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
+ Counseling/Guidance
+ 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
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Problem Based Learning
+ Instructional Approaches--Tracking/Ability Grouping
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ International Baccalaureate
+ 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
+ Mentoring/Tutoring
+ 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
+ Remediation (K-12)
+ 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
+ Students
+ Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities
+ Students--Employment
+ Students--Mobility
- Students--Records/Rights
NJTo governor 12/2004Postsec.Display of Student Social Security Number
A.B. 1205
Prohibits display of students' social security numbers by institutions of higher education to identify the student for posting or public listing of grades, on class rosters or other lists provided to teachers, on student identification cards, in student direct...

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NMRule Adoption 12/2004P-12Public School Administration/Accountability/Standards
NMAC 6.19.5
Establishes rules rpublic school accountability, student identification system and data system security measures. http://www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/nmac/parts/title06/06.019.0005.htm...

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NYSigned into law 11/2004P-12Direct Merchandising of Credit Cards to Students
S.B. 510
Prohibits the direct merchandising of credit cards through State University of New York and City University of New York to any enrolled student; defines direct merchandising.

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S00510&sh=t...

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NYSigned into law 11/2004P-12Direct Merchandising of Credit Cards
S.B. 7663
Relates to the prohibition of direct merchandising of credit cards through colleges; provides that colleges shall prohibit the advertising, marketing or merchandising of credit cards on campus to students pursuant to an official college credit card marketing p...

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12Pupils: Drug and Alcohol Testing
S.B. 1386
Provides for drug and alcohol testing of a pupil only upon a reasonable suspicion the pupil is unlawfully using or has unlawfully used a controlled substance or alcohol. Requires a school district, if it adopts a drug and alcohol testing policy, to provide ade...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Pupil Health: Self-Administration of Medication
S.B. 1912
Authorizes a pupil to carry and self-administer auto-injectable epinephrine medication if the school district receives a written statement from the physician detailing the method, amount and time schedules by which the medication is to be taken and a written s...

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12Equity in Athletics Bill of Rights
A.B. 2240
Enacts the Equity in Athletics Bill of Rights and enumerates the rights available to a pupil relating to gender equity in athletics. Requires the State Department of Education to post the bill of rights on its Web site and requires a school board that elects t...

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12Pupils: Interrogation
A.B. 1012
Requires the principal of a school to take immediate steps to seek the consent of the parent or guardian of an elementary school pupil prior to making the pupil available to a peace officer for questioning. Prohibits making the pupil available for questioning ...

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12Charter Schools and Student Discipline/Attendance
A.B. 1860
Prohibits a school district governing board from denying a charter school petition, unless it makes findings that the petition lacks a description of the procedures by which a pupil may be subject to discipline and the procedure employed by the school to safeg...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Pupil Health: Self-Administration of Medications
A.B. 2132
Authorizes a pupil to carry and self-administer inhaled asthma medication if the school district receives certain statements regarding same. Requires the statements to be provided to the district at least annually and more frequently under certain conditions. ...

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CASigned into law 08/2004P-12Pupil Assessment and Student Records
S.B. 1448
Extends the repeal date of the Leroy Greene California Assessment of Academic Achievement Act to January 1, 2011. Excludes testing students in grade 2 effective July 1, 2007. Permits the release of a pupils record of accomplishment and the results of achieveme...

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CASigned into law 08/2004P-12Pupil Records
A.B. 1636
Authorizes a public officer or agency to allow the use of records concerning a individual that relates to free or reduced-price meal eligibility by a school district employee to identify pupils eligible for public school choice and supplemental educational ser...

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NMRule Adoption 08/2004P-12Disciplinary Records
NMAC 6.30.2.1, .3, .10
Amends issuing agency and statutory references; requires that disciplinary records be included in the records of transferring students; requires elective courses meet PED standards; requires that accountability data system numbers be included in transcripts. N...

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DESigned into law 07/2004P-12Student Grades and Teacher Evaluations
H.B. 126
Relates to student grades and teacher evaluations; provides that no one except the teacher who assigns a grade to a student may change the grade; for example, a school administrator may not raise or lower a student's grade; provides that the method which a tea...

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PASigned into law 07/2004Postsec.College Campus Credit Card Marketing
S.B. 157
Provides for regulation and registration of credit card marketing on a college or university campus. Reenacts provisions relating to education empowerment and temporary aid for school districts affected by reductions in assessed value of real estate. Reenacts ...

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AKSigned into law 06/2004Postsec.University Student Practicum: Liability and Wages
H.B. 539
Exempts a person who allows a student of the University of Alaska to gain practical work experience with the person while participating in a practicum from vicarious liability as an employer, and exempts the student participating in a practicum from the Alaska...

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DESigned into law 06/2004P-12Student Records
H.B. 391
Classifies student records required to be retained by private business and trade schools as short-term; alleviates additional costs the Department of Public Archives would incur if the student records for private business and trade schools were made permanent ...

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OHSigned into law 06/2004P-12Child Released from Custody
H.B. 106
Requires 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 t...

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RIBecame law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 06/2004P-12Educational Bill Of Rights
H.B. 7476
Provides that the educational bill of rights would comply with the federal Buckley Act when releasing documents; provides for the right to keep educational records confidential and not released except under certain circumstances....

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MDSigned into law 05/2004P-12Searches of Students
H.B. 130
Authorizes a county board of education to authorize a teacher to make a reasonable search of specified students on a school-sponsored trip under specified circumstances....

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MDSigned into law 05/2004Postsec.State Digital Library
H.B. 1167
Establishes the State Digital Library in the Maryland Higher Education Commission; authorizes the State Higher Education Commission to encourage specified institutions to meet specified goals; authorizes the Digital Library, in collaboration with certain entit...

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COSigned into law 04/2004P-12No Student Statements Without Parent
H.B. 1137
Concerns the creation of a public school student's right to have a guardian present when the student signs a statement that could result in expulsion. http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics2004a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont2/0f42b06a7122dfff87256dbb000241a7?OpenDocument&Click...

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KYSigned into law 04/2004P-12Notification of Principals
S.B. 52
Eliminates the requirement that the principal of a public school be notified when a child is found guilty of an offense that classifies the child as a youthful offender (maintains existing notification requirement for private school principals). Adds that loca...

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VASigned into law 04/2004P-12Reporting of Certain Acts by School Authorities
H.B. 869
Reporting of certain acts by school authorities to law enforcement. Expands the enumerated activities that school principals must report to local law enforcement by providing that reportable offenses involving "firearms" on school property address any weapon p...

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VASigned into law 04/2004P-12Notification of Student Participation in Gangs
S.B. 593, Similar to S.B. 633
Adds criminal act committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang to those enumerated crimes triggering a requirement that the intake officer provide notice to a school superintendent that a petition has been ...

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VASigned into law 04/2004P-12Student Conduct
H.B. 513
Directs the Board of Education, in developing model student conduct policies; includes standards for school board policies to ensure recognition of the fundamental right of every student to take reasonable actions as may prove necessary to defend himself from ...

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VASigned into law 04/2004P-12Notification to Parents of Rights of Students
S.B. 438
Directs local school boards to notify parents of the educational rights of students who fail to graduate or who have failed to achieve the number of verified units of credit required for graduation as provided in the standards of accreditation or who have been...

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WISigned into law 04/2004Postsec.Student Identification Numbers
A.B. 84
Relates to the use of a person's social security number in his or her student identification number at a private institution of higher education; provides that an identification number may not be identical with a student's social security number....

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IDSigned into law 03/2004Postsec.Students Called to Active Military Duty
S.B. 1268
Amends existing law to extend the rights of students called to active duty to individuals called to federal active service. http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/S1268.html#daily...

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TNSigned into law 03/2004Postsec.Public Records
S.B. 2098
Concerns public records; requires rather than authorizes institution of higher education to disclose final results of student disciplinary proceeding involving crime of violence, sex offense, alcohol or drug possession unless prohibited by federal law....

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UTSigned into law 03/2004P-12School District Notification of Student Violence
H.B. 135
Requires law enforcement officers to notify school district superintendents when a minor is taken into custody or detention for a violent crime, a weapons violation or a no-contact order; allows a school district to establish a process for providing notice reg...

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WVSigned into law 03/2004P-12Providing For Safe Schools
H.B. 4037
Provides for safe schools through alternative education programs; provides certain juvenile justice records to public school officials....

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ARSigned into law 01/2004P-12Student Health Report
H.B. 1011
Requires schools to include as part of a student health report to parents an annual body mass index percentile by age for each student. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1011.pdf...

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+ 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