the state superintendent o...

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MESigned into law 05/2003P-12Substitute Teacher Fingerprinting
H.P. 749 (LD 1032)
Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, requires a person employed as a substitute teacher and a person who is a regular school employee a...

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OKSigned into law 05/2003P-12Criminal History Checks
H.B. 1469
Relates to criminal history checks for licensing of bailbondsman, security guards and private investigator licensure, school district teache...

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WASigned into law 05/2003Postsec.Registration of Sex Offenders
H.B. 1712
Revises provisions relating to registration of sex offenders and kidnapping offenders; requires such offenders who gain employment or studen...

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MSSigned into law 04/2003P-12Private School Use of Criminal Background Check System
H.B. 742
Adds that any nonpublic school accredited or approved by the state board may use the procedures established in statute for criminal backgrou...

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TNSigned into law 04/2003P-12Persons Working With Children
H.B. 1314
Clarifies that criminal history records check for persons working with children will include check conducted by federal bureau of investigat...

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NMSigned into law 03/2003P-12Reporting Convictions
H.B. 212 (Omnibus Bill)
Amends Section 22-10A-5 by adding a requirement for superintendents to report to the department any known conviction of a felony or misdemea...

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SDSigned into law 03/2003P-12Criminal Background Investigations
S.B. 157
Clarifies and revises certain provisions concerning criminal background investigations of school district employees and student teachers....

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+ 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
+ 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