ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2004 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 2004. 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--School Improvement
+ Adult Basic Education
+ Assessment
+ Assessment--Accommodations
+ Assessment--Computer Based
+ Assessment--End-of-Course
+ Assessment--Formative/Interim
+ Assessment--High Stakes/Competency
+ Assessment--NAEP (NAEP Results and NAEP Organization)
+ Assessment--Performance Based/Portfolio
+ Assessment--Value Added
+ 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--Charter Districts
+ 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--Excusal
+ Curriculum--Family Living Education
+ Curriculum--Financial Literacy/Economics Ed.
+ Curriculum--Foreign Language/Sign Language
+ Curriculum--Health/Nutrition Education
+ Curriculum--International Education
+ Curriculum--Language Arts
+ Curriculum--Language Arts--Writing/Spelling
+ Curriculum--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Multicultural
+ Curriculum--Physical Education
+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Data-Driven Improvement
+ Demographics--Enrollments
+ Desegregation
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Education Research
+ Equity
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--Aid to Private Schools
+ Finance--Bonds
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Equity
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Local Foundations/Funds
+ Finance--Lotteries
+ 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--Nutrition
+ Health--School Based Clinics or School Nurses
+ Health--Suicide Prevention
+ Health--Teen Pregnancy
+ High School
+ High School--Advanced Placement
+ High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment
+ High School--Exit Exams
+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ High School--International Baccalaureate
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Problem Based Learning
+ Instructional Approaches--Tracking/Ability Grouping
+ 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
+ Middle School
+ 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--Reauthorization Issues/Waivers
+ 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 Brain Development
+ P-3 Child Care
+ P-3 Content Standards and Assessment
+ 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--Teaching Assistants
+ Postsecondary Faculty--Tenure
+ Postsecondary Finance
+ Postsecondary Governance and Structures
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges
+ Postsecondary Institutions--For-Profit/Proprietary
+ Postsecondary Institutions--Private/Independent
+ Postsecondary Online Instruction
+ Postsecondary Participation--Access
+ Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements
+ Postsecondary Participation--Affirmative Action
+ Postsecondary Students--Disabled
+ Postsecondary Students--Graduate/Professional
+ Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation
+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Public Involvement
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Rural
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year Round
+ School Safety
+ School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
+ School Safety--Code of Conduct
+ School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension
+ School Safety--No Child Left Behind--Safe Schools
+ School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault
- School/District Structure/Operations
MISigned into law 12/2004P-12Schools Cooperative Purchasing Program
H.B. 5913
Provides for the creation and operation of a cooperative bulk purchasing program for school districts, public school academies, nonpublic sc...

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MISigned into law 12/2004P-12School District Purchasing Requirements
H.B. 5875
Provides for inapplicability of school district requirements to obtain competitive bids for purchasing if the school district makes purchase...

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MISigned into law 12/2004P-12Annexed School District Trustee
H.B. 6242
Limits the school districts that operate grades kindergarten through 12 that are annexed by a community college that can elect a member of t...

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MTRule Adoption 12/2004P-12
Postsec.
Out Of State Attendance Agreements
ARM 10.10.301C
Relates to out-of-state attendance agreements. The superintendent of public instruction shall
provide payment of the amount calculated in (4...

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MISigned into law 11/2004P-12Intermediate School District Board Membership
H.B. 5921
Relates to a conflict of interest policy for intermediate school district officials and employees; requires and prohibits members of constit...

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MISigned into law 11/2004P-12Intermediate School District Database Requirements
H.B. 5475
Requires Internet accessible database regarding Intermediate School District expenditures, including air travel, conference or training cost...

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MISigned into law 11/2004P-12Intermediate School District Audit Report
H.B. 5627
Requires the annual audit of such school districts to contain the website address where the report can be accessed.

http://www.michiganlegi...

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MISigned into law 11/2004P-12Intermediate School District Audits
H.B. 5457
Requires the Department of Treasury to conduct random financial audits of intermediate school districts.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org...

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CAVetoed--in Senate to unfinished business 10/2004P-12Grant Joint Union High School District
S.B. 1271
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for costs mandated by the state and incurred...

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MISigned into law 10/2004P-12Public School Officers
H.B. 5121
Allows certain school districts to create a law enforcement agency under the Public Body Law Enforcement Agency Act.

http://www.michiganleg...

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NJSigned into law 10/2004P-12School District Scholarship Foundation
A.B. 2257
Permits a school district that terminates the operation of a separate school for special education pupils and returns all funds legally uwed...

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NYSigned into law 10/2004P-12Minority members of Special Act School Districts
A.B. 11364
Requires special act school districts to have a certain minority of public members appointed by the Commissioner of Education; defines publi...

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NYSigned into law 10/2004P-12Special Act School Districts Board of Education
A.B. 11670
Requires that boards of Education of special act school district include two public members, each serving a term of 4 years....

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12School Districts: Reorganizations
A.B. 2841
Permits a county committee on school district organization to abolish a common governing board of an elementary school district and a high s...

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12School Facilities
A.B. 736
Requires the State Allocation Board to adopt regulations to implement design standards for school facilities in accordance with guidelines e...

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12Schools: Irradiated Foods
A.B. 1988
Specifies that before school may serve irradiated foods, the district must: (1) Take formal action permitting the use of irradiated foods.
(...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Building Standards: Public Information
A.B. 2638
Relates to the Field Act that requires the Department of General Services to supervise the design and construction of school buildings to en...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Schools: Uniform Complaint Process
A.B. 2727
Requires a school district to use its uniform complaint process to help identify and resolve any emergency or urgent facilities conditions t...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12School Districts: Reorganization
A.B. 780
Establishes a program in the counties of Fresno, Humboldt, and Ventura to place the duties of approval and disapproval of petitions for the ...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Schools: Environmental and Endangerment Assessment
A.B. 2485
Relates to the Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998. Authorizes the governing board of a school district to make a written request ...

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12Preschool for All Program
A.B. 712
Requires the California Children and Families Commission to complete and submit a cost study that provides an estimate of the cost of a volu...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Annual Report on Status of Low-Performing Schools
S.B. 550 (multiple provisions)
Requires the county superintendent to annually present a report to the governing board of each school district under his or her jurisdiction...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Applicants to High Priority Schools Grant Program
S.B. 550 (multiple provisions)
Requires schools initially applying to participate in the High Priority Schools Grant Program on or after the 2004–05 fiscal year to include...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12District Uniform Complaint Process
S.B. 550 (multiple provisions)
SEC. 12: Requires a school district to use its uniform complaint process to help identify and resolve any deficiencies related to
instructio...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Facilities Inspection System
S.B. 550 (multiple provisions)
Existing law, the Leroy F. Greene State School Building Lease-Purchase Law of 1976, the Leroy F. Greene State School Building
Lease-Purchase...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12School Accountability Report Cards
S.B. 550 (multiple provisions)
SEC. 10: Requires the school accountability report card to include information regarding the availability of sufficient textbooks and other ...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Public Contracts
S.B. 1464
Amends existing law that requires a school district seeking to let a contract involving a minimum expenditure for purchase of equipment, mat...

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MISigned into law 09/2004P-122005 School Aid Budget
S.B. 1069
Ensures a minimum level of funding to small, rural and Upper Peninsula or island districts that are not near other schools or accessible by ...

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NYVetoed 09/2004P-12School District Funding
S.B. 2917
Provides for the funding of certain approved non- public special education programs and special act public school districts including making...

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MISigned into law 08/2004P-12School Reform Boards
H.B. 4508
Revises the provisions governing the formation of first class school district boards; relates to procedures for the formation of school refo...

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NYSigned into law 08/2004P-12Food Items from Farms
S.B. 6024
Allows a school district to apply to the state commissioner of education to purchase school food items from an association of more than 10 o...

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MITo governor 07/2004P-12Board Election
H.B. 4338
Requires election of board members for intermediate school districts.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/publicact/pdf/...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12School District Election Coordinators
H.B. 5990
Relates to school district election coordinators; prohibits delegation of duties to the Secretary of School Board.

http://www.michiganlegis...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12Election of School Board Members
H.B. 5992
Relates to election of a school board member; requires written acceptance of office and written affidavit of eligibility.

http://www.michig...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12Scheduling of Local Elections
H.B. 5997
Provides general amendments regarding scheduling of local elections; includes school district elections.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12Filling Vacancies on School Boards
H.B. 6003
Relates to filling of vacancies in case of school board member; provides for filing a petition with the clerk of the county where the petiti...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12Election of School Board Members
H.B. 5993
Requires notification to school district election coordinators of a person appointed to fill a vacancy.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org/...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12Recall of School Board Member
H.B. 5994
Provides procedures for recall of school board members....

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ARRule Adoption 06/2004P-12School District Audits
ADE 168
Establishes rules regarding school district audits not conducted by legislative audit. Establishes requirements for completion and filing of...

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LASigned into law 06/2004P-12Counselors Guidance
H.B. 493
Includes guidance counselors holding appropriate ancillary certificates issued by the state department of education in definitions of person...

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LASigned into law 06/2004P-12School Employees
H.B. 1163
Permits city, parish, or other local public or nonpublic school systems to contract with local law enforcement agencies to provide for schoo...

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KSSigned into law 05/2004P-12Multiple Provisions
S.B. 304
Concerns the computation of the amount of state financial aid received by school districts that consolidate;
establishes the Center for Inno...

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MSSigned into law 05/2004P-12Adequate Education Program
H.B. 741
Relates to Adequate Education Program; deletes repealer on high growth school district formula.

If during the year for which adequate edu...

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AREmergency Rule Adoption 04/2004P-12Consolidation/Annexing/Public School Districts
ADE 165
Establishes emergency rules regarding the administrative consolidation or annexation of public school districts. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/p...

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AREmergency Rule Adoption 04/2004P-12Consolidation/Annexing/Public School Districts
005.01.04-001
Establishes emergency rules regarding the administrative consolidation or annexation of public school districts. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/p...

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KSSigned into law 04/2004P-12Consolidation of School Districts
S.B. 373
Authorizes districts to discuss issues relating to consolidation of such districts. Specifies that such meetings may be held within the boun...

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KYSigned into law 04/2004P-12Sick Leave for School Employees
H.B. 309
Requires local school boards to award a minimum ten days sick leave during the school year to all full time employees; includes full time em...

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MDSigned into law 04/2004P-12Education Fiscal Accountability and Oversight Act
S.B. 894
Requires the Superintendent and the Department of Education to monitor the financial status of each county board of education and report to ...

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MSSigned into law 04/2004P-12Educational Service Agencies
S.B. 3016
Authorizes 12 or more school districts to enter into an agreement to establish an Educational Service Agency (ESA). The ESA would be managed...

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MSSigned into law 04/2004P-12School District Purchases
H.B. 667
Clarifies that all school districts – not just those school districts within a county – can make joint purchases of maintenance, operational...

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NESigned into law 04/2004P-12Incentives for Districts to Consolidate
L.B. 1091
One part of this bill creates the School District Reorganization Fund. From the fiscal note: AM 3480 provides that the state will fund ince...

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VASigned into law 04/2004P-12School Division Consolidation
H.B. 978
Relates to School division consolidation; provides for a process whereby school divisions may submit proposals for the consolidation of scho...

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VASigned into law 04/2004P-12Smaller School Divisions
S.B. 518
Creates a mechanism whereby any school board of a school division in which fewer than 350 students (Highland County) were included in averag...

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VASigned into law 04/2004P-12Art, Music and Physical Education at the Elementary Level
H.B. 1014
Requires local boards to incorporate art, music, and physical education as a part of the instructional program at the elementary school leve...

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VASigned into law 04/2004P-12Substantial Amendments to the Standards of Learning
H.B. 1014
Amends section 22.1-253.13:1 and 22.1-253.13:2 . Specifies that the Standards of Learning form the core of Virginia's educational program a...

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COSigned into law 03/2004P-12Activities At School
H.B. 1363
Permits students to participate in activities in another district if activity is not offered within a student's school district. http://www....

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IDSigned into law 03/2004P-12Workers Compensation/School District Employees
H.B. 602
Amends existing law relating to school district employees to authorize the use of accrued sick leave to supplement worker's compensation pay...

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KSSigned into law 03/2004P-12School District Territory Transfers
H.B. 2592
Proscribes general guidelines the state board must adopt in establishing rules on the transfer of territory between districts through a medi...

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WASigned into law 03/2004P-12School Lunch Programs
S.B. 6411
Provides school districts with school serving grades kindergarten through four where 25% of the students qualify for free or reduced price l...

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ARSigned into law 02/2004P-12Administratively Consolidated School Districts
H.B. 1177
Allows students in administratively consolidated school districts to attend classes and programs in other schools in the district. http://ww...

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ARSigned into law 02/2004P-12School District Administrative Consolidation
H.B. 1161
Provides administrative consolidation assistance to school districts that administratively consolidate. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproo...

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SDSigned into law 02/2004P-12Department of Education Consolidation Incentives
S.B. 49
Makes an appropriation to the Department of Education to reimburse certain school districts for consolidation incentives....

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ARSigned into law 01/2004P-12School Districts Consolidation
S.B. 35
Encourages larger school districts to voluntarily merge with smaller school districts; concerns the establishment of an interim board; provi...

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ARSigned into law 01/2004P-12Isolated School Districts
H.B. 1018
Provides for the continued funding support of isolated school districts. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1018.pd...

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ARBecame law without governor's signature 01/2004P-12Public Education Reorganization
H.B. 1109
Relates to the public education re-organization act; to ensure equal opportunities for an adequate education to all students; provides for a...

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+ 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--School Size
+ 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--Homeless Education
+ Special Populations--Military
+ Standards
+ Standards--Implementation
+ State Comparisons/Statistics
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Ballot Questions
+ State Policymaking--Constitutional Clauses
+ 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
+ Technology
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Equitable Access
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Teacher/Faculty Training
+ Textbooks and Open Source
+ Urban