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
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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FLSigned into law 11/2003P-12Florida Education Finance Program
S.B. 22
Increases funding for the Florida Education Finance Program through partial reduction of tax credits for contributions to nonprofit scholars...

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MENovember 2003 Ballot 11/2003P-12Education Funding
Question 1B
Competing Measure: Do you want to lower property taxes and avoid the need for a significant increase in state taxes by phasing in a 55% stat...

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MENovember 2003 Ballot 11/2003P-12Education Funding
Question 1C
Allows voter to vote against both the Citizen Initiative (Question 1A) and the Competing Measure (Question 1B). http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec...

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ALAmendment did not pass - bill became law without GOVERNOR'S signature 09/2003P-12Excellence Initiative Fund
Statewide Amendment No. 1 (H.B. 1)
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, establishing the Alabama Excellence Initiative Fund which may be used to fund...

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CASigned into law 08/2003P-12Local Government Finance
A.B. 1766
Decreases, for the fiscal adjustment period, the amount of ad valorem property tax revenue allocated to a county's Educational Revenue Augme...

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NCSigned into law 08/2003P-12State Fund for Certain Moneys
S.B. 965
An Act to amend the North Carolina Constitution to provide that the General Assembly may place clear proceeds of civil penalties, civil forf...

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ILSigned into law 07/2003P-12School District Additional or Supplemental Budgets
H.B. 3101
Provides if a school district adopts, in a fiscal year, an additional or supplemental budget as a result of the voters in the school distric...

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ALSigned into law 06/2003P-12Income Tax Revenue
H.B. 19
Relates to individual and corporate income tax to provide for funding for the public education; distribution of revenue to Education Trust F...

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GASigned into law 06/2003P-12
Postsec.
Sales Tax Holiday
H.B. 43
Section 12 provides a 4-day sales tax holiday for school supplies, clothing, eye wear and certain technology items. http://www.legis.state.g...

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ILSigned into law 06/2003P-12Riverboat Gambling Act
S.B. 1606
Amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Increases the admission tax and the wagering tax. Provides that the additional wagering tax revenues shal...

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ILSigned into law 06/2003P-12Riverboat Gambling Act
S.B. 1607
Amends the Riverboat Gambling Act. Provides intent to assist economic development and increase revenue to support education. http://www.legi...

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ILSigned into law 06/2003P-12Tax Delinquency Amnesty Act
S.B. 969
Creates the Tax Delinquency Amnesty Act for the payment of certain taxes due to the state. Provides that interest and penalties for taxes pa...

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TXSigned into law 06/2003P-12School District Property Values
S.B. 671
Relates to the determination of school district property values and the accountability of appraisal district operations. This bill provides...

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TXSigned into law 06/2003P-12School Fund Composition and Transfers
S.B. 206
Relates to the composition of the Permanent School Fund and the Available School Fund and to procedures governing transfers from the Permane...

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TXSigned into law 06/2003P-12Sale and Lease of Public School Land
H.B. 2249
Relates to sale and lease of public school land. Currently, the School Land Board (SLB) does not have the authority to use
brokers to marke...

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VTSigned into law 06/2003Postsec.Higher Education Investment Plan
H.B. 141
Relates to the state higher education investment plan income tax credit; provides that contributions to such account shall be eligible for a...

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WASigned into law 06/2003P-12State Property Taxes
S.B. 6058
Modifies the distribution of state property taxes. For the 2005-2006 school year, requires that an amount equal to three hundred dollars pe...

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AZSigned into law 05/2003P-12Nonstate Aid School Districts
H.B. 2126
Allow a "non-state aid" school district to increase its property tax rate in order to fund anticipated enrollment growth, subject to certain...

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AZSigned into law 05/2003P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Property Tax Assessment and Levy Increases
S.B. 1331
Prohibits a community college district, county, city, or town from levying or assessing primary property tax rates higher than the prior yea...

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GASigned into law 05/2003P-12Assessment, Maximum Class size, Instruction, Revenue
S.B. 249
Revises provisions relating to payment of fees for advanced placement tests; revises provision relating to the release of certain test quest...

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IDSigned into law 05/2003P-12Unsafe and Unhealthy Schools
H.B. 403
Establishes a safe school facilities levy; establishes criteria under which the levy may be imposed and allows
for judicial confirmation whe...

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ILSigned into law 05/2003P-12Impact fees
H.B. 528 -- Public Act 93-330
Adds a new authorization to the Counties Code and Municipal Code for purposes of implementing ordinances regarding developer donations or im...

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NEGOVERNOR'S veto overridden by LEGISLATURE. 05/2003P-12
Community College
School Levies and State Aid
L.B. 540
Amends provisions relating to state aid, allowable growth for school district budgets, school levies. Provides for a statutory computation ...

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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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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 fo...

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NMSigned into law 04/2003P-12Job Mentorship Tax Credit
H.B. 572
Creates the job mentorship tax credit; providing income tax and corporate income tax credits for employment of youth participating in career...

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COSigned into law 03/2003P-12General Fund Appropriation
S.B. 195
Concerns the amount of general fund appropriation for the states share of districts total program funding required to be made to be in compl...

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MSSigned into law 03/2003P-12Timber Disposal on Highways to Benefit Education Enhancment Fund
S.B. 2102
Allows the Mississippi Transportation Commission to enter into an agreement with the state forestry commission for the general supervision a...

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SDSigned into law 03/2003P-12Property Taxes
H.B. 1064
Revises the property taxes of the general fund of a school district (rates for personal dwellings, agricultural, etc.) All levies are to be...

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UTSigned into law 03/2003P-12Education Support License Plates
S.B. 176
Modifies the Motor Vehicles Code by adding a Public Education Support special group license plate to provide financial support to the state ...

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WYSigned into law 03/2003P-12Amendment for Public Schools
Constitutional Amendment A (S.J.R. 6)
Proposes a Constitutional amendment. The adoption of this amendment eliminates a maximum on the
amount of revenues rebated from school dist...

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ARSigned by Governor 02/2003Postsec.
Community College
County Tax for Community Colleges
H.B. 1019
Requires a county sales tax levied for maintenance and operation of any technical college, two-year college, community college or satellite ...

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+ 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