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
ILSigned into law 08/2004P-12Increases the compulsory school age from 16 to 17 years of age, with exceptions. Provides that certain provisions that apply to truant officers apply to the regional superintendent of schools or his designee in a school district that does not have a truant officer. Makes changes concerning the compliance procedure for persons who fail to send a child to school. Allows certain students to enroll in graduation incentives programs. http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=093-0858
Title: S.B. 2918
Source: Illinois Legislative Web site

CAVetoed 07/2004P-12Provides that a pupil who will attain the age of 16 years during the school year may be admitted to a regional occupational center or program. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_1551-1600/sb_1591_bill_20040624_enrolled.html
Veto message: http://www.governor.ca.gov/govsite/pdf/press_release/SB_1591_Veto.pdf
Title: S.B. 1591
Source: California Legislative Web site

COEmergency Rule Adoption 07/2004P-12Clarifies rules regarding the administration of accountability for alternative campuses and processes for being designated an alternative campus. http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeboard/brdbook/2004/JULY%202004/VIII-A-1as.pdf
Title: 1 CCR 301-57
Source: Colorado State Web site

MABecame law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004P-12Relates to establishing an alternative education grant program; contains text of section 126 of H 4850; requires that parents or legal guardians attend specified conferences with teachers; provides for assistance to address needs of children who have been exposed to violence and abuse; provides for at- risk students.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht04914.htm
Title: H.B. 4914
Source: StateNet

NCSigned into law 07/2004P-12Implements the recommendation of the house interim committee on providing an appropriate education for students on long-term suspension to direct the state board of education to develop and recommend a funding formula for alternative learning programs and alternative schools. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/html2003/bills/currentversion/ratified/house/hbil1455.full.html; http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/html2003/bills/currentversion/ratified/house/hbil1456.full.html
Title: H.B. 1455 and 1456
Source: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us

RIBecame law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004P-12Each school district is required to adopt a plan to create alternative education programs to educate students who are removed from the classroom because of a suspension of more than ten (10) days or who are chronically truant. The plan must be adopted by the school committee and shall be submitted to the Commissioner for approval no later than January 1, 2005.
Title: H.B. 7722
Source: rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly

OHSigned into law 06/2004P-12Requires that upon a child's discharge or release from the custody of the Department of Youth Services certain records pertaining to the child be released to the superintendent of the school district in which the child is entitled to attend school; specifies that a school district's policy on the assignment of students to alternative school may provide for the assignment of any child released from the custody of the Department of Youth Services to such school.
Title: H.B. 106
Source: StateNet

MDSigned into law 05/2004P-12Establishes the Department of Juvenile Services Education Department; requires each facility established and operated by the Department of Juvenile Services to have an education center; provides that each child in the custody of the Department receive appropriate educational services; establishes the Department of Juvenile Services Board of Education; provides for the appointment, terms, and removal of members of the Board of Education.

http://mlis.state.md.us/2004rs/bills/hb/hb1139e.rtf
Title: H.B. 1139
Source: StateNet

MDSigned into law 05/2004P-12Requires a child discharged from a committed residential placement to receive step down aftercare for a period to be determined by the Department of Juvenile Services; requires a child in a step down aftercare program to receive specified services; requires a child placed in step down aftercare to receive an appropriate education from the State Department of Education; requires the Department of Juvenile Services to keep specified records.

http://mlis.state.md.us/2004rs/bills/sb/sb0767t.rtf
Title: S.B. 767
Source: StateNet

MSSigned into law 05/2004P-12Authorizes local school boards to expand federal No Child Left Behind Act funds to pay for training, incentives and salary supplements to school district employees; authorizes the expending of moneys to reimburse licensed district employees for relocation expenses for moving for employment purposes; authorizes district to establish dual enrollment programs for high school students to enroll in higher learning institutions; relates to alternative school programs.

http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/extrel/leg/04Edsum.html
Title: H.B. 657
Source: StateNet

TNSigned into law 05/2004P-12Concerns General Assembly, Directed Studies; directs the office of education accountability (with the asasistance of the state board and state department) to study and evaluate the quality of curriculums and policies and procedures relative to punishment utilized by Tennessee alternative schools and present findings and recommendations to the education oversight committee. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/Summary.asp?BillNumber=SJR0746

Title: S.J.R. 746
Source: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills

COSigned into law 04/2004P-12The performance of alternative schools that qualify is to be measured under a different set of accountability indicators. Schools that serve a population that is more than 95% "at risk" as defined by the law must demonstrate baseline levels of and measurable annual benchmards on at least one measure of academic performance. These measures must be based upon progres of individual students or groups of students and include one or more other indicators; must measure nonacademic or behavioral improvement appropriate for the particular schools, including average daily attendance, student post-matriculation rates of enrollment, enlistment or employment, rates of stability or retention, reduced rates of suspension or other discipline, or attendance rates. http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics2004a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont2/
Title: S.B. 83
Source:

MSSigned into law 04/2004P-12Relates to a delinquent child; provides that a youth court must consider additional factors before entering a disposition order or placing the child in a training school; requires review of child's medical history, mental health records and school records; provides for privacy of records.

http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2004/html/HB/1500-1599/HB1500SG.htm
Title: H.B. 1500
Source: StateNet

WVSigned into law 03/2004P-12Provides for safe schools through alternative education programs; provides certain juvenile justice records to public school officials.
Title: H.B. 4037
Source: StateNet

+ 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
+ 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