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
+ School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation
- School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities
CAVetoed 09/2004P-12Requires the State Allocation Board to adopt regulations to implement design standards for school facilities in accordance with guidelines established by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools. Provides that eligibility for funding for projects under the Leroy F. Green School Facilities Act from the proceeds of general obligation bonds approved by voters after January 1, 2006, is contingent on the applicant school district meeting design standards equivalent to the regulations. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0701-0750/ab_736_bill_20040824_enrolled.html
Veto message: http://www.governor.ca.gov/govsite/pdf/vetoes/AB_736_veto.pdf
Title: A.B. 736
Source: California Legislative Web site

CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Relates to the Field Act that requires the Department of General Services to supervise the design and construction of school buildings to ensure compliance with specific rules and regulations and building codes. Requires written rules and regulations adopted pursuant to that act be made available to the public by the State Architect upon request. Requires building code rules and regulations by an local enforcement agency to clarify the State Building Code be made public. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2601-2650/ab_2638_bill_20040921_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 2638
Source: StateNet

CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Requires a school district to use its uniform complaint process to help identify and resolve any emergency or urgent facilities conditions that pose a threat to the health and safety of the pupils or staff instead of conditions of facilities that are not maintained in a clean and safe manner or in good repair. Becomes operative only if 2003-2004 Senate Bill 850 is also enacted. Declares that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2701-2750/ab_2727_bill_20040929_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 2727
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CAVetoed 09/2004P-12Deletes the requirement, under the Classroom Instructional Improvement and Accountability Act, that the School Accountability Report Card include information on the degree to which pupils are prepared to enter the workforce and whether the school qualifies for the Governor's Performance Award Program. Requires each school district to include within the report card information regarding career technical education, the availability of sufficient textbooks and materials, any needed maintenance of school facilities to ensure good repair, the misassignments of teachers, including misassignments of English learner teachers, and the number of vacant teacher positions for the most recent 3-year period. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2551-2600/ab_2596_bill_20040827_enrolled.pdf
Veto message: http://www.governor.ca.gov/govsite/pdf/vetoes/AB_2596_veto.pdf
Title: A.B. 2596
Source: StateNet

CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Relates to the Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1998. Authorizes the governing board of a school district to make a written request to any person, corporation, public utility, local publicly owned utility or governmental agency for information necessary or useful to make an assessment of a proposed schoolsite or an addition to an existing schoolsite. Provides response procedures. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2451-2500/ab_2485_bill_20040918_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 2485
Source: StateNet

CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Requires the county superintendent to annually present a report to the governing board of each school district under his or her jurisdiction and to the board of supervisors of the county describing the state of the schools in the county and of his or her office that are ranked in deciles 1 to 3, inclusive, of the 2003 base Academic Performance Index. Requires the county superintendent for the Counties of Alpine, Amador, Del Norte, Mariposa, Plumas, Sierra, and the City and County of San Francisco to contract with a neighboring county office of education or an independent auditor to conduct the required visits and make all required reports. Makes the priority objective of the visits to determine if there are sufficient textbooks, conditions of facilities that pose an emergency or urgent threat to the health or safety of pupils or staff, and accurate data reported on the school accountability report card with respect to the availability of sufficient textbooks and instructional materials, the safety, cleanliness, adequacy, and good repair of school facilities. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_0501-0550/sb_550_bill_20040929_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 550 (multiple provisions)
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Requires schools initially applying to participate in the High Priority Schools Grant Program on or after the 2004–05 fiscal year to include highly qualified teachers and appropriately credentialed teachers for English learners in the component on quality of staff in
the school action plan. Specifies that the mandatory school action plan components on facilities, curriculum, instructional materials, and support services for those schools be on facilities in good repair, curriculum, sufficient instructional materials, and support services. Requires schools initially applying to participate in the High Priority Schools Grant Program on or after the 2004–05 fiscal year to measure the availability of instructional materials against a specified definition of ''sufficient instructional materials.'' http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_0501-0550/sb_550_bill_20040929_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 550 (multiple provisions)
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2004P-12SEC. 12: Requires a school district to use its uniform complaint process to help identify and resolve any deficiencies related to
instructional materials, conditions of facilities that are not maintained in a clean and safe manner or in good repair, and teacher vacancy or
misassignment. Requires a notice to be posted in each classroom in each school in the school district notifying parents and
guardians that there should be sufficient textbooks or instructional materials, school facilities must be clean, safe, and in good repair, and
the location to obtain a form to file a complaint in case of a shortage. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_0501-0550/sb_550_bill_20040929_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 550 (multiple provisions)
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov/

CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Existing law, the Leroy F. Greene State School Building Lease-Purchase Law of 1976, the Leroy F. Greene State School Building
Lease-Purchase Law of 1998, and the State Relocatable Classroom Law of 1979, requires the State Allocation Board to require a school district
that receives funds for a school construction or modernization project to make all necessary repairs, renewals, and replacement to ensure that a project is at all times kept in good repair, working order and condition.

As a condition of participation in the school facilities program and the receipt of funds pursuant to the deferred maintenance program, the current bill requires a school district to establish a facilities inspection system to ensure that each of its schools is in good repair, as defined in
the bill. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_0501-0550/sb_550_bill_20040929_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 550 (multiple provisions)
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 09/2004P-12SEC. 10: Requires the school accountability report card to include information regarding the availability of sufficient textbooks and other instructional materials for each pupil, any needed maintenance of school facilities to ensure good repair, the misassignments of teachers, including misassignments of English learner teachers, and the number of vacant teacher positions for the most recent 3-year period. Defines ''misassignment'' and ''vacant position'' for this purpose.

Requires the template for the school accountability report card to include a field to report the determination of the sufficiency of textbooks and instructional materials and a summary statement of the condition of school facilities. Requires the department to provide examples of summary statements of the condition of school facilities that are acceptable and those that are unacceptable. Declares that these provisions further the purposes of the Classroom Instructional Improvement and Accountability Act. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_0501-0550/sb_550_bill_20040929_chaptered.pdf
Title: S.B. 550 (multiple provisions)
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

RIPassed 07/2004P-12(Joint Resolution) Creates a twenty-four (24) member special joint commission, whose purpose it would be to develop a comprehensive statewide plan that would effectively coordinate information, initiatives, and to identify resources, training and educational needs, as they pertain to school environmental health and safety issues, and who would report back to the general assembly no later than January 25, 2005.
Title: H.B. 8109
Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly

MDSigned into law 05/2004P-12Authorizes a county to finance the construction or renovation of public school facilities, under specified circumstances, using alternative financing methods; authorizes specified counties to issue bonds under specified circumstances; alters the amount of grants provided to counties under the Aging Schools Program; provides an exception to a specified mandatory level of State funds to be granted to Prince George's County and Baltimore City.
Title: S.B. 787
Source: StateNet

MOTo governor 05/2004P-12Allows for the adoption of emergency preparedness plans for the use during natural disasters or other community emergencies by school districts.

1. The board of education of each school district in this state is authorized to adopt an emergency preparedness plan to address the use of school resources, including school facilities, commodity foods, school buses, and equipment if a natural disaster or other community emergency occurs.
            2. The emergency preparedness plan may authorize the superintendent or other designated school officials to approve use of school resources to provide relief to the community if an emergency occurs.
            3. Food assistance may be provided using commodities distributed by the United States Department of Agriculture consistent with the standards for emergency congregate feeding under such program.
            4. The use of school resources under this section shall be subject to review by the board of education within thirty days of authorization or as soon as reasonably possible.
 
http://www.house.state.mo.us/bills041/biltxt/truly/HB1070T.HTM
Title: H.B. 1070
Source: StateNet

+ 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