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
MISigned into law 11/2004P-12Intermediate School District Board Membership
H.B. 5921
Relates to a conflict of interest policy for intermediate school district officials and employees; requires and prohibits members of constituent district board from serving on an intermediate school board.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org/mileg.asp?page=get...

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NYSigned into law 10/2004P-12Minority members of Special Act School Districts
A.B. 11364
Requires special act school districts to have a certain minority of public members appointed by the Commissioner of Education; defines public members as neither employed by, nor members of, the boards of trustees of the designated child care agencies appointin...

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12School Districts: Reorganizations
A.B. 2841
Permits a county committee on school district organization to abolish a common governing board of an elementary school district and a high school district upon a vote of the electors of the school districts. Provides that an election relating to a school distr...

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12School District Governing Boards: Pupil Members
A.B. 1897
Requires the governing board of a school district to appoint to its membership a preferential voting pupil member. Requires school districts with more than one high school to select a pupil member from a different high school each year on a rotating basis. htt...

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CAVetoed 09/2004P-12
Community College
Postsec.
Local Education Agencies Compensation
A.B. 745
Requires a county superintendent of school and the governing board of a school district with 10 or more full-time employees, and the governing board of a community college district to annually report all compensation received by a county superintendent of scho...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Military Service: School District Board Vacancies
A.B. 3015
Provides if the absence of a member of the governing board of a school district for federal military deployment exceeds a 6-month period, the governing board of a school district is permitted to approve an additional 6 month absence, with certain requirements,...

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CASigned into law 09/2004P-12Public Hearing on Textbooks
S.B. 550 (multiple provisions)
SEC. 18: Requires the governing board of every district to hold a public hearing and make a determination as to whether each pupil in each school in the district has sufficient textbooks or instructional materials in each subject that are consistent with the c...

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NYSigned into law 09/2004P-12Board of Education Membership
A.B. 8558
Requires additional date for filing expenditure statements by candidates for membership on boards of education; requires statement of contributions to such candidates. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=a8558...

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CASigned into law 08/2004P-12School District Governing Boards: Meetings
S.B. 1771
Relates to meetings of the governing board of a school district. Permits a meeting to be held in another district to interview members of the public residing in another district with reference to the potential employment of an applicant for the position of sup...

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ILSigned into law 08/2004P-12School District Conversion Article
H.B. 758
Amends the School District Conversion Article of the School Code. Relates to election of board members, election format, at-large formats and elementary school districts. http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=093-0934...

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MISigned into law 08/2004P-12School Reform Boards
H.B. 4508
Revises the provisions governing the formation of first class school district boards; relates to procedures for the formation of school reform boards; requires a special election shall be held in the school district of the City of Detroit to decide whether to ...

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NMRule Adoption 08/2004P-12Responsibility/Examination/Code of Conduct/Education
NMAC 16.30.2.13, 16.30.3.9, 10, 11, 14, 18, 19, 16.30.4.12, 16.30.5.9, 16.30.6.8, .9
Establishes rules regarding board responsibilities, ARE examination, continuing education, code of conduct and practice standards, and settlement agreements. NEW MEXICO REG 4122 (SN)...

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DESigned into law 07/2004P-12School Elections
H.B. 38
Relates to school elections; sets school elections for the second Tuesday in May from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and suggests that day could be an in- service day so as to avoid school bus and other traffic and parking congestion that day. http://www.legis.state....

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HISigned into law 07/2004P-12Ethics Training
H.B. 680
Provides for mandatory ethics training for legislators, elected members of the board of education, executive department heads and deputies, and trustees of the office of Hawaiian affairs, the governor, the lieutenant governor and executive department heads and...

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LASigned into law 07/2004P-12School Board
H.B. 229
Repeals requirement that certain local school board expenditures relative to travel and related expenses of school board members be in accordance with specified state travel regulations. http://www.legis.state.la.us/leg_docs/04RS/CVT10/OUT/0000LVZH.PDF...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12School Board Preferences
H.B. 4947
Requires public disclosure of school boards voting preferences for intermediate school board members; relates to elections.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/publicact/pdf/2004-PA-0233.pdf...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12School District Election Coordinators
H.B. 5990
Relates to school district election coordinators; prohibits delegation of duties to the Secretary of School Board.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/publicact/pdf/2004-PA-0286.pdf...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12Election of School Board Members
H.B. 5992
Relates to election of a school board member; requires written acceptance of office and written affidavit of eligibility.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/publicact/pdf/2004-PA-0288.pdf...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12Scheduling of Local Elections
H.B. 5997
Provides general amendments regarding scheduling of local elections; includes school district elections.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/publicact/pdf/2004-PA-0292.pdf...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12Filling Vacancies on School Boards
H.B. 6003
Relates to filling of vacancies in case of school board member; provides for filing a petition with the clerk of the county where the petition was filed announces the result of the recall election; relates to filing with the school district election coordinato...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12Election of School Board Members
H.B. 5993
Requires notification to school district election coordinators of a person appointed to fill a vacancy.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/publicact/pdf/2004-PA-0289.pdf...

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MISigned into law 07/2004P-12Recall of School Board Member
H.B. 5994
Provides procedures for recall of school board members....

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RIBecame law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 07/2004P-12Professional Development
H.B. 7989
Provides that Rhode Island College (instead of the state department of education) in cooperation with the Rhode Island association of school committees would develop a professional development educational program for Rhode Island School committees. ...

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SCSigned into law 07/2004P-12School Districts Rated Unsatisfactory
S.B. 90
Authorizes the state board to implement a training program for the school district board of trustees and the district superintendent; authorizes the state board to act as a mediator of personnel issues between the district board and district superintendent; pr...

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RIBecame law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 06/2004P-12Professional Development Educational Program
S.B. 2597
Provides that Rhode Island College (instead of the state department of education) in cooperation with the Rhode Island association of school committees would develop a professional development educational program for Rhode Island School committees....

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GAVetoed 05/2004P-12Criminal Checks and Code of Ethics
H.B. 198
Requires local school boards to adopt a code of ethics; requires local units of administration to request a criminal check of teachers, principals, and other certificated professional personnel within 10 working days of hire. http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis...

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COSigned into law 04/2004P-12School Directors Elected By District
H.B. 1230
Concerns the election of school district directors from director districts. http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics2004a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont2/55a62238aee6f1b087256dff005a3670?OpenDocument&Click=87256D6C00679B13.b925f7d822283ac087256dd3003efcdb/$Body/1.2...

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IASigned into law 04/2004P-12Nomination Petitions for School Board Elections
H.F. 2419
Relates to the number of signatures required on nomination petitions for school board elections. Specifies that no more than 50 signatures need be collected for a valid petition. http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=B...

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KYSigned into law 04/2004P-12School Board Elections
H.B. 398
Provides that unless a number of candidates equal to or greater than the number of positions to be filled file petitions for nomination for an independent board of education opening, the chief state school officer shall fill the term of office for all openings...

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MDSigned into law 04/2004P-12Education Fiscal Accountability and Oversight Act
S.B. 894
Requires the Superintendent and the Department of Education to monitor the financial status of each county board of education and report to the Governor and General Assembly on a biannual basis; requires local superintendents or chief executive officers of loc...

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OKSigned into law 04/2004P-12Dual Office Holders
H.B. 2530
Relates to officers; relates to dual office holding; provides an exemption for park rangers elected or appointed to a local board of education or municipal office; declares an emergency....

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OKSigned into law 04/2004P-12School District Elections
H.B. 2369
Requires that district elections be conducted on the second Tuesday in February of each year, except in any year when a Presidential Preferential Primary is held in February, then the election shall be held on the fourth Tuesday in February same day as the Pre...

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TNSigned into law 04/2004P-12Trustee Term
H.B. 3572
Changes terms of trustees from two years to staggered terms of four years and increases grade level of school authorized for operation by special district from third grade to fifth grade....

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VASigned into law 04/2004P-12School Board Benefits
H.B. 433
Provides that an elected school board of certain counties may grant itself fringe benefits, expenses and reimbursements as it deems appropriate and in a manner and form as such are provided to school board employees, after satisfying the notice and public hear...

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INSigned into law 03/2004P-12School Board Member Military Leave
H.B. 1345
Establishes a procedure for a person holding a state, legislative, local, or school board office to take a leave of absence when called into active military service and for the appointment of a person to temporarily perform the officeholder's duties during the...

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OKEmergency Rule Adoption 02/2004P-12School Board Training in IDEA
OAC 210:20-23-3
Proposes requirements for specific instruction on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. OKLAHOMA REG 13080 (SN)...

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SDSigned into law 02/2004P-12School Board Member Per Diem Amount
S.B. 159
Allows a school board to set the amount of per diem that each member of that board may receive....

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ARSigned into law 01/2004P-12School Districts Consolidation
S.B. 35
Encourages larger school districts to voluntarily merge with smaller school districts; concerns the establishment of an interim board; provides for annexation and school elections. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB35.pdf...

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MISigned into law 01/2004P-12School Election Law
H.B. 4824
Creates chapter in election law regulating school district board elections and provides the general amendments.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=2003-HB-4824...

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MISigned into law 01/2004P-12School Elections
H.B. 4820
Requires school elections to be held with regular elections; makes other revisions in school election and repeals certain election provisions in school code.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=2003-HB-4820...

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+ 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
+ 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