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
+ 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
CASigned into law 09/2004P-12State Teachers' Retirement
A.B. 1852
Authorizes any member of the Defined Benefit Program of the State Teacher's Retirement Plan granted additional credit for service or service...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Low Performing Schools and Teacher Job Applications
A.B. 3001 (multiple provisions)
SEC. 11: Declares that the Legislature encourages school districts to provide all the schools it maintains that are ranked in deciles 1 to 3...

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AZIssued 08/2004P-12Establishing the Governor's Arizona Teacher's Excellence Program (AzTEP) Coordination Council
Executive Order 2004-20
Establishes the Arizona Teacher's Excellence Program Coordination Council (AzTEP Council) to solicit, review and approve applications for fe...

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ILSigned into law 08/2004P-12Qualified Teachers
H.B. 6906
Provides that if a school district has a shortage of highly qualified teachers, as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, or a sho...

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ILSigned into law 07/2004P-12Grow Our Own Teacher Education Act
S.B. 1550
Creates the Grow Our Own Teacher Education Act. Establishes the Grow Our Own Teacher Education Initiative to prepare highly skilled, committ...

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LASigned into law 07/2004P-12Teachers Homebuyer Program
S.B. 879
Establishes the Louisiana Teachers' Homebuyer Program to encourage teachers to work in low-performing schools in disadvantaged areas, includ...

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PASigned into law 07/2004P-12Annuity Incentive
S.B. 200
Amends provisions to permit an annuitant who is a certified teacher or other personnel who hold instructional or administrative certificates...

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WAEmergency Rule Adoption 07/2004P-12Out-of-State Teaching Certificate
WAC 180-79A-257
Establishes emergency rules to allow teachers who hold the appropriate degree from a regionally accredited college/university, a teaching ce...

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AKSigned into law 06/2004P-12Repeals Teacher Housing Assistance
S.B. 274
Relates to the housing assistance loan fund in the state housing finance corporation; creates the housing assistance loan program; repeals l...

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FLSigned into law 06/2004P-12Education Personnel
S.B. 2986
Relates to education personnel; provides for expunging of criminal history records of applicants for employment at certain education related...

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FLSigned into law 06/2004P-12Retired Teachers Reemployment
S.B. 3010
Relates to a retired teacher's reemployment; authorizes district school boards to reemploy certain retired teachers under certain circumstan...

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LASigned into law 06/2004P-12Return to Active Service by Disabled
H.B. 982
Provides for the return to active service by any disability retiree. Eliminates requirement that returning disability retiree have retired ...

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LASigned into law 06/2004P-12Prestige License Plates for Educators
H.B. 290
Deletes reference that any educator eligible to apply for a special prestige license plate be an "elementary or secondary" educator. Revise...

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ARRule Adoption 05/2004P-12
Postsec.
State Teacher Assistance Resource Program
008.10.04-001
Establishes rules regarding the amendment of the state teacher assistance resource program. ARKANSAS REG 3933 (SN)
http://www.sos.arkansas.g...

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AZSigned into law 05/2004P-12Impact Aid for Teacher Housing
H.B. 2475
Allows school districts to use Impact Aid for teacher housing.
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/46leg/2r/laws...

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GASigned into law 05/2004P-12Teacher Recruitment and Retirement
H.B. 366
Amends retirement allowances, disability benefits, and spouses' benefits under the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia to allow a teacher ...

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COSigned into law 04/2004P-12Teacher Loans
H.B. 1039
Concerns the expansion of the teacher loan forgiveness pilot program to include a teacher who is hired to teach in a qualified position afte...

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MERule Adoption 04/2004P-12Returning to Employment
94-411-410
Clarifies rules regarding retirees returning to employment after retirement with the same employer. Establishes a waiver that must be execut...

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VASigned into law 04/2004P-12Home Ownership Assistance
H.B. 827
Home-ownership assistance. Allows that a locality may by ordinance provide for the use of funds, other than state funds, for grants to assis...

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VASigned into law 04/2004P-12Rehiring Retired Teachers
H.B. 1171
Each division superintendent is required at least annually, if so requested by the local school board, to survey the relevant local school d...

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WVSigned into law 04/2004P-12Use of Retired Teachers
H.B. 2268
Relates to the maximum number of days a retired teacher may accept employment; relates to the employment of retired teacher in areas of crit...

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WASigned into law 03/2004P-12Prospective Teachers Scholarships and Loan Payment
H.B. 2708
Creates conditional scholarships and loan repayments for prospective teachers....

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WASigned into law 03/2004P-12Teachers Cottages
H.B. 2462
Relates to teacher cottages in nonhigh school districts totally surrounded by water, serving fewer than 40 students; provides the school dis...

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WVTo governor 03/2004P-12Recruiting Minorities
S.B. 200
Requires state police to annually report to Legislature effectiveness of recruiting minorities....

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ARSigned into law 02/2004P-12Teacher Recruitment
H.B. 1080
Amends the duties and focus of the office for teacher recruitment within the Department of Education. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/...

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ARSigned into law 02/2004P-12Teacher Recruitment and Retention
S.B. 89
Provides extraordinary incentives for teacher recruitment and retention in high priority districts with an average daily membership of 1,000...

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ARSigned into law 01/2004P-12State Teacher Assistance Program
H.B. 1079
Expands the state teacher assistance resource program; provides for forgivable loans. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/pub...

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ARSigned into law 01/2004P-12Teacher Housing Fund
H.B. 1060
Relates to the state teacher housing development act; provides for teachers who have demonstrated ability to successfully teach children in ...

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DERule Adoption 01/2004P-12Recruiting &Training of Professional Educators in Critical Curricular Areas
14 DAC 220; Sections 1.0 thru 8.0
Establishes rules amending regulation 240 Recruiting and Training of Professional Educators for Critical Curricular Areas. Reflects changes ...

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+ 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