25 LC 49 2324S
The Senate Committee on Education and Youth offered the following
substitute to SB 65:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1
elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for mandatory kindergarten for all2
children prior to entering into first grade; to provide for related matters; to provide for3
contingent effectiveness; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5
SECTION 1.6
Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and7
secondary education, is amended in Code Section 20-2-150, relating to eligibility for8
enrollment for educational programs, by revising subsection (c) as follows:9
"(c) All children enrolled for 20 school days or more in the public schools of this state10
prior to their seventh sixth birthday shall become subject to all of the provisions of this11
article, the provisions of Code Sections 20-2-690 through 20-2-701, and the rules and12
regulations of the State Board of Education relating to compulsory school attendance even13
though they have not attained seven six years of age."14
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SECTION 2.15
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 20-2-151, relating to general and career16
education programs, by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (b) as follows:17
"(1)(A) All local school systems may shall offer a full-day kindergarten program. For18
purposes of this subsection, the term 'full-day kindergarten program' means a student19
is provided classroom instruction for a minimum of four and one-half hours daily for20
a 180 day school year, or the equivalent thereof as determined in accordance with State21
Board of Education guidelines.22
(B) It is the policy of this state that all children shall attend a full-day kindergarten23
program for one school year prior to enrolling in first grade and that the purposes of the24
kindergarten such program shall be to provide all children with an equal opportunity25
to become prepared for a successful first grade experience and to acquire the foundation26
for academic progress throughout the students' educational careers. To be eligible for27
enrollment in a state supported kindergarten program, a child must attain the age of five28
by September 1, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of Code Section29
20-2-150;"30
SECTION 3.31
This Act shall become effective only upon the effective date of a specific appropriation of32
funds for purposes of this Act, as expressed in a line item making specific reference to such33
Act in a General Appropriations Act enacted by the General Assembly.34
SECTION 4.35
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.36
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