O.C.G.A. § 20-1a-30 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 1A / Section 20-1a-30
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-1A-30
Status: in_force

As used in this article, the term:

(1) “ Comprehensive records check determination ” means a satisfactory or unsatisfactory determination by the department, based upon a Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check, a search of the National Crime Information Center's National Sex Offender Registry, and a search of the following registries, repositories, or data bases in the state where the actual or potential employee or director resides and in each state where such individual resided during the preceding five years: criminal registry or repository, with the use of fingerprints being required in the state where the individual resides and optional in other states; state sex offender registry or repository; and state based child abuse and neglect registry and data base.

(1) “ Comprehensive records check determination ” means a satisfactory or unsatisfactory determination by the department, based upon a Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check, a search of the National Crime Information Center's National Sex Offender Registry, and a search of the following registries, repositories, or data bases in the state where the actual or potential employee or director resides and in each state where such individual resided during the preceding five years: criminal registry or repository, with the use of fingerprints being required in the state where the individual resides and optional in other states; state sex offender registry or repository; and state based child abuse and neglect registry and data base.

(2) “ Conviction ” means a finding or verdict of guilty or a plea of guilty, regardless of whether an appeal of the conviction has been sought.

(2) “ Conviction ” means a finding or verdict of guilty or a plea of guilty, regardless of whether an appeal of the conviction has been sought.

(3) “ Crime ” means: (A) Any felony; (B) A violation of Code Section 16-5-23 when the victim is a minor; (C) A violation of Code Section 16-5-23.1 when the victim is a minor; (D) A violation of Code Section 16-12-1 ; (E) A violation of Chapter 6 of Title 16; (F) A violation of Code Section 16-4-1 ; (G) A violation of Code Section 16-5-29 ; (H) A violation of Code Section 16-5-60 when the victim is a minor; (I) A violation of Code Section 16-5-70 ; (J) A violation of Code Section 16-12-1.1 ; (K) A violation of Code Section 16-12-100 , 16-12-100.1 , 16-12-100.2 , or 16-12-100.3 ; (L) A violation of Code Section 40-6-391 when a child is endangered; (M) A violation of Code Section 19-7-5 ; or (N) Any other offenses committed in another jurisdiction which, if committed in this state, would be one of the enumerated crimes listed in this paragraph.

(3) “ Crime ” means:

(A) Any felony;

(A) Any felony;

(B) A violation of Code Section 16-5-23 when the victim is a minor;

(B) A violation of Code Section 16-5-23 when the victim is a minor;

(C) A violation of Code Section 16-5-23.1 when the victim is a minor;

(C) A violation of Code Section 16-5-23.1 when the victim is a minor;

(D) A violation of Code Section 16-12-1 ;

(D) A violation of Code Section 16-12-1 ;

(E) A violation of Chapter 6 of Title 16;

(E) A violation of Chapter 6 of Title 16;

(F) A violation of Code Section 16-4-1 ;

(F) A violation of Code Section 16-4-1 ;

(G) A violation of Code Section 16-5-29 ;

(G) A violation of Code Section 16-5-29 ;

(H) A violation of Code Section 16-5-60 when the victim is a minor;

(H) A violation of Code Section 16-5-60 when the victim is a minor;

(I) A violation of Code Section 16-5-70 ;

(I) A violation of Code Section 16-5-70 ;

(J) A violation of Code Section 16-12-1.1 ;

(J) A violation of Code Section 16-12-1.1 ;

(K) A violation of Code Section 16-12-100 , 16-12-100.1 , 16-12-100.2 , or 16-12-100.3 ;

(K) A violation of Code Section 16-12-100 , 16-12-100.1 , 16-12-100.2 , or 16-12-100.3 ;

(L) A violation of Code Section 40-6-391 when a child is endangered;

(L) A violation of Code Section 40-6-391 when a child is endangered;

(M) A violation of Code Section 19-7-5 ; or

(M) A violation of Code Section 19-7-5 ; or

(N) Any other offenses committed in another jurisdiction which, if committed in this state, would be one of the enumerated crimes listed in this paragraph.

(N) Any other offenses committed in another jurisdiction which, if committed in this state, would be one of the enumerated crimes listed in this paragraph.

(4) “ Criminal record ” means: (A) Conviction of a crime; (B) Arrest, charge, and sentencing for a crime where: (i) A plea of nolo contendere was entered to the charge; (ii) First offender treatment without adjudication of guilt pursuant to the charge was granted; provided, however, that this division shall not apply to a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16, relating to controlled substances, or any other offense committed in another jurisdiction which, if it were committed in this state, would be a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16 if such violation or offense constituted only simple possession; or (iii) Adjudication or sentence was otherwise withheld or not entered on the charge; provided, however, that this division shall not apply to a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16, relating to controlled substances, or any other offense committed in another jurisdiction which, if it were committed in this state, would be a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16 if such violation or offense constituted only simple possession; or (C) Arrest and being charged for a crime if the charge is pending, unless the time for prosecuting such crime has expired pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 17.

(4) “ Criminal record ” means:

(A) Conviction of a crime;

(A) Conviction of a crime;

(B) Arrest, charge, and sentencing for a crime where: (i) A plea of nolo contendere was entered to the charge; (ii) First offender treatment without adjudication of guilt pursuant to the charge was granted; provided, however, that this division shall not apply to a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16, relating to controlled substances, or any other offense committed in another jurisdiction which, if it were committed in this state, would be a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16 if such violation or offense constituted only simple possession; or (iii) Adjudication or sentence was otherwise withheld or not entered on the charge; provided, however, that this division shall not apply to a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16, relating to controlled substances, or any other offense committed in another jurisdiction which, if it were committed in this state, would be a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16 if such violation or offense constituted only simple possession; or

(B) Arrest, charge, and sentencing for a crime where:

(i) A plea of nolo contendere was entered to the charge;

(i) A plea of nolo contendere was entered to the charge;

(ii) First offender treatment without adjudication of guilt pursuant to the charge was granted; provided, however, that this division shall not apply to a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16, relating to controlled substances, or any other offense committed in another jurisdiction which, if it were committed in this state, would be a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16 if such violation or offense constituted only simple possession; or

(ii) First offender treatment without adjudication of guilt pursuant to the charge was granted; provided, however, that this division shall not apply to a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16, relating to controlled substances, or any other offense committed in another jurisdiction which, if it were committed in this state, would be a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16 if such violation or offense constituted only simple possession; or

(iii) Adjudication or sentence was otherwise withheld or not entered on the charge; provided, however, that this division shall not apply to a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16, relating to controlled substances, or any other offense committed in another jurisdiction which, if it were committed in this state, would be a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16 if such violation or offense constituted only simple possession; or

(iii) Adjudication or sentence was otherwise withheld or not entered on the charge; provided, however, that this division shall not apply to a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16, relating to controlled substances, or any other offense committed in another jurisdiction which, if it were committed in this state, would be a violation of Chapter 13 of Title 16 if such violation or offense constituted only simple possession; or

(C) Arrest and being charged for a crime if the charge is pending, unless the time for prosecuting such crime has expired pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 17.

(C) Arrest and being charged for a crime if the charge is pending, unless the time for prosecuting such crime has expired pursuant to Chapter 3 of Title 17.

(5) “ Director ” means the on-site manager of a facility, designated by the legal owner, who is responsible for the supervision, operation, and maintenance of an early care and education program and meets the minimum qualifications as determined by the department.

(5) “ Director ” means the on-site manager of a facility, designated by the legal owner, who is responsible for the supervision, operation, and maintenance of an early care and education program and meets the minimum qualifications as determined by the department.

(6) “ Employee ” means any person, other than a director, who is compensated by an early care and education program; or who cares for, supervises, or has unsupervised access to children at the facility; or who is 17 years of age or older and resides at the facility; or who, with or without compensation, performs duties or services that benefit the early care and education program which involve personal contact between that person and any child being cared for by the early care and education program; however, a parent or legal guardian of a child in care shall not be considered an employee unless such parent or legal guardian is deemed an employee by the early care and education program or either resides at the early care and education program or is compensated in any fashion by the early care and education program except through appropriate state or federal funds.

(6) “ Employee ” means any person, other than a director, who is compensated by an early care and education program; or who cares for, supervises, or has unsupervised access to children at the facility; or who is 17 years of age or older and resides at the facility; or who, with or without compensation, performs duties or services that benefit the early care and education program which involve personal contact between that person and any child being cared for by the early care and education program; however, a parent or legal guardian of a child in care shall not be considered an employee unless such parent or legal guardian is deemed an employee by the early care and education program or either resides at the early care and education program or is compensated in any fashion by the early care and education program except through appropriate state or federal funds.

(7) “ Employment history ” means a record of where a person has worked for the past ten years.

(7) “ Employment history ” means a record of where a person has worked for the past ten years.

(8) “ Facility ” means an early care and education program's real property at which children are received for care.

(8) “ Facility ” means an early care and education program's real property at which children are received for care.

(9) “ Fingerprint ” means an inked fingerprint card or an electronic image of a person's fingerprint.

(9) “ Fingerprint ” means an inked fingerprint card or an electronic image of a person's fingerprint.

(10) “ Fingerprint records check determination ” means a satisfactory or unsatisfactory determination by the department based upon fingerprint based national criminal history record information.

(10) “ Fingerprint records check determination ” means a satisfactory or unsatisfactory determination by the department based upon fingerprint based national criminal history record information.

(11) “ GCIC ” means the Georgia Crime Information Center established under Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 35.

(11) “ GCIC ” means the Georgia Crime Information Center established under Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 35.

(12) “ GCIC information ” means criminal history record information, as defined in Code Section 35-3-30 .

(12) “ GCIC information ” means criminal history record information, as defined in Code Section 35-3-30 .

(13) “ Provisional employee ” means an individual other than a director whose duties involve personal contact between that person and any child being cared for at the facility and who is hired for a limited period of time.

(13) “ Provisional employee ” means an individual other than a director whose duties involve personal contact between that person and any child being cared for at the facility and who is hired for a limited period of time.

(14) “ Records check application ” means a document created by the department to be completed and submitted to the department by every actual and potential director and employee that indicates such information as the department deems appropriate and which authorizes the department to receive any sex offender registry, child abuse and neglect registry, and criminal history record information pertaining to such individual from any local, state, or national agency or appropriate jurisdiction and render a fingerprint or comprehensive records check determination.

(14) “ Records check application ” means a document created by the department to be completed and submitted to the department by every actual and potential director and employee that indicates such information as the department deems appropriate and which authorizes the department to receive any sex offender registry, child abuse and neglect registry, and criminal history record information pertaining to such individual from any local, state, or national agency or appropriate jurisdiction and render a fingerprint or comprehensive records check determination.

(15) “ Satisfactory determination ” means a written declaration that a person for whom a fingerprint or comprehensive records check determination was performed was found to have no criminal record.

(15) “ Satisfactory determination ” means a written declaration that a person for whom a fingerprint or comprehensive records check determination was performed was found to have no criminal record.

(16) “ Unsatisfactory determination ” means a written declaration that a person for whom a fingerprint or comprehensive records check determination was performed was found to have a criminal record.

(16) “ Unsatisfactory determination ” means a written declaration that a person for whom a fingerprint or comprehensive records check determination was performed was found to have a criminal record.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-191 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-191
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-191
Status: in_force

Subject to appropriations by the General Assembly, the State Board of Education shall provide grants to local school systems for the purpose of purchasing supplies for school health nurse programs, as required pursuant to Code Section 20-2-771.2 . The grant funds shall be distributed to local school systems on a full-time equivalent basis. The state board shall establish regulations as to the manner in which such grant funds may be used.
O.C.G.A. § 20-9-1 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 9 / Section 20-9-1
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-9-1
Status: in_force

(a) The State Board of Education and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia shall promulgate and adopt rules and regulations to ensure that every student and teacher participating in or observing any of the following courses of instruction in any school, college, university, vocational-technical school, or other educational institution within this state shall wear appropriate industrial quality eye protective devices at all times while participating in or observing such courses of instruction: (1) Vocational, technical, industrial arts, chemical, physical, or chemical-physical courses of instruction involving exposure to: (A) Hot molten metal or other molten materials; (B) Milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, grinding, or stamping of any solid materials; (C) Heat treatment, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials; (D) Gas or electric arc welding or other forms of welding processes; (E) Repair or servicing of any vehicle; or (F) Caustic or explosive materials; (2) Chemical, physical, or combined chemical-physical laboratories involving caustic or explosive materials, hot liquids or solids, injurious radiations, or other hazards; or (3) Such other courses as shall be determined by the state board or the board of regents.

(a) The State Board of Education and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia shall promulgate and adopt rules and regulations to ensure that every student and teacher participating in or observing any of the following courses of instruction in any school, college, university, vocational-technical school, or other educational institution within this state shall wear appropriate industrial quality eye protective devices at all times while participating in or observing such courses of instruction:

(1) Vocational, technical, industrial arts, chemical, physical, or chemical-physical courses of instruction involving exposure to: (A) Hot molten metal or other molten materials; (B) Milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, grinding, or stamping of any solid materials; (C) Heat treatment, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials; (D) Gas or electric arc welding or other forms of welding processes; (E) Repair or servicing of any vehicle; or (F) Caustic or explosive materials;

(1) Vocational, technical, industrial arts, chemical, physical, or chemical-physical courses of instruction involving exposure to:

(A) Hot molten metal or other molten materials;

(A) Hot molten metal or other molten materials;

(B) Milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, grinding, or stamping of any solid materials;

(B) Milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, grinding, or stamping of any solid materials;

(C) Heat treatment, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials;

(C) Heat treatment, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials;

(D) Gas or electric arc welding or other forms of welding processes;

(D) Gas or electric arc welding or other forms of welding processes;

(E) Repair or servicing of any vehicle; or

(E) Repair or servicing of any vehicle; or

(F) Caustic or explosive materials;

(F) Caustic or explosive materials;

(2) Chemical, physical, or combined chemical-physical laboratories involving caustic or explosive materials, hot liquids or solids, injurious radiations, or other hazards; or

(2) Chemical, physical, or combined chemical-physical laboratories involving caustic or explosive materials, hot liquids or solids, injurious radiations, or other hazards; or

(3) Such other courses as shall be determined by the state board or the board of regents.

(3) Such other courses as shall be determined by the state board or the board of regents.

(b) The devices required by this Code section shall be furnished by the school, college, university, vocational-technical school, or other educational institution within this state for all students and teachers and shall be furnished for all visitors to such shops and laboratories, as provided by rules and regulations adopted by the state board and the board of regents.

(b) The devices required by this Code section shall be furnished by the school, college, university, vocational-technical school, or other educational institution within this state for all students and teachers and shall be furnished for all visitors to such shops and laboratories, as provided by rules and regulations adopted by the state board and the board of regents.
O.C.G.A. § 20-1a-32 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 1A / Section 20-1a-32
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-1A-32
Status: in_force

(a) Accompanying any application for a new license or commission for an early care and education program, the applicant shall furnish to the department a records check application for the director and each employee. In lieu of such records check applications, the license applicant may submit evidence, satisfactory to the department, that such individual received a satisfactory comprehensive records check determination that includes a records check clearance date that is no more than 12 months old, notwithstanding Code Section 20-1A-45 , or that any director or employee whose comprehensive records check revealed a criminal record of any kind has either subsequently received a satisfactory comprehensive records check determination or has had the unsatisfactory determination reversed in accordance with Code Section 20-1A-43 , notwithstanding Code Section 20-1A-45 . Either the department or the appropriate agencies may charge reasonable and additional processing fees for providing information pursuant to a records check application as required by statute, regulation, or policy or by GCIC.

(a) Accompanying any application for a new license or commission for an early care and education program, the applicant shall furnish to the department a records check application for the director and each employee. In lieu of such records check applications, the license applicant may submit evidence, satisfactory to the department, that such individual received a satisfactory comprehensive records check determination that includes a records check clearance date that is no more than 12 months old, notwithstanding Code Section 20-1A-45 , or that any director or employee whose comprehensive records check revealed a criminal record of any kind has either subsequently received a satisfactory comprehensive records check determination or has had the unsatisfactory determination reversed in accordance with Code Section 20-1A-43 , notwithstanding Code Section 20-1A-45 . Either the department or the appropriate agencies may charge reasonable and additional processing fees for providing information pursuant to a records check application as required by statute, regulation, or policy or by GCIC.

(b) Each change of ownership applicant shall furnish to the department a records check application for the director and each employee. In lieu of such records check applications, the change of ownership applicant may submit evidence that the director and each employee at that facility received a satisfactory comprehensive records check determination that includes a records check clearance date that is no more than 60 months old, notwithstanding Code Section 20-1A-45 , or that any director or employee whose comprehensive records check determination revealed a criminal record of any kind has either subsequently received a satisfactory comprehensive records check determination or has had the unsatisfactory determination reversed in accordance with Code Section 20-1A-43 , notwithstanding Code Section 20-1A-45 . Failure to comply with this provision shall prevent the department from issuing a license or commission.

(b) Each change of ownership applicant shall furnish to the department a records check application for the director and each employee. In lieu of such records check applications, the change of ownership applicant may submit evidence that the director and each employee at that facility received a satisfactory comprehensive records check determination that includes a records check clearance date that is no more than 60 months old, notwithstanding Code Section 20-1A-45 , or that any director or employee whose comprehensive records check determination revealed a criminal record of any kind has either subsequently received a satisfactory comprehensive records check determination or has had the unsatisfactory determination reversed in accordance with Code Section 20-1A-43 , notwithstanding Code Section 20-1A-45 . Failure to comply with this provision shall prevent the department from issuing a license or commission.

(c) Any change of ownership applicant that operates under a permit granted by the department shall verify and maintain evidence sufficient to the department that each employee and director who was employed under the former ownership and will continue to work during the permit period has a satisfactory records check determination. If the department determines a change of ownership applicant knows or should reasonably know that any such individual has a criminal record and allows the individual to reside at an early care and education program or be present at an early care and education program while children are present for care, the department shall revoke the permit to operate and deny the license or commission for that early care and education program. Notwithstanding the requirements of this subsection, all requirements for new and provisional employees hired after the issuance of a permit shall apply.

(c) Any change of ownership applicant that operates under a permit granted by the department shall verify and maintain evidence sufficient to the department that each employee and director who was employed under the former ownership and will continue to work during the permit period has a satisfactory records check determination. If the department determines a change of ownership applicant knows or should reasonably know that any such individual has a criminal record and allows the individual to reside at an early care and education program or be present at an early care and education program while children are present for care, the department shall revoke the permit to operate and deny the license or commission for that early care and education program. Notwithstanding the requirements of this subsection, all requirements for new and provisional employees hired after the issuance of a permit shall apply.

(d) The time frames set forth in this Code section shall not apply when fingerprints have been retained by the department due to its participation in the program described in subparagraph (a)(1)(F) of Code Section 35-3-33 .

(d) The time frames set forth in this Code section shall not apply when fingerprints have been retained by the department due to its participation in the program described in subparagraph (a)(1)(F) of Code Section 35-3-33 .
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-323 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-323
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-323
Status: in_force

(a) Beginning in the 2022--2023 school year, each elementary school shall schedule recess for all students in kindergarten and grades one through five every school day; provided, however, that recess shall not be required on any school day on which a student has had physical education or structured activity time or if reasonable circumstances impede such recess, such as inclement weather when no indoor space is available, assemblies or field trips exceeding their scheduled duration, conflicts occurring at the scheduled recess time over which the classroom teacher has no control, or emergencies, disasters, or acts of God.

(a) Beginning in the 2022--2023 school year, each elementary school shall schedule recess for all students in kindergarten and grades one through five every school day; provided, however, that recess shall not be required on any school day on which a student has had physical education or structured activity time or if reasonable circumstances impede such recess, such as inclement weather when no indoor space is available, assemblies or field trips exceeding their scheduled duration, conflicts occurring at the scheduled recess time over which the classroom teacher has no control, or emergencies, disasters, or acts of God.

(b) Each local board of education shall establish written policies allowing unstructured break time for students in kindergarten and grades one through eight. The policies shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following matters: (1) The school personnel who will be authorized to decide the length, frequency, timing, and location of breaks; (2) Whether breaks can be withheld from students for disciplinary or academic reasons and, if breaks can be withheld, under what conditions; (3) How to ensure break time is a safe experience for students, including the responsibility for supervision of students; and (4) How to ensure that break time is scheduled so as to provide a support for academic learning. Local boards shall provide a copy of such policies to the State Board of Education.

(b) Each local board of education shall establish written policies allowing unstructured break time for students in kindergarten and grades one through eight. The policies shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following matters:

(1) The school personnel who will be authorized to decide the length, frequency, timing, and location of breaks;

(1) The school personnel who will be authorized to decide the length, frequency, timing, and location of breaks;

(2) Whether breaks can be withheld from students for disciplinary or academic reasons and, if breaks can be withheld, under what conditions;

(2) Whether breaks can be withheld from students for disciplinary or academic reasons and, if breaks can be withheld, under what conditions;

(3) How to ensure break time is a safe experience for students, including the responsibility for supervision of students; and

(3) How to ensure break time is a safe experience for students, including the responsibility for supervision of students; and

(4) How to ensure that break time is scheduled so as to provide a support for academic learning.

(4) How to ensure that break time is scheduled so as to provide a support for academic learning.

Local boards shall provide a copy of such policies to the State Board of Education.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-581 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-581
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-581
Status: in_force

This part shall be deemed to provide an additional and alternative method for the doing of the things authorized thereby, shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to powers conferred by other laws, and shall not be regarded as in derogation of any powers now existing.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-165 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-165
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-165
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) “ Assessed valuation ” is defined as 40 percent of the equalized adjusted property tax digest reduced by the amount calculated pursuant to subsection (g) of Code Section 20-2-164 . (2) “ Assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count ” is defined as the assessed valuation for the most recent year available divided by the weighted full-time equivalent count for the year of the digest. (3) “ Effective millage rate ” is defined as local tax revenues divided by the assessed valuation and multiplied by 1,000; provided, however, that if the amount of local tax revenues is subsequently adjusted as a result of an audit of a local school system's annual financial report, the increase or decrease in local tax revenues resulting from the audit shall cause an adjustment to be made in the effective millage rate that was calculated initially. Any net change in the amount of equalization dollars earned as a result of such adjustment shall be applied to the amount of the local school system's equalization grant in a subsequent fiscal year. (4) “ Eligible full-time equivalent program count ” is defined as the sum of the full-time equivalent resident student count and full-time equivalent nonresident student count pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 20-2-160 for each program specified pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-161 ; provided, however, that each local school system's total full-time equivalent nonresident student count for all programs except programs for persons with disabilities shall not exceed the lesser of the count for fiscal year 2000 or the count for any ensuing fiscal year, unless the local school system serves under contract all of the students in one or more grade levels from an adjoining system or unless the system serves students from an adjoining system under court order. (5) “ Equalized adjusted property tax digest ” is defined as the most recent equalized adjusted property tax digest furnished to the State Board of Education pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Code Section 20-2-164 . (5.1) “ Equivalent millage ” means for a local school system that is eligible to receive local option sales tax proceeds for maintenance and operation purposes, the combination of property tax revenue and sales tax revenue representing the amount that would be generated by a designated rate of mills. (6) “ Guaranteed valuation ” is defined as the state-wide average in dollars of assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count. Such state-wide average shall not include the local school systems ranked in the highest 5 percent or the lowest 5 percent, where the ranking of school systems is such that the one-hundredth percentile school system is that with the highest amount in dollars of assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count. (7) “ Local tax revenues ” is defined as the sum of tax revenues for a local school system as furnished to the Department of Education by the school system in its annual financial report, reduced by the total amount of general funds expended for capital outlay or transferred into an escrow account for capital outlay purposes for the most recent fiscal year such data are available and increased by any federal funds designed to replace local tax revenues provided to the said system; provided, however, that the local school system has furnished the state board with acceptable documentation which clearly identifies the source or sources of such federal funds. (8) “ Most recent weighted full-time equivalent count ” is defined as the weighted full-time equivalent count derived from full-time equivalent program count data obtained for the purpose of determining the funds initially needed to finance the Quality Basic Education Formula pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 20-2-160 for the next ensuing fiscal year. (9) “ Qualified local school system ” is defined as any local school system: (A) Having an assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count for the year of the digest which is below the guaranteed valuation; (B) Having an effective millage rate greater than the millage rate applied to calculate the local five mill share pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 20-2-164 ; and (C) Beginning July 1, 2015, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 12 mills; beginning July 1, 2016, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 12 1/2 mills; beginning July 1, 2017, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 13 mills; beginning July 1, 2018, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 13 1/2 mills; beginning July 1, 2019, and thereafter, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 14 mills. (10) “ Weighted full-time equivalent count ” is defined as the sum of all eligible full-time equivalent program counts multiplied by their respective program weights in effect during the fiscal year that the full-time equivalent program counts were obtained pursuant to Code Section 20-2-161 . (11) “ Weighted full-time equivalent count for the year of the digest ” is defined as the weighted full-time equivalent count derived from full-time equivalent program count data obtained for the purpose of determining the funds initially needed to finance the Quality Basic Education Formula pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 20-2-160 for the current fiscal year.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) “ Assessed valuation ” is defined as 40 percent of the equalized adjusted property tax digest reduced by the amount calculated pursuant to subsection (g) of Code Section 20-2-164 .

(1) “ Assessed valuation ” is defined as 40 percent of the equalized adjusted property tax digest reduced by the amount calculated pursuant to subsection (g) of Code Section 20-2-164 .

(2) “ Assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count ” is defined as the assessed valuation for the most recent year available divided by the weighted full-time equivalent count for the year of the digest.

(2) “ Assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count ” is defined as the assessed valuation for the most recent year available divided by the weighted full-time equivalent count for the year of the digest.

(3) “ Effective millage rate ” is defined as local tax revenues divided by the assessed valuation and multiplied by 1,000; provided, however, that if the amount of local tax revenues is subsequently adjusted as a result of an audit of a local school system's annual financial report, the increase or decrease in local tax revenues resulting from the audit shall cause an adjustment to be made in the effective millage rate that was calculated initially. Any net change in the amount of equalization dollars earned as a result of such adjustment shall be applied to the amount of the local school system's equalization grant in a subsequent fiscal year.

(3) “ Effective millage rate ” is defined as local tax revenues divided by the assessed valuation and multiplied by 1,000; provided, however, that if the amount of local tax revenues is subsequently adjusted as a result of an audit of a local school system's annual financial report, the increase or decrease in local tax revenues resulting from the audit shall cause an adjustment to be made in the effective millage rate that was calculated initially. Any net change in the amount of equalization dollars earned as a result of such adjustment shall be applied to the amount of the local school system's equalization grant in a subsequent fiscal year.

(4) “ Eligible full-time equivalent program count ” is defined as the sum of the full-time equivalent resident student count and full-time equivalent nonresident student count pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 20-2-160 for each program specified pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-161 ; provided, however, that each local school system's total full-time equivalent nonresident student count for all programs except programs for persons with disabilities shall not exceed the lesser of the count for fiscal year 2000 or the count for any ensuing fiscal year, unless the local school system serves under contract all of the students in one or more grade levels from an adjoining system or unless the system serves students from an adjoining system under court order.

(4) “ Eligible full-time equivalent program count ” is defined as the sum of the full-time equivalent resident student count and full-time equivalent nonresident student count pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 20-2-160 for each program specified pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-161 ; provided, however, that each local school system's total full-time equivalent nonresident student count for all programs except programs for persons with disabilities shall not exceed the lesser of the count for fiscal year 2000 or the count for any ensuing fiscal year, unless the local school system serves under contract all of the students in one or more grade levels from an adjoining system or unless the system serves students from an adjoining system under court order.

(5) “ Equalized adjusted property tax digest ” is defined as the most recent equalized adjusted property tax digest furnished to the State Board of Education pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Code Section 20-2-164 .

(5) “ Equalized adjusted property tax digest ” is defined as the most recent equalized adjusted property tax digest furnished to the State Board of Education pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Code Section 20-2-164 .

(5.1) “ Equivalent millage ” means for a local school system that is eligible to receive local option sales tax proceeds for maintenance and operation purposes, the combination of property tax revenue and sales tax revenue representing the amount that would be generated by a designated rate of mills.

(5.1) “ Equivalent millage ” means for a local school system that is eligible to receive local option sales tax proceeds for maintenance and operation purposes, the combination of property tax revenue and sales tax revenue representing the amount that would be generated by a designated rate of mills.

(6) “ Guaranteed valuation ” is defined as the state-wide average in dollars of assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count. Such state-wide average shall not include the local school systems ranked in the highest 5 percent or the lowest 5 percent, where the ranking of school systems is such that the one-hundredth percentile school system is that with the highest amount in dollars of assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count.

(6) “ Guaranteed valuation ” is defined as the state-wide average in dollars of assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count. Such state-wide average shall not include the local school systems ranked in the highest 5 percent or the lowest 5 percent, where the ranking of school systems is such that the one-hundredth percentile school system is that with the highest amount in dollars of assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count.

(7) “ Local tax revenues ” is defined as the sum of tax revenues for a local school system as furnished to the Department of Education by the school system in its annual financial report, reduced by the total amount of general funds expended for capital outlay or transferred into an escrow account for capital outlay purposes for the most recent fiscal year such data are available and increased by any federal funds designed to replace local tax revenues provided to the said system; provided, however, that the local school system has furnished the state board with acceptable documentation which clearly identifies the source or sources of such federal funds.

(7) “ Local tax revenues ” is defined as the sum of tax revenues for a local school system as furnished to the Department of Education by the school system in its annual financial report, reduced by the total amount of general funds expended for capital outlay or transferred into an escrow account for capital outlay purposes for the most recent fiscal year such data are available and increased by any federal funds designed to replace local tax revenues provided to the said system; provided, however, that the local school system has furnished the state board with acceptable documentation which clearly identifies the source or sources of such federal funds.

(8) “ Most recent weighted full-time equivalent count ” is defined as the weighted full-time equivalent count derived from full-time equivalent program count data obtained for the purpose of determining the funds initially needed to finance the Quality Basic Education Formula pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 20-2-160 for the next ensuing fiscal year.

(8) “ Most recent weighted full-time equivalent count ” is defined as the weighted full-time equivalent count derived from full-time equivalent program count data obtained for the purpose of determining the funds initially needed to finance the Quality Basic Education Formula pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 20-2-160 for the next ensuing fiscal year.

(9) “ Qualified local school system ” is defined as any local school system: (A) Having an assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count for the year of the digest which is below the guaranteed valuation; (B) Having an effective millage rate greater than the millage rate applied to calculate the local five mill share pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 20-2-164 ; and (C) Beginning July 1, 2015, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 12 mills; beginning July 1, 2016, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 12 1/2 mills; beginning July 1, 2017, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 13 mills; beginning July 1, 2018, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 13 1/2 mills; beginning July 1, 2019, and thereafter, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 14 mills.

(9) “ Qualified local school system ” is defined as any local school system:

(A) Having an assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count for the year of the digest which is below the guaranteed valuation;

(A) Having an assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count for the year of the digest which is below the guaranteed valuation;

(B) Having an effective millage rate greater than the millage rate applied to calculate the local five mill share pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 20-2-164 ; and

(B) Having an effective millage rate greater than the millage rate applied to calculate the local five mill share pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section 20-2-164 ; and

(C) Beginning July 1, 2015, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 12 mills; beginning July 1, 2016, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 12 1/2 mills; beginning July 1, 2017, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 13 mills; beginning July 1, 2018, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 13 1/2 mills; beginning July 1, 2019, and thereafter, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 14 mills.

(C) Beginning July 1, 2015, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 12 mills; beginning July 1, 2016, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 12 1/2 mills; beginning July 1, 2017, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 13 mills; beginning July 1, 2018, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 13 1/2 mills; beginning July 1, 2019, and thereafter, having a millage rate or an equivalent millage of at least 14 mills.

(10) “ Weighted full-time equivalent count ” is defined as the sum of all eligible full-time equivalent program counts multiplied by their respective program weights in effect during the fiscal year that the full-time equivalent program counts were obtained pursuant to Code Section 20-2-161 .

(10) “ Weighted full-time equivalent count ” is defined as the sum of all eligible full-time equivalent program counts multiplied by their respective program weights in effect during the fiscal year that the full-time equivalent program counts were obtained pursuant to Code Section 20-2-161 .

(11) “ Weighted full-time equivalent count for the year of the digest ” is defined as the weighted full-time equivalent count derived from full-time equivalent program count data obtained for the purpose of determining the funds initially needed to finance the Quality Basic Education Formula pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 20-2-160 for the current fiscal year.

(11) “ Weighted full-time equivalent count for the year of the digest ” is defined as the weighted full-time equivalent count derived from full-time equivalent program count data obtained for the purpose of determining the funds initially needed to finance the Quality Basic Education Formula pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 20-2-160 for the current fiscal year.

(b) The State Board of Education shall annually calculate the equalization grant for each qualified local school system in the following manner: (1) Subtract the assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count for the local school system from the guaranteed valuation; (2) Divide the difference resulting from paragraph (1) of this subsection by 1,000; (3) Subtract five from the effective millage rate for the local school system and use the resulting number of effective mills or 15 effective mills, whichever is less, as the number of effective mills to be equalized; (4) Multiply the quotient resulting from paragraph (2) of this subsection by the number of effective mills to be equalized pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection; and (5) Multiply the product resulting from paragraph (4) of this subsection by the most recent weighted full-time equivalent count for the local school system. The resulting amount shall be the equalization grant for the ensuing fiscal year; provided, however, that for each local school system which serves under contract all of the students in one or more grade levels from an adjoining system and for each local school system which sends under contract all of the students in one or more grade levels to an adjoining system, the equalization grant shall be calculated to represent the amount that would be earned if the students transferred under said contract were included in the full-time equivalent counts of the local school system in which they reside; provided, further, that any equalization grant to be earned by a local school system sending students to another system under the provisions of such a contract shall be reduced by an amount which represents the equalization funds earned per weighted full-time equivalent student multiplied by the total weighted full-time equivalent count for students transferred, and any equalization grant to be earned by the local school system receiving students under said contract shall be increased by the same amount.

(b) The State Board of Education shall annually calculate the equalization grant for each qualified local school system in the following manner:

(1) Subtract the assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count for the local school system from the guaranteed valuation;

(1) Subtract the assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count for the local school system from the guaranteed valuation;

(2) Divide the difference resulting from paragraph (1) of this subsection by 1,000;

(2) Divide the difference resulting from paragraph (1) of this subsection by 1,000;

(3) Subtract five from the effective millage rate for the local school system and use the resulting number of effective mills or 15 effective mills, whichever is less, as the number of effective mills to be equalized;

(3) Subtract five from the effective millage rate for the local school system and use the resulting number of effective mills or 15 effective mills, whichever is less, as the number of effective mills to be equalized;

(4) Multiply the quotient resulting from paragraph (2) of this subsection by the number of effective mills to be equalized pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection; and

(4) Multiply the quotient resulting from paragraph (2) of this subsection by the number of effective mills to be equalized pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection; and

(5) Multiply the product resulting from paragraph (4) of this subsection by the most recent weighted full-time equivalent count for the local school system.

(5) Multiply the product resulting from paragraph (4) of this subsection by the most recent weighted full-time equivalent count for the local school system.

The resulting amount shall be the equalization grant for the ensuing fiscal year; provided, however, that for each local school system which serves under contract all of the students in one or more grade levels from an adjoining system and for each local school system which sends under contract all of the students in one or more grade levels to an adjoining system, the equalization grant shall be calculated to represent the amount that would be earned if the students transferred under said contract were included in the full-time equivalent counts of the local school system in which they reside; provided, further, that any equalization grant to be earned by a local school system sending students to another system under the provisions of such a contract shall be reduced by an amount which represents the equalization funds earned per weighted full-time equivalent student multiplied by the total weighted full-time equivalent count for students transferred, and any equalization grant to be earned by the local school system receiving students under said contract shall be increased by the same amount.

(c) The State Board of Education shall allocate respectively the amount calculated under subsection (b) of this Code section to each qualified local school system. For the first effective year of the merger of any two or more local school systems, the equalization grant shall be the addition of amounts which would have been separately earned by the systems participating in the merger or the amount which would have been earned if the systems had already been merged during the year of the applicable digest, whichever is greater. No portion of local five mill share shall be applied to such equalization grants. In the event sufficient funds are not appropriated in a fiscal year to the state board to allot the full amount of equalization grants calculated to be payable to qualified local school systems as provided in this Code section, the state board shall proportionately reduce the amount of funds to be allocated to qualified local school systems.

(c) The State Board of Education shall allocate respectively the amount calculated under subsection (b) of this Code section to each qualified local school system. For the first effective year of the merger of any two or more local school systems, the equalization grant shall be the addition of amounts which would have been separately earned by the systems participating in the merger or the amount which would have been earned if the systems had already been merged during the year of the applicable digest, whichever is greater. No portion of local five mill share shall be applied to such equalization grants. In the event sufficient funds are not appropriated in a fiscal year to the state board to allot the full amount of equalization grants calculated to be payable to qualified local school systems as provided in this Code section, the state board shall proportionately reduce the amount of funds to be allocated to qualified local school systems.

(d)(1) A midterm adjustment in a local school system's equalization grant shall be made if: (A) The school system's assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count is at or below the guaranteed valuation; and (B) The school system increases the actual millage levied against its digest for maintenance and operation. (2) If made, the midterm adjustment to the equalization grant shall be calculated as follows: (A) Calculate the percentage change in the actual millage rate for a school system by subtracting the actual millage rate for the prior year from the actual millage rate for the current year and dividing by the actual millage rate for the prior year; provided, however, that for local school systems that impose local option sales taxes for school maintenance and operation, as authorized by law, the Department of Education shall be authorized to adjust this calculation by adding the equivalent property tax millage that would be needed to produce the revenue raised by the local option sales tax to the actual millage rate and calculating a revised percentage change; (B) If the result from subparagraph (A) of this paragraph is a positive number, multiply the number of effective mills calculated as part of the original equalization grant calculation for a given year by the percentage increase calculated in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. Add the product of this calculation to the effective number of mills from the original equalization grant calculation as described in subsections (a) through (c) of this Code section; (C) Recalculate the equalization grant substituting the revised number of effective mills calculated in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; and (D) Subtract the initial equalization grant amount from the amount calculated in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph. The resulting amount shall be the midterm adjustment to the equalization grant.

(d)(1) A midterm adjustment in a local school system's equalization grant shall be made if: (A) The school system's assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count is at or below the guaranteed valuation; and (B) The school system increases the actual millage levied against its digest for maintenance and operation.

(d)(1) A midterm adjustment in a local school system's equalization grant shall be made if:

(A) The school system's assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count is at or below the guaranteed valuation; and

(A) The school system's assessed valuation per weighted full-time equivalent count is at or below the guaranteed valuation; and

(B) The school system increases the actual millage levied against its digest for maintenance and operation.

(B) The school system increases the actual millage levied against its digest for maintenance and operation.

(2) If made, the midterm adjustment to the equalization grant shall be calculated as follows: (A) Calculate the percentage change in the actual millage rate for a school system by subtracting the actual millage rate for the prior year from the actual millage rate for the current year and dividing by the actual millage rate for the prior year; provided, however, that for local school systems that impose local option sales taxes for school maintenance and operation, as authorized by law, the Department of Education shall be authorized to adjust this calculation by adding the equivalent property tax millage that would be needed to produce the revenue raised by the local option sales tax to the actual millage rate and calculating a revised percentage change; (B) If the result from subparagraph (A) of this paragraph is a positive number, multiply the number of effective mills calculated as part of the original equalization grant calculation for a given year by the percentage increase calculated in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. Add the product of this calculation to the effective number of mills from the original equalization grant calculation as described in subsections (a) through (c) of this Code section; (C) Recalculate the equalization grant substituting the revised number of effective mills calculated in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; and (D) Subtract the initial equalization grant amount from the amount calculated in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph. The resulting amount shall be the midterm adjustment to the equalization grant.

(2) If made, the midterm adjustment to the equalization grant shall be calculated as follows:

(A) Calculate the percentage change in the actual millage rate for a school system by subtracting the actual millage rate for the prior year from the actual millage rate for the current year and dividing by the actual millage rate for the prior year; provided, however, that for local school systems that impose local option sales taxes for school maintenance and operation, as authorized by law, the Department of Education shall be authorized to adjust this calculation by adding the equivalent property tax millage that would be needed to produce the revenue raised by the local option sales tax to the actual millage rate and calculating a revised percentage change;

(A) Calculate the percentage change in the actual millage rate for a school system by subtracting the actual millage rate for the prior year from the actual millage rate for the current year and dividing by the actual millage rate for the prior year; provided, however, that for local school systems that impose local option sales taxes for school maintenance and operation, as authorized by law, the Department of Education shall be authorized to adjust this calculation by adding the equivalent property tax millage that would be needed to produce the revenue raised by the local option sales tax to the actual millage rate and calculating a revised percentage change;

(B) If the result from subparagraph (A) of this paragraph is a positive number, multiply the number of effective mills calculated as part of the original equalization grant calculation for a given year by the percentage increase calculated in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. Add the product of this calculation to the effective number of mills from the original equalization grant calculation as described in subsections (a) through (c) of this Code section;

(B) If the result from subparagraph (A) of this paragraph is a positive number, multiply the number of effective mills calculated as part of the original equalization grant calculation for a given year by the percentage increase calculated in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. Add the product of this calculation to the effective number of mills from the original equalization grant calculation as described in subsections (a) through (c) of this Code section;

(C) Recalculate the equalization grant substituting the revised number of effective mills calculated in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; and

(C) Recalculate the equalization grant substituting the revised number of effective mills calculated in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; and

(D) Subtract the initial equalization grant amount from the amount calculated in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph. The resulting amount shall be the midterm adjustment to the equalization grant.

(D) Subtract the initial equalization grant amount from the amount calculated in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

The resulting amount shall be the midterm adjustment to the equalization grant.

(e) If the result from subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of this Code section is a positive number, the local school system's number of effective mills used in the calculation of its equalization grant for the ensuing fiscal year shall be adjusted by multiplying the number of effective mills calculated pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section by the percentage increase calculated in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of this Code section. The resulting amount shall be the adjusted number of effective mills used in the calculation of the equalization grant pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section; provided, however, that in no event shall the adjusted number of effective mills to be equalized exceed 15 effective mills.

(e) If the result from subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of this Code section is a positive number, the local school system's number of effective mills used in the calculation of its equalization grant for the ensuing fiscal year shall be adjusted by multiplying the number of effective mills calculated pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section by the percentage increase calculated in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of this Code section. The resulting amount shall be the adjusted number of effective mills used in the calculation of the equalization grant pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section; provided, however, that in no event shall the adjusted number of effective mills to be equalized exceed 15 effective mills.
O.C.G.A. § 20-14-96 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 14 / Section 20-14-96
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-14-96
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this article, the term: (1) “ Accrediting agency ” means a governmental organization or a person, firm, association, partnership, corporation, or other entity, whether for profit or not for profit, which purports to be a reliable authority as to the quality of education offered in public schools in this state. (2) “ Public school ” means any school under the control and management of a county, independent, or area board of education supported by public funds; any school subject to the provisions of Article 31 or 31A of Chapter 2 of this title supported by public funds; or any school under the control and management of the State Board of Education or a department or agency thereof supported by public funds. (3) “ Recognized accrediting agency ” means an accrediting agency that meets the requirements of this article for recognition as an evaluator as to the quality of education offered in public schools in this state by any office, agency, department, board, bureau, commission, institution, or other entity of the state government.

(a) As used in this article, the term:

(1) “ Accrediting agency ” means a governmental organization or a person, firm, association, partnership, corporation, or other entity, whether for profit or not for profit, which purports to be a reliable authority as to the quality of education offered in public schools in this state.

(1) “ Accrediting agency ” means a governmental organization or a person, firm, association, partnership, corporation, or other entity, whether for profit or not for profit, which purports to be a reliable authority as to the quality of education offered in public schools in this state.

(2) “ Public school ” means any school under the control and management of a county, independent, or area board of education supported by public funds; any school subject to the provisions of Article 31 or 31A of Chapter 2 of this title supported by public funds; or any school under the control and management of the State Board of Education or a department or agency thereof supported by public funds.

(2) “ Public school ” means any school under the control and management of a county, independent, or area board of education supported by public funds; any school subject to the provisions of Article 31 or 31A of Chapter 2 of this title supported by public funds; or any school under the control and management of the State Board of Education or a department or agency thereof supported by public funds.

(3) “ Recognized accrediting agency ” means an accrediting agency that meets the requirements of this article for recognition as an evaluator as to the quality of education offered in public schools in this state by any office, agency, department, board, bureau, commission, institution, or other entity of the state government.

(3) “ Recognized accrediting agency ” means an accrediting agency that meets the requirements of this article for recognition as an evaluator as to the quality of education offered in public schools in this state by any office, agency, department, board, bureau, commission, institution, or other entity of the state government.

(b) An accrediting agency shall not be deemed a recognized accrediting agency by any office, agency, department, board, bureau, commission, institution, or other entity of the state government, including, but not limited to, the State Board of Education, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, the Georgia Student Finance Authority, the Georgia Student Finance Commission, or the Office of Student Achievement, unless: (1) Such agency meets the following evaluation criteria that shall be established by the State Board of Education pursuant to this article: (A) Relevant evaluation criteria used by regional and national accrediting agencies and other relevant information as deemed appropriate by the State Board of Education; (B) Rigorous and appropriate measures of the quality of learning and teaching in public schools or school systems, as determined by the State Board of Education in collaboration with education professionals and prescribed as an appropriate percentage, which shall not be less than 65 percent, of the evaluation results, which measures shall: (i) Include all students regardless of ethnicity, sex, disability, language proficiency, and socioeconomic status; and (ii) Be disaggregated by all subgroups as required under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended; and (C) Rigorous and appropriate measures of the financial efficiency of a public school or school system which shall include an analysis of how federal and state funds spent by the public school or school system impact quality of learning and teaching, with such measures comprising an appropriate percentage of the evaluation results as determined by the State Board of Education; (2) Such agency demonstrates the ability and the experience to operate as a recognized accrediting agency in this state; (3) The principal purpose of such agency is the accreditation of public schools and schools systems in this state; (4) Such agency has a voluntary membership of public schools, school systems, and programs; (5) Such agency consistently applies and enforces evaluation criteria that ensure the courses or programs of instruction, training, or study offered by a public school or school system, including virtual instruction, are of sufficient quality to achieve, for the duration of the accreditation period, the stated objective for which the courses or programs are offered; (6) Such agency consistently adheres to procedures throughout the accreditation process, including evaluation and withdrawal procedures, that comply with due process, including: (A) Adequate specification of requirements and deficiencies at the public school or school system being evaluated; provided, however, that all requirements or deficiencies specified by such agency are directly related to measures of quality of learning and teaching and financial efficiency; provided, further, that any findings, comments, or notes included in an evaluation that are not directly related to quality of learning and teaching or financial efficiency shall not provide the basis for any adverse action against a public school or school system by such agency, including, but not limited to, denial, withdrawal, suspension, or termination of accreditation or placement of a public school or school system on any probationary status; (B) Notice of an opportunity for a hearing by a public school or school system; (C) The right to appeal any adverse action against a public school or school system; and (D) The right to representation by counsel for a public school or school system; (7) Such agency notifies the State School Superintendent within 30 days of the accreditation of a public school or school system or of any final denial, withdrawal, suspension, or termination of accreditation or placement on probation of a public school or school system, together with any other adverse or remedial action recommended with respect to such public school or school system; (8) Such agency, either directly or indirectly by means of a related entity, by contract or otherwise, does not offer or agree to provide any services or materials for an additional fee or other consideration intended to assist a public school or school system with addressing any requirement or deficiency or other issue raised by such agency at the time of the evaluation for accreditation of such public school or school system; and (9) Such agency makes available to the public and the State School Superintendent, upon request: (A) A summary of any evaluation resulting in a final decision involving the approval, denial, termination, withdrawal, suspension, or probation of a public school or school system's accreditation, together with the comments of such public school or school system; and (B) A copy of any complaint or report upon which such agency initiates, or provides notice to a public school or school system of the intent to initiate, any intervention, investigation, or evaluation of such public school or school system's accreditation status; provided, however, that personally identifiable information of the person, persons, or entity that submitted the complaint or report may be redacted to the extent necessary to comply with the confidentiality protections provided under Code Section 45-1-4 or other applicable law relating to the confidentiality of complaints against organizations that receive public funds.

(b) An accrediting agency shall not be deemed a recognized accrediting agency by any office, agency, department, board, bureau, commission, institution, or other entity of the state government, including, but not limited to, the State Board of Education, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, the Georgia Student Finance Authority, the Georgia Student Finance Commission, or the Office of Student Achievement, unless:

(1) Such agency meets the following evaluation criteria that shall be established by the State Board of Education pursuant to this article: (A) Relevant evaluation criteria used by regional and national accrediting agencies and other relevant information as deemed appropriate by the State Board of Education; (B) Rigorous and appropriate measures of the quality of learning and teaching in public schools or school systems, as determined by the State Board of Education in collaboration with education professionals and prescribed as an appropriate percentage, which shall not be less than 65 percent, of the evaluation results, which measures shall: (i) Include all students regardless of ethnicity, sex, disability, language proficiency, and socioeconomic status; and (ii) Be disaggregated by all subgroups as required under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended; and (C) Rigorous and appropriate measures of the financial efficiency of a public school or school system which shall include an analysis of how federal and state funds spent by the public school or school system impact quality of learning and teaching, with such measures comprising an appropriate percentage of the evaluation results as determined by the State Board of Education;

(1) Such agency meets the following evaluation criteria that shall be established by the State Board of Education pursuant to this article:

(A) Relevant evaluation criteria used by regional and national accrediting agencies and other relevant information as deemed appropriate by the State Board of Education;

(A) Relevant evaluation criteria used by regional and national accrediting agencies and other relevant information as deemed appropriate by the State Board of Education;

(B) Rigorous and appropriate measures of the quality of learning and teaching in public schools or school systems, as determined by the State Board of Education in collaboration with education professionals and prescribed as an appropriate percentage, which shall not be less than 65 percent, of the evaluation results, which measures shall: (i) Include all students regardless of ethnicity, sex, disability, language proficiency, and socioeconomic status; and (ii) Be disaggregated by all subgroups as required under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended; and

(B) Rigorous and appropriate measures of the quality of learning and teaching in public schools or school systems, as determined by the State Board of Education in collaboration with education professionals and prescribed as an appropriate percentage, which shall not be less than 65 percent, of the evaluation results, which measures shall:

(i) Include all students regardless of ethnicity, sex, disability, language proficiency, and socioeconomic status; and

(i) Include all students regardless of ethnicity, sex, disability, language proficiency, and socioeconomic status; and

(ii) Be disaggregated by all subgroups as required under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended; and

(ii) Be disaggregated by all subgroups as required under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended; and

(C) Rigorous and appropriate measures of the financial efficiency of a public school or school system which shall include an analysis of how federal and state funds spent by the public school or school system impact quality of learning and teaching, with such measures comprising an appropriate percentage of the evaluation results as determined by the State Board of Education;

(C) Rigorous and appropriate measures of the financial efficiency of a public school or school system which shall include an analysis of how federal and state funds spent by the public school or school system impact quality of learning and teaching, with such measures comprising an appropriate percentage of the evaluation results as determined by the State Board of Education;

(2) Such agency demonstrates the ability and the experience to operate as a recognized accrediting agency in this state;

(2) Such agency demonstrates the ability and the experience to operate as a recognized accrediting agency in this state;

(3) The principal purpose of such agency is the accreditation of public schools and schools systems in this state;

(3) The principal purpose of such agency is the accreditation of public schools and schools systems in this state;

(4) Such agency has a voluntary membership of public schools, school systems, and programs;

(4) Such agency has a voluntary membership of public schools, school systems, and programs;

(5) Such agency consistently applies and enforces evaluation criteria that ensure the courses or programs of instruction, training, or study offered by a public school or school system, including virtual instruction, are of sufficient quality to achieve, for the duration of the accreditation period, the stated objective for which the courses or programs are offered;

(5) Such agency consistently applies and enforces evaluation criteria that ensure the courses or programs of instruction, training, or study offered by a public school or school system, including virtual instruction, are of sufficient quality to achieve, for the duration of the accreditation period, the stated objective for which the courses or programs are offered;

(6) Such agency consistently adheres to procedures throughout the accreditation process, including evaluation and withdrawal procedures, that comply with due process, including: (A) Adequate specification of requirements and deficiencies at the public school or school system being evaluated; provided, however, that all requirements or deficiencies specified by such agency are directly related to measures of quality of learning and teaching and financial efficiency; provided, further, that any findings, comments, or notes included in an evaluation that are not directly related to quality of learning and teaching or financial efficiency shall not provide the basis for any adverse action against a public school or school system by such agency, including, but not limited to, denial, withdrawal, suspension, or termination of accreditation or placement of a public school or school system on any probationary status; (B) Notice of an opportunity for a hearing by a public school or school system; (C) The right to appeal any adverse action against a public school or school system; and (D) The right to representation by counsel for a public school or school system;

(6) Such agency consistently adheres to procedures throughout the accreditation process, including evaluation and withdrawal procedures, that comply with due process, including:

(A) Adequate specification of requirements and deficiencies at the public school or school system being evaluated; provided, however, that all requirements or deficiencies specified by such agency are directly related to measures of quality of learning and teaching and financial efficiency; provided, further, that any findings, comments, or notes included in an evaluation that are not directly related to quality of learning and teaching or financial efficiency shall not provide the basis for any adverse action against a public school or school system by such agency, including, but not limited to, denial, withdrawal, suspension, or termination of accreditation or placement of a public school or school system on any probationary status;

(A) Adequate specification of requirements and deficiencies at the public school or school system being evaluated; provided, however, that all requirements or deficiencies specified by such agency are directly related to measures of quality of learning and teaching and financial efficiency; provided, further, that any findings, comments, or notes included in an evaluation that are not directly related to quality of learning and teaching or financial efficiency shall not provide the basis for any adverse action against a public school or school system by such agency, including, but not limited to, denial, withdrawal, suspension, or termination of accreditation or placement of a public school or school system on any probationary status;

(B) Notice of an opportunity for a hearing by a public school or school system;

(B) Notice of an opportunity for a hearing by a public school or school system;

(C) The right to appeal any adverse action against a public school or school system; and

(C) The right to appeal any adverse action against a public school or school system; and

(D) The right to representation by counsel for a public school or school system;

(D) The right to representation by counsel for a public school or school system;

(7) Such agency notifies the State School Superintendent within 30 days of the accreditation of a public school or school system or of any final denial, withdrawal, suspension, or termination of accreditation or placement on probation of a public school or school system, together with any other adverse or remedial action recommended with respect to such public school or school system;

(7) Such agency notifies the State School Superintendent within 30 days of the accreditation of a public school or school system or of any final denial, withdrawal, suspension, or termination of accreditation or placement on probation of a public school or school system, together with any other adverse or remedial action recommended with respect to such public school or school system;

(8) Such agency, either directly or indirectly by means of a related entity, by contract or otherwise, does not offer or agree to provide any services or materials for an additional fee or other consideration intended to assist a public school or school system with addressing any requirement or deficiency or other issue raised by such agency at the time of the evaluation for accreditation of such public school or school system; and

(8) Such agency, either directly or indirectly by means of a related entity, by contract or otherwise, does not offer or agree to provide any services or materials for an additional fee or other consideration intended to assist a public school or school system with addressing any requirement or deficiency or other issue raised by such agency at the time of the evaluation for accreditation of such public school or school system; and

(9) Such agency makes available to the public and the State School Superintendent, upon request: (A) A summary of any evaluation resulting in a final decision involving the approval, denial, termination, withdrawal, suspension, or probation of a public school or school system's accreditation, together with the comments of such public school or school system; and (B) A copy of any complaint or report upon which such agency initiates, or provides notice to a public school or school system of the intent to initiate, any intervention, investigation, or evaluation of such public school or school system's accreditation status; provided, however, that personally identifiable information of the person, persons, or entity that submitted the complaint or report may be redacted to the extent necessary to comply with the confidentiality protections provided under Code Section 45-1-4 or other applicable law relating to the confidentiality of complaints against organizations that receive public funds.

(9) Such agency makes available to the public and the State School Superintendent, upon request:

(A) A summary of any evaluation resulting in a final decision involving the approval, denial, termination, withdrawal, suspension, or probation of a public school or school system's accreditation, together with the comments of such public school or school system; and

(A) A summary of any evaluation resulting in a final decision involving the approval, denial, termination, withdrawal, suspension, or probation of a public school or school system's accreditation, together with the comments of such public school or school system; and

(B) A copy of any complaint or report upon which such agency initiates, or provides notice to a public school or school system of the intent to initiate, any intervention, investigation, or evaluation of such public school or school system's accreditation status; provided, however, that personally identifiable information of the person, persons, or entity that submitted the complaint or report may be redacted to the extent necessary to comply with the confidentiality protections provided under Code Section 45-1-4 or other applicable law relating to the confidentiality of complaints against organizations that receive public funds.

(B) A copy of any complaint or report upon which such agency initiates, or provides notice to a public school or school system of the intent to initiate, any intervention, investigation, or evaluation of such public school or school system's accreditation status; provided, however, that personally identifiable information of the person, persons, or entity that submitted the complaint or report may be redacted to the extent necessary to comply with the confidentiality protections provided under Code Section 45-1-4 or other applicable law relating to the confidentiality of complaints against organizations that receive public funds.

(c)(1) An accrediting agency shall not apply any standards, measures, or evaluation criteria not in compliance with state law. (2) The State Board of Education shall be authorized to determine whether an accrediting agency is not in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection. The State Board of Education shall notify such accrediting agency upon making such determination and shall allow no more than 30 days for such accrediting agency to demonstrate compliance with such provisions.

(c)(1) An accrediting agency shall not apply any standards, measures, or evaluation criteria not in compliance with state law.

(c)(1) An accrediting agency shall not apply any standards, measures, or evaluation criteria not in compliance with state law.

(2) The State Board of Education shall be authorized to determine whether an accrediting agency is not in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection. The State Board of Education shall notify such accrediting agency upon making such determination and shall allow no more than 30 days for such accrediting agency to demonstrate compliance with such provisions.

(2) The State Board of Education shall be authorized to determine whether an accrediting agency is not in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection. The State Board of Education shall notify such accrediting agency upon making such determination and shall allow no more than 30 days for such accrediting agency to demonstrate compliance with such provisions.

(d) The provisions of this article shall not apply to any initial or renewal agreement by and between any public school or school system in this state and any accrediting agency entered into before July 1, 2023.

(d) The provisions of this article shall not apply to any initial or renewal agreement by and between any public school or school system in this state and any accrediting agency entered into before July 1, 2023.

(e) Nothing in this article shall be construed to: (1) Require any public school or school system in this state to be accredited; or (2) Prohibit or restrict an accrediting agency from adopting evaluation criteria and procedures not provided for in this article; provided, however, that to the extent an accrediting agency adopts evaluation criteria or procedures which are inconsistent with the provisions of this article, such accrediting agency may not be deemed a recognized accrediting agency.

(e) Nothing in this article shall be construed to:

(1) Require any public school or school system in this state to be accredited; or

(1) Require any public school or school system in this state to be accredited; or

(2) Prohibit or restrict an accrediting agency from adopting evaluation criteria and procedures not provided for in this article; provided, however, that to the extent an accrediting agency adopts evaluation criteria or procedures which are inconsistent with the provisions of this article, such accrediting agency may not be deemed a recognized accrediting agency.

(2) Prohibit or restrict an accrediting agency from adopting evaluation criteria and procedures not provided for in this article; provided, however, that to the extent an accrediting agency adopts evaluation criteria or procedures which are inconsistent with the provisions of this article, such accrediting agency may not be deemed a recognized accrediting agency.
O.C.G.A. § 20-5-63 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 5 / Section 20-5-63
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-5-63
Status: in_force

An interstate library district lying partly within this state may claim and be entitled to receive state aid in support of any of its functions to the same extent and in the same manner as such functions are eligible for support when carried on by entities wholly within this state. For the purposes of computing and apportioning state aid to an interstate library district, this state will consider that portion of the area which lies within this state as an independent entity for the performance of the aided function or functions and compute and apportion the aid accordingly. Subject to any applicable laws of this state, such a district also may apply for and be entitled to receive any federal aid for which it may be eligible.
O.C.G.A. § 20-4-16 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 4 / Section 20-4-16
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-4-16
Status: in_force

(a) Any other Code section of this article to the contrary notwithstanding, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia shall annually determine the amount of funds needed to provide adult literacy and postsecondary technical education programs for businesses, industries, adults, and out-of-school youths and shall annually request that the Governor recommend that the General Assembly make such appropriations as are needed.

(a) Any other Code section of this article to the contrary notwithstanding, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia shall annually determine the amount of funds needed to provide adult literacy and postsecondary technical education programs for businesses, industries, adults, and out-of-school youths and shall annually request that the Governor recommend that the General Assembly make such appropriations as are needed.

(b) Any other Code section of this article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Technical College System of Georgia is authorized to provide funds, appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose, to local units of administration, as defined in Code Section 20-2-242 , and to other state, regional, local, and private agencies to be used for adult literacy, career, occupational, and technical education programs.

(b) Any other Code section of this article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Technical College System of Georgia is authorized to provide funds, appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose, to local units of administration, as defined in Code Section 20-2-242 , and to other state, regional, local, and private agencies to be used for adult literacy, career, occupational, and technical education programs.

(c) Adult literacy providers eligible to receive funds from the state board shall consist of those public and private entities which meet applicable public or private standards as determined by the state board. Such providers may include, but are not limited to, public and private schools, postsecondary technical schools, public and private colleges and universities, public libraries, community education programs, or businesses and industries. All public providers must meet public standards pursuant to Code Section 20-4-11 to be eligible to receive funds from the state board. Private providers may choose to meet either private or public standards pursuant to Code Section 20-4-11 and shall be eligible to receive funds from the state board in accordance with the standards which they meet.

(c) Adult literacy providers eligible to receive funds from the state board shall consist of those public and private entities which meet applicable public or private standards as determined by the state board. Such providers may include, but are not limited to, public and private schools, postsecondary technical schools, public and private colleges and universities, public libraries, community education programs, or businesses and industries. All public providers must meet public standards pursuant to Code Section 20-4-11 to be eligible to receive funds from the state board. Private providers may choose to meet either private or public standards pursuant to Code Section 20-4-11 and shall be eligible to receive funds from the state board in accordance with the standards which they meet.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-913 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-913
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-913
Status: in_force

The health insurance plan shall be designed by the board to:

(1) Provide a reasonable relationship between the hospital, surgical, and medical benefits to be included and the expected distribution of expenses of each such type to be incurred by the covered employees and dependents; and

(1) Provide a reasonable relationship between the hospital, surgical, and medical benefits to be included and the expected distribution of expenses of each such type to be incurred by the covered employees and dependents; and

(2) Include reasonable controls, which may include deductible and coinsurance provisions applicable to some or all of the benefits, to reduce unnecessary utilization of the various hospital, surgical, and medical services to be provided, and to provide reasonable assurance of stability in future years of the plan.

(2) Include reasonable controls, which may include deductible and coinsurance provisions applicable to some or all of the benefits, to reduce unnecessary utilization of the various hospital, surgical, and medical services to be provided, and to provide reasonable assurance of stability in future years of the plan.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1014 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-1014
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-1014
Status: in_force

All purchases or contracts for purchases shall be made subject to the condition that the price paid by the state shall not exceed the price which may be offered by the publisher to any other school or school authority for substantially the same instructional materials and content.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-69 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-69
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-69
Status: in_force

Each local board of education shall issue high school diplomas to veterans who failed to receive diplomas due to an interruption of their education by service in World War II. The local board of education of the school district where the veteran attended high school shall award the high school diploma to such veteran. A veteran shall make application for a diploma to the appropriate local board of education and furnish proof that such person is a World War II veteran who had his or her education interrupted as a result of service in World War II. Honorably discharged veterans who served in World War II between September 16, 1940, and December 31, 1946, and who did not graduate from high school are eligible for a diploma; provided, however, that attendance in high school ranging from 1937-1946 with graduation class years ranging from 1941-1950 is required. Veterans who qualify under this Code section and who have earned a state approved high school equivalency (HSE) diploma are also eligible for a high school diploma. Diplomas may be awarded posthumously. The local board of education is encouraged to present such diplomas to World War II veterans on or near Veterans Day to bring to the attention of students the importance of such day and the great sacrifices made by World War II veterans.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-302 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-302
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-302
Status: in_force

(a) The State Board of Education shall annually determine the amount of funds needed for operation of the state schools for the deaf and blind. Such funds appropriated by the General Assembly shall be made available for the operation of these schools under rules and regulations prescribed by the state board.

(a) The State Board of Education shall annually determine the amount of funds needed for operation of the state schools for the deaf and blind. Such funds appropriated by the General Assembly shall be made available for the operation of these schools under rules and regulations prescribed by the state board.

(b) Employees of the state schools for the deaf and blind governed by the State Board of Education shall serve in the unclassified service as defined by Code Section 45-20-2 , provided that employees who serve in the classified service as defined by Code Section 45-20-2 may elect to remain in the classified service and be governed by the provisions thereof; provided, further, that such employees who choose to be promoted to unclassified positions or who request to transfer to different positions or locations shall become members of the unclassified service.

(b) Employees of the state schools for the deaf and blind governed by the State Board of Education shall serve in the unclassified service as defined by Code Section 45-20-2 , provided that employees who serve in the classified service as defined by Code Section 45-20-2 may elect to remain in the classified service and be governed by the provisions thereof; provided, further, that such employees who choose to be promoted to unclassified positions or who request to transfer to different positions or locations shall become members of the unclassified service.

(c) The State Board of Education may delegate to the State School Superintendent the authority to employ and dismiss employees at the state schools for the deaf and blind.

(c) The State Board of Education may delegate to the State School Superintendent the authority to employ and dismiss employees at the state schools for the deaf and blind.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-324
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-324
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) “ Acceptable-use policy ” means a policy for Internet usage adopted by a local board of education that meets the requirements of this Code section. (2) “ Child pornography ” means any computer depiction or other material depicting a child under the age of 18 years engaging in sexually explicit conduct or in the simulation of such conduct. (3) “Harmful to minors” has the meaning given to such term in Code Section 16-12-100.1 . (4) “ Internet ” means a global network that connects computers via telephone lines, fiber networks, or both to electronic information. (5) “Obscene” has the meaning given to such term in Code Section 16-12-80 . (6) “Sexually explicit conduct” has the meaning given to such term in Code Section 16-12-100 .

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) “ Acceptable-use policy ” means a policy for Internet usage adopted by a local board of education that meets the requirements of this Code section.

(1) “ Acceptable-use policy ” means a policy for Internet usage adopted by a local board of education that meets the requirements of this Code section.

(2) “ Child pornography ” means any computer depiction or other material depicting a child under the age of 18 years engaging in sexually explicit conduct or in the simulation of such conduct.

(2) “ Child pornography ” means any computer depiction or other material depicting a child under the age of 18 years engaging in sexually explicit conduct or in the simulation of such conduct.

(3) “Harmful to minors” has the meaning given to such term in Code Section 16-12-100.1 .

(3) “Harmful to minors” has the meaning given to such term in Code Section 16-12-100.1 .

(4) “ Internet ” means a global network that connects computers via telephone lines, fiber networks, or both to electronic information.

(4) “ Internet ” means a global network that connects computers via telephone lines, fiber networks, or both to electronic information.

(5) “Obscene” has the meaning given to such term in Code Section 16-12-80 .

(5) “Obscene” has the meaning given to such term in Code Section 16-12-80 .

(6) “Sexually explicit conduct” has the meaning given to such term in Code Section 16-12-100 .

(6) “Sexually explicit conduct” has the meaning given to such term in Code Section 16-12-100 .

(b) No later than January 1, 2007, each local board of education shall adopt an acceptable-use policy for its school system. At a minimum, an acceptable-use policy shall contain provisions which are reasonably designed to: (1) Prevent students and employees of the school system from using any computer equipment and communication services owned or leased by the school system for sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, or material that is harmful to minors; (2) Establish appropriate measures to be taken against students and school employees who willfully violate the acceptable-use policy; and (3) Provide for expedited review and resolution of a claim that the policy is denying a student or school employee access to material that is not within the prohibition of the acceptable-use policy.

(b) No later than January 1, 2007, each local board of education shall adopt an acceptable-use policy for its school system. At a minimum, an acceptable-use policy shall contain provisions which are reasonably designed to:

(1) Prevent students and employees of the school system from using any computer equipment and communication services owned or leased by the school system for sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, or material that is harmful to minors;

(1) Prevent students and employees of the school system from using any computer equipment and communication services owned or leased by the school system for sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, or material that is harmful to minors;

(2) Establish appropriate measures to be taken against students and school employees who willfully violate the acceptable-use policy; and

(2) Establish appropriate measures to be taken against students and school employees who willfully violate the acceptable-use policy; and

(3) Provide for expedited review and resolution of a claim that the policy is denying a student or school employee access to material that is not within the prohibition of the acceptable-use policy.

(3) Provide for expedited review and resolution of a claim that the policy is denying a student or school employee access to material that is not within the prohibition of the acceptable-use policy.

(c) A local board of education shall take such steps as it deems appropriate to implement and enforce the acceptable-use policy, which shall include, but not be limited to: (1) Use of software programs reasonably designed to block access to visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and material that is harmful to minors; or (2) Selection of online servers that block access to visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and material that is harmful to minors.

(c) A local board of education shall take such steps as it deems appropriate to implement and enforce the acceptable-use policy, which shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Use of software programs reasonably designed to block access to visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and material that is harmful to minors; or

(1) Use of software programs reasonably designed to block access to visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and material that is harmful to minors; or

(2) Selection of online servers that block access to visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and material that is harmful to minors.

(2) Selection of online servers that block access to visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and material that is harmful to minors.

(d) Each local school system shall provide, upon written request of a parent or guardian, a copy of the acceptable-use policy adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section.

(d) Each local school system shall provide, upon written request of a parent or guardian, a copy of the acceptable-use policy adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section.

(e) The Attorney General and the department shall consult with and assist any local board of education in the development and implementation of an acceptable-use policy pursuant to this Code section.

(e) The Attorney General and the department shall consult with and assist any local board of education in the development and implementation of an acceptable-use policy pursuant to this Code section.

(f)(1) No later than January 31, 2007, each local board of education shall submit a copy of the acceptable-use policy adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section to the State Board of Education. Such submission shall also include the identification of any software program or online server that is being utilized to block access to material in accordance with subsection (c) of this Code section. (2) The State Board of Education shall review each acceptable-use policy and any subsequent revisions submitted pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection. If the state board determines after review that a policy or revision is not reasonably designed to achieve the requirements of this Code section, the state board shall provide written notice to the local board of education explaining the nature of such noncompliance and the local board of education shall have 30 days from the receipt of written notice to correct such noncompliance. The state board may provide an extension to the 30 day period on a showing of good cause. (3) No revision of an acceptable-use policy which has been approved by the state board pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be implemented until such revision is approved by the state board. If the state board fails to disapprove the revision within 60 days after the submission is received, the local board of education may proceed with the implementation of the revision. (4) The state board shall be authorized to withhold a portion of state funding to a local school system if the local board of education: (A) Fails to timely submit an acceptable-use policy in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection; (B) Submits an acceptable-use policy that is not reasonably designed to achieve the requirements of this Code section; or (C) Is not enforcing or is substantially disregarding its acceptable-use policy. (5) If the state board disapproves an acceptable-use policy of a local board of education or any revision thereof or notifies the local board of education that it is subject to the withholding of funding pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subsection, the local board of education may appeal the decision to the superior court of the county where the local board of education is situated.

(f)(1) No later than January 31, 2007, each local board of education shall submit a copy of the acceptable-use policy adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section to the State Board of Education. Such submission shall also include the identification of any software program or online server that is being utilized to block access to material in accordance with subsection (c) of this Code section.

(f)(1) No later than January 31, 2007, each local board of education shall submit a copy of the acceptable-use policy adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section to the State Board of Education. Such submission shall also include the identification of any software program or online server that is being utilized to block access to material in accordance with subsection (c) of this Code section.

(2) The State Board of Education shall review each acceptable-use policy and any subsequent revisions submitted pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection. If the state board determines after review that a policy or revision is not reasonably designed to achieve the requirements of this Code section, the state board shall provide written notice to the local board of education explaining the nature of such noncompliance and the local board of education shall have 30 days from the receipt of written notice to correct such noncompliance. The state board may provide an extension to the 30 day period on a showing of good cause.

(2) The State Board of Education shall review each acceptable-use policy and any subsequent revisions submitted pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection. If the state board determines after review that a policy or revision is not reasonably designed to achieve the requirements of this Code section, the state board shall provide written notice to the local board of education explaining the nature of such noncompliance and the local board of education shall have 30 days from the receipt of written notice to correct such noncompliance. The state board may provide an extension to the 30 day period on a showing of good cause.

(3) No revision of an acceptable-use policy which has been approved by the state board pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be implemented until such revision is approved by the state board. If the state board fails to disapprove the revision within 60 days after the submission is received, the local board of education may proceed with the implementation of the revision.

(3) No revision of an acceptable-use policy which has been approved by the state board pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be implemented until such revision is approved by the state board. If the state board fails to disapprove the revision within 60 days after the submission is received, the local board of education may proceed with the implementation of the revision.

(4) The state board shall be authorized to withhold a portion of state funding to a local school system if the local board of education: (A) Fails to timely submit an acceptable-use policy in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection; (B) Submits an acceptable-use policy that is not reasonably designed to achieve the requirements of this Code section; or (C) Is not enforcing or is substantially disregarding its acceptable-use policy.

(4) The state board shall be authorized to withhold a portion of state funding to a local school system if the local board of education:

(A) Fails to timely submit an acceptable-use policy in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection;

(A) Fails to timely submit an acceptable-use policy in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection;

(B) Submits an acceptable-use policy that is not reasonably designed to achieve the requirements of this Code section; or

(B) Submits an acceptable-use policy that is not reasonably designed to achieve the requirements of this Code section; or

(C) Is not enforcing or is substantially disregarding its acceptable-use policy.

(C) Is not enforcing or is substantially disregarding its acceptable-use policy.

(5) If the state board disapproves an acceptable-use policy of a local board of education or any revision thereof or notifies the local board of education that it is subject to the withholding of funding pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subsection, the local board of education may appeal the decision to the superior court of the county where the local board of education is situated.

(5) If the state board disapproves an acceptable-use policy of a local board of education or any revision thereof or notifies the local board of education that it is subject to the withholding of funding pursuant to paragraph (4) of this subsection, the local board of education may appeal the decision to the superior court of the county where the local board of education is situated.

(g)(1) The state board shall be responsible for conducting investigations and making written determinations as to whether a local board of education has violated the requirements of this Code section. (2) If the state board determines that a local board of education is in violation of the requirements of this Code section, it shall direct the local board of education to acknowledge and correct the violation within 30 days and to develop a corrective plan for preventing future recurrences.

(g)(1) The state board shall be responsible for conducting investigations and making written determinations as to whether a local board of education has violated the requirements of this Code section.

(g)(1) The state board shall be responsible for conducting investigations and making written determinations as to whether a local board of education has violated the requirements of this Code section.

(2) If the state board determines that a local board of education is in violation of the requirements of this Code section, it shall direct the local board of education to acknowledge and correct the violation within 30 days and to develop a corrective plan for preventing future recurrences.

(2) If the state board determines that a local board of education is in violation of the requirements of this Code section, it shall direct the local board of education to acknowledge and correct the violation within 30 days and to develop a corrective plan for preventing future recurrences.

(h)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code section to the contrary, an administrator or supervisor of a local school system, or designee thereof, may disable the software program or online server that is being utilized to block access to material for an adult or for a minor who provides written consent from his or her parent or guardian to enable access to the Internet for bona fide research or other lawful purpose. (2) Nothing in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be construed to permit any person to have access to material the character of which is illegal under federal or state law.

(h)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code section to the contrary, an administrator or supervisor of a local school system, or designee thereof, may disable the software program or online server that is being utilized to block access to material for an adult or for a minor who provides written consent from his or her parent or guardian to enable access to the Internet for bona fide research or other lawful purpose.

(h)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code section to the contrary, an administrator or supervisor of a local school system, or designee thereof, may disable the software program or online server that is being utilized to block access to material for an adult or for a minor who provides written consent from his or her parent or guardian to enable access to the Internet for bona fide research or other lawful purpose.

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be construed to permit any person to have access to material the character of which is illegal under federal or state law.

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be construed to permit any person to have access to material the character of which is illegal under federal or state law.

(i) A local board of education which is fulfilling the requirements of the federal Children's Internet Protection Act, P.L. 106-554 , is not required to comply with this Code section.

(i) A local board of education which is fulfilling the requirements of the federal Children's Internet Protection Act, P.L. 106-554 , is not required to comply with this Code section.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-151 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-151
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-151
Status: in_force

(a) The primary purpose for the general and career education programs is to provide the children and youth of Georgia with a quality opportunity to master uniformly sequenced content standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

(a) The primary purpose for the general and career education programs is to provide the children and youth of Georgia with a quality opportunity to master uniformly sequenced content standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

(b) The following general and career education programs are authorized for purposes of funding under this article: (1)(A) All local school systems may offer a full-day kindergarten program. For purposes of this subsection, the term “ full-day kindergarten program ” means a student is provided classroom instruction for a minimum of four and one-half hours daily for a 180 day school year, or the equivalent thereof as determined in accordance with State Board of Education guidelines. (B) It is the policy of this state that the purposes of the kindergarten program shall be to provide all children with an equal opportunity to become prepared for a successful first grade experience and to acquire the foundation for academic progress throughout the students' educational careers. To be eligible for enrollment in a state supported kindergarten program, a child must attain the age of five by September 1, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-150 ; (2) It is the policy of this state that the purpose of the primary grades program shall be mastery by enrolled students of the essential basic skills and knowledge which will enable them to achieve more advanced skills and knowledge offered at the higher grade levels. For purposes of funding under this article, the primary grades program shall include grades one, two, and three. To be eligible for enrollment in the first grade of a state supported primary grades program, a child must attain the age of six by September 1, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-150 . The State Board of Education shall adopt an instrument or instruments, procedures, and policies necessary to assess the first grade readiness of children enrolled in Georgia's public school kindergarten programs pursuant to Code Section 20-2-281 . Readiness information obtained by the instrument or instruments adopted by the state board shall be used by local school systems in concert with teacher recommendations and other relevant information to make appropriate student grade placement decisions. The Department of Education shall develop guidelines for utilization of the instrument or instruments in grade placement decisions and shall provide such guidelines to local school systems. The guidelines shall include information pertinent to consideration of the placement of students who have been identified as being disabled or limited-English-proficient. Whenever the decision is made not to promote a child to the first grade, the local school system shall document the reasons for the decision not to promote, according to guidelines established by the board. The State School Superintendent may annually provide a report summarizing the results of the readiness of first grade Georgia public school kindergarten children. No student shall remain in kindergarten for more than two years; (3) It is the policy of this state that the primary purposes of the middle grades program shall be assuring the mastery of essential basic skills and knowledge, assisting students in the transition from childhood to adolescence, and preparing students for the selection of programs and courses consistent with their abilities and interests when they enter high school, as well as providing an opportunity for mastery of essential but more advanced skills and knowledge. For purposes of funding under this article, the middle grades program shall include grades four, five, six, seven, and eight; and (4)(A) It is the policy of this state that the primary purposes of the high school programs shall be to prepare students for the continuation of their education beyond high school and for entry into their chosen career fields as well as to prepare them to take their places in society as young adults. The following high school programs for grades nine, ten, 11, and 12 are authorized for purposes of funding under this article: (i) The high school education program; and (ii) The career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program. (B) As a reflection of the reduced teacher-student ratios and more extensive material and equipment needed for effective laboratory courses compared to courses with no or only limited laboratory experiences, the career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program shall be funded at a higher level than the high school general education program. The state board shall adopt criteria which courses must meet in order to qualify for the career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program.

(b) The following general and career education programs are authorized for purposes of funding under this article:

(1)(A) All local school systems may offer a full-day kindergarten program. For purposes of this subsection, the term “ full-day kindergarten program ” means a student is provided classroom instruction for a minimum of four and one-half hours daily for a 180 day school year, or the equivalent thereof as determined in accordance with State Board of Education guidelines. (B) It is the policy of this state that the purposes of the kindergarten program shall be to provide all children with an equal opportunity to become prepared for a successful first grade experience and to acquire the foundation for academic progress throughout the students' educational careers. To be eligible for enrollment in a state supported kindergarten program, a child must attain the age of five by September 1, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-150 ;

(1)(A) All local school systems may offer a full-day kindergarten program. For purposes of this subsection, the term “ full-day kindergarten program ” means a student is provided classroom instruction for a minimum of four and one-half hours daily for a 180 day school year, or the equivalent thereof as determined in accordance with State Board of Education guidelines.

(1)(A) All local school systems may offer a full-day kindergarten program. For purposes of this subsection, the term “ full-day kindergarten program ” means a student is provided classroom instruction for a minimum of four and one-half hours daily for a 180 day school year, or the equivalent thereof as determined in accordance with State Board of Education guidelines.

(B) It is the policy of this state that the purposes of the kindergarten program shall be to provide all children with an equal opportunity to become prepared for a successful first grade experience and to acquire the foundation for academic progress throughout the students' educational careers. To be eligible for enrollment in a state supported kindergarten program, a child must attain the age of five by September 1, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-150 ;

(B) It is the policy of this state that the purposes of the kindergarten program shall be to provide all children with an equal opportunity to become prepared for a successful first grade experience and to acquire the foundation for academic progress throughout the students' educational careers. To be eligible for enrollment in a state supported kindergarten program, a child must attain the age of five by September 1, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-150 ;

(2) It is the policy of this state that the purpose of the primary grades program shall be mastery by enrolled students of the essential basic skills and knowledge which will enable them to achieve more advanced skills and knowledge offered at the higher grade levels. For purposes of funding under this article, the primary grades program shall include grades one, two, and three. To be eligible for enrollment in the first grade of a state supported primary grades program, a child must attain the age of six by September 1, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-150 . The State Board of Education shall adopt an instrument or instruments, procedures, and policies necessary to assess the first grade readiness of children enrolled in Georgia's public school kindergarten programs pursuant to Code Section 20-2-281 . Readiness information obtained by the instrument or instruments adopted by the state board shall be used by local school systems in concert with teacher recommendations and other relevant information to make appropriate student grade placement decisions. The Department of Education shall develop guidelines for utilization of the instrument or instruments in grade placement decisions and shall provide such guidelines to local school systems. The guidelines shall include information pertinent to consideration of the placement of students who have been identified as being disabled or limited-English-proficient. Whenever the decision is made not to promote a child to the first grade, the local school system shall document the reasons for the decision not to promote, according to guidelines established by the board. The State School Superintendent may annually provide a report summarizing the results of the readiness of first grade Georgia public school kindergarten children. No student shall remain in kindergarten for more than two years;

(2) It is the policy of this state that the purpose of the primary grades program shall be mastery by enrolled students of the essential basic skills and knowledge which will enable them to achieve more advanced skills and knowledge offered at the higher grade levels. For purposes of funding under this article, the primary grades program shall include grades one, two, and three. To be eligible for enrollment in the first grade of a state supported primary grades program, a child must attain the age of six by September 1, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-150 . The State Board of Education shall adopt an instrument or instruments, procedures, and policies necessary to assess the first grade readiness of children enrolled in Georgia's public school kindergarten programs pursuant to Code Section 20-2-281 . Readiness information obtained by the instrument or instruments adopted by the state board shall be used by local school systems in concert with teacher recommendations and other relevant information to make appropriate student grade placement decisions. The Department of Education shall develop guidelines for utilization of the instrument or instruments in grade placement decisions and shall provide such guidelines to local school systems. The guidelines shall include information pertinent to consideration of the placement of students who have been identified as being disabled or limited-English-proficient. Whenever the decision is made not to promote a child to the first grade, the local school system shall document the reasons for the decision not to promote, according to guidelines established by the board. The State School Superintendent may annually provide a report summarizing the results of the readiness of first grade Georgia public school kindergarten children. No student shall remain in kindergarten for more than two years;

(3) It is the policy of this state that the primary purposes of the middle grades program shall be assuring the mastery of essential basic skills and knowledge, assisting students in the transition from childhood to adolescence, and preparing students for the selection of programs and courses consistent with their abilities and interests when they enter high school, as well as providing an opportunity for mastery of essential but more advanced skills and knowledge. For purposes of funding under this article, the middle grades program shall include grades four, five, six, seven, and eight; and

(3) It is the policy of this state that the primary purposes of the middle grades program shall be assuring the mastery of essential basic skills and knowledge, assisting students in the transition from childhood to adolescence, and preparing students for the selection of programs and courses consistent with their abilities and interests when they enter high school, as well as providing an opportunity for mastery of essential but more advanced skills and knowledge. For purposes of funding under this article, the middle grades program shall include grades four, five, six, seven, and eight; and

(4)(A) It is the policy of this state that the primary purposes of the high school programs shall be to prepare students for the continuation of their education beyond high school and for entry into their chosen career fields as well as to prepare them to take their places in society as young adults. The following high school programs for grades nine, ten, 11, and 12 are authorized for purposes of funding under this article: (i) The high school education program; and (ii) The career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program. (B) As a reflection of the reduced teacher-student ratios and more extensive material and equipment needed for effective laboratory courses compared to courses with no or only limited laboratory experiences, the career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program shall be funded at a higher level than the high school general education program. The state board shall adopt criteria which courses must meet in order to qualify for the career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program.

(4)(A) It is the policy of this state that the primary purposes of the high school programs shall be to prepare students for the continuation of their education beyond high school and for entry into their chosen career fields as well as to prepare them to take their places in society as young adults. The following high school programs for grades nine, ten, 11, and 12 are authorized for purposes of funding under this article: (i) The high school education program; and (ii) The career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program.

(4)(A) It is the policy of this state that the primary purposes of the high school programs shall be to prepare students for the continuation of their education beyond high school and for entry into their chosen career fields as well as to prepare them to take their places in society as young adults. The following high school programs for grades nine, ten, 11, and 12 are authorized for purposes of funding under this article:

(i) The high school education program; and

(i) The high school education program; and

(ii) The career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program.

(ii) The career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program.

(B) As a reflection of the reduced teacher-student ratios and more extensive material and equipment needed for effective laboratory courses compared to courses with no or only limited laboratory experiences, the career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program shall be funded at a higher level than the high school general education program. The state board shall adopt criteria which courses must meet in order to qualify for the career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program.

(B) As a reflection of the reduced teacher-student ratios and more extensive material and equipment needed for effective laboratory courses compared to courses with no or only limited laboratory experiences, the career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program shall be funded at a higher level than the high school general education program. The state board shall adopt criteria which courses must meet in order to qualify for the career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program.
O.C.G.A. § 20-3-294 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 3 / Section 20-3-294
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-3-294
Status: in_force

The corporation is authorized to publish in print or electronically annually, or at more or less frequent intervals determined by the board of directors, an operations report covering the activities of the corporation, including, without limitation, a reporting of revenues and expenditures of the corporation and a statement of the financial condition of the corporation and to furnish copies of such report to the Governor and members of the General Assembly and to other public and private persons and agencies as it may deem appropriate. If operations reports are published on an annual basis, the corporation is authorized to publish them in print or electronically on a state fiscal year, federal fiscal year, or calendar year basis.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-212-5 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-212-5
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-212.5
Status: in_force

(a)(1) On and after July 1, 2010, and until such date as may be determined by the State Board of Education that mathematics, science, or both are no longer areas in which there is an insufficient supply of teachers, a secondary school teacher in a local school system who is or becomes certified in mathematics or science by the Professional Standards Commission shall be moved to the salary step on the state salary schedule that is applicable to six years of creditable service, unless he or she is already on or above such salary step. From such salary step, the teacher shall be attributed one additional year of creditable service on the salary schedule each year for five years. (2) After five years, such teacher may continue to be attributed one additional year of creditable service on the salary schedule each year if he or she meets or exceeds student achievement criteria established by the Office of Student Achievement. (3) Upon expiration of five years, or any year thereafter that the teacher does not meet or exceed student achievement criteria as required by paragraph (2) of this subsection, such teacher shall be moved to the salary step applicable to the actual number of years of creditable service which the teacher has accumulated. (4) This subsection shall be subject to appropriations of the General Assembly.

(a)(1) On and after July 1, 2010, and until such date as may be determined by the State Board of Education that mathematics, science, or both are no longer areas in which there is an insufficient supply of teachers, a secondary school teacher in a local school system who is or becomes certified in mathematics or science by the Professional Standards Commission shall be moved to the salary step on the state salary schedule that is applicable to six years of creditable service, unless he or she is already on or above such salary step. From such salary step, the teacher shall be attributed one additional year of creditable service on the salary schedule each year for five years.

(a)(1) On and after July 1, 2010, and until such date as may be determined by the State Board of Education that mathematics, science, or both are no longer areas in which there is an insufficient supply of teachers, a secondary school teacher in a local school system who is or becomes certified in mathematics or science by the Professional Standards Commission shall be moved to the salary step on the state salary schedule that is applicable to six years of creditable service, unless he or she is already on or above such salary step. From such salary step, the teacher shall be attributed one additional year of creditable service on the salary schedule each year for five years.

(2) After five years, such teacher may continue to be attributed one additional year of creditable service on the salary schedule each year if he or she meets or exceeds student achievement criteria established by the Office of Student Achievement.

(2) After five years, such teacher may continue to be attributed one additional year of creditable service on the salary schedule each year if he or she meets or exceeds student achievement criteria established by the Office of Student Achievement.

(3) Upon expiration of five years, or any year thereafter that the teacher does not meet or exceed student achievement criteria as required by paragraph (2) of this subsection, such teacher shall be moved to the salary step applicable to the actual number of years of creditable service which the teacher has accumulated.

(3) Upon expiration of five years, or any year thereafter that the teacher does not meet or exceed student achievement criteria as required by paragraph (2) of this subsection, such teacher shall be moved to the salary step applicable to the actual number of years of creditable service which the teacher has accumulated.

(4) This subsection shall be subject to appropriations of the General Assembly.

(4) This subsection shall be subject to appropriations of the General Assembly.

(b)(1)(A) On and after July 1, 2010, a kindergarten or elementary school teacher in a local school system who receives an endorsement in mathematics, science, or both from the Professional Standards Commission shall receive a stipend of $1,000.00 per endorsement for each year each such endorsement is in effect, up to a maximum of five years. (B) After five years, such teacher may continue to receive such stipend if he or she meets or exceeds student achievement criteria established by the Office of Student Achievement. (C) Upon expiration of five years, or any year thereafter that such a teacher does not meet or exceed student achievement as required by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, such teacher shall cease to receive the stipend. (D) This paragraph shall be subject to appropriations by the General Assembly. (2)(A) In order to qualify for the stipend pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, math and science endorsements shall: (i) Be based on post-baccalaureate nondegree programs, independent of an initial preparation program in early childhood education; (ii) Consist of a minimum of three courses, of which two courses shall be focused on the advancement of content knowledge and one course, or any additional course, shall be focused on content-specific pedagogy and proven strategies for teaching math or science to children in kindergarten through fifth grade; and (iii) Include an authentic residency experience with a focus on application of knowledge and skills. (B) The Professional Standards Commission shall establish standards for the math and science endorsements provided for in this subsection.

(b)(1)(A) On and after July 1, 2010, a kindergarten or elementary school teacher in a local school system who receives an endorsement in mathematics, science, or both from the Professional Standards Commission shall receive a stipend of $1,000.00 per endorsement for each year each such endorsement is in effect, up to a maximum of five years. (B) After five years, such teacher may continue to receive such stipend if he or she meets or exceeds student achievement criteria established by the Office of Student Achievement. (C) Upon expiration of five years, or any year thereafter that such a teacher does not meet or exceed student achievement as required by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, such teacher shall cease to receive the stipend. (D) This paragraph shall be subject to appropriations by the General Assembly.

(b)(1)(A) On and after July 1, 2010, a kindergarten or elementary school teacher in a local school system who receives an endorsement in mathematics, science, or both from the Professional Standards Commission shall receive a stipend of $1,000.00 per endorsement for each year each such endorsement is in effect, up to a maximum of five years.

(b)(1)(A) On and after July 1, 2010, a kindergarten or elementary school teacher in a local school system who receives an endorsement in mathematics, science, or both from the Professional Standards Commission shall receive a stipend of $1,000.00 per endorsement for each year each such endorsement is in effect, up to a maximum of five years.

(B) After five years, such teacher may continue to receive such stipend if he or she meets or exceeds student achievement criteria established by the Office of Student Achievement.

(B) After five years, such teacher may continue to receive such stipend if he or she meets or exceeds student achievement criteria established by the Office of Student Achievement.

(C) Upon expiration of five years, or any year thereafter that such a teacher does not meet or exceed student achievement as required by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, such teacher shall cease to receive the stipend.

(C) Upon expiration of five years, or any year thereafter that such a teacher does not meet or exceed student achievement as required by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, such teacher shall cease to receive the stipend.

(D) This paragraph shall be subject to appropriations by the General Assembly.

(D) This paragraph shall be subject to appropriations by the General Assembly.

(2)(A) In order to qualify for the stipend pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, math and science endorsements shall: (i) Be based on post-baccalaureate nondegree programs, independent of an initial preparation program in early childhood education; (ii) Consist of a minimum of three courses, of which two courses shall be focused on the advancement of content knowledge and one course, or any additional course, shall be focused on content-specific pedagogy and proven strategies for teaching math or science to children in kindergarten through fifth grade; and (iii) Include an authentic residency experience with a focus on application of knowledge and skills. (B) The Professional Standards Commission shall establish standards for the math and science endorsements provided for in this subsection.

(2)(A) In order to qualify for the stipend pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, math and science endorsements shall: (i) Be based on post-baccalaureate nondegree programs, independent of an initial preparation program in early childhood education; (ii) Consist of a minimum of three courses, of which two courses shall be focused on the advancement of content knowledge and one course, or any additional course, shall be focused on content-specific pedagogy and proven strategies for teaching math or science to children in kindergarten through fifth grade; and (iii) Include an authentic residency experience with a focus on application of knowledge and skills.

(2)(A) In order to qualify for the stipend pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, math and science endorsements shall:

(i) Be based on post-baccalaureate nondegree programs, independent of an initial preparation program in early childhood education;

(i) Be based on post-baccalaureate nondegree programs, independent of an initial preparation program in early childhood education;

(ii) Consist of a minimum of three courses, of which two courses shall be focused on the advancement of content knowledge and one course, or any additional course, shall be focused on content-specific pedagogy and proven strategies for teaching math or science to children in kindergarten through fifth grade; and

(ii) Consist of a minimum of three courses, of which two courses shall be focused on the advancement of content knowledge and one course, or any additional course, shall be focused on content-specific pedagogy and proven strategies for teaching math or science to children in kindergarten through fifth grade; and

(iii) Include an authentic residency experience with a focus on application of knowledge and skills.

(iii) Include an authentic residency experience with a focus on application of knowledge and skills.

(B) The Professional Standards Commission shall establish standards for the math and science endorsements provided for in this subsection.

(B) The Professional Standards Commission shall establish standards for the math and science endorsements provided for in this subsection.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-140-1 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-140-1
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-140.1
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall establish rules and regulations to maximize the number of students, beginning with students entering ninth grade in the 2014-2015 school year, who complete prior to graduation at least one course containing online learning. This shall be met through an online course offered by the Georgia Virtual School established pursuant to Code Section 20-2-319.1 , through the clearing-house established pursuant to Code Section 20-2-319.3 , through an online dual enrollment course offered by a postsecondary institution, or through a provider pursuant to Code Section 20-2-319.4 . This shall also include enrollment in a full-time or part-time virtual instruction program pursuant to Code Section 20-2-319.4 .
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1090 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-1090
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-1090
Status: in_force

The various school boards of the counties, cities, and independent school systems employing school buses are authorized and required to cause policies of insurance to be issued insuring the school children riding therein to and from school against bodily injury or death at any time resulting from an accident or collision in which such buses are involved. The amount of such insurance shall be within the discretion of the respective boards.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-370 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-370
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-370
Status: in_force

Whenever the citizens of a municipality or independent school district authorized by law to establish and maintain a system of schools by local taxation in whole or in part are operating a system of public schools independent of the county school system and wish to annul their special school law and become a part of the county school system, they shall present and file with the governing authority of the city a petition signed by one-fourth of the qualified voters of their territory; and the governing authority shall then submit the question at an election to be held in accordance with Chapter 2 of Title 21. A majority of those voting shall be necessary to carry the election. Only qualified voters residing within the municipality or district for six months prior to the election shall vote. An election shall not be held for the same purpose more often than every 12 months.
O.C.G.A. § 20-2-154-1 — GA Code / Title 20 / Chapter 2 / Section 20-2-154-1
Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-154.1
Status: repealed

(a) It is the policy of this state that the alternative education program shall provide a learning environment that includes the objectives of the content standards and that the instruction in an alternative education program shall enable students to return to a general or career education program as quickly as possible. Course credit shall be earned in an alternative education program in the same manner as in other education programs. It is the policy of this state that it is preferable to reassign disruptive students to an alternative education program rather than suspending or expelling such students from school.

(a) It is the policy of this state that the alternative education program shall provide a learning environment that includes the objectives of the content standards and that the instruction in an alternative education program shall enable students to return to a general or career education program as quickly as possible. Course credit shall be earned in an alternative education program in the same manner as in other education programs. It is the policy of this state that it is preferable to reassign disruptive students to an alternative education program rather than suspending or expelling such students from school.

(b) Alternative education programs are intended to meet the education needs of a student who is suspended from his or her regular classroom and also of a student who is eligible to remain in his or her regular classroom but is more likely to succeed in a nontraditional setting such as that provided in an alternative education program.

(b) Alternative education programs are intended to meet the education needs of a student who is suspended from his or her regular classroom and also of a student who is eligible to remain in his or her regular classroom but is more likely to succeed in a nontraditional setting such as that provided in an alternative education program.

(c) As part of the process of assigning a student to an alternative education program for academic or nondisciplinary reasons, the school shall assess, through policies and procedures promulgated by the local board of education, the needs of the student and consider options for addressing those needs.

(c) As part of the process of assigning a student to an alternative education program for academic or nondisciplinary reasons, the school shall assess, through policies and procedures promulgated by the local board of education, the needs of the student and consider options for addressing those needs.

(d) Each local school system shall provide an alternative education program that: (1) Is provided in a setting other than a student's regular classroom; (2) Is located on or off of a regular school campus and may include in-school suspension that provides continued progress on regular classroom assignments; (3) Provides for disruptive students who are assigned to the alternative education program to be separated from nondisruptive students who are assigned to the program; (4) Focuses on English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and self-discipline; (5) Provides for students' educational and behavioral needs; and (6) Provides supervision and counseling.

(d) Each local school system shall provide an alternative education program that:

(1) Is provided in a setting other than a student's regular classroom;

(1) Is provided in a setting other than a student's regular classroom;

(2) Is located on or off of a regular school campus and may include in-school suspension that provides continued progress on regular classroom assignments;

(2) Is located on or off of a regular school campus and may include in-school suspension that provides continued progress on regular classroom assignments;

(3) Provides for disruptive students who are assigned to the alternative education program to be separated from nondisruptive students who are assigned to the program;

(3) Provides for disruptive students who are assigned to the alternative education program to be separated from nondisruptive students who are assigned to the program;

(4) Focuses on English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and self-discipline;

(4) Focuses on English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and self-discipline;

(5) Provides for students' educational and behavioral needs; and

(5) Provides for students' educational and behavioral needs; and

(6) Provides supervision and counseling.

(6) Provides supervision and counseling.

(e) An alternative education program may provide for a student's transfer to a different campus, a school-community guidance center, or a community based alternative school.

(e) An alternative education program may provide for a student's transfer to a different campus, a school-community guidance center, or a community based alternative school.

(f) A local school system may provide an alternative education program jointly with one or more other systems.

(f) A local school system may provide an alternative education program jointly with one or more other systems.

(g) Each local school system shall cooperate with government agencies and community organizations that provide services in the school district to students placed in an alternative education program.

(g) Each local school system shall cooperate with government agencies and community organizations that provide services in the school district to students placed in an alternative education program.

(h) The amount of state funds appropriated and allocated for the alternative education program provided for in this Code section shall be based on the actual count of students served during the preceding year, except that the count of students served shall not exceed 2.5 percent of the sum of the full-time equivalent program count of the middle school program, the high school general education program (grades nine through 12), and the career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program (grades nine through 12). Funds earned may be expended in kindergarten and in grades one through 12.

(h) The amount of state funds appropriated and allocated for the alternative education program provided for in this Code section shall be based on the actual count of students served during the preceding year, except that the count of students served shall not exceed 2.5 percent of the sum of the full-time equivalent program count of the middle school program, the high school general education program (grades nine through 12), and the career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program (grades nine through 12). Funds earned may be expended in kindergarten and in grades one through 12.

(i) A local school system shall allocate to an alternative education program the same expenditure for each student attending the alternative education program, including federal, state, and local funds, that would be allocated to the student's school if the student were attending the student's regularly assigned education program, including a special education program, except as otherwise provided in this Code section.

(i) A local school system shall allocate to an alternative education program the same expenditure for each student attending the alternative education program, including federal, state, and local funds, that would be allocated to the student's school if the student were attending the student's regularly assigned education program, including a special education program, except as otherwise provided in this Code section.

(j) Upon the request of a local school system, a regional educational service agency may provide to the system information on developing an alternative education program that takes into consideration the system's size, wealth, and existing facilities in determining the program best suited to the system.

(j) Upon the request of a local school system, a regional educational service agency may provide to the system information on developing an alternative education program that takes into consideration the system's size, wealth, and existing facilities in determining the program best suited to the system.

(k) If a student placed in an alternative education program enrolls in another local school system before the expiration of the period of placement, the local board of education requiring the placement shall provide to the local school system in which the student enrolls, at the same time other records of the student are provided, a copy of the placement order. The local school system in which the student enrolls may continue the alternative education program placement under the terms of the order or may allow the student to attend regular classes without completing the period of placement.

(k) If a student placed in an alternative education program enrolls in another local school system before the expiration of the period of placement, the local board of education requiring the placement shall provide to the local school system in which the student enrolls, at the same time other records of the student are provided, a copy of the placement order. The local school system in which the student enrolls may continue the alternative education program placement under the terms of the order or may allow the student to attend regular classes without completing the period of placement.

(l)(1) As used in this subsection, the term: (A) “ Alternative charter school ” means a local charter school authorized by one or more local school systems, as provided for in Article 31 of this chapter, which provides an alternative education program, as provided for in this Code section, and which provides programs and services focused on dropout recovery or high school credit recovery. (B) “ Charter petitioner ” means one or more private individuals, private organizations, state or local public entities, or adult learning providers, or any group of these working in cooperation, that submits or initiates a petition to establish an alternative charter school as a local charter school pursuant to Article 31 of this chapter. (C) “ System-collaborative state charter school ” means a charter school previously authorized by the State Charter Schools Commission that, until or before June 30, 2021, provided programs and services for dropout recovery or high school credit recovery and was governed by a board of directors which may have included personnel of the local board or boards of education from the geographic region which the charter school served. (2)(A) The State Board of Education and the Department of Education, in consultation with authorizing local school system or systems, shall establish a process to designate alternative charter schools. Any designation process established pursuant to this subparagraph shall, in addition to meeting the requirements provided for in Code Section 20-2-2063 , require the charter petitioner to demonstrate how the proposed alternative charter school will increase graduation opportunities for traditional high school students, decrease dropout rates in local school systems, and provide high school credit recovery opportunities. (B)(i) Each system-collaborative charter school that did not transition to become an alternative charter school by July 1, 2021, shall operate as a state chartered special school, as defined in Code Section 20-2-2062 , authorized directly by the State Board of Education, subject to the provisions of divisions (ii) through (v) of this subparagraph. (ii) For the duration of its current charter with the State Board of Education, each school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall be permitted to continue operating as a state chartered special school until the expiration of its current charter with the State Board of Education; provided, however, that each such school shall operate subject to the provisions of Article 31 of this chapter and other applicable laws. For the duration of its current charter with the State Board of Education, each such school shall be eligible to receive funding directly from the State Board of Education in an amount equal to the amount such school would have received pursuant to Code Section 20-2-2089 had such school continued to operate as a system-collaborative state charter school, except as provided for in division (i) of subparagraph (C) of this paragraph; provided, however, that such funding eligibility shall be calculated pro rata based upon when such school commenced operating as a state chartered special school as determined by the State Board of Education. Such funding shall not increase in subsequent fiscal years. (iii) On or before July 1, 2023, each school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall elect either to be established as a completion special school as provided for in Article 31C of this chapter or to cease operating as a state chartered special school upon the expiration of its current charter with the State Board of Education. Upon being established as a completion special school as provided for in Article 31C of this chapter, a school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall no longer operate as state chartered special school or receive funding as provided for in this subsection. (iv) The State Board of Education shall not approve any expansion of the current attendance zone for each state chartered special school provided for in this subparagraph. (v) The Department of Education shall provide administrative and technical support and shall be authorized to allocate funds, including state funds, federal funds, proceeds of general obligation debt, or any other available funds, for any school that transitions from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school, as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph, for purposes directly related to such transition to and operation as a state chartered special school for the duration of such school's current charter contract; provided, however, that such funding shall not continue after the expiration of each such school's charter with the State Board of Education. The Department of Education may withhold up to 2 percent of the amount of funding provided pursuant to division (ii) of this subparagraph for each school that transitions from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school, as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph, for use in administering the duties required pursuant to this subsection; provided, however, that any amount withheld pursuant to this subdivision shall be spent solely on expenses incurred by the Department of Education in performing the duties required by this subsection. (C)(i) The State Board of Education shall not provide for the expansion, extension, renewal, or replication of former system-collaborative state charter schools as state chartered special schools; provided, however, that any school site opened after July 1, 2021, shall be located within or contiguous to the same regional educational service agency service area where the former system-collaborative state charter school's headquarters were located on January 1, 2021. School sites opened by a former system-collaborative state charter school after July 1, 2021, pursuant to this division shall not be included in the calculation of such former system-collaborative state charter school's funding provided for in division (ii) of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; provided, however, that such school sites shall be eligible to receive QBE formula earnings, as that term is defined in Code Section 20-2-2062 . (ii) Notwithstanding any provision of the law to the contrary, no system-collaborative state charter school shall be eligible for the extension or renewal of its charter with the State Charter Schools Commission, and no state chartered special school established pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall be eligible for the extension or renewal of its current charter with the State Board of Education. (3) The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Office of Student Achievement, shall be responsible for collecting and analyzing appropriate data from and about alternative charter schools on matters consisting of, but not limited to, alternative charter school effectiveness. (4) Pursuant to an intragovernmental agreement between a student's resident local school system and the local school system or systems which authorized the alternative charter school, alternative charter schools shall be authorized to enroll students from local school systems other than the local school system or systems which authorized the alternative charter school; provided, however, that students who reside in the authorizing local school system or systems of the alternative charter school shall be prioritized over students who reside outside of such system or systems. (5) This subsection shall stand repealed on June 30, 2024.

(l)(1) As used in this subsection, the term: (A) “ Alternative charter school ” means a local charter school authorized by one or more local school systems, as provided for in Article 31 of this chapter, which provides an alternative education program, as provided for in this Code section, and which provides programs and services focused on dropout recovery or high school credit recovery. (B) “ Charter petitioner ” means one or more private individuals, private organizations, state or local public entities, or adult learning providers, or any group of these working in cooperation, that submits or initiates a petition to establish an alternative charter school as a local charter school pursuant to Article 31 of this chapter. (C) “ System-collaborative state charter school ” means a charter school previously authorized by the State Charter Schools Commission that, until or before June 30, 2021, provided programs and services for dropout recovery or high school credit recovery and was governed by a board of directors which may have included personnel of the local board or boards of education from the geographic region which the charter school served.

(l)(1) As used in this subsection, the term:

(A) “ Alternative charter school ” means a local charter school authorized by one or more local school systems, as provided for in Article 31 of this chapter, which provides an alternative education program, as provided for in this Code section, and which provides programs and services focused on dropout recovery or high school credit recovery.

(A) “ Alternative charter school ” means a local charter school authorized by one or more local school systems, as provided for in Article 31 of this chapter, which provides an alternative education program, as provided for in this Code section, and which provides programs and services focused on dropout recovery or high school credit recovery.

(B) “ Charter petitioner ” means one or more private individuals, private organizations, state or local public entities, or adult learning providers, or any group of these working in cooperation, that submits or initiates a petition to establish an alternative charter school as a local charter school pursuant to Article 31 of this chapter.

(B) “ Charter petitioner ” means one or more private individuals, private organizations, state or local public entities, or adult learning providers, or any group of these working in cooperation, that submits or initiates a petition to establish an alternative charter school as a local charter school pursuant to Article 31 of this chapter.

(C) “ System-collaborative state charter school ” means a charter school previously authorized by the State Charter Schools Commission that, until or before June 30, 2021, provided programs and services for dropout recovery or high school credit recovery and was governed by a board of directors which may have included personnel of the local board or boards of education from the geographic region which the charter school served.

(C) “ System-collaborative state charter school ” means a charter school previously authorized by the State Charter Schools Commission that, until or before June 30, 2021, provided programs and services for dropout recovery or high school credit recovery and was governed by a board of directors which may have included personnel of the local board or boards of education from the geographic region which the charter school served.

(2)(A) The State Board of Education and the Department of Education, in consultation with authorizing local school system or systems, shall establish a process to designate alternative charter schools. Any designation process established pursuant to this subparagraph shall, in addition to meeting the requirements provided for in Code Section 20-2-2063 , require the charter petitioner to demonstrate how the proposed alternative charter school will increase graduation opportunities for traditional high school students, decrease dropout rates in local school systems, and provide high school credit recovery opportunities. (B)(i) Each system-collaborative charter school that did not transition to become an alternative charter school by July 1, 2021, shall operate as a state chartered special school, as defined in Code Section 20-2-2062 , authorized directly by the State Board of Education, subject to the provisions of divisions (ii) through (v) of this subparagraph. (ii) For the duration of its current charter with the State Board of Education, each school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall be permitted to continue operating as a state chartered special school until the expiration of its current charter with the State Board of Education; provided, however, that each such school shall operate subject to the provisions of Article 31 of this chapter and other applicable laws. For the duration of its current charter with the State Board of Education, each such school shall be eligible to receive funding directly from the State Board of Education in an amount equal to the amount such school would have received pursuant to Code Section 20-2-2089 had such school continued to operate as a system-collaborative state charter school, except as provided for in division (i) of subparagraph (C) of this paragraph; provided, however, that such funding eligibility shall be calculated pro rata based upon when such school commenced operating as a state chartered special school as determined by the State Board of Education. Such funding shall not increase in subsequent fiscal years. (iii) On or before July 1, 2023, each school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall elect either to be established as a completion special school as provided for in Article 31C of this chapter or to cease operating as a state chartered special school upon the expiration of its current charter with the State Board of Education. Upon being established as a completion special school as provided for in Article 31C of this chapter, a school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall no longer operate as state chartered special school or receive funding as provided for in this subsection. (iv) The State Board of Education shall not approve any expansion of the current attendance zone for each state chartered special school provided for in this subparagraph. (v) The Department of Education shall provide administrative and technical support and shall be authorized to allocate funds, including state funds, federal funds, proceeds of general obligation debt, or any other available funds, for any school that transitions from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school, as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph, for purposes directly related to such transition to and operation as a state chartered special school for the duration of such school's current charter contract; provided, however, that such funding shall not continue after the expiration of each such school's charter with the State Board of Education. The Department of Education may withhold up to 2 percent of the amount of funding provided pursuant to division (ii) of this subparagraph for each school that transitions from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school, as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph, for use in administering the duties required pursuant to this subsection; provided, however, that any amount withheld pursuant to this subdivision shall be spent solely on expenses incurred by the Department of Education in performing the duties required by this subsection. (C)(i) The State Board of Education shall not provide for the expansion, extension, renewal, or replication of former system-collaborative state charter schools as state chartered special schools; provided, however, that any school site opened after July 1, 2021, shall be located within or contiguous to the same regional educational service agency service area where the former system-collaborative state charter school's headquarters were located on January 1, 2021. School sites opened by a former system-collaborative state charter school after July 1, 2021, pursuant to this division shall not be included in the calculation of such former system-collaborative state charter school's funding provided for in division (ii) of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; provided, however, that such school sites shall be eligible to receive QBE formula earnings, as that term is defined in Code Section 20-2-2062 . (ii) Notwithstanding any provision of the law to the contrary, no system-collaborative state charter school shall be eligible for the extension or renewal of its charter with the State Charter Schools Commission, and no state chartered special school established pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall be eligible for the extension or renewal of its current charter with the State Board of Education.

(2)(A) The State Board of Education and the Department of Education, in consultation with authorizing local school system or systems, shall establish a process to designate alternative charter schools. Any designation process established pursuant to this subparagraph shall, in addition to meeting the requirements provided for in Code Section 20-2-2063 , require the charter petitioner to demonstrate how the proposed alternative charter school will increase graduation opportunities for traditional high school students, decrease dropout rates in local school systems, and provide high school credit recovery opportunities.

(2)(A) The State Board of Education and the Department of Education, in consultation with authorizing local school system or systems, shall establish a process to designate alternative charter schools. Any designation process established pursuant to this subparagraph shall, in addition to meeting the requirements provided for in Code Section 20-2-2063 , require the charter petitioner to demonstrate how the proposed alternative charter school will increase graduation opportunities for traditional high school students, decrease dropout rates in local school systems, and provide high school credit recovery opportunities.

(B)(i) Each system-collaborative charter school that did not transition to become an alternative charter school by July 1, 2021, shall operate as a state chartered special school, as defined in Code Section 20-2-2062 , authorized directly by the State Board of Education, subject to the provisions of divisions (ii) through (v) of this subparagraph. (ii) For the duration of its current charter with the State Board of Education, each school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall be permitted to continue operating as a state chartered special school until the expiration of its current charter with the State Board of Education; provided, however, that each such school shall operate subject to the provisions of Article 31 of this chapter and other applicable laws. For the duration of its current charter with the State Board of Education, each such school shall be eligible to receive funding directly from the State Board of Education in an amount equal to the amount such school would have received pursuant to Code Section 20-2-2089 had such school continued to operate as a system-collaborative state charter school, except as provided for in division (i) of subparagraph (C) of this paragraph; provided, however, that such funding eligibility shall be calculated pro rata based upon when such school commenced operating as a state chartered special school as determined by the State Board of Education. Such funding shall not increase in subsequent fiscal years. (iii) On or before July 1, 2023, each school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall elect either to be established as a completion special school as provided for in Article 31C of this chapter or to cease operating as a state chartered special school upon the expiration of its current charter with the State Board of Education. Upon being established as a completion special school as provided for in Article 31C of this chapter, a school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall no longer operate as state chartered special school or receive funding as provided for in this subsection. (iv) The State Board of Education shall not approve any expansion of the current attendance zone for each state chartered special school provided for in this subparagraph. (v) The Department of Education shall provide administrative and technical support and shall be authorized to allocate funds, including state funds, federal funds, proceeds of general obligation debt, or any other available funds, for any school that transitions from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school, as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph, for purposes directly related to such transition to and operation as a state chartered special school for the duration of such school's current charter contract; provided, however, that such funding shall not continue after the expiration of each such school's charter with the State Board of Education. The Department of Education may withhold up to 2 percent of the amount of funding provided pursuant to division (ii) of this subparagraph for each school that transitions from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school, as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph, for use in administering the duties required pursuant to this subsection; provided, however, that any amount withheld pursuant to this subdivision shall be spent solely on expenses incurred by the Department of Education in performing the duties required by this subsection.

(B)(i) Each system-collaborative charter school that did not transition to become an alternative charter school by July 1, 2021, shall operate as a state chartered special school, as defined in Code Section 20-2-2062 , authorized directly by the State Board of Education, subject to the provisions of divisions (ii) through (v) of this subparagraph.

(B)(i) Each system-collaborative charter school that did not transition to become an alternative charter school by July 1, 2021, shall operate as a state chartered special school, as defined in Code Section 20-2-2062 , authorized directly by the State Board of Education, subject to the provisions of divisions (ii) through (v) of this subparagraph.

(ii) For the duration of its current charter with the State Board of Education, each school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall be permitted to continue operating as a state chartered special school until the expiration of its current charter with the State Board of Education; provided, however, that each such school shall operate subject to the provisions of Article 31 of this chapter and other applicable laws. For the duration of its current charter with the State Board of Education, each such school shall be eligible to receive funding directly from the State Board of Education in an amount equal to the amount such school would have received pursuant to Code Section 20-2-2089 had such school continued to operate as a system-collaborative state charter school, except as provided for in division (i) of subparagraph (C) of this paragraph; provided, however, that such funding eligibility shall be calculated pro rata based upon when such school commenced operating as a state chartered special school as determined by the State Board of Education. Such funding shall not increase in subsequent fiscal years.

(ii) For the duration of its current charter with the State Board of Education, each school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall be permitted to continue operating as a state chartered special school until the expiration of its current charter with the State Board of Education; provided, however, that each such school shall operate subject to the provisions of Article 31 of this chapter and other applicable laws. For the duration of its current charter with the State Board of Education, each such school shall be eligible to receive funding directly from the State Board of Education in an amount equal to the amount such school would have received pursuant to Code Section 20-2-2089 had such school continued to operate as a system-collaborative state charter school, except as provided for in division (i) of subparagraph (C) of this paragraph; provided, however, that such funding eligibility shall be calculated pro rata based upon when such school commenced operating as a state chartered special school as determined by the State Board of Education. Such funding shall not increase in subsequent fiscal years.

(iii) On or before July 1, 2023, each school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall elect either to be established as a completion special school as provided for in Article 31C of this chapter or to cease operating as a state chartered special school upon the expiration of its current charter with the State Board of Education. Upon being established as a completion special school as provided for in Article 31C of this chapter, a school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall no longer operate as state chartered special school or receive funding as provided for in this subsection.

(iii) On or before July 1, 2023, each school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall elect either to be established as a completion special school as provided for in Article 31C of this chapter or to cease operating as a state chartered special school upon the expiration of its current charter with the State Board of Education. Upon being established as a completion special school as provided for in Article 31C of this chapter, a school that transitioned from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph shall no longer operate as state chartered special school or receive funding as provided for in this subsection.

(iv) The State Board of Education shall not approve any expansion of the current attendance zone for each state chartered special school provided for in this subparagraph.

(iv) The State Board of Education shall not approve any expansion of the current attendance zone for each state chartered special school provided for in this subparagraph.

(v) The Department of Education shall provide administrative and technical support and shall be authorized to allocate funds, including state funds, federal funds, proceeds of general obligation debt, or any other available funds, for any school that transitions from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school, as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph, for purposes directly related to such transition to and operation as a state chartered special school for the duration of such school's current charter contract; provided, however, that such funding shall not continue after the expiration of each such school's charter with the State Board of Education. The Department of Education may withhold up to 2 percent of the amount of funding provided pursuant to division (ii) of this subparagraph for each school that transitions from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school, as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph, for use in administering the duties required pursuant to this subsection; provided, however, that any amount withheld pursuant to this subdivision shall be spent solely on expenses incurred by the Department of Education in performing the duties required by this subsection.

(v) The Department of Education shall provide administrative and technical support and shall be authorized to allocate funds, including state funds, federal funds, proceeds of general obligation debt, or any other available funds, for any school that transitions from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school, as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph, for purposes directly related to such transition to and operation as a state chartered special school for the duration of such school's current charter contract; provided, however, that such funding shall not continue after the expiration of each such school's charter with the State Board of Education. The Department of Education may withhold up to 2 percent of the amount of funding provided pursuant to division (ii) of this subparagraph for each school that transitions from operating as a system-collaborative state charter school to operating as a state chartered special school, as provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph, for use in administering the duties required pursuant to this subsection; provided, however, that any amount withheld pursuant to this subdivision shall be spent solely on expenses incurred by the Department of Education in performing the duties required by this subsection.

(C)(i) The State Board of Education shall not provide for the expansion, extension, renewal, or replication of former system-collaborative state charter schools as state chartered special schools; provided, however, that any school site opened after July 1, 2021, shall be located within or contiguous to the same regional educational service agency service area where the former system-collaborative state charter school's headquarters were located on January 1, 2021. School sites opened by a former system-collaborative state charter school after July 1, 2021, pursuant to this division shall not be included in the calculation of such former system-collaborative state charter school's funding provided for in division (ii) of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; provided, however, that such school sites shall be eligible to receive QBE formula earnings, as that term is defined in Code Section 20-2-2062 . (ii) Notwithstanding any provision of the law to the contrary, no system-collaborative state charter school shall be eligible for the extension or renewal of its charter with the State Charter Schools Commission, and no state chartered special school established pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall be eligible for the extension or renewal of its current charter with the State Board of Education.

(C)(i) The State Board of Education shall not provide for the expansion, extension, renewal, or replication of former system-collaborative state charter schools as state chartered special schools; provided, however, that any school site opened after July 1, 2021, shall be located within or contiguous to the same regional educational service agency service area where the former system-collaborative state charter school's headquarters were located on January 1, 2021. School sites opened by a former system-collaborative state charter school after July 1, 2021, pursuant to this division shall not be included in the calculation of such former system-collaborative state charter school's funding provided for in division (ii) of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; provided, however, that such school sites shall be eligible to receive QBE formula earnings, as that term is defined in Code Section 20-2-2062 .

(C)(i) The State Board of Education shall not provide for the expansion, extension, renewal, or replication of former system-collaborative state charter schools as state chartered special schools; provided, however, that any school site opened after July 1, 2021, shall be located within or contiguous to the same regional educational service agency service area where the former system-collaborative state charter school's headquarters were located on January 1, 2021. School sites opened by a former system-collaborative state charter school after July 1, 2021, pursuant to this division shall not be included in the calculation of such former system-collaborative state charter school's funding provided for in division (ii) of subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; provided, however, that such school sites shall be eligible to receive QBE formula earnings, as that term is defined in Code Section 20-2-2062 .

(ii) Notwithstanding any provision of the law to the contrary, no system-collaborative state charter school shall be eligible for the extension or renewal of its charter with the State Charter Schools Commission, and no state chartered special school established pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall be eligible for the extension or renewal of its current charter with the State Board of Education.

(ii) Notwithstanding any provision of the law to the contrary, no system-collaborative state charter school shall be eligible for the extension or renewal of its charter with the State Charter Schools Commission, and no state chartered special school established pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall be eligible for the extension or renewal of its current charter with the State Board of Education.

(3) The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Office of Student Achievement, shall be responsible for collecting and analyzing appropriate data from and about alternative charter schools on matters consisting of, but not limited to, alternative charter school effectiveness.

(3) The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Office of Student Achievement, shall be responsible for collecting and analyzing appropriate data from and about alternative charter schools on matters consisting of, but not limited to, alternative charter school effectiveness.

(4) Pursuant to an intragovernmental agreement between a student's resident local school system and the local school system or systems which authorized the alternative charter school, alternative charter schools shall be authorized to enroll students from local school systems other than the local school system or systems which authorized the alternative charter school; provided, however, that students who reside in the authorizing local school system or systems of the alternative charter school shall be prioritized over students who reside outside of such system or systems.

(4) Pursuant to an intragovernmental agreement between a student's resident local school system and the local school system or systems which authorized the alternative charter school, alternative charter schools shall be authorized to enroll students from local school systems other than the local school system or systems which authorized the alternative charter school; provided, however, that students who reside in the authorizing local school system or systems of the alternative charter school shall be prioritized over students who reside outside of such system or systems.

(5) This subsection shall stand repealed on June 30, 2024.

(5) This subsection shall stand repealed on June 30, 2024.

(m) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules necessary to administer the provisions of this Code section. Academically, the mission of alternative education programs shall be to enable students to perform at grade level. Annually, the Office of Student Achievement shall define for alternative education programs acceptable performance and performance indicating a need for peer review, based principally on standards defined by the Office of Student Achievement that measure the academic progress of students toward performing at grade level while attending an alternative education program.

(m) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules necessary to administer the provisions of this Code section. Academically, the mission of alternative education programs shall be to enable students to perform at grade level. Annually, the Office of Student Achievement shall define for alternative education programs acceptable performance and performance indicating a need for peer review, based principally on standards defined by the Office of Student Achievement that measure the academic progress of students toward performing at grade level while attending an alternative education program.