GA
Georgia House Bill HB506

Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HB506 Compare Versions

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1-23 LC 49 1396S
2-H. B. 506 (SUB)
1+23 LC 49 1324
2+H. B. 506
33 - 1 -
4-The House Committee on Education offers the following substitute to HB 506:
4+House Bill 506
5+By: Representatives Ehrhart of the 36
6+th
7+, Erwin of the 32
8+nd
9+, Jasperse of the 11
10+th
11+, Knight of the
12+134
13+th
14+, and Dubnik of the 29
15+th
16+
517 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
618 AN ACT
7-To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to1
19+To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to
20+1
821 provide for the recognition of certain accrediting agencies as reliable authorities as to the2
922 quality of education offered in public secondary schools in this state; to provide for the3
1023 accreditation of public secondary schools and local school systems by recognized accrediting4
1124 agencies; to provide for requirements for such accreditation; to prohibit the recognition of5
1225 certain accrediting agencies by the state and others; to require the State Board of Education6
1326 to establish assessment criteria, procedures, and other requirements for recognized7
1427 accrediting agencies; to provide for accreditation of public elementary and middle schools8
1528 exclusively by the Department of Education, subject to certain conditions and limitations;9
16-to provide for appeals to the State Board of Education; to provide for legislative findings and10
17-intent; to provide for definitions; to provide for applicability; to provide for construction; to11
18-provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and12
19-for other purposes.13
20-BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:14 23 LC 49 1396S
21-H. B. 506 (SUB)
29+to provide for appeals to the State Board of Education; to establish the Georgia Commission10
30+for Educational Accreditation; to provide for membership, meetings, and duties of such11
31+commission; to provide for allowances and reimbursements; to provide for the commission12
32+to receive and expend funds; to provide for an executive director and other personnel to be13
33+appointed by the commission and be subject to applicable laws governing public14
34+employment; to provide for the commission to enter into contracts; to provide for staggered15
35+implementation beginning with the 2024-2025 school year for all secondary schools and16
36+local school systems which receive state funding to acquire and maintain accreditation by the17
37+commission; to provide for legislative findings and intent; to provide for definitions; to18 23 LC 49 1324
38+H. B. 506
2239 - 2 -
23-SECTION 1.15
24-The General Assembly does not affirmatively require any public elementary or secondary16
25-school or school system in the state to be accredited. Nevertheless, the General Assembly17
26-finds that accreditation, or the lack thereof, can have significant impacts on schools in this18
27-state as well as on the students and families served by such schools. For example, a lack of19
28-accreditation can impact a student's eligibility to qualify for HOPE awards or to be20
29-considered for acceptance to postsecondary educational institutions in this state and21
30-elsewhere, and the loss or potential loss of accreditation can result in the removal of local22
31-board of education members from their offices. The General Assembly finds that even23
32-though accreditation is not legislatively required in elementary and secondary schools in this24
33-state, high school accreditation is considered a practical necessity by many families, schools,25
34-and school systems. The General Assembly also finds that accreditation agencies, when26
35-properly focused, can aid schools and school systems in promoting improved quality of27
36-learning by students and financial efficiency. It is the intent of the General Assembly that28
37-the state government, including all offices, agencies, departments, boards, bureaus,29
38-commissions, institutions, or other entities thereof, recognize only those accrediting agencies30
39-which are focused on the assessment of quality of learning by students in public schools and31
40-financial efficiency of public schools.32
41-SECTION 2.33
42-Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, is amended in34
43-Part 7 of Article 7 of Chapter 3, relating to HOPE scholarships and grants, by revising35
44-paragraph (6) of Code Section 20-3-519, relating to definitions, as follows:36
45-"(6) 'Eligible high school' means a public or private secondary school which is:37
46-(A) Located in Georgia and accredited as such by a recognized accrediting agency, as38
47-such term is defined in Code Section 20-14-96:39
48-(i) The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;40 23 LC 49 1396S
49-H. B. 506 (SUB)
40+provide for applicability; to provide for construction; to provide for an effective date; to
41+19
42+provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.20
43+BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:21
44+SECTION 1.22
45+The General Assembly does not affirmatively require any public elementary or secondary23
46+school or school system in the state to be accredited. Nevertheless, the General Assembly24
47+finds that accreditation, or the lack thereof, can have significant impacts on schools in this25
48+state as well as on the students and families served by such schools. For example, a lack of26
49+accreditation can impact a student's eligibility to qualify for HOPE awards or to be27
50+considered for acceptance to postsecondary educational institutions in this state and28
51+elsewhere, and the loss or potential loss of accreditation can result in the removal of local29
52+board of education members from their offices. The General Assembly finds that even30
53+though accreditation is not legislatively required in elementary and secondary schools in this31
54+state, high school accreditation is considered a practical necessity by many families, schools,32
55+and school systems. The General Assembly also finds that accreditation agencies, when33
56+properly focused, can aid schools and school systems in promoting improved quality of34
57+learning by students and financial efficiency. It is the intent of the General Assembly that35
58+the state government, including all offices, agencies, departments, boards, bureaus,36
59+commissions, institutions, or other entities thereof, recognize only those accrediting agencies37
60+which are focused on the assessment of quality of learning by students in public schools and38
61+financial efficiency of public schools.39 23 LC 49 1324
62+H. B. 506
5063 - 3 -
51-(ii) The Georgia Accrediting Commission;41
52-(iii) The Georgia Association of Christian Schools;42
53-(iv) The Association of Christian Schools International;43
54-(v) The Georgia Private School Accreditation Council;44
55-(vi) The Southern Association of Independent Schools; or45
56-(vii) The Georgia Independent School Association;46
57-provided, however, that between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2015, if a high school47
58-located in Georgia was accredited by one of the accrediting agencies included in this48
59-subparagraph within the previous two years, such high school shall be considered an49
60-eligible high school for purposes of this subparagraph; or50
61-(B) Located in another state and accredited by one of the following regional agencies:51
62-(i) The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;52
63-(ii) The New England Association of Schools and Colleges;53
64-(iii) The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools;54
65-(iv) The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;55
66-(v) The Northwestern Association of Schools and Colleges;56
67-(vi) The Western Association of Schools and Colleges;57
68-(vii) The Alabama Independent School Association; or58
69-(viii) The Southern Association of Independent Schools."59
70-SECTION 3.60
71-Said title is further amended in Chapter 14, relating to education accountability, by adding61
72-a new article to read as follows:62 23 LC 49 1396S
73-H. B. 506 (SUB)
64+SECTION 2.
65+40
66+Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, is amended in41
67+Part 7 of Article 7 of Chapter 3, relating to HOPE scholarships and grants, by revising42
68+paragraph (6) of Code Section 20-3-519, relating to definitions, as follows:43
69+"(6) 'Eligible high school' means a public or private secondary school which is:44
70+(A) Located in Georgia and accredited as such by a recognized accrediting agency, as
71+45
72+such term is defined in Code Section 20-14-96, or the Georgia Commission for46
73+Educational Accreditation, as provided for in 20-14-98:47
74+(i) The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;48
75+(ii) The Georgia Accrediting Commission;49
76+(iii) The Georgia Association of Christian Schools;50
77+(iv) The Association of Christian Schools International;51
78+(v) The Georgia Private School Accreditation Council;52
79+(vi) The Southern Association of Independent Schools; or53
80+(vii) The Georgia Independent School Association;54
81+provided, however, that between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2015, if a high school55
82+located in Georgia was accredited by one of the accrediting agencies included in this56
83+subparagraph within the previous two years, such high school shall be considered an57
84+eligible high school for purposes of this subparagraph; or58
85+(B) Located in another state and accredited by one of the following regional agencies:59
86+(i) The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;60
87+(ii) The New England Association of Schools and Colleges;61
88+(iii) The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools;62
89+(iv) The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;63
90+(v) The Northwestern Association of Schools and Colleges;64
91+(vi) The Western Association of Schools and Colleges;65
92+(vii) The Alabama Independent School Association; or66 23 LC 49 1324
93+H. B. 506
7494 - 4 -
75-"ARTICLE 363
76-20-14-96.64
77-(a) As used in this article, the term:65
78-(1) 'Accrediting agency' means a governmental organization or a person, firm,66
79-association, partnership, corporation, or other entity, whether for profit or not for profit,67
80-which purports to be a reliable authority as to the quality of education offered in68
81-secondary schools in this state.69
82-(2) 'Recognized accrediting agency' means an accrediting agency that meets the70
83-requirements of this part for recognition as a reliable authority as to the quality of71
84-education offered in public secondary schools in this state by any office, agency,72
85-department, board, bureau, commission, institution, or other entity of the state73
86-government.74
87-(3) 'Secondary school' means any school that enrolls students in grades nine through 12.75
88-(b) No accrediting agency shall be recognized as a reliable authority as to the quality of76
89-education offered in public secondary schools in this state by any office, agency,77
90-department, board, bureau, commission, institution, or other entity of the state government,78
91-including, but not limited to, the State Board of Education, the Board of Regents of the79
92-University System of Georgia, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia,80
93-the Georgia Student Finance Authority, the Georgia Student Finance Commission, or the81
94-Office of Student Achievement, unless:82
95-(1) Such agency meets assessment criteria that shall be established by the State Board83
96-of Education pursuant to this part and shall include:84
97-(A) Consideration of the relevant assessment criteria used by regional and national85
98-accrediting agencies and other relevant information as deemed appropriate by the State86
99-Board of Education;87 23 LC 49 1396S
100-H. B. 506 (SUB)
95+(viii) The Southern Association of Independent Schools."
96+67
97+SECTION 3.68
98+Said title is further amended in Chapter 14, relating to education accountability, by adding69
99+a new article to read as follows:70
100+"ARTICLE 3
101+71
102+20-14-96.72
103+(a) As used in this article, the term:73
104+(1) 'Accrediting agency' means a governmental organization or a person, firm,74
105+association, partnership, corporation, or other entity, whether for profit or not for profit,75
106+which purports to be a reliable authority as to the quality of education offered in76
107+secondary schools in this state.77
108+(2) 'Commission' means Georgia Commission for Educational Accreditation.78
109+(3) 'Recognized accrediting agency' means an accrediting agency that meets the79
110+requirements of this part for recognition as a reliable authority as to the quality of80
111+education offered in public secondary schools in this state by any office, agency,81
112+department, board, bureau, commission, institution, or other entity of the state82
113+government.83
114+(4) 'Secondary school' means any school that enrolls students in grades nine through 12.84
115+(b) No accrediting agency shall be recognized as a reliable authority as to the quality of85
116+education offered in public secondary schools in this state by any office, agency,86
117+department, board, bureau, commission, institution, or other entity of the state government,87
118+including, but not limited to, the State Board of Education, the Board of Regents of the88
119+University System of Georgia, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia,89 23 LC 49 1324
120+H. B. 506
101121 - 5 -
102-(B) Rigorous and appropriate measures of the quality of learning by students in88
103-secondary schools or school systems which shall:89
104-(i) Be based on data that include, but are not limited to, student achievement,90
105-achievement gap closure, and student progress;91
106-(ii) Include all students regardless of ethnicity, sex, disability, language proficiency,92
107-and socioeconomic status;93
108-(iii) Be disaggregated by all subgroups as required under the federal Elementary and94
109-Secondary Education Act, as amended; and95
110-(iv) Comprise the equivalent of 65 percent of the overall accreditation assessment96
111-conducted by the accrediting agency for a public secondary school or school system;97
112-and98
113-(C) Rigorous and appropriate measures of the financial efficiency of a public99
114-secondary school or school system and shall:100
115-(i) Include an analysis of how federal and state funds spent by the public secondary101
116-school or school system impact student achievement, achievement gap closure, and102
117-student progress; and103
118-(ii) Comprise the equivalent of 35 percent of the overall accreditation assessment104
119-conducted by the accrediting agency for a public secondary school or school system;105
120-(2) Such agency demonstrates the ability and the experience to operate as a recognized106
121-accrediting agency in this state;107
122-(3) The principal purpose of such agency is the accreditation of public secondary schools108
123-and schools systems in this state;109
124-(4) Such agency has a voluntary membership of public secondary schools, school110
125-systems, and programs;111
126-(5) Such agency consistently applies and enforces assessment criteria that ensure the112
127-courses or programs of instruction, training, or study offered by a public secondary113
128-school or school system, including virtual instruction, are of sufficient quality to achieve,114 23 LC 49 1396S
129-H. B. 506 (SUB)
122+the Georgia Student Finance Authority, the Georgia Student Finance Commission, or the90
123+Office of Student Achievement, unless:91
124+(1) Such agency meets assessment criteria that shall be established by the State Board92
125+of Education pursuant to this part and shall include:93
126+(A) Consideration of the relevant assessment criteria used by regional and national94
127+accrediting agencies and other relevant information as deemed appropriate by the State95
128+Board of Education;96
129+(B) Rigorous and appropriate measures of the quality of learning by students in97
130+secondary schools or school systems which shall:98
131+(i) Be based on data that include, but are not limited to, student achievement,99
132+achievement gap closure, and student progress;100
133+(ii) Include all students regardless of ethnicity, sex, disability, language proficiency,101
134+and socioeconomic status;102
135+(iii) Be disaggregated by all subgroups as required under the federal Elementary and103
136+Secondary Education Act, as amended; and104
137+(iv) Comprise the equivalent of 80 percent of the overall accreditation assessment105
138+conducted by the accrediting agency for a public secondary school or school system;106
139+and107
140+(C) Rigorous and appropriate measures of the financial efficiency of a public108
141+secondary school or school system and shall:109
142+(i) Include an analysis of how federal and state funds spent by the public secondary110
143+school or school system impact student achievement, achievement gap closure, and111
144+student progress; and112
145+(ii) Comprise the equivalent of 20 percent of the overall accreditation assessment113
146+conducted by the accrediting agency for a public secondary school or school system;114
147+(2) Such agency demonstrates the ability and the experience to operate as a recognized115
148+accrediting agency in this state;116 23 LC 49 1324
149+H. B. 506
130150 - 6 -
131-for the duration of the accreditation period, the stated objective for which the courses or115
132-programs are offered;116
133-(6) Such agency consistently adheres to procedures throughout the accreditation process,117
134-including assessment and withdrawal procedures, that comply with due process,118
135-including:119
136-(A) Adequate specification of requirements and deficiencies at the public secondary120
137-school or school system being assessed; provided, however, that all requirements or121
138-deficiencies specified by such agency are directly related to measures of quality of122
139-learning by students or financial efficiency or both; provided, further, that any findings,123
140-comments, or notes included in an assessment that are not directly related to quality of124
141-learning by students or financial efficiency shall not provide the basis for any adverse125
142-action against a public secondary school or school system by such agency, including,126
143-but not limited to, denial, withdrawal suspension, or termination of accreditation or127
144-placement of a public secondary school or school system on any probationary status;128
145-(B) Notice of an opportunity for a hearing by a public secondary school or school129
146-system;130
147-(C) The right to appeal any adverse action against a public secondary school or school131
148-system; and132
149-(D) The right to representation by counsel for a public secondary school or school133
150-system;134
151-(7) Such agency notifies the State School Superintendent within 30 days of the135
152-accreditation of a public secondary school or school system or of any final denial,136
153-withdrawal, suspension, or termination of accreditation or placement on probation of a137
154-public secondary school or school system, together with any other adverse or remedial138
155-action recommended with respect to such secondary school or school system;139
156-(8) Such agency, either directly or indirectly by means of a related entity, by contract or140
157-otherwise, does not offer or agree to provide any services or materials for a fee or other141 23 LC 49 1396S
158-H. B. 506 (SUB)
151+(3) The principal purpose of such agency is the accreditation of public secondary schools117
152+and schools systems in this state;118
153+(4) Such agency has a voluntary membership of public secondary schools, school119
154+systems, and programs;120
155+(5) Such agency consistently applies and enforces assessment criteria that ensure the121
156+courses or programs of instruction, training, or study offered by a public secondary122
157+school or school system, including virtual instruction, are of sufficient quality to achieve,123
158+for the duration of the accreditation period, the stated objective for which the courses or124
159+programs are offered;125
160+(6) Such agency consistently adheres to procedures throughout the accreditation process,126
161+including assessment and withdrawal procedures, that comply with due process,127
162+including:128
163+(A) Adequate specification of requirements and deficiencies at the public secondary129
164+school or school system being assessed; provided, however, that all requirements or130
165+deficiencies specified by such agency are directly related to measures of quality of131
166+learning by students or financial efficiency or both; provided, further, that any findings,132
167+comments, or notes included in an assessment that are not directly related to quality of133
168+learning by students or financial efficiency shall not provide the basis for any adverse134
169+action against a public secondary school or school system by such agency, including,135
170+but not limited to, denial, withdrawal suspension, or termination of accreditation or136
171+placement of a public secondary school or school system on any probationary status;137
172+(B) Notice of an opportunity for a hearing by a public secondary school or school138
173+system;139
174+(C) The right to appeal any adverse action against a public secondary school or school140
175+system; and141
176+(D) The right to representation by counsel for a public secondary school or school142
177+system;143 23 LC 49 1324
178+H. B. 506
159179 - 7 -
160-consideration intended to assist a public secondary school or school system with142
161-addressing any requirement or deficiency or other issue raised by such agency during the143
162-course of its assessment of such secondary school or school system; and144
163-(9) Such agency makes available to the public and the State School Superintendent, upon145
164-request:146
165-(A) A summary of any assessment resulting in a final decision involving the approval,147
166-denial, termination, suspension, or probation of a public secondary school or school148
167-system's accreditation, together with the comments of such secondary school or school149
168-system; and150
169-(B) A copy of any complaint or report upon which such agency initiates, or provides151
170-notice to a public secondary school or school system of the intent to initiate, any152
171-intervention, investigation, or assessment of such secondary school or school system's153
172-accreditation status; provided, however, that personally identifiable information of the154
173-person, persons, or entity that submitted the complaint or report may be redacted to the155
174-extent necessary to comply with the confidentiality protections provided under Code156
175-Section 45-1-4 or other applicable law relating to the confidentiality of complaints157
176-against organizations that receive public funds.158
177-(c)(1) An accrediting agency shall not apply any standards, measures, or assessment159
178-criteria to any school or school system that advocate for divisive concepts, as such term160
179-is defined in Code Section 20-1-11.161
180-(2) The State Board of Education shall be authorized to determine whether an accrediting162
181-agency is not in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection. The163
182-State Board of Education shall notify such accrediting agency upon making such164
183-determination and shall allow no more than 30 days for such accrediting agency to165
184-demonstrate compliance with such provisions.166 23 LC 49 1396S
185-H. B. 506 (SUB)
180+(7) Such agency notifies the State School Superintendent within 30 days of the144
181+accreditation of a public secondary school or school system or of any final denial,145
182+withdrawal, suspension, or termination of accreditation or placement on probation of a146
183+public secondary school or school system, together with any other adverse or remedial147
184+action recommended with respect to such secondary school or school system;148
185+(8) Such agency, either directly or indirectly by means of a related entity, by contract or149
186+otherwise, does not offer or agree to provide any services or materials for a fee or other150
187+consideration intended to assist a public secondary school or school system with151
188+addressing any requirement or deficiency or other issue raised by such agency during the152
189+course of its assessment of such secondary school or school system; and153
190+(9) Such agency makes available to the public and the State School Superintendent, upon154
191+request:155
192+(A) A summary of any assessment resulting in a final decision involving the approval,156
193+denial, termination, suspension, or probation of a public secondary school or school157
194+system's accreditation, together with the comments of such secondary school or school158
195+system; and159
196+(B) A copy of any complaint or report upon which such agency initiates, or provides160
197+notice to a public secondary school or school system of the intent to initiate, any161
198+intervention, investigation, or assessment of such secondary school or school system's162
199+accreditation status; provided, however, that personally identifiable information of the163
200+person, persons, or entity that submitted the complaint or report may be redacted to the164
201+extent necessary to comply with the confidentiality protections provided under Code165
202+Section 45-1-4 or other applicable law relating to the confidentiality of complaints166
203+against organizations that receive public funds.167
204+(c)(1) An accrediting agency shall not apply any standards, measures, or assessment168
205+criteria to any school or school system that advocate for divisive concepts, as such term169
206+is defined in Code Section 20-1-11.170 23 LC 49 1324
207+H. B. 506
186208 - 8 -
187-(d) This Code section shall apply to any initial or renewal agreement by and between any167
188-public secondary school or school system in this state and any accrediting agency entered168
189-into on or after July 1, 2023.169
190-(e) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to:170
191-(1) Require any public school or school system in this state to be accredited; or171
192-(2) Prohibit or restrict an accrediting agency from adopting assessment criteria and172
193-procedures not provided for in this Code section; provided, however, that to the extent173
194-an accrediting agency adopts assessment criteria or procedures which are inconsistent174
195-with the provisions of this Code section, such accrediting agency may not be deemed a175
196-recognized accrediting agency.176
197-20-14-97.177
198-(a) Upon request by a local board of education, the State Board of Education shall be178
199-authorized to provide accreditation and related services for such local board's elementary179
200-and middle schools to assess the quality of learning by students in such schools and the180
201-financial efficiency of such schools. The State Board of Education shall adopt rigorous and181
202-appropriate criteria for accreditation upon consideration of the relevant assessment criteria182
203-used by regional and national accrediting agencies, the assessment criteria it adopted183
204-pursuant to Code Section 20-14-96, and other relevant information it deems appropriate.184
205-(b) The local board of education shall compensate the State Board of Education for the185
206-actual costs of the accreditation process.186
207-(c) No office, agency, department, board, bureau, commission, institution, or other entity187
208-of the state government, including, but not limited to, the State Board of Education, the188
209-Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the State Board of the Technical189
210-College System of Georgia, the Georgia Student Finance Authority, the Georgia Student190
211-Finance Commission, or the Office of Student Achievement, shall recognize the191 23 LC 49 1396S
212-H. B. 506 (SUB)
209+(2) The State Board of Education shall be authorized to determine whether an accrediting171
210+agency is not in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection. The172
211+State Board of Education shall notify such accrediting agency upon making such173
212+determination and shall allow no more than 30 days for such accrediting agency to174
213+demonstrate compliance with such provisions.175
214+(d) This Code section shall apply to any initial or renewal agreement by and between any176
215+public secondary school or school system in this state and any accrediting agency entered177
216+into on or after July 1, 2023.178
217+(e) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to:179
218+(1) Require any public school or school system in this state to be accredited; or180
219+(2) Prohibit or restrict an accrediting agency from adopting assessment criteria and181
220+procedures not provided for in this Code section; provided, however, that to the extent182
221+an accrediting agency adopts assessment criteria or procedures which are inconsistent183
222+with the provisions of this Code section, such accrediting agency may not be deemed a184
223+recognized accrediting agency.185
224+20-14-97.186
225+(a) Upon request by a local board of education, the State Board of Education shall be187
226+authorized to provide accreditation and related services for such local board's elementary188
227+and middle schools to assess the quality of learning by students in such schools and the189
228+financial efficiency of such schools. The State Board of Education shall adopt rigorous and190
229+appropriate criteria for accreditation upon consideration of the relevant assessment criteria191
230+used by regional and national accrediting agencies, the assessment criteria it adopted192
231+pursuant to Code Section 20-14-96, and other relevant information it deems appropriate.193
232+(b) The local board of education shall compensate the State Board of Education for the194
233+actual costs of the accreditation process.195 23 LC 49 1324
234+H. B. 506
213235 - 9 -
214-accreditation of any public elementary or middle school except as administered by the State192
215-Board of Education.193
216-20-14-98.194
217-(a) In the event of a dispute between an accrediting agency and a public secondary school195
218-or school system regarding the findings and recommendations of an assessment by the196
219-accrediting agency of such public secondary school or school system, the public secondary197
220-school or school system shall have the right to appeal as follows:198
221-(1) The public secondary school or school system may appeal the findings and199
222-recommendations within 70 days to an accreditation committee established by the State200
223-Board of Education for such appeal, and may provide evidence in support of such appeal.201
224-The accrediting agency's findings and recommendations which are the subject of such202
225-appeal shall be suspended from public access or disclosure during the pendency of such203
226-appeal and any mediation or appeal following therefrom;204
227-(2) The accreditation committee shall work with both the accrediting agency and the205
228-appealing public secondary school or school system to seek a resolution; and206
229-(3) Should the parties fail to agree to a resolution, the appealing public secondary school207
230-or school system shall have the right to submit the dispute to mediation under the208
231-provisions of Chapter 17 of Title 9, relating to the Georgia Uniform Mediation Act. The209
232-public secondary school or school system and the accrediting agency shall be the parties210
233-to such mediation. The accrediting agency shall be responsible for the costs of such211
234-mediation.212
235-(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a mediator's decision213
236-rendered pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section may be appealed by either party214
237-to the State Board of Education, the findings and conclusions of which shall be binding on215
238-the parties.216 23 LC 49 1396S
239-H. B. 506 (SUB)
236+(c) No office, agency, department, board, bureau, commission, institution, or other entity196
237+of the state government, including, but not limited to, the State Board of Education, the197
238+Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the State Board of the Technical198
239+College System of Georgia, the Georgia Student Finance Authority, the Georgia Student199
240+Finance Commission, or the Office of Student Achievement, shall recognize the200
241+accreditation of any public elementary or middle school except as administered by the State201
242+Board of Education.202
243+20-14-98.203
244+(a) There is established the Georgia Commission for Educational Accreditation.204
245+(b) The commission shall consist of 12 members as follows:205
246+(1) Three members appointed by the Governor;206
247+(2) Four members appointed by the President of the Senate, with at least one such207
248+member representing the minority caucus of the Senate at the time of appointment;208
249+(3) Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with at209
250+least one such member representing the minority caucus of the House of Representatives210
251+at the time of appointment; and211
252+(4) One non-voting member appointed by the Supreme Court of Georgia to serve as212
253+chairperson of the commission.213
254+(c) The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the State School Superintendent shall not214
255+be members of the commission215
256+(d) The initial members of the commission appointed under this part shall hold office as216
257+follows: five members, comprising one appointee of the Governor, two appointees of the217
258+Senate, and two appointees of the House of Representatives shall serve for seven years; six218
259+members, comprising two appointees of the Governor, two appointees of the Senate, and219
260+two appointees of the House of Representatives shall serve for three years; and the220
261+chairperson shall serve for seven years. All such terms shall date from July 1, 2023.221 23 LC 49 1324
262+H. B. 506
240263 - 10 -
241-(c) Failure by an accrediting agency to comply without appeal to a decision under217
242-subsection (a) of this Code section or failure to comply with a ruling under subsection (b)218
243-of this Code section shall disqualify such agency from accrediting public secondary schools219
244-or school systems in this state. The accreditation committee shall be granted the authority220
245-by the State Board of Education to:221
246-(1) Create general accreditation standards applicable to all parties before it; and222
247-(2) Grant accreditation directly to a public secondary school or school system appealing223
248-under the provisions of this Code section.224
249-(d) Failure of a public secondary school or school system to comply with a final ruling of225
250-the State Board of Education shall cause such public secondary school or school system to226
251-be placed on probationary accreditation status until compliance is achieved."227
252-SECTION 4.228
253-This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law229
254-without such approval.230
255-SECTION 5.231
256-All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.232
264+Successors to the member so appointed shall hold terms of office of seven years from the222
265+expiration of the previous term. All members of the commission shall hold office until their223
266+successors are appointed and qualified. In the event of a vacancy on the commission by224
267+death, resignation, removal, or any reason other than the expiration of a member's term,225
268+such vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment and the226
269+successor shall serve for the unexpired term.227
270+(e) Membership on the commission shall not constitute public office, and no member shall228
271+be disqualified from holding public office by reason of his or her membership on the229
272+commission, except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this Code section.230
273+(f) The commission may appoint such committees as it considers appropriate.231
274+(g) The commission shall:232
275+(1) Meet at such times and places as it shall determine necessary or convenient to233
276+perform its duties and also upon the call of the chairperson of the commission or upon the234
277+call of a majority of the members;235
278+(2) Maintain minutes of its meetings;236
279+(3) Promulgate policies, rules, and regulations for the operation of the commission and237
280+the lawful discharge of its duties;238
281+(4) Promulgate assessment criteria and procedures for the accreditation of secondary239
282+schools and local school systems in this state which meet the requirements to be a240
283+recognized accrediting agency pursuant to Code Section 20-14-96;241
284+(5) Appoint an executive director and such other personnel as are necessary for the242
285+commission to perform its duties under this part upon the recommendation of the243
286+executive director; and244
287+(6) Comply with all laws relating to open meetings, as provided for in Chapter 14 of245
288+Title 50; the inspection of public records, as provided for in Article 4 of Chapter 18 of246
289+Title 50; and records management, as provided in Article 5 of Chapter 18 of Title 50.247 23 LC 49 1324
290+H. B. 506
291+- 11 -
292+(h)(1) The legislative members of the commission shall receive the allowances provided248
293+for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.249
294+(2) Members of the commission who are state officials, other than legislative members,250
295+or state employees shall receive no compensation for their services on the commission,251
296+but they shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in the performance of their252
297+duties as members of the commission in the same amount as they are reimbursed for253
298+expenses in their capacities as state officials or employees.254
299+(3) Members of the commission who are not legislators, state officials, or state255
300+employees shall receive a daily expense allowance in an amount the same as that256
301+specified in subsection (b) of Code Section 45-7-21, as well as the mileage or257
302+transportation allowance authorized for state employees.258
303+(i)(1) Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this part shall come from funds259
304+appropriated by the General Assembly or such other funds duly collected or received by260
305+the commission, including, but not limited to fees paid by schools and school systems261
306+seeking accreditation by the commission.262
307+(2) The commission is authorized to accept and expend or otherwise utilize such funds263
308+as may be appropriated from time to time by the General Assembly; income from the264
309+operations of the commission; and gifts, contributions of money, property, facilities,265
310+services, donations, bequests, and appropriations from the State of Georgia or any266
311+agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision thereof; or from any individual or267
312+corporation; or from the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality268
313+thereof; provided, however, that no such gift, contribution, donation, bequest, or269
314+appropriation shall be accepted if such acceptance would create or involve a conflict of270
315+interest for the commission, as determined by a majority of the commission.271
316+(j) The chief administrative and executive officer of the commission shall be the executive272
317+director, who shall be appointed by the commission. Subject to the general policy273
318+established by the commission, the executive director shall be responsible for the274 23 LC 49 1324
319+H. B. 506
320+- 12 -
321+performance and exercise of the duties, responsibilities, functions, powers, and authority275
322+imposed upon the executive director and the commission as provided by law. The276
323+executive director shall receive a salary to be determined by the commission, which shall277
324+be commensurate with the executive director's relevant training and experience.278
325+(k) The executive director shall have the authority to employ all personnel of the279
326+commission, including the inspector general of schools, subject to the provisions of this280
327+part and all applicable provisions of other laws governing public employment.281
328+(l) The commission may adopt a seal for its use and shall be authorized to enter into282
329+contracts to fulfill its duties under this part.283
330+(m) The commission shall be assigned for administrative purposes only, as that term is284
331+defined in Code Section 50-4-3, to the Department of Audits and Accounts.285
332+(n) The Education Coordinating Council and its member agencies, the Office of Student286
333+Achievement, and the departments, boards, and offices of this state shall cooperate fully287
334+with the commission and shall provide the commission with all information that the288
335+commission deems necessary for the commission to discharge its accreditation and related289
336+duties under this part.290
337+20-14-99.291
338+(a) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, and each school year thereafter, each292
339+secondary school and local school system in this state which receives any state funds293
340+pursuant to this title shall be required to acquire and maintain accreditation by the294
341+commission upon the expiration or termination of such secondary school's or local school295
342+system's existing agreement with an accrediting agency; provided, however, that such296
343+existing agreement was executed on or before January 1, 2023.297
344+(b) Local boards of education and secondary schools that seek to acquire and maintain298
345+accreditation by the commission shall compensate the commission for the actual costs of299
346+the accreditation process.300 23 LC 49 1324
347+H. B. 506
348+- 13 -
349+(c) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to prohibit a secondary school or local301
350+school system covered by subsection (a) of this Code section from acquiring and302
351+maintaining accreditation from one or more other recognized accrediting agencies.303
352+20-14-100.304
353+(a) In the event of a dispute between an accrediting agency and a public secondary school305
354+or school system regarding the findings and recommendations of an assessment by the306
355+accrediting agency of such public secondary school or school system, the public secondary307
356+school or school system shall have the right to appeal as follows:308
357+(1) The public secondary school or school system may appeal the findings and309
358+recommendations within 70 days to an accreditation committee established by the State310
359+Board of Education for such appeal, and may provide evidence in support of such appeal.311
360+The accrediting agency's findings and recommendations which are the subject of such312
361+appeal shall be suspended from public access or disclosure during the pendency of such313
362+appeal and any mediation or appeal following therefrom;314
363+(2) The accreditation committee shall work with both the accrediting agency and the315
364+appealing public secondary school or school system to seek a resolution; and316
365+(3) Should the parties fail to agree to a resolution, the appealing public secondary school317
366+or school system shall have the right to submit the dispute to mediation under the318
367+provisions of Chapter 17 of Title 9, relating to the Georgia Uniform Mediation Act. The319
368+public secondary school or school system and the accrediting agency shall be the parties320
369+to such mediation. The accrediting agency shall be responsible for the costs of such321
370+mediation.322
371+(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a mediator's decision323
372+rendered pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section may be appealed by either party324
373+to the State Board of Education, the findings and conclusions of which shall be binding on325
374+the parties.326 23 LC 49 1324
375+H. B. 506
376+- 14 -
377+(c) Failure by an accrediting agency to comply without appeal to a decision under327
378+subsection (a) of this Code section or failure to comply with a ruling under subsection (b)328
379+of this Code section shall disqualify such agency from accrediting public secondary schools329
380+or school systems in this state. The accreditation committee shall be granted the authority330
381+by the State Board of Education to:331
382+(1) Create general accreditation standards applicable to all parties before it; and332
383+(2) Grant accreditation directly to a public secondary school or school system appealing333
384+under the provisions of this Code section.334
385+(d) Failure of a public secondary school or school system to comply with a final ruling of335
386+the State Board of Education shall cause such public secondary school or school system to336
387+be placed on probationary accreditation status until compliance is achieved."337
388+SECTION 4.338
389+This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law339
390+without such approval.340
391+SECTION 5.341
392+All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.342