25 LC 49 2031
Senate Bill 65
By: Senators Mallow of the 2nd, Hickman of the 4th, Esteves of the 35th, Sims of the 12th
and Summers of the 13th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
1
elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for mandatory kindergarten for all2
children prior to entering into first grade; to lower the age of compulsory school attendance3
from six years old to five years old; to provide for related matters; to provide for contingent4
effectiveness; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6
SECTION 1.7
Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and8
secondary education, is amended in Code Section 20-2-150, relating to eligibility for9
enrollment for educational programs, by revising subsection (c) as follows:10
"(c) All children enrolled for 20 school days or more in the public schools of this state11
prior to their seventh
fifth birthday shall become subject to all of the provisions of this12
article, the provisions of Code Sections 20-2-690 through 20-2-701, and the rules and13
regulations of the State Board of Education relating to compulsory school attendance even14
though they have not attained seven five years of age."15
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SECTION 2.
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Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 20-2-151, relating to general and career17
education programs, by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (b) as follows:18
"(1)(A) All local school systems may
shall offer a full-day kindergarten program. For19
purposes of this subsection, the term 'full-day kindergarten program' means a student20
is provided classroom instruction for a minimum of four and one-half hours daily for21
a 180 day school year, or the equivalent thereof as determined in accordance with State22
Board of Education guidelines.23
(B) It is the policy of this state that all children shall attend a full-day kindergarten24
program for one school year prior to enrolling in first grade and that the purposes of the25
kindergarten such program shall be to provide all children with an equal opportunity26
to become prepared for a successful first grade experience and to acquire the foundation27
for academic progress throughout the students' educational careers. To be eligible for28
enrollment in a state supported kindergarten program, a child must attain the age of five29
by September 1, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of Code Section30
20-2-150;"31
SECTION 3.32
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 20-2-690.1, relating to mandatory education33
for children between the ages of six and 16, by revising subsection (a) as follows:34
"(a) Mandatory attendance in a public school, private school, or home school program shall35
be required for children between their sixth fifth and sixteenth birthdays. Such mandatory36
attendance shall not be required where the child has successfully completed all37
requirements for a high school diploma."38
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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall become effective only upon the effective date of a specific appropriation of40
funds for purposes of this Act, as expressed in a line item making specific reference to such41
Act in a General Appropriations Act enacted by the General Assembly.42
SECTION 5.43
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.44
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