The 2015 legislative session came to a close on April 2, 2015 and the Governor’s 40 day window to sign or veto legislation ended on May 12, 2015. Improving education throughout Georgia was one of important topics during this year’s session and providing an increase in funding for education was a centerpiece of 2016 Fiscal Year Budget.
Every student in Georgia has individual circumstances that shape their lives and following the traditional high school path may not be an option. For this reason, the Georgia Senate passed several pieces of legislation that allow these non-traditional students to follow their own paths to success.
Currently in Georgia, only students in the 11th and 12th grades are eligible to participate in dual enrollment programs. Senate Bill 132, also known as the “Move on When Ready” Act, opens dual-enrollment up to all high school students in grades nine through 12. Dual enrollment allows students who are accepted into any post-secondary institution, to take courses and earn both high school and college credit. Students who choose to utilize this program are not responsible for tuition expenses, and since tuition costs continue to rise, Senate Bill 132 empowers students with the chance to earn a college degree at a fraction of the cost.
We live in a world where social media is the centerpiece of our children’s lives. Unfortunately, social media platforms have provided a new way for children to bully one another behind the protection of a computer screen. All too often, children are being cyber-bullied by their classmates through social media, while parents and teachers remain unaware. House Bill 131 revises the definition of “bullying” in Georgia’s schools to include cyber-bullying in an effort to prevent this type of behavior from occurring. The bill states that cyber-bullying which takes place on school property, including buses, or with school equipment is prohibited.
Providing students with every opportunity available to earn a high school diploma is crucial to their future success. In 1991, Georgia implemented the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT), an exit exam designed to hold students accountable for the knowledge they were gaining throughout their academic careers. However, some 8,000 high school students, many of which had GPAs above a 3.0, failed a portion of the GHSGT and were not able to receive their diplomas. House Bill 91 eliminates the GHSGT and allows former students who did not pass the test to petition through their local school boards for a diploma.
The 2016 Fiscal Year Budget includes $494 million for K-12 growth in Georgia. Approximately $280 million of that is designated to eliminate teacher furlough days, increase instructional days and teacher salaries. The Summer Transition Program, designed for low-income rising kindergarteners, will have $1.4 million to add an additional 60 summer classes to the program. All of this will allow our children to receive the top notch public education they deserve.
Georgia’s continually growing economy has made it possible to make these improvements to our education system. Allowing our children to follow their own non-traditional paths and succeed is vital to the success of future generations.
to your business!