| 19 | | - | update provisions relating to ineligibility for election to a local board of education; to provide2 |
|---|
| 20 | | - | for the education savings authority to make limited disclosures to the Department of Revenue3 |
|---|
| 21 | | - | for purposes of verifying income as compared to income thresholds; to extend the Dual4 |
|---|
| 22 | | - | Achievement Program for an additional five years; to provide updated eligibility5 |
|---|
| 23 | | - | requirements for the program beginning July 1, 2026; to provide for continued eligibility for6 |
|---|
| 24 | | - | students already enrolled in the program; to provide for QBE funding and accountability7 |
|---|
| 25 | | - | assessments to be included in the program; to provide for policies, rules, and regulations; to8 |
|---|
| 26 | | - | provide for participation agreements; to provide for reporting; to provide for automatic9 |
|---|
| 27 | | - | repeal; to provide definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and10 |
|---|
| 28 | | - | for other purposes.11 |
|---|
| 29 | | - | BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:12 |
|---|
| 30 | | - | SECTION 1.13 |
|---|
| 31 | | - | Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, is amended in14 |
|---|
| 32 | | - | Code Section 20-2-51, relating to election of local board of education members, persons15 |
|---|
| 33 | | - | H. B. 217 |
|---|
| 34 | | - | - 1 - 25 HB 217/AP |
|---|
| 35 | | - | ineligible to be members of superintendent, ineligibility for local boards of education, and |
|---|
| 36 | | - | 16 |
|---|
| 37 | | - | ineligibility for other elective offices, by revising subparagraph (c)(4)(B) as follows:17 |
|---|
| 38 | | - | "(B) Notwithstanding subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-244, in local school systems18 |
|---|
| 39 | | - | in which the initial fall |
|---|
| 40 | | - | current enrollment count conducted in 2009 pursuant to Code19 |
|---|
| 41 | | - | Section 20-2-160 does not exceed a full-time equivalent count of 2,800, the State Board20 |
|---|
| 42 | | - | of Education shall be authorized to waive this paragraph upon the request of a local21 |
|---|
| 43 | | - | board of education or an individual attempting to qualify to run for local board of22 |
|---|
| 44 | | - | education member and in accordance with the provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of23 |
|---|
| 45 | | - | Code Section 20-2-244; provided, however, that prior to submitting any such request,24 |
|---|
| 46 | | - | the local board of education shall, upon its own initiative, or at the request of such25 |
|---|
| 47 | | - | individual attempting to qualify to run for local board of education member:26 |
|---|
| 48 | | - | (i) Provide 30 days' notice of the individual's intent to run for office; and27 |
|---|
| 49 | | - | (ii) Conduct a public hearing for the purpose of providing an opportunity for full28 |
|---|
| 50 | | - | discussion and public input on the issue of potential nepotism problems and other29 |
|---|
| 51 | | - | concerns with regard to such waiver. The public hearing shall be advertised at least30 |
|---|
| 52 | | - | seven days prior to the date of such hearing in a local newspaper of general31 |
|---|
| 53 | | - | circulation which shall be the same newspaper in which other legal announcements32 |
|---|
| 54 | | - | of the local board of education are advertised. The public hearing may be conducted33 |
|---|
| 55 | | - | in conjunction with a regular or called meeting of the local board or may be34 |
|---|
| 56 | | - | conducted independently, at the local board's discretion.35 |
|---|
| 57 | | - | The cost of such notice and public hearing shall be borne by the local board. The State36 |
|---|
| 58 | | - | Board of Education shall approve or deny a waiver request no later than 45 days after37 |
|---|
| 59 | | - | receipt of such waiver request, taking into consideration whether the benefit to the38 |
|---|
| 60 | | - | public would justify approval of the waiver. An approved waiver must be received by39 |
|---|
| 61 | | - | the local election superintendent prior to an individual's filing of a declaration or notice40 |
|---|
| 62 | | - | of candidacy in accordance with Article 4 of Chapter 2 of Title 21."41 |
|---|
| 63 | | - | H. B. 217 |
|---|
| 64 | | - | - 2 - 25 HB 217/AP |
|---|
| 19 | + | vocational, technical, and adult education, so as to extend the Dual Achievement Program2 |
|---|
| 20 | + | for an additional five years; to provide updated eligibility requirements for the program3 |
|---|
| 21 | + | beginning July 1, 2026; to provide for continued eligibility for students already enrolled in4 |
|---|
| 22 | + | the program; to provide for QBE funding and accountability assessments to be included in5 |
|---|
| 23 | + | the program; to provide for policies, rules, and regulations; to provide for participation6 |
|---|
| 24 | + | agreements; to provide for reporting; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide definitions;7 |
|---|
| 25 | + | to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.8 |
|---|
| 26 | + | BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9 |
|---|
| 27 | + | SECTION 1.10 |
|---|
| 28 | + | Chapter 4 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to vocational,11 |
|---|
| 29 | + | technical, and adult education, is amended by revising Article 6, relating to the Dual12 |
|---|
| 30 | + | Achievement Program, as follows:13 |
|---|
| 31 | + | H. B. 217 (SUB) |
|---|
| 32 | + | - 1 - 25 LC 61 0210S |
|---|
| 33 | + | "ARTICLE 6 |
|---|
| 34 | + | 14 |
|---|
| 35 | + | 20-4-140.15 |
|---|
| 36 | + | As used in this article, the term:16 |
|---|
| 37 | + | (1) 'Dual Achievement Program' or 'program' means the program provided for in this17 |
|---|
| 38 | + | article.18 |
|---|
| 39 | + | (2) 'Eligible student' means a student who meets the qualifications to participate in the19 |
|---|
| 40 | + | program.20 |
|---|
| 41 | + | (3) 'Extracurricular activities' and 'interscholastic activities' shall have the same |
|---|
| 42 | + | 21 |
|---|
| 43 | + | respective meanings as set forth in Code Section 20-2-319.6.22 |
|---|
| 44 | + | (4) 'QBE formula earnings' means funds earned for the Quality Basic Education Formula23 |
|---|
| 45 | + | pursuant to Code Section 20-2-161 and shall include the portion of such funds that are24 |
|---|
| 46 | + | calculated as the local five mill share in accordance with Code Section 20-2-164. QBE25 |
|---|
| 47 | + | formula earnings shall include the salary portion of direct instructional costs, the26 |
|---|
| 48 | + | adjustment for training and experience, the nonsalary portion of direct instructional costs,27 |
|---|
| 49 | + | and earnings for psychologists and school social workers, school administration, facility28 |
|---|
| 50 | + | maintenance and operation, media centers, and staff development, as determined by the29 |
|---|
| 51 | + | Department of Education.30 |
|---|
| 52 | + | (3)(5) 'State board' means the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia.31 |
|---|
| 53 | + | (6) 'Resident school' means the public school in which an eligible student is or would be32 |
|---|
| 54 | + | enrolled based on his or her primary residence.33 |
|---|
| 55 | + | (7) 'Resident school system' means the public school system in which an eligible student 34 |
|---|
| 56 | + | is or would be enrolled based on his or her primary residence.35 |
|---|
| 57 | + | (4)(8) 'Technical college system' means the Technical College System of Georgia.36 |
|---|
| 58 | + | H. B. 217 (SUB) |
|---|
| 59 | + | - 2 - 25 LC 61 0210S |
|---|
| 60 | + | 20-4-141. |
|---|
| 61 | + | 37 |
|---|
| 62 | + | (a)(1) The state board shall, in coordination with the State Board of Education,38 |
|---|
| 63 | + | Department of Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of39 |
|---|
| 64 | + | Corrections, and the Office of Planning and Budget, establish a pilot program to allow40 |
|---|
| 65 | + | students who meet eligibility requirements to qualify for enrollment in the Dual41 |
|---|
| 66 | + | Achievement Program at a participating unit of the technical college system and, upon42 |
|---|
| 67 | + | successful completion of the program, be awarded a high school diploma. The purpose43 |
|---|
| 68 | + | of the pilot program is to assess the feasibility of implementing a state-funded program44 |
|---|
| 69 | + | for eligible students who have withdrawn from high school to enroll in a unit of the45 |
|---|
| 70 | + | technical college system to participate in an academic and technical education and46 |
|---|
| 71 | + | training program which, upon successful completion, allows the student to earn a high47 |
|---|
| 72 | + | school diploma while also earning a technical college associate degree, a technical48 |
|---|
| 73 | + | college diploma, or technical college certificates of credit in specific career pathways.49 |
|---|
| 74 | + | (2) To implement the pilot program, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the50 |
|---|
| 75 | + | contrary, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia |
|---|
| 76 | + | state board and the51 |
|---|
| 77 | + | State Board of Education shall be authorized to waive or provide variances to state rules,52 |
|---|
| 78 | + | regulations, policies, and procedures and to provisions of this title that may be reasonably53 |
|---|
| 79 | + | necessary to meet the goals of the pilot program, including, but not limited to, such rules,54 |
|---|
| 80 | + | regulations, policies, procedures, and provisions as relate to the calculation, allocation,55 |
|---|
| 81 | + | and distribution of QBE formula earnings. Such waivers or variances shall automatically56 |
|---|
| 82 | + | expire at the end of five ten years unless an earlier expiration is provided for. The State57 |
|---|
| 83 | + | Board of the Technical College System of Georgia state board and the State Board of58 |
|---|
| 84 | + | Education shall be authorized to seek waivers or variances of federal laws, rules,59 |
|---|
| 85 | + | regulations, policies, and procedures that may be reasonably necessary to meet the goals60 |
|---|
| 86 | + | of the pilot program.61 |
|---|
| 87 | + | (3) The pilot program, as determined by the state board, may include up to five units of62 |
|---|
| 88 | + | the technical college system for a period of five ten years. In an effort to pilot the63 |
|---|
| 89 | + | H. B. 217 (SUB) |
|---|
| 90 | + | - 3 - 25 LC 61 0210S |
|---|
| 91 | + | program under various conditions present in the state, the state board shall seek to include |
|---|
| 92 | + | 64 |
|---|
| 93 | + | in the pilot program units of the technical college system from various geographic areas65 |
|---|
| 94 | + | in the state.66 |
|---|
| 95 | + | (4) The state board shall review the results of the pilot program and shall no later than67 |
|---|
| 96 | + | February 1 |
|---|
| 97 | + | November 15 each year during the program provide the General Assembly68 |
|---|
| 98 | + | the Office and Planning and Budget and the chairpersons of the House Committee on69 |
|---|
| 99 | + | Education, the Senate Education and Youth Committee, the House Committee on Higher70 |
|---|
| 100 | + | Education, the Senate Higher Education Committee, the House Committee on71 |
|---|
| 101 | + | Appropriations, and the Senate Appropriations Committee with a comprehensive report72 |
|---|
| 102 | + | on the program with any recommendations for its continued use and any needed changes73 |
|---|
| 103 | + | in the program. Such report shall include a comprehensive list of any such waivers or74 |
|---|
| 104 | + | variances implemented or requested as provided for in paragraph (2) of this subsection,75 |
|---|
| 105 | + | a statement of necessity for each waiver or variance, and with respect to any such76 |
|---|
| 106 | + | requests, request, and whether each request was granted in whole or in part.77 |
|---|
| 107 | + | (b) The pilot program established by the state board pursuant to this article shall provide78 |
|---|
| 108 | + | for the award of a high school diploma by the state board to students who successfully79 |
|---|
| 109 | + | complete the program.80 |
|---|
| 110 | + | (c) The state board shall determine the specific competencies concerning the skills and81 |
|---|
| 111 | + | knowledge needed for completion of each component of the program; provided, however,82 |
|---|
| 112 | + | that the state board shall make such determination regarding the skills and knowledge83 |
|---|
| 113 | + | needed to meet the requirements for a high school diploma as provided for in this program84 |
|---|
| 114 | + | in consultation with the State Board of Education and the Department of Education.85 |
|---|
| 115 | + | (d) In order to minimize the risk of prospective students prematurely withdrawing from86 |
|---|
| 116 | + | a secondary school in order to participate in the program, the The state board shall provide87 |
|---|
| 117 | + | for preliminary review of academic records, including, but not limited to official secondary88 |
|---|
| 118 | + | school transcripts, submitted by prospective students to determine whether such students89 |
|---|
| 119 | + | meet the requirements provided for in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (e) of this Code90 |
|---|
| 120 | + | H. B. 217 (SUB) |
|---|
| 121 | + | - 4 - 25 LC 61 0210S |
|---|
| 122 | + | Section section. If a prospective student meets such requirements, the student shall be so91 |
|---|
| 123 | + | notified and allowed to complete a readiness assessment required by the technical college92 |
|---|
| 124 | + | system. Students who meet the requirements provided for in paragraphs (1) and (2) of93 |
|---|
| 125 | + | subsection (e) of this Code Section section and attain a an acceptable score of admission94 |
|---|
| 126 | + | acceptable on the readiness assessment shall be notified that they are eligible to participate95 |
|---|
| 127 | + | in the program, subject to meeting the requirements provided for in the applicable96 |
|---|
| 128 | + | paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (e) (f) of this Code Section section.97 |
|---|
| 129 | + | (e) To be eligible to participate in the program, a student shall:98 |
|---|
| 130 | + | (1) Be 16 years of age or older;99 |
|---|
| 131 | + | (2) Have completed at least six of the nine following state required ninth and tenth grade100 |
|---|
| 132 | + | level high school courses: two English courses, two mathematics courses, two science101 |
|---|
| 133 | + | courses, two social studies courses, and one health and physical education course; and102 |
|---|
| 134 | + | any state required tests associated with any such courses;103 |
|---|
| 135 | + | (3) Receive a an acceptable score of admission acceptable on the readiness assessment104 |
|---|
| 136 | + | required by the technical college system; and105 |
|---|
| 137 | + | (4) Meet the requirements provided for in the applicable paragraph of subsection (f) of106 |
|---|
| 138 | + | this Code section.107 |
|---|
| 139 | + | (f)(1) Before July 1, 2026, to be eligible to participate in the program, a student shall be108 |
|---|
| 140 | + | withdrawn from a public secondary school of this state, shall meet the requirements109 |
|---|
| 141 | + | provided for in subsection (e) of this Code section, and shall provide Provide the110 |
|---|
| 142 | + | following:111 |
|---|
| 143 | + | (A) If an unemancipated minor:112 |
|---|
| 144 | + | (i) Verification that the student's parent or legal guardian attended a conference with113 |
|---|
| 145 | + | the student's high school principal or the principal's designee as provided for in114 |
|---|
| 146 | + | subsection (e) of Code Section 20-2-690.1;115 |
|---|
| 147 | + | (ii) A copy of the form provided for in subsection (e) of Code Section 20-2-690.1116 |
|---|
| 148 | + | signed by the student's parent or legal guardian;117 |
|---|
| 149 | + | H. B. 217 (SUB) |
|---|
| 150 | + | - 5 - 25 LC 61 0210S |
|---|
| 151 | + | (iii) Written acknowledgment by the student's parent or guardian that withdrawal of |
|---|
| 152 | + | 118 |
|---|
| 153 | + | the student from secondary school may result in loss of eligibility for119 |
|---|
| 154 | + | accommodations, specialized instruction, and other services pursuant to the federal120 |
|---|
| 155 | + | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C.A. |
|---|
| 156 | + | U.S.C. Section 1400, et seq.,121 |
|---|
| 157 | + | and Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C.A. U.S.C. Section122 |
|---|
| 158 | + | 701, et seq.; and123 |
|---|
| 159 | + | (iv) Written acknowledgment that the high school diploma available through the Dual124 |
|---|
| 160 | + | Achievement Program requires successful completion of the program; or125 |
|---|
| 161 | + | (B) If an emancipated minor or a student who is 18, 19, or 20 years of age:126 |
|---|
| 162 | + | (i) Written acknowledgment that the student has conferred with his or her secondary127 |
|---|
| 163 | + | school principal or the principal's designee or a qualified designated official of the128 |
|---|
| 164 | + | technical college system and discussed alternatives to withdrawing from high school129 |
|---|
| 165 | + | without completing graduation requirements and potential consequences of not having130 |
|---|
| 166 | + | a high school diploma, including lower lifetime earnings, fewer jobs for which the131 |
|---|
| 167 | + | student will be qualified, and the inability to avail oneself of higher educational132 |
|---|
| 168 | + | opportunities;133 |
|---|
| 169 | + | (ii) Written acknowledgment by the student's parent or guardian that withdrawal of134 |
|---|
| 170 | + | the student from secondary school may result in loss of eligibility for135 |
|---|
| 171 | + | accommodations, specialized instruction, and other services pursuant to the federal136 |
|---|
| 172 | + | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C.A. U.S.C. Section 1400, et seq.,137 |
|---|
| 173 | + | and Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C.A. U.S.C. Section138 |
|---|
| 174 | + | 701, et seq.; and139 |
|---|
| 175 | + | (iii) Written acknowledgment that the high school diploma available through the140 |
|---|
| 176 | + | Dual Achievement Program requires successful completion of the program; and.141 |
|---|
| 177 | + | (5) Be withdrawn from a public secondary school of this state.142 |
|---|
| 178 | + | (2) Beginning July 1, 2026, to be eligible to participate in the program, a student shall143 |
|---|
| 179 | + | be enrolled in a public secondary school of this state, shall not have reached 21 years of144 |
|---|
| 180 | + | H. B. 217 (SUB) |
|---|
| 181 | + | - 6 - 25 LC 61 0210S |
|---|
| 182 | + | age, shall meet the requirements provided for in subsection (e) of this Code section, and145 |
|---|
| 183 | + | shall provide the following:146 |
|---|
| 184 | + | (A) Written acknowledgment that such student shall not be eligible to participate in147 |
|---|
| 185 | + | extracurricular activities or interscholastic activities under the sponsorship, direction,148 |
|---|
| 186 | + | or control of such student's resident school or resident school system; and149 |
|---|
| 187 | + | (B) Written acknowledgment that the high school diploma available through the Dual150 |
|---|
| 188 | + | Achievement Program requires successful completion of the program.151 |
|---|
| 189 | + | (g) Any student who is enrolled in the program on June 30, 2026, shall remain eligible to152 |
|---|
| 190 | + | participate in the program according to the terms and conditions of such student's original153 |
|---|
| 191 | + | eligibility to participate in the program.154 |
|---|
| 192 | + | (h) By March 1, 2026, the State Board of Education shall adopt any policies, rules, or155 |
|---|
| 193 | + | regulations that are necessary to ensure that any student who withdraws from his or her156 |
|---|
| 194 | + | resident school or resident school system and subsequently wishes to participate in the157 |
|---|
| 195 | + | program shall be permitted to re-enroll in such resident school or resident school system158 |
|---|
| 196 | + | in order to participate in the program on and after July 1, 2026. Such policies, rules, and159 |
|---|
| 197 | + | regulations shall provide for such students to complete such re-enrollment without having160 |
|---|
| 198 | + | to appear at such resident school or resident school system. Upon collaboration with the161 |
|---|
| 199 | + | state board, such policies, rules, and regulations may provide for such re-enrollment to be162 |
|---|
| 200 | + | facilitated by the technical college system.163 |
|---|
| 201 | + | (f)(i) The state board shall award a high school diploma to a student enrolled in the164 |
|---|
| 202 | + | program provided for in this article who:165 |
|---|
| 203 | + | (1) Completes all student counseling and assessment requirements of the program;166 |
|---|
| 204 | + | (2) Completes rigorous coursework at a participating unit of the technical college167 |
|---|
| 205 | + | system; and168 |
|---|
| 206 | + | (3) Completes:169 |
|---|
| 207 | + | (A) A technical college associate degree program;170 |
|---|
| 208 | + | (B) A technical college diploma program; or171 |
|---|
| 209 | + | H. B. 217 (SUB) |
|---|
| 210 | + | - 7 - 25 LC 61 0210S |
|---|
| 211 | + | (C) At least two technical college certificate of credit programs in one specific career |
|---|
| 212 | + | 172 |
|---|
| 213 | + | pathway.173 |
|---|
| 214 | + | (g) |
|---|
| 215 | + | (j) A student who meets the requirements of subsections (f) subsection (h) of this Code174 |
|---|
| 216 | + | section shall be deemed to have met all graduation requirements of the State Board of175 |
|---|
| 217 | + | Education and shall not be subject to any assessments otherwise required for purposes of176 |
|---|
| 218 | + | graduation.177 |
|---|
| 219 | + | (h)(k) The state board, in consultation with the State Board of Education, Department of178 |
|---|
| 220 | + | Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Corrections, and the179 |
|---|
| 221 | + | Office of Planning and Budget, shall establish rules and regulations to implement the180 |
|---|
| 222 | + | provisions of this article.181 |
|---|
| 223 | + | 20-2-141.1.182 |
|---|
| 224 | + | (a) By January 1, 2026, the State Board of Education, in collaboration with the state board,183 |
|---|
| 225 | + | the Office of Planning and Budget, and the Office of Student Achievement, shall establish184 |
|---|
| 226 | + | whatever policies, rules, and regulations are necessary to implement the requirements of185 |
|---|
| 227 | + | this article, including, but not limited to, any such policies, rules, or regulations that are186 |
|---|
| 228 | + | necessary to accurately account for each student who is participating in the program187 |
|---|
| 229 | + | pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of Code Section 20-4-141 in the counts required188 |
|---|
| 230 | + | by Code Section 20-2-160.189 |
|---|
| 231 | + | (b) For each eligible student enrolled in the program on or after July 1, 2026, the State190 |
|---|
| 232 | + | Board of Education shall pay to the state board an amount not less than a proportional share191 |
|---|
| 233 | + | of QBE formula earnings, QBE grants, and federal funds earned by the resident school192 |
|---|
| 234 | + | system for such eligible student. Such proportional share shall be calculated pro rata based193 |
|---|
| 235 | + | on the number of one-sixth segments of the school day such eligible student attends at a194 |
|---|
| 236 | + | participating unit of the technical college system.195 |
|---|
| 237 | + | (c)(1) By April 1, 2026, and by April 1 each year thereafter, the state board and the State196 |
|---|
| 238 | + | Board of Education shall publish on the public website of the technical college system197 |
|---|
| 239 | + | H. B. 217 (SUB) |
|---|
| 240 | + | - 8 - 25 LC 61 0210S |
|---|
| 241 | + | a comprehensive list of courses at participating units of the technical college system that198 |
|---|
| 242 | + | shall be counted towards high school diploma requirements and shall be considered a199 |
|---|
| 243 | + | one-sixth segment of the school day for the purposes of this article. Once such a200 |
|---|
| 244 | + | comprehensive list is published on the public website of the technical college system, it201 |
|---|
| 245 | + | may only be revised upon written agreement by the state board and the State Board of202 |
|---|
| 246 | + | Education detailing the reasons for each revision. In the event such comprehensive list203 |
|---|
| 247 | + | is revised pursuant to such a written agreement, the comprehensive list published on the204 |
|---|
| 248 | + | public website of the technical college system shall be updated immediately along with205 |
|---|
| 249 | + | a copy of such written agreement.206 |
|---|
| 250 | + | (2) Each revision to the comprehensive list required by paragraph (1) of this subsection207 |
|---|
| 251 | + | shall be prospective, and no revision to such comprehensive list shall result in any208 |
|---|
| 252 | + | adverse action for any student enrolled and in good standing at the time of such revision.209 |
|---|
| 253 | + | (d) Beginning July 1, 2026, each resident school system with an eligible student who is210 |
|---|
| 254 | + | participating in the program pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of Code Section211 |
|---|
| 255 | + | 20-4-141 shall enter into a participation agreement with the state board agreeing that each212 |
|---|
| 256 | + | such student:213 |
|---|
| 257 | + | (1) Is enrolled in the resident school system and resident school for administrative214 |
|---|
| 258 | + | purposes and for the purposes of education accountability assessment programs provided215 |
|---|
| 259 | + | for in Article 2 of Chapter 14 of this title only; and216 |
|---|
| 260 | + | (2) Shall not be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities or interscholastic217 |
|---|
| 261 | + | activities under the sponsorship, direction, or control of such student's resident school or218 |
|---|
| 262 | + | resident school system.219 |
|---|
| 263 | + | 20-4-142.220 |
|---|
| 264 | + | This article shall stand repealed on July 1, 2026 2031."221 |
|---|
| 265 | + | H. B. 217 (SUB) |
|---|
| 266 | + | - 9 - 25 LC 61 0210S |
|---|
| 66 | | - | 42 |
|---|
| 67 | | - | Said title is further amended in Code Section 20-2B-5, relating to powers of the education43 |
|---|
| 68 | | - | savings authority, by revising subsection (b) and by adding a new subsection to read as44 |
|---|
| 69 | | - | follows:45 |
|---|
| 70 | | - | "(b) Pursuant |
|---|
| 71 | | - | Except as provided in subsection (d) of this Code section, pursuant to Code46 |
|---|
| 72 | | - | Section 50-18-70, the education savings authority shall not disclose and shall keep47 |
|---|
| 73 | | - | confidential, in each case unless identifying information has been redacted:48 |
|---|
| 74 | | - | (1) Records that include information identifying a student or former student by name,49 |
|---|
| 75 | | - | address except for ZIP Code, telephone number, or emergency contact; and50 |
|---|
| 76 | | - | (2) Records that reveal an individual's social security number, mother's birth name, credit51 |
|---|
| 77 | | - | card information, debit card information, bank account information, account number,52 |
|---|
| 78 | | - | utility account number, password used to access his or her account, financial data or53 |
|---|
| 79 | | - | information, insurance or medical information in all records, unlisted telephone number54 |
|---|
| 80 | | - | if so designated in a public record, personal email address or cellular telephone number,55 |
|---|
| 81 | | - | or month and day of birth."56 |
|---|
| 82 | | - | "(d) As necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter, the education savings authority57 |
|---|
| 83 | | - | or its duly authorized agents may submit to the state revenue commissioner the names of58 |
|---|
| 84 | | - | applicants for promise scholarship accounts or account funds or other benefits or payments59 |
|---|
| 85 | | - | provided under this chapter, as well as the relevant income threshold specified therein. If60 |
|---|
| 86 | | - | the education savings authority elects to contract with the state revenue commissioner for61 |
|---|
| 87 | | - | such purposes, the state revenue commissioner and his or her agents or employees shall62 |
|---|
| 88 | | - | notify the education savings authority whether each submitted applicant's income exceeds63 |
|---|
| 89 | | - | the relevant income threshold provided. The education savings authority shall pay the state64 |
|---|
| 90 | | - | revenue commissioner for all costs incurred by the Department of Revenue pursuant to this65 |
|---|
| 91 | | - | subsection. No information shall be provided by the Department of Revenue to the66 |
|---|
| 92 | | - | education savings authority without an executed cooperative agreement between the two67 |
|---|
| 93 | | - | entities. Any tax information secured from the federal government by the Department of68 |
|---|
| 94 | | - | H. B. 217 |
|---|
| 95 | | - | - 3 - 25 HB 217/AP |
|---|
| 96 | | - | Revenue pursuant to express provisions of Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code may69 |
|---|
| 97 | | - | not be disclosed by the Department of Revenue pursuant to this subsection. Any person70 |
|---|
| 98 | | - | receiving any tax information under the authority of this subsection is subject to the71 |
|---|
| 99 | | - | provisions of Code Section 48-7-60 and to all penalties provided under Code Section72 |
|---|
| 100 | | - | 48-7-61 for unlawful divulging of confidential tax information."73 |
|---|
| 101 | | - | SECTION 3.74 |
|---|
| 102 | | - | Said title is further amended in Chapter 4, relating to vocational, technical, and adult75 |
|---|
| 103 | | - | education, by revising Article 6, relating to the Dual Achievement Program, as follows:76 |
|---|
| 104 | | - | "ARTICLE 677 |
|---|
| 105 | | - | 20-4-140.78 |
|---|
| 106 | | - | As used in this article, the term:79 |
|---|
| 107 | | - | (1) 'Dual Achievement Program' or 'program' means the program provided for in this80 |
|---|
| 108 | | - | article.81 |
|---|
| 109 | | - | (2) 'Eligible student' means a student who meets the qualifications to participate in the82 |
|---|
| 110 | | - | program.83 |
|---|
| 111 | | - | (3) 'Extracurricular activities' and 'interscholastic activities' shall have the same84 |
|---|
| 112 | | - | respective meanings as set forth in Code Section 20-2-319.6.85 |
|---|
| 113 | | - | (4) 'QBE formula earnings' means funds earned for the Quality Basic Education Formula86 |
|---|
| 114 | | - | pursuant to Code Section 20-2-161 and shall include the portion of such funds that are87 |
|---|
| 115 | | - | calculated as the local five mill share in accordance with Code Section 20-2-164. QBE88 |
|---|
| 116 | | - | formula earnings shall include the salary portion of direct instructional costs, the89 |
|---|
| 117 | | - | adjustment for training and experience, the nonsalary portion of direct instructional costs,90 |
|---|
| 118 | | - | and earnings for psychologists and school social workers, school administration, facility91 |
|---|
| 119 | | - | maintenance and operation, media centers, and staff development, as determined by the92 |
|---|
| 120 | | - | Department of Education.93 |
|---|
| 121 | | - | (3)(5) 'State board' means the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia.94 |
|---|
| 122 | | - | H. B. 217 |
|---|
| 123 | | - | - 4 - 25 HB 217/AP |
|---|
| 124 | | - | (6) 'Resident school' means the public school in which an eligible student is or would be95 |
|---|
| 125 | | - | enrolled based on his or her primary residence.96 |
|---|
| 126 | | - | (7) 'Resident school system' means the public school system in which an eligible student 97 |
|---|
| 127 | | - | is or would be enrolled based on his or her primary residence.98 |
|---|
| 128 | | - | (4)(8) 'Technical college system' means the Technical College System of Georgia.99 |
|---|
| 129 | | - | 20-4-141.100 |
|---|
| 130 | | - | (a)(1) The state board shall, in coordination with the State Board of Education,101 |
|---|
| 131 | | - | Department of Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of102 |
|---|
| 132 | | - | Corrections, and the Office of Planning and Budget, establish a pilot program to allow103 |
|---|
| 133 | | - | students who meet eligibility requirements to qualify for enrollment in the Dual104 |
|---|
| 134 | | - | Achievement Program at a participating unit of the technical college system and, upon105 |
|---|
| 135 | | - | successful completion of the program, be awarded a high school diploma. The purpose106 |
|---|
| 136 | | - | of the pilot program is to assess the feasibility of implementing a state-funded program107 |
|---|
| 137 | | - | for eligible students who have withdrawn from high school to enroll in a unit of the108 |
|---|
| 138 | | - | technical college system to participate in an academic and technical education and109 |
|---|
| 139 | | - | training program which, upon successful completion, allows the student to earn a high110 |
|---|
| 140 | | - | school diploma while also earning a technical college associate degree, a technical111 |
|---|
| 141 | | - | college diploma, or technical college certificates of credit in specific career pathways.112 |
|---|
| 142 | | - | (2) To implement the pilot program, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the113 |
|---|
| 143 | | - | contrary, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia state board and the114 |
|---|
| 144 | | - | State Board of Education shall be authorized to waive or provide variances to state rules,115 |
|---|
| 145 | | - | regulations, policies, and procedures and to provisions of this title that may be reasonably116 |
|---|
| 146 | | - | necessary to meet the goals of the pilot program, including, but not limited to, such rules,117 |
|---|
| 147 | | - | regulations, policies, procedures, and provisions as relate to the calculation, allocation,118 |
|---|
| 148 | | - | and distribution of QBE formula earnings. Such waivers or variances shall automatically119 |
|---|
| 149 | | - | expire at the end of five ten years unless an earlier expiration is provided for. The State120 |
|---|
| 150 | | - | H. B. 217 |
|---|
| 151 | | - | - 5 - 25 HB 217/AP |
|---|
| 152 | | - | Board of the Technical College System of Georgia state board and the State Board of121 |
|---|
| 153 | | - | Education shall be authorized to seek waivers or variances of federal laws, rules,122 |
|---|
| 154 | | - | regulations, policies, and procedures that may be reasonably necessary to meet the goals123 |
|---|
| 155 | | - | of the pilot program.124 |
|---|
| 156 | | - | (3) The pilot program, as determined by the state board, may include up to five units of125 |
|---|
| 157 | | - | the technical college system for a period of five ten years. In an effort to pilot the126 |
|---|
| 158 | | - | program under various conditions present in the state, the state board shall seek to include127 |
|---|
| 159 | | - | in the pilot program units of the technical college system from various geographic areas128 |
|---|
| 160 | | - | in the state.129 |
|---|
| 161 | | - | (4) The state board shall review the results of the pilot program and shall no later than130 |
|---|
| 162 | | - | February 1 November 15 each year during the program provide the General Assembly131 |
|---|
| 163 | | - | the Office and Planning and Budget and the chairpersons of the House Committee on132 |
|---|
| 164 | | - | Education, the Senate Education and Youth Committee, the House Committee on Higher133 |
|---|
| 165 | | - | Education, the Senate Higher Education Committee, the House Committee on134 |
|---|
| 166 | | - | Appropriations, and the Senate Appropriations Committee with a comprehensive report135 |
|---|
| 167 | | - | on the program with any recommendations for its continued use and any needed changes136 |
|---|
| 168 | | - | in the program. Such report shall include a comprehensive list of any such waivers or137 |
|---|
| 169 | | - | variances implemented or requested as provided for in paragraph (2) of this subsection,138 |
|---|
| 170 | | - | a statement of necessity for each waiver or variance, and with respect to any such139 |
|---|
| 171 | | - | requests, request, and whether each request was granted in whole or in part.140 |
|---|
| 172 | | - | (b) The pilot program established by the state board pursuant to this article shall provide141 |
|---|
| 173 | | - | for the award of a high school diploma by the state board to students who successfully142 |
|---|
| 174 | | - | complete the program.143 |
|---|
| 175 | | - | (c) The state board shall determine the specific competencies concerning the skills and144 |
|---|
| 176 | | - | knowledge needed for completion of each component of the program; provided, however,145 |
|---|
| 177 | | - | that the state board shall make such determination regarding the skills and knowledge146 |
|---|
| 178 | | - | H. B. 217 |
|---|
| 179 | | - | - 6 - 25 HB 217/AP |
|---|
| 180 | | - | needed to meet the requirements for a high school diploma as provided for in this program |
|---|
| 181 | | - | 147 |
|---|
| 182 | | - | in consultation with the State Board of Education and the Department of Education.148 |
|---|
| 183 | | - | (d) In order to minimize the risk of prospective students prematurely withdrawing from |
|---|
| 184 | | - | 149 |
|---|
| 185 | | - | a secondary school in order to participate in the program, the The state board shall provide150 |
|---|
| 186 | | - | for preliminary review of academic records, including, but not limited to official secondary151 |
|---|
| 187 | | - | school transcripts, submitted by prospective students to determine whether such students152 |
|---|
| 188 | | - | meet the requirements provided for in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (e) of this Code153 |
|---|
| 189 | | - | Section section. If a prospective student meets such requirements, the student shall be so154 |
|---|
| 190 | | - | notified and allowed to complete a readiness assessment required by the technical college155 |
|---|
| 191 | | - | system. Students who meet the requirements provided for in paragraphs (1) and (2) of156 |
|---|
| 192 | | - | subsection (e) of this Code Section section and attain a an acceptable score of admission157 |
|---|
| 193 | | - | acceptable on the readiness assessment shall be notified that they are eligible to participate158 |
|---|
| 194 | | - | in the program, subject to meeting the requirements provided for in the applicable159 |
|---|
| 195 | | - | paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (e) (f) of this Code Section section.160 |
|---|
| 196 | | - | (e) To be eligible to participate in the program, a student shall:161 |
|---|
| 197 | | - | (1) Be 16 years of age or older;162 |
|---|
| 198 | | - | (2) Have completed at least six of the nine following state required ninth and tenth grade163 |
|---|
| 199 | | - | level high school courses: two English courses, two mathematics courses, two science164 |
|---|
| 200 | | - | courses, two social studies courses, and one health and physical education course; and165 |
|---|
| 201 | | - | any state required tests associated with any such courses;166 |
|---|
| 202 | | - | (3) Receive a an acceptable score of admission acceptable on the readiness assessment167 |
|---|
| 203 | | - | required by the technical college system; and168 |
|---|
| 204 | | - | (4) Meet the requirements provided for in the applicable paragraph of subsection (f) of169 |
|---|
| 205 | | - | this Code section.170 |
|---|
| 206 | | - | (f)(1) Before July 1, 2026, to be eligible to participate in the program, a student shall be171 |
|---|
| 207 | | - | withdrawn from a public secondary school of this state, shall meet the requirements172 |
|---|
| 208 | | - | H. B. 217 |
|---|
| 209 | | - | - 7 - 25 HB 217/AP |
|---|
| 210 | | - | provided for in subsection (e) of this Code section, and shall provide Provide the173 |
|---|
| 211 | | - | following:174 |
|---|
| 212 | | - | (A) If an unemancipated minor:175 |
|---|
| 213 | | - | (i) Verification that the student's parent or legal guardian attended a conference with176 |
|---|
| 214 | | - | the student's high school principal or the principal's designee as provided for in177 |
|---|
| 215 | | - | subsection (e) of Code Section 20-2-690.1;178 |
|---|
| 216 | | - | (ii) A copy of the form provided for in subsection (e) of Code Section 20-2-690.1179 |
|---|
| 217 | | - | signed by the student's parent or legal guardian;180 |
|---|
| 218 | | - | (iii) Written acknowledgment by the student's parent or guardian that withdrawal of181 |
|---|
| 219 | | - | the student from secondary school may result in loss of eligibility for182 |
|---|
| 220 | | - | accommodations, specialized instruction, and other services pursuant to the federal183 |
|---|
| 221 | | - | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C.A. U.S.C. Section 1400, et seq.,184 |
|---|
| 222 | | - | and Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C.A. U.S.C. Section185 |
|---|
| 223 | | - | 701, et seq.; and186 |
|---|
| 224 | | - | (iv) Written acknowledgment that the high school diploma available through the Dual187 |
|---|
| 225 | | - | Achievement Program requires successful completion of the program; or188 |
|---|
| 226 | | - | (B) If an emancipated minor or a student who is 18, 19, or 20 years of age:189 |
|---|
| 227 | | - | (i) Written acknowledgment that the student has conferred with his or her secondary190 |
|---|
| 228 | | - | school principal or the principal's designee or a qualified designated official of the191 |
|---|
| 229 | | - | technical college system and discussed alternatives to withdrawing from high school192 |
|---|
| 230 | | - | without completing graduation requirements and potential consequences of not having193 |
|---|
| 231 | | - | a high school diploma, including lower lifetime earnings, fewer jobs for which the194 |
|---|
| 232 | | - | student will be qualified, and the inability to avail oneself of higher educational195 |
|---|
| 233 | | - | opportunities;196 |
|---|
| 234 | | - | (ii) Written acknowledgment by the student's parent or guardian that withdrawal of197 |
|---|
| 235 | | - | the student from secondary school may result in loss of eligibility for198 |
|---|
| 236 | | - | accommodations, specialized instruction, and other services pursuant to the federal199 |
|---|
| 237 | | - | H. B. 217 |
|---|
| 238 | | - | - 8 - 25 HB 217/AP |
|---|
| 239 | | - | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C.A. U.S.C. Section 1400, et seq.,200 |
|---|
| 240 | | - | and Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C.A. U.S.C. Section201 |
|---|
| 241 | | - | 701, et seq.; and202 |
|---|
| 242 | | - | (iii) Written acknowledgment that the high school diploma available through the203 |
|---|
| 243 | | - | Dual Achievement Program requires successful completion of the program; and.204 |
|---|
| 244 | | - | (5) Be withdrawn from a public secondary school of this state.205 |
|---|
| 245 | | - | (2) Beginning July 1, 2026, to be eligible to participate in the program, a student shall206 |
|---|
| 246 | | - | be enrolled in a public secondary school of this state, shall not have reached 21 years of207 |
|---|
| 247 | | - | age, shall meet the requirements provided for in subsection (e) of this Code section, and208 |
|---|
| 248 | | - | shall provide the following:209 |
|---|
| 249 | | - | (A) Written acknowledgment that such student shall not be eligible to participate in210 |
|---|
| 250 | | - | extracurricular activities or interscholastic activities under the sponsorship, direction,211 |
|---|
| 251 | | - | or control of such student's resident school or resident school system; and212 |
|---|
| 252 | | - | (B) Written acknowledgment that the high school diploma available through the Dual213 |
|---|
| 253 | | - | Achievement Program requires successful completion of the program.214 |
|---|
| 254 | | - | (g) Any student who is enrolled in the program on June 30, 2026, shall remain eligible to215 |
|---|
| 255 | | - | participate in the program according to the terms and conditions of such student's original216 |
|---|
| 256 | | - | eligibility to participate in the program.217 |
|---|
| 257 | | - | (h) By March 1, 2026, the State Board of Education shall adopt any policies, rules, or218 |
|---|
| 258 | | - | regulations that are necessary to ensure that any student who withdraws from his or her219 |
|---|
| 259 | | - | resident school or resident school system and subsequently wishes to participate in the220 |
|---|
| 260 | | - | program shall be permitted to re-enroll in such resident school or resident school system221 |
|---|
| 261 | | - | in order to participate in the program on and after July 1, 2026. Such policies, rules, and222 |
|---|
| 262 | | - | regulations shall provide for such students to complete such re-enrollment without having223 |
|---|
| 263 | | - | to appear at such resident school or resident school system. Upon collaboration with the224 |
|---|
| 264 | | - | state board, such policies, rules, and regulations may provide for such re-enrollment to be225 |
|---|
| 265 | | - | facilitated by the technical college system.226 |
|---|
| 266 | | - | H. B. 217 |
|---|
| 267 | | - | - 9 - 25 HB 217/AP |
|---|
| 268 | | - | (f)(i) The state board shall award a high school diploma to a student enrolled in the227 |
|---|
| 269 | | - | program provided for in this article who:228 |
|---|
| 270 | | - | (1) Completes all student counseling and assessment requirements of the program;229 |
|---|
| 271 | | - | (2) Completes rigorous coursework at a participating unit of the technical college230 |
|---|
| 272 | | - | system; and231 |
|---|
| 273 | | - | (3) Completes:232 |
|---|
| 274 | | - | (A) A technical college associate degree program;233 |
|---|
| 275 | | - | (B) A technical college diploma program; or234 |
|---|
| 276 | | - | (C) At least two technical college certificate of credit programs in one specific career235 |
|---|
| 277 | | - | pathway.236 |
|---|
| 278 | | - | (g)(j) A student who meets the requirements of subsections (f) subsection (h) of this Code237 |
|---|
| 279 | | - | section shall be deemed to have met all graduation requirements of the State Board of238 |
|---|
| 280 | | - | Education and shall not be subject to any assessments otherwise required for purposes of239 |
|---|
| 281 | | - | graduation.240 |
|---|
| 282 | | - | (h)(k) The state board, in consultation with the State Board of Education, Department of241 |
|---|
| 283 | | - | Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Corrections, and the242 |
|---|
| 284 | | - | Office of Planning and Budget, shall establish rules and regulations to implement the243 |
|---|
| 285 | | - | provisions of this article.244 |
|---|
| 286 | | - | 20-2-141.1.245 |
|---|
| 287 | | - | (a) By January 1, 2026, the State Board of Education, in collaboration with the state board,246 |
|---|
| 288 | | - | the Office of Planning and Budget, and the Office of Student Achievement, shall establish247 |
|---|
| 289 | | - | whatever policies, rules, and regulations are necessary to implement the requirements of248 |
|---|
| 290 | | - | this article, including, but not limited to, any such policies, rules, or regulations that are249 |
|---|
| 291 | | - | necessary to accurately account for each student who is participating in the program250 |
|---|
| 292 | | - | pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of Code Section 20-4-141 in the counts required251 |
|---|
| 293 | | - | by Code Section 20-2-160.252 |
|---|
| 294 | | - | H. B. 217 |
|---|
| 295 | | - | - 10 - 25 HB 217/AP |
|---|
| 296 | | - | (b) For each eligible student enrolled in the program on or after July 1, 2026, the State253 |
|---|
| 297 | | - | Board of Education shall pay to the state board an amount not less than a proportional share254 |
|---|
| 298 | | - | of QBE formula earnings, QBE grants, and federal funds earned by the resident school255 |
|---|
| 299 | | - | system for such eligible student. Such proportional share shall be calculated pro rata based256 |
|---|
| 300 | | - | on the number of one-sixth segments of the school day such eligible student attends at a257 |
|---|
| 301 | | - | participating unit of the technical college system.258 |
|---|
| 302 | | - | (c)(1) By April 1, 2026, and by April 1 each year thereafter, the state board and the State259 |
|---|
| 303 | | - | Board of Education shall publish on the public website of the technical college system260 |
|---|
| 304 | | - | a comprehensive list of courses at participating units of the technical college system that261 |
|---|
| 305 | | - | shall be counted towards high school diploma requirements and shall be considered a262 |
|---|
| 306 | | - | one-sixth segment of the school day for the purposes of this article. Once such a263 |
|---|
| 307 | | - | comprehensive list is published on the public website of the technical college system, it264 |
|---|
| 308 | | - | may only be revised upon written agreement by the state board and the State Board of265 |
|---|
| 309 | | - | Education detailing the reasons for each revision. In the event such comprehensive list266 |
|---|
| 310 | | - | is revised pursuant to such a written agreement, the comprehensive list published on the267 |
|---|
| 311 | | - | public website of the technical college system shall be updated immediately along with268 |
|---|
| 312 | | - | a copy of such written agreement.269 |
|---|
| 313 | | - | (2) Each revision to the comprehensive list required by paragraph (1) of this subsection270 |
|---|
| 314 | | - | shall be prospective, and no revision to such comprehensive list shall result in any271 |
|---|
| 315 | | - | adverse action for any student enrolled and in good standing at the time of such revision.272 |
|---|
| 316 | | - | (d) Beginning July 1, 2026, each resident school system with an eligible student who is273 |
|---|
| 317 | | - | participating in the program pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of Code Section274 |
|---|
| 318 | | - | 20-4-141 shall enter into a participation agreement with the state board agreeing that each275 |
|---|
| 319 | | - | such student:276 |
|---|
| 320 | | - | (1) Is enrolled in the resident school system and resident school for administrative277 |
|---|
| 321 | | - | purposes and for the purposes of education accountability assessment programs provided278 |
|---|
| 322 | | - | for in Article 2 of Chapter 14 of this title only; and279 |
|---|
| 323 | | - | H. B. 217 |
|---|
| 324 | | - | - 11 - 25 HB 217/AP |
|---|
| 325 | | - | (2) Shall not be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities or interscholastic280 |
|---|
| 326 | | - | activities under the sponsorship, direction, or control of such student's resident school or281 |
|---|
| 327 | | - | resident school system.282 |
|---|
| 328 | | - | 20-4-142.283 |
|---|
| 329 | | - | This article shall stand repealed on July 1, 2026 2031."284 |
|---|
| 330 | | - | SECTION 4.285 |
|---|
| 331 | | - | All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.286 |
|---|
| 332 | | - | H. B. 217 |
|---|
| 333 | | - | - 12 - |
|---|
| 268 | + | 222 |
|---|
| 269 | + | All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.223 |
|---|
| 270 | + | H. B. 217 (SUB) |
|---|
| 271 | + | - 10 - |
|---|