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
ARSigned into law 12/2003P-12School for Math, Science, and Art
H.B. 1038
Provides for the State School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts; provides the University of Arkansas may petition the State Board of Education for the school to receive charter school status. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB10...

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UTRule Adoption 12/2003P-12Charter School Revolving Loan Fund
R277-487
Provides procedures and standards for eligible charter schools to apply for and receive loans to pay for the costs of constructing, renovating, and purchasing charter school facilities. UTAH REG 26654 (SN)...

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UTRule Adoption 11/2003P-12Charter Schools
R277-470
Amends rules to provide for timeline changes that allow more flexibility for charter school applicants, terminology changes, and changes to the source of funding language. UTAH REG 26602 (SN)...

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WIVetoed 11/2003P-12Charter Schools
A.B. 261
Relates to charter schools located in a 1st class city school district....

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CASigned into law 10/2003P-12Charter Schools
A.B. 1137
Specifies oversight duties of a chartering authority with respect to a charter school under its authority. Repeals Instructional Time and Staff Development Program provisions as they apply to charter schools. Repeals provisions relating to charter school appli...

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MIBecame law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 10/2003P-12
Postsec.
Charter School Law
S.B. 393
Provides for revisions to charter school law with respect to oversight and regulations; provides for the creation of high school academies operated by nonprofit corporations under contract with a state institution of higher education.

http://www.michiganlegis...

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CASigned into law 09/2003P-12School Facilities
S.B. 15
Sets forth the manner of funding charter school facilities under the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2004 by the State Allocation Board and the California School Finance Authority. Allows an additional apportionment to be made, ...

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IAAdopted 09/2003P-12Charter Schools
Iowa Admin. Code 281-68.1 (256F)
Adds a new chapter to implement Iowa Code Sec. 256F. Addresses review of two types of applications: planning and charter status. Requires that the department rank applications on a point system, with maximum points of 100. Specifies criteria for scoring. Assig...

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MISigned into law 08/2003P-12School Aid
H.B. 4401 (multiple provisions)
Sec. 8b. (1) The department shall assign a district code to each public school academy that is authorized under the revised school code and is eligible to receive funding under this act within 30 days after a contract is submitted to the department by the auth...

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MISigned into law 08/2003P-12State Charter School Office Staffing
H.B. 4391 (multiple provisions)
Sec. 601. (1) From the amount appropriated in part 1 for education options, charters, and choice, there is allocated $350,000.00 and 3.5 FTE positions to operate a charter school office to administer charter school legislation and associated regulations, and t...

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NCSigned into law 08/2003P-12Educational Reviews
S.B. 35
Authorizes the state board of education to grant or renew certain charter schools; requires review of certain charter schools....

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DESigned into law 07/2003P-12Charter School Teacher Scholarships
S.B. 92
Clarifies that teachers teaching full time at a charter school are eligible for the critical need scholarships; clarifies that the eligibility criteria for the scholarship is cumulative and that a teacher must hold a limited standard, temporary or emergency ce...

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NHSigned into law 07/2003P-12Charter Schools
H.B. 135
Establishes a 10-year pilot program for the approval of up to 20 charter schools by the state Board of Education; provides that funding for charter schools shall be through reimbursement anticipation notes or cash tuition payments directly payable to the chart...

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AKSigned into law 06/2003P-12Charter School Grant Program
H.B. 171
Repeals the Charter School Grant Program; takes effect only if the state has received federal funding for charter school start-up costs that equals or exceeds the funding provided by the state for charter school start-up costs in fiscal year 2003. ...

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AZLine item vetoed 06/2003P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Budget Reconciliation Education
H.B. 2534
Creates budget reconciliation for education and includes the following provisions: Prohibits the State Board of Education from sponsoring additional charter schools in FY 2003-04, and requires the State Board for Charter Schools to provide oversight for existi...

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DESigned into law 06/2003P-12Professional Incentive Programs
S.B. 68
Relates to the Christa McAuliffe Scholarship Program for loan forgiveness to encourage academically talented residents to pursue teaching careers in a Delaware public school; expands eligibility to teachers in charter schools and teachers who provide contract ...

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FLSigned into law 06/2003P-12
Community College
Postsec.
Charter Schools
H.B. 55-A
Requires emphasis on reading; requires certain accountability measures; eliminates the limitations on the number of charter schools per school district; authorizes community colleges to operate charter schools that provide students with the option of receiving...

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HISigned into law 06/2003P-12Charter Schools
S.B. 1700
Establishes the charter school education agency to be administratively attached to the Board of Education; provides for an executive director and staff for the office; requires BOE to submit a budget that provides equal per pupil funding as that of Department ...

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LASigned into law 06/2003P-12Members of Charter School Governing Boards and Compliance with Charter School Laws
H.B. 1309
Prohibits a charter school from employing any member of the governing or management board of such school. Prohibits more than 20% of the members of a charter school's governing or management board from being members of the same immediate family. Requires chart...

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OHRule Adoption 06/2003P-12Community Schools
OAC 3301-102-01 thru -07
Establishes rules relating to community schools. Provides for approval of sponsors, sponsorship agreement, reporting requirements for all sponsors, payments, adjustments and deductions for community schools, and revocation of sponsorship authority. OHIO REG 10...

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OHSigned into law 06/2003P-12Appropriations Bill
H.B. 95
Funding Formula:

Eliminates the requirement that the General Assembly recalculate the base funding amount every six years.

Eliminates school districts ability to calculate their student enrollment on a three year rolling basis.

Requires the Department to de...

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ORSigned into law 06/2003P-12Charter Schools Authorizer Exemption
H.B. 3557
Exempts public charter schools that are operated by school district from requirement that public charter school must be established as nonprofit organization. Declares emergency, effective on passage....

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TXSigned into law 06/2003P-12Charter Schools
H.B. 1146
Adds provision that unless the commissioner has specific cause to conduct an additional audit, the commissioner may not conduct more than one on-site audit under Section 12.1163 during any fiscal year, including any financial and administrative records. For pu...

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TXSigned into law 06/2003P-12Open Enrollment Charter School
H.B. 1202
Currently, charter school contracts stipulate the maximum allowable enrollment of a particular charter school. In compliance with this contract, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is authorized to recover excess funds when a charter school exceeds the contract e...

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TXTo governor 06/2003P-12Authority to grant a charter
S.B. 1108 (Section 12.0521)
Allows school boards or the governing body of a home-rule school district to grant a charter for: (1) a new district campus; or (2) a program that is operated: (A) by an entity that has entered into a contract with the district under Section 11.157 to pro...

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TXto governor 06/2003P-12Academic Achievement in Public Schools
S.B. 1108
Provides alternate certification procedures for a charter school; provides for parental choice; provides for charter school teacher participation in the Teacher Retirement System; provides for teacher training consistent with the No Child Left Behind Act; prov...

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AZSigned into law 05/2003P-12Charter Schools
H.B. 2098
Relates to charter school finance; clarifies enrollment status of student enrolled in a charter school and a non-charter public school, provides for sponsorship of a charter school by a school district. http://www.azleg.state.az.us/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Nu...

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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 charter schools using electronic online bidding. http://www.azleg.state.az.us/DocumentsForBill.asp?Bill_Number=HB2376 ...

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COSigned into law 05/2003P-12Charter School Capital Construction Financing
H.B. 1021
Concerns the financing of capital construction for qualified charter schools that have bonds issued on their behalf by the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority. http://www.leg.state.co.us/2003a/inetcbill.nsf/fsbillcont/6218A4F4A2D0D87687256C5...

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INSigned into law 05/2003P-12Charter School Funding
S.B. 501
Requires the department of education to distribute tuition support and other state funding to a charter school at the same time and in the same manner as it distributes funding to school corporations; provides that the governing body of a school corporation sh...

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LASigned into law 05/2003P-12Transfer of Failed School or Failed Charter to Recovery School District
S.B. 710
Specifies that any elementary or secondary school found academically unacceptable under the state school accountability system must be designated a "failed school." If the local board 1) does not present the state board with a plan to reconstitute the failed ...

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MDSigned into law 05/2003P-12Public Charter School Act
S.B. 75
Establishes the Maryland Public Charter School Program. Defines public charter school. Designates local board of education as the primary public chartering authority for granting a charter. Designates as the secondary public chartering authority the state boar...

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MNSigned into law 05/2003P-12Pledge of Allegiance
S.F. 287
Effective 2003-04 school year and thereafter, requires recitation of the pledge of allegiance in all public schools, including charter schools, at least once a week. Allows a local board or charter school board of directors to waive this requirement by annual ...

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NCSigned into law 05/2003P-12Charter Schools and State Retirement
S.B. 39
Authorizes certain charter schools to elect to participate in the teachers' and State employees' retirement system and the North Carolina teachers' and State employees' comprehensive major medical plan; assesses interest on premium payments not remitted by cha...

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TNSigned into law 05/2003P-12Social Security for Charter School Employees
S.B. 116
Requires public charter schools to enter into agreements with the commissioner of social security to ensure that the benefits of the federal old-age and survivors' insurance system are extended to eligible employees of the charter school. http://www.legislatur...

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TXSigned into law 05/2003P-12Open Enrollment Charter School
H.B. 1564
Relates to the use of municipal funds for the acquisition of land or acquisition, construction, expansion, or renovation of facilities for an open- enrollment charter school....

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TXSigned into law 05/2003P-12Public School Disciplinary Action
H.B. 2061
Under current law, if a disciplinary action is being taken against a student who is transferring from a charter school to a public school, the charter school is not required to send a copy of the student's order of disciplinary action to the public school. As ...

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TXRule Adoption 05/2003P-12Charter Schools General Provisions
19 TAC 100.1011
Amends rules concerning general provisions for charter schools. Defines the role of shared services cooperative as it relates to charter school board and officer training. Includes details relating to contractual agreements. TEXAS REG 85430 (SN)...

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IASigned into law 04/2003P-12Public Charter School Pilot Program
S.F. 172
Requires the state board to apply for a federal grant under the No Child Left Behind Act to provide financial assistance in planning, designing and implementing the pilot charter school program in the state. Changes charter school pilot program repealer from 2...

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IDSigned into law 04/2003P-12Charter School Property Tax Exemption
H.B. 255
Amends existing law to provide that property used primarily for charter school purposes is exempt
from property taxation; and to provide for the assessment of property used for charter school purposes
and business purposes. http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/H0255...

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COSigned into law 03/2003P-12Unsatisfactory Schools Classification; Charter School Proposals
S.B. 137
Concerns modifications for notifying schools districts of unsatisfactory schools. Concerns deadlines for charter school proposals. http://www.leg.state.co.us/2003a/pubhome.nsf...

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ILSigned into law 03/2003P-12Chicago Educational Labor Relations
S.B. 19
Provides that amendatory Act may be referred to as the Chicago Education Reform Act of 2003. Amends requirements for Chicago area charter schools. Amends the School Code and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Requires the Chicago Board of Education ...

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OHSigned into law 03/2003P-12Schools
S.B. 12
Removes the prohibition on establishing a conversion community school as an Internet-or computer-based community school; permits school districts and nonpublic schools to count any hours or partial hours after March 1, 2003, that schools are in session beyond ...

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UTSigned into law 03/2003P-12Charter School Amendment
S.B. 57
Expands the number of charter schools that the Board of Education may sponsor; removes enrollment limitations on charter schools sponsored by local school boards; specifies requirements for charter schools; expands a school building loan program to include cha...

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UTSigned into law 03/2003P-12Minimum School Program Act Amendments
H.B. 3
This act modifies the State System of Public Education Code by providing funding for the Minimum School Program and school building aid programs. This act establishes a ceiling for the state contribution to the Minimum School Program for fiscal year 2003-04 of...

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WYSigned into law 03/2003P-12Charter School Amendments
H.B. 78
Part of this Act amends 21-3-303. Charter school applications must include a financial feasibility statement
of charter school viability following the first three (3) years of charter school operation. Also amends finance provisions. http://legisweb.state.w...

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WYRule Adoption 03/2003P-12Charter Schools
(uncodified)
Pertains to charter schools, and applicable federal rules on federal allocated grants pass-through to charter schools. Clarifies appeals, waivers and annual reporting requirements. WYOMING REG 4324 (SN)...

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CAEmergency Rule Adoption 02/2003P-12Charter School Facilities Program
Title 4 CCR 10151 thru 10162
Establishes emergency rules concerning requirements for financing charter school construction projects, pursuant to Charter School Facilities Program. CALIFORNIA REG 15069 (SN)...

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NVAdopted 02/2003P-12Charter Schools
NAC 386.130,
Establishes temporary rules revising various provisions concerning charter schools. Specifies the following: application to form charter school, required forms, dates for submission, restrictions, inclusion of information regarding educational program, inclusi...

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OHSigned into law 01/2003P-12Community Schools; E-Schools; At-Risk Funding
H.B. 364
Provides procedures for the expansion of sponsorship of community schools to certain school districts; creates a Community School Revolving Loan Fund and Community School Security Fund; requires a study of E-schools; related to Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid p...

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+ 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
+ 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