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From the ECS State Policy Database 2004 State Policies / Activities

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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 MI Signed into law 11/2004 P-12 Special 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 limited use of bonds for special education and vocational education facilities. http://www.michiganlegislature.org/mileg.... More... CA Signed into law 09/2004 P-12 Special 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 consultation with the California Arts Council. Requires the council to use the revenue exclusively for arts education and loca... More... CA Vetoed 09/2004 P-12 Controller: 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 the information on a county basis. Requires data to be made available on the Controller's web site. http://www.leginfo.ca... More... CA Vetoed 09/2004 P-12 Property 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 equity amount, and to commensurately reduce the amount of ad valorem property tax revenue allocated to that county's Edu... More... ME On November 2004 Ballot 09/2004 P-12 Limits 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 value of the property?" ... More... IL Signed into law 08/2004 P-12 State 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 amnesty funds received as a result of Public Act 93-26. http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=... More... MI Signed into law 08/2004 P-12 Casino 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 taxation of a gaming licensee by a city due as the result of a development agreement; increases the percentage of the moneys ... More... FL Emergency Rule Adoption 07/2004 P-12 Books, 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 from sales and use tax. Ensures that the public is notified in the most expedient and appropriate means regarding the exem... More... NY Signed into law 07/2004 P-12 Emergency 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 to improving the administration of the school tax relief program and other laws; extends the quick draw lottery game; e... More... RI Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 P-12 Education 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 education foundation and education formula for the state. ... More... RI Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004 P-12 Education 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 permanent education foundation and education formula for the state - the committee's final report is due October 1, 2005..... More... AZ Signed into law 06/2004 P-12 License 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 (DOE) pays $32,000 by January 1, 2005; provides for allocation of monies through a private nonprofit foundation; provide... More... OK Signed into law 06/2004 P-12 Ad 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 granted for a new or expanded manufacturing or research and development facility. http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/2003-04SB/sb9... More... TN Signed into law 06/2004 P-12 Tax 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 operating and implementation costs shall be satisfied from any increase in local sales tax revenues and twenty-five perc... More... FL Signed into law 05/2004 P-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 exceptions; provides reduction in motor fuel tax for one month; provides dealer requirements; authorizes dealers to man... More... GA Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 Sales 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, clothing, footwear, computers, and computer related accessories for a limited period of time in 2004. http://www.legis.s... More... IA Vetoed 05/2004 P-12 Tax Credits S.F. 2295 Allows individual income tax credits for contributions made to certain school tuition organizations and including an applicability date provision. http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&hbill=SF2295... More... ME Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 Educational 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 programs and services, must be 55%. It also establishes a local cost share expectation for property tax years beginning on o... More... MI Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 Education 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 $2.50 each parcel for property in the county for the tax collected before transmitting the tax collected to the State Tre... More... TX Rule Adoption 05/2004 P-12 Foundation 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 95053 (SN) http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tacupdates/may2004/ch062.pdf... More... VT Signed into law 05/2004 P-12 Rutland H.B. 774 Authorizes the Rutland school commissioners to adopt annual general fund budgets without voter approval provided that the actual homestead tax rate in a year does not exceed the adjusted equalized homestead rate established by the state; authorizes the board o... More... KY Signed into law 04/2004 P-12 School 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 sections of KRS 160.613 to 160.617 to provide for the administration of the tax by the Revenue Cabinet and provides for the... More... KY Signed into law 04/2004 P-12 Local 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 school districts and other special taxing districts to the definition of "tax district"; amend KRS 67.753, 67.755, 67.760, 6... More... WI Vetoed 04/2004 Community College Revenue 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 System Board, to enter into a contract with a business to provide job training, adult basic education, vocational and p... More... CT Signed into law 03/2004 Postsec. 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 budget recommendations. http://www.cga.state.ct.us/2004/act/Pa/2004PA-00003-R00SB-00030-PA.htm... More... AR Signed into law 02/2004 P-12 Tax 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 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004; provides all moneys collected under the program would be deposited in a special Publ... More... AR Signed into law 02/2004 P-12 Ad 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 for maintenance and operation of public schools. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1162.pdf... More... AR Signed into law 02/2004 P-12 School 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 in compliance with the uniform tax rate. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB36.pdf and http://w... More... AR Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 02/2004 P-12 Revenue 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; creates the Educational Adequacy Trust Fund. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1030.pdf... More... AR Signed into law 01/2004 P-12 School 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 Amendment 74 Enabling Act of 2003. Amended by SB 73. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB36.pdf an... More... AR Signed into law 01/2004 P-12 Sales 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 that receive state funding or state purchases for free distribution. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2... More... AR Signed into law 01/2004 P-12 School 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 the school district with regard to such assessments. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB21.pdf... More... 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 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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 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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