ECS
From the ECS State Policy Database
2005 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 2005. 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--Sanctions/Interventions--Takeovers
+ Accountability--School Improvement
+ Adult Basic Education
+ Assessment
+ Assessment--Accommodations
+ Assessment--Computer Based
+ Assessment--End-of-Course
+ Assessment--Formative/Interim
+ Assessment--High Stakes/Competency
+ 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
+ Career/Technical Education
+ Career/Technical Education--Career Academies/Apprenticeship
+ Cheating
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Charter Districts
+ Choice of Schools--Charter Schools--Closings
+ 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--Tax Credits
+ Choice of Schools--Vouchers
+ Civic Education
+ Civic Education--Character Education
+ Civic Education--Pledge of Allegiance
+ Class Size
+ Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Arts Education
+ Curriculum--Censorship
+ Curriculum--Core Curriculum
+ Curriculum--Drivers Education
+ Curriculum--Environmental Education
+ 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--Mathematics
+ Curriculum--Multicultural
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+ Curriculum--Science
+ Curriculum--Sex Education
+ Curriculum--Social Studies/History
+ Curriculum--Speech Education
+ Data-Driven Improvement
+ Demographics--Enrollments
+ Desegregation
+ Economic/Workforce Development
+ Education Research
+ Equity
+ Finance
+ Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost
+ Finance--District
+ Finance--Equity
+ Finance--Facilities
+ Finance--Federal
+ Finance--Funding Formulas
+ Finance--Litigation
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+ Finance--Lotteries
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+ 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
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+ Governance--Site-Based Management
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+ Health
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+ High School
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+ High School--GED (General Education Development)
+ High School--Graduation Requirements
+ High School--International Baccalaureate
+ Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices
+ Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling
+ Instructional Approaches--Single-Sex Education
+ Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools
+ Leadership
+ Leadership--District Superintendent
+ Leadership--Principal/School Leadership
+ 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--Tenure
+ Middle School
+ Minority/Diversity Issues
+ Minority/Diversity Issues--American Indian / Alaska Native / Native Hawaiian
+ 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 Child Care
+ P-3 Early Intervention (0-3)
+ P-3 Ensuring Quality
+ P-3 Evaluation/Economic Benefits
+ P-3 Family Involvement
+ P-3 Finance
+ P-3 Grades 1-3
+ P-3 Kindergarten--Full-Day Kindergarten
+ P-3 Preschool
+ P-3 Teaching Quality/Professional Development
+ Parent/Family
+ Parent/Family--Parent Rights
+ Partnerships--University/School
+ 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 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 Participation--Outreach
+ Postsecondary Students--Disabled
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+ Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation
+ Private Schools
+ Privatization
+ Promotion/Retention
+ Reading/Literacy
+ Religion
+ Religion--Prayer/Meditation
+ Rural
+ Scheduling/School Calendar
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Day/Class Length
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Summer School
+ Scheduling/School Calendar--Year
+ School Safety
+ School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution
+ School Safety--Code of Conduct
- School Safety--Expulsion/Suspension
CAVetoed 09/2005P-12An act to amend Section 48900 of the Education Code, relating to pupil rights. Authorizes a principal or superintendent to suspend a student who knowingly made a false accusation to a school employee that another school employee has committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault against that pupil. Adds that a pupil may not be recommended for expulsion for this act.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0601-0650/ab_605_bill_20050830_enrolled.pdf
Title: A.B. 605
Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov

NJRule Adoption 08/2005P-12Establishes and amends requirements for school district boards relating to development and implementation of school safety plans, cooperation with law enforcement on certain matters if they occur at school grounds and functions, development and implementation of a student code of conduct, establishment of intervention and referral services at schools, application and approval of alternative education programs, guidelines for placement in home or out-of-school instruction for general education students, and reporting allegations of child abuse or neglect.
Title: NJAC 6A:16-1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5 thru 5.8, 6.1 thru 6.3,7.1, 7.2 thru 7.10, 8 thru 11
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet

CASigned into law 07/2005P-12Governing boards that expel pupils must provide access to an educational program for those students. Such a program may be operated by the school district, the county superintendent of schools, or a consortium of districts or in joint agreement with the county superintendent of schools. Allows governing boards to enter into an agreement with a county superintendent of schools in another county to provide education
services for the district's expelled pupils.Requires each school district to maintain the following data:
(A) The number of pupils recommended for expulsion.
(B) The grounds for each recommended expulsion.
(C) Whether the pupil was subsequently expelled.
(D) Whether the expulsion order was suspended.
(E) The type of referral made after the expulsion.
(F) The disposition of the pupil after the end of the period of expulsion.
Deletes the requirement that a school district annually report expulsion data to CDE and instead authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to collect this data as part of a periodic coordinated compliance review. Repeals the requirement that the state superintendent develop, update every other year, and distribute directories of public and private agencies providing services to special education pupils with "low-incidence" disabilities. Repeals the requirement that CDE publish and distribute to local educational agencies an annual school crime report.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_110_bill_20050718_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 110 --Expulsion Section
Source: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov

CASigned into law 07/2005P-12An act to amend Section 48916.1 of, and to repeal Sections 42103.3 and 56137 of, the Education Code, and to repeal Section 628.4 of the Penal Code, relating to public education. At the time an expulsion of a pupil is ordered, the school board must ensure that an educational program is provided for the period of the expulsion. The educational program may not be situated within or on the grounds of the school from which the pupil was expelled. Each school district shall maintain the following data:(a) The number of pupils recommended for expulsion; (b) the grounds for each recommended expulsion; (c) whether the pupil was subsequently expelled; (d) whether the expulsion order was suspended; (e) the type of referral made after the expulsion; and (f) The disposition of the pupil after the end of the period of expulsion.
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_110_bill_20050718_chaptered.pdf
Title: A.B. 110
Source: StateNet

MNSigned into law 07/2005P-12After a school administration notifies a pupil of the grounds for suspension, the school administration may, instead of imposing the suspension, do one or more of the following: (1) strongly encourage a parent or guardian of the pupil to attend school with the pupil for one day; (2) assign the pupil to attend school on Saturday as supervised by the principal or the principal's designee; and (3) petition the juvenile court that the student is in need of services under chapter 260C.


http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H0141.1&session_year=2005&session_number=1
Title: H.F. 141 - Multiple Components
Source: http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us

COVetoed 06/2005P-12Recognizes the importance of supplemental online education courses, especially to smaller districts and rural schools. States that such courses are eligible to receive funding from the state education fund created in article IX of the state constitution. Requires the department, on or before October 1, 2005, to contract with a supplemental on-line course provider to provide high-quality supplemental on-line education courses statewide for purchase by districts, boards of cooperative services, charter schools and the state charter school institute. Requires the contracting provider to work with these entities to allow schools to (1) offer courses for all students in all performance ranges, including gifted and talented students and students in need of remediation; (2) resolve class scheduling conflicts; (3) provide make-up credits for students and summer school options to help students graduate earlier; (4) offer courses for expelled and home-bound students; (5) offer courses for which local teachers are not available; (6) offer courses allowing students to meet higher education admission requirements; (7) meet federal requirements for highly qualified teachers; and (8) provide teacher professional development. Requires the supplemental online course provider to be a nonprofit or not-for-profit organization or school district, have documented evidence of program evaluation, and to meet other requirements. Specifies minimum provisions of a contract for supplemental online education courses, including that the contractor must provide at least 50 online courses in specified subject areas, the teachers meet the federal requirements for a highly qualified teacher, and that, where applicable, the courses are based on the state model content standards. Requires the contractors to annually report to the department and the legislature on specified details about the program during the preceding year. Makes an allocation.

http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics2005a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/4723DE9EE54766D487256F810074794F?Open&file=139_enr.pdf
Title: S.B. 139
Source: www.leg.state.co.us

LASigned into law 06/2005P-12Requires a principal to immediately suspend a student who is found carrying or possessing a knife whose blade is 2 inches or longer. Also requires the principal to immediately recommend the student's expulsion, except when the student is less than eleven years old in pre-kindergarten through grade five.

http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=315961
Title: H.B. 458
Source: http://www.legis.state.la.us/

NVSigned into law 06/2005P-12Revises governing the formation of charter schools designed exclusively for pupils with disciplinary problems. Provides that a pupil who is suspended or expelled from a public school may enroll in a program of independent study, in a program of distance education or in a charter school under certain circumstance.

http://leg.state.nv.us/73rd/bills/SB/SB367_EN.pdf
Title: S.B. 367
Source: StateNet

INSigned into law 05/2005P-12Requires schools to report the reasons for student suspensions and expulsions to the department of education, and to categorize suspended and expelled students by gender, ethnicity and disability status. Authorizes an agreement for court assisted resolution of suspension and expulsion cases between a court having juvenile jurisdiction and a public school corporation.

Provides that the agreement may require the court to do one or more of the following:
(1) Establish a flexible program for the supervision of a student who has been suspended or expelled.
(2) Supervise a student who has been suspended or expelled.
(3) Require a student who has been suspended or expelled to participate in a school program (including an alternative educational program) for the supervision of a student who has been suspended or expelled.

Provides that the agreement may require a school corporation to do one or more of the following:
(1) Define the violation for which a student who has been suspended or expelled shall be referred to the court.
(2) Refer a student who has been suspended or expelled for a violation described in subdivision (1) to the court.
(3) Establish a school program (including an alternative educational program) for the supervision of a student who has been suspended or expelled.
Provides that the court and the school corporation may jointly determine which violations leading to suspension or expulsion are eligible for referral to the court. Provides that the school corporation and the court must determine how the costs of supervising a student under the agreement shall be paid.

Allows the school corporation to disclose the education records of a student who has been suspended or expelled to a court. Provides that a parent or guardian has the right to be present during the student's appearance, and may be required to be present during the student's appearance. Requires that the discipline rules adopted by a school's governing body define "habitual truant" to include, at a minimum, a student who has more than ten unexcused absences in a school year. Permits a public school student who is at least 16 years of age and less than 18 years of age to withdraw from school by: (1) attending an exit interview; (2) obtaining the consent of the student's parent; and (3) obtaining the consent of the school principal. Requires that the school principal provide the student and the student's parent with information concerning the consequences of dropping out of school during the exit interview, and to provide the department of education with the number of students who withdraw from school. Includes certain additional groups of students in the determination of a school's graduation rate. Establishes certain procedures concerning a student who has left school and whose location is unknown to the school. Allows a school to establish a flexible instruction program for certain high school students. Makes technical corrections to conform with the Title 20 recodification
Title: H.B. 1794
Source: StateNet

TXSigned into law 05/2005P-12District student codes of conduct are required to specify whether consideration is given, as a factor in a decision to order suspension,
removal to a disciplinary alternative education program, or expulsion, to: (A) self-defense; (B) intent or lack of intent at the time the
student engaged in the conduct; (C) a student's disciplinary history; or (D) a disability that substantially impairs the student's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the student's conduct. Students may not be returned to classrooms without the teacher's consent. Provides that, except as provided by Section 37.007(e) (Expulsion for Serious Offenses), this subchapter does not require the student code of conduct to specify a minimum term of a removal or an expulsion.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=79&SESS=R&CHAMBER=H&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00603&VERSION=5&TYPE=B

Title: H.B. 603
Source: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us

MD(S) THIRD READING PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS (31-15) 04/2005P-12Requiring a student considered for suspension or expulsion from school or the student's parent or guardian to be given a community resources list; requiring a child with a disability or the child's parent or guardian to be given a community resources list attached to a procedural safeguards notice if the child is being considered for suspension or expulsion from school; etc

http://mlis.state.md.us/2005rs/billfile/hb1074.htm
Title: H.B. 1074
Source: StateNet

VASigned into law 03/2005P-12Provides that the local school board, or a committee thereof, or the division superintendent may review petitions for readmission by expelled students. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?051+ful+CHAP0096
Title: H.B. 2223
Source: StateNet

+ School Safety--No Child Left Behind--Safe Schools
+ School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault
+ School Safety--Special Education
+ School Safety--Uniforms/Dress Codes
+ 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--Placement
+ Special Education--Transition
+ Special Populations--Corrections Education
+ Special Populations--Gifted and Talented
+ Special Populations--Homeless Education
+ Standards
+ State Longitudinal Data Systems
+ State Policymaking
+ State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions
+ STEM
+ 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--Mobility
+ Students--Records/Rights
+ Teaching Quality
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure
+ Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative
+ 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--Reduction in Force
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Attitudes
+ Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights
+ Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining
+ Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining--Strikes
+ Technology
+ Technology--Computer Skills
+ Technology--Devices/Software/Hardware
+ Technology--Equitable Access
+ Technology--Funding Issues
+ Technology--Internet Safety
+ Textbooks and Open Source