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
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 ...

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NYEmergency Rule Adoption 12/2003P-12State Assessments and Graduation/Diploma Requirements
Title 8 NYCRR 100.5
Revises requirements for obtaining a Regents high school diploma, a Regents diploma with advanced designation, and a local high school diplo...

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OHSigned into law 12/2003P-12Veterans of the Korean Conflict
H.B. 75
Grants high school diplomas to veterans of the Korean Conflict and to expand eligibility for diplomas to certain non-resident veterans who a...

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TXAdopted 12/2003P-12Graduation Requirements
Sec. 74.51
§74.51. Amends high school graduation requirements. http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tacupdates/december2003/ch074e.pdf...

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MISigned into law 11/2003P-12High School Diploma to Veterans
H.B. 4613
Grants high school diploma to veterans who did not graduate from high school but joined the armed forces during the Korean conflict under ce...

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OKEmergency Rule Adoption 11/2003P-12High School Graduation Requirements
OAC 210:35-9-31
Allows district board to make exceptions to state high school graduation requirements for students who move to this state from another state...

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TXRule Adoption 11/2003P-12Graduation Requirements
19 TAC 2.74.E.74.51 thru 74.54
Establishes new rules relating to curriculum requirements. Establishes graduation requirements for students entering Grade 9 beginning with ...

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TXRule Adoption 11/2003P-12Program Services and Educational Programs
37 TAC 3.91.B.91.41, 91.43
Amends rules relating to basic education. Clarifies that commission youth are administered state educational assessments required to complet...

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VAEmergency Rule Adoption 11/2003P-12General Achievement Diploma
8 VAC 20-680-10
Establishes emergency rules to clarify and update the definition of 'diploma candidate' to eliminate any confusion in school divisions. Incr...

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CASigned into law 10/2003P-12Vocational Education and Graduation Requirements
A.B. 591
Amends existing law that requires the superintendent of public instruction to develop a model curriculum framework for implementation of car...

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CASigned into law 10/2003P-12Special Education High School Exit Examination
S.B. 964
Requires the superintendent of public instruction to develop a request for a proposal for an independent consultant to assess options and pr...

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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 o...

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CASigned into law 09/2003P-12Online Classroom Programs
A.B. 294
Recodifies provisions of the Online Classroom Pilot Program for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating pupil participation in online async...

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CASigned into law 09/2003P-12Expulsions; Graduation Requirements; Special Education
A.B. 300
Revises the review day for expulsions; Provides that if a pupil completes algebra coursework in grades 7 or 8, the pupil is not exempt for t...

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ILSigned into law 08/2003P-12Community Service
S.B. 372
Provides that community service may include participation in a high school or community blood drive or other blood recruitment campaign. Pro...

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MISigned into law 08/2003P-12Family Resource Center Curriculum Blue Ribbon Study Committee
H.B. 4401 (multiple provisions)
Sec. 107a. (1) The family resource center curriculum blue ribbon study committee is established to explore and make
recommendations on imple...

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WYRule Adoption 08/2003P-12Graduation Requirements
(Uncodified) Ch. 31
Prescribes uniform student content and performance standards for the common core of knowledge and the common core of skills specified for al...

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CATo governor 07/2003P-12World War II Internees: High School Diplomas
A.B. 781
Authorizes a high school district, unified school district, or county office of education, to retroactively grant a high school diploma to a...

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CTSigned into law 06/2003P-12Adult Education
S.B. 966
Defines an adult as a person who is not enrolled in a public school program, eliminates the requirement that local or regional board of educ...

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FLSigned into law 06/2003P-12High School Graduation
H.B. 23
Provides learning opportunities for out-of-state and out-of- country transfer students and students needing additional instruction to meet h...

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NCSigned into law 06/2003P-12
Postsec.
Early College Attendance
H.B. 601
Encourages early entry of motivated students into four-year college programs....

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NCSigned into law 06/2003P-12
Postsec.
Innovative Education Initiatives Act
S.B. 656
Creates the Innovative Education Initiatives Act to develop cooperative efforts between secondary schools and institutions of higher educati...

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ORSigned into law 06/2003P-12Education
H.B. 2744
Directs school districts and public charter schools to offer instruction in specified subjects that meets academic content standards adopted...

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TXSigned into law 06/2003P-12High School Equivalency Program
S.B. 1470
S. B. 1470 amends the Education Code to permit any school district or open-enrollment charter school to apply for authorization to operate a...

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TXto governor 06/2003P-12Personal Graduation Plans
S.B. 1108 (Section 28.0212)
Requires the principal or other staff to identify each student who (1) hasn't performed well on assessments; (2) is not likely to receive a ...

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AZSigned into law 05/2003P-12Volunteerism in Schools
S.B. 1278
Directs Board of Education to establish guidelines to promote volunteerism in community services for students in grades 9 through 12 prior t...

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IASigned into law 05/2003P-12Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund
H.F. 685
Makes appropriation from the healthy Iowans tobacco trust and the tobacco settlement trust fund for various initiatives, including for a $40...

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MDSigned into law 05/2003P-12High School Diplomas for Certain Honorably Discharged Veterans
S.B. 56
Allows an honorably discharged veteran to apply to obtain a high school diploma if the individual withdrew from an accredited full-time publ...

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MESigned into law 05/2003P-12Enrollment Age EligibilitySAME AS: 592
S.P. 201
Regards age eligibility for enrollment in a public secondary school; authorizes the Commissioner of Education to waive on a case-by-case bas...

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MESigned into law 05/2003P-12Course Credits and Diploma Eligibility
S.P. 328 (LD 987)
Makes the law regarding transfer of credit for equivalent instruction at nonapproved private schools consistent with earned credit for home ...

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NVSigned into law 05/2003P-12
Postsec.
State Board of Education
A.B. 510
Requires state board to prescribe course to prepare pupils for high school proficiency examination and college entrance examinations. http:...

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VTSigned into law 05/2003P-12Education Law
H.B. 477
This act assigns duties appropriately carried out by staff and which are currently assigned to a supervisory union board to the superintende...

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ARSigned into law 04/2003P-12List of Classes for Parents
H.B. 2339
Requires school districts to provide parents of students in grades nine through twelve (9-12) with a list of classes that are required to be...

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COSigned into law 04/2003P-12Government course graduation requirement
S.B. 36
Makes satisfactory completion of a course on federal and state civil government a requirement of high school graduation in the state; direct...

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CTSigned into law 04/2003P-12
Postsec.
Immunization
H.B. 6373
Allows institutions of higher education to save resources currently used to collect information that has already been collected by Connectic...

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IASigned into law 04/2003P-12Service Learning, Character Education
H.F. 180
Local boards or heads of a nonpublic school may require service learning units for a service learning endorsement on a high school diploma o...

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INSigned into law 04/2003P-12School Corporation Performance Report; Graduation Rate
H.B. 1120
Changes the required publication date and some components of school corporation annual performance reports. Provides for reports to be made ...

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NMSigned into law 04/2003P-12High School Student Graduation
H.B. 305
Requires next-step plans for high school students in which the students set personal post-high-school goals; requires a final next-step plan...

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OKSigned into law 04/2003P-12Graduation Requirements for Out of State Students
H.B. 1065
Prior to September 1, 2003, the state board must adopt rules to ensure that students who transfer into an Oklahoma school district from out ...

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SDRule Adoption 04/2003P-12Requirements for High School Graduation and Credits
24:03:06:06:01
Amends rules regarding the requirement of three mathematics credits for high school graduation and the allotment for graduation credit for c...

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WASigned into law 04/2003P-12Public High Schools Course Options
S.B. 5505
All public high schools of the state are required to provide a program, directly or in cooperation with a community or technical college, a...

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WAEmergency Rule Adoption 04/2003P-12Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL)
WAC 180-51-063
Establishes emergency rules to indicate notation on the high school transcript regarding the secondary Washington assessment of student lear...

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ARSigned into law 03/2003P-12Full School Days
H.B. 1439
Requires high school students in grades 9 -12 to attend a full school day. Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, students in
grades nine...

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ARSigned into law 03/2003P-12Attendance Law
H.B. 1457
Amends the compulsory attendance law to reflect changes in the general education diploma requirements.http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/...

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ARSigned into law 03/2003P-12School Districts To Grant A High School Diploma
H.B. 1886
Authorizes school districts to grant a high school diploma to veterans of the Korean War or the Vietnam War who meet eligibility requirement...

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COSigned into law 03/2003P-12High School Diplomas Awarded to Veterans
S.B. 100
Permits a board of education of a school district to award a diploma to an honorably discharged veterans. http://www.leg.state.co.us/2003a/p...

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MSSigned into law 03/2003P-12Cost-Benefit Analysis of Pre-Kindergarten, Mandatory Kindergarten and Occupational Diplomas
H.B. 859
Requires the department of education to conduct a needs assessment to determine what areas do not currently have pre-kindergarten programs, ...

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MTSigned into law 03/2003P-12Honorary Diplomas for Veterans
S.B. 81
Provides honorary diplomas for any current or former Montana resident who 1) is a veteran of WWII, the Korean War or the Vietnam conflict, 2...

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NDSigned into law 03/2003P-12High School Graduation Requirements
H.B. 1033
A high school diploma may be issued by a home-schooled child's school district of residence, an approved nonpublic high school, or the North...

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NDSigned into law 03/2003P-12Block Scheduling
S.B. 2177
Amends instructional time requirements for high school units to not apply to schools or school districts having block schedules approved
by ...

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NMSigned into law 03/2003P-12
Postsec.
Public Educational Institutes
H.B. 186, S.B. 62
Requires that high school curricula and end-of- course test be aligned with the placement tests for state's two and four-year public educati...

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NMSigned into law 03/2003P-12Graduation Rates
S.B. 394
Requires school districts to track graduation rates for high school in the district....

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NMSigned into law 03/2003P-12Graduation Requirements
H.B. 212 (Omnibus Bill)
Amends Section 22-13-1.1. Increases graduation requirements: 4 units of English, with major emphasis on grammar and literature; 3 units of...

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UTSigned into law 03/2003P-12Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
S.B. 154 (Omnibus Bill)
Section 53A-13-108 is a new section of law requiring the state board to establish rigorous curriculum and graduation requirements for grades...

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VASigned into law 03/2003P-12General Educational Development
H.B. 1464
Relates to the general educational development examination; relates to the testing age for persons not enrolled in public school and not oth...

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VASigned into law 03/2003P-12High School Diploma Civics Education Seal
H.B. 1503
Directs the state board to establish criteria for awarding a diploma seal for excellence in civics education and understanding of the state ...

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VASigned into law 03/2003P-12Joint School Curriculum
S.B. 1099
Allows two or more school boards to establish joint or regional high schools to offer specialized training for careers in law enforcement, f...

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ARSigned into law 02/2003P-12Diplomas for World War II Veterans
S.B. 4
Authorizes school districts to grant a high school diploma to World War II veterans who meet eligibility requirements.
http://www.arkleg.sta...

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+ 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