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
MISigned into law 11/2004P-12Special Education and ISDs
H.B. 5839
Clarifies and limits duration of intermediate school district millages to fund special education and vocational education; relates to the li...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Special Interest License Plates
S.B. 1213
Increases the amount of the fees imposed for issuance and renewal of specified special interest license plates approved by the DMV in consul...

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12Controller: Financial Reports
S.B. 1791
Requires the Controller to collect data regarding the total assessed valuation of all taxable property in each school district and compile t...

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12Property Tax Revenue Shifts
S.B. 1909
Requires the auditor of a qualified county to increase the amount of ad valorem property tax revenue allocated to that county by the county ...

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MEOn November 2004 Ballot 09/2004P-12Limits on Real and Property Taxes
Ballot Initiative
TITLE: An Act to Impose Limits on Real and Personal Property Taxes
QUESTION: "Do you want to limit property taxes to 1% of the assessed valu...

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ILSigned into law 08/2004P-12State Aid Formula Local Resources Exclusion
S.B. 2362
Amends the School Code. In the State aid formula provisions, provides that calculation of Available Local Resources shall exclude tax amnest...

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MISigned into law 08/2004P-12Casino Gaming Tax
H.B. 4612
Increases the wagering tax imposed on the adjusted gross receipts of an authorized casino gaming licensee; provides an increase in the taxat...

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FLEmergency Rule Adoption 07/2004P-12Books, Clothing and School Supplies Sales
FAC 12AER04-5
Implements the provisions of the law specifying a period during which the sale of certain books, clothing, and school supplies are exempt fr...

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NYSigned into law 07/2004P-12Emergency Appropriations for Support of Government
A.B. 11761
Enacts provisions of law necessary to implement emergency appropriations for the support of government; amends the property tax law relating...

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RIBecame law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004P-12Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act
H.B. 8318
Adds a new chapter: the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act; creates a joint legislative committee to establish a permanent educati...

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RIBecame law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004P-12Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act
S.B. 3182
Creates the "Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act, " and would create a joint legislative committee of ten members to establish a pe...

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AZSigned into law 06/2004P-12License Plates for Character Education
H.B. 2206
Requires the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to issue character education special license plates if the Department of Education ...

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OKSigned into law 06/2004P-12Ad Valorem Reimbursement Fund
S.B. 912
Relates to Ad Valorem Reimbursement Fund to reimburse counties for school districts that claim a loss of revenues due to a tax exemption gra...

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TNSigned into law 06/2004P-12Tax Deductions for Charitable School Organizations
H.B. 1302
Creates tax credit for qualified contributions for qualified public school support organizations; provides that seventy-five percent of the ...

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FLSigned into law 05/2004P-12
Postsec.
Community College
Sales Tax Holiday
H.B. 237
Specifies the period each year during which sales of clothing, books and school supplies are exempt from sales tax; provides definitions and...

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GASigned into law 05/2004P-12Sales Tax Exemption
H.B. 1184
Renewed the exemptions from state sales and use tax, so as to provide for an exemption with respect to the sale of certain school supplies, ...

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IAVetoed 05/2004P-12Tax Credits
S.F. 2295
Allows individual income tax credits for contributions made to certain school tuition organizations and including an applicability date prov...

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MESigned into law 05/2004P-12Educational Funding and Property Tax Relief
S.P. 761
The bill provides that by fiscal year 2009-10 the state share of kindergarten to grade 12 education funding, as described by essential progr...

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MISigned into law 05/2004P-12Education Tax Collection
H.B. 5545
Revises reimbursement for collection of State Education Tax to certain cities and counties; provides that the cities and counties may keep $...

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TXRule Adoption 05/2004P-12Foundation School Program
19 TAC 105.A.105.1
Amends rules concerning the foundation school program. Relates to rules for the definition of tax and levy and tax collection. TEXAS REG 950...

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VTSigned into law 05/2004P-12Rutland
H.B. 774
Authorizes the Rutland school commissioners to adopt annual general fund budgets without voter approval provided that the actual homestead t...

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KYSigned into law 04/2004P-12School Finance
H.B. 163
Amends KRS 160.615 to require payments and returns to be submitted to the Revenue Cabinet rather than the school districts.

Creates new sec...

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KYSigned into law 04/2004P-12Local Taxation
H.B. 458
Amend KRS 67.750 to revise the definitions of "employee," "gross receipts," and "internal revenue code"; define "sales revenue" and add scho...

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WIVetoed 04/2004Community CollegeRevenue Bonds to Finance Services
S.B. 384
From Legislative Reference Bureau: This bill authorizes a technical college district board, with the approval of the state Technical College...

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CTSigned into law 03/2004Postsec.Authorization of Bonds
S.B. 30
Concerns an authorization of bonds of the state for higher education capital improvements and other purposes; implements the Governors budge...

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ARSigned into law 02/2004P-12Tax Amnesty Program
H.B. 1100
Creates a State Tax Penalty and Interest Amnesty Program for taxpayers who make a voluntary payment of State taxes during the period of July...

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ARSigned into law 02/2004P-12Ad Valorem Property Tax
H.B. 1162
Increases the uniform rate of ad valorem property tax by three mills subject to the approval of the voters in this state to be used solely f...

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ARSigned into law 02/2004P-12School Tax Rate Constitutional Amendment
S.B. 73
Amends the procedures to implement Amendment 74 (SB 36) to the State Constitution relating to whether or not a school district is currently ...

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ARBecame law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 02/2004P-12Revenue for Education
H.B. 1030
Provides additional revenue to fund the education system; increases sales and wholesale vending tax; imposes sales tax on certain services; ...

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ARSigned into law 01/2004P-12School Tax Rate Constitutional Amendment
S.B. 36
Proposes a constitutional amendment; relates to the approval of school tax rates; amends provisions regarding sale of bonds; known as the Am...

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ARSigned into law 01/2004P-12Sales Tax and Instructional Materials
H.B. 1028
Clarifies the exemption of sales tax to the sale of textbooks and instructional materials to state school districts and state public schools...

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ARSigned into law 01/2004P-12School District and Assessed Property
S.B. 21
Clarifies the computation of the value of assessed property within a school district and a redevelopment district; amends state funding to t...

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+ 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