reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 2 - COMPETENCIES AND CORE CURRICULUM (§§ 20-2-140 — 20-2-149.4) › Section 20-2-140 - State Board of Education to establish uniformly sequenced content standards; college and career readiness competency standards

(a)
The State Board of Education shall establish uniformly sequenced content standards that each student is expected to master prior to completion of the student's public school education. The state board shall adopt content standards for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Each local unit of administration may expand and enrich the content standards to the extent it deems necessary and appropriate for its students and communities. Each local school system shall adopt its own curriculum which shall include appropriate instruction in the content standards.
(b)
The State Board of Education, working with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, shall establish college and career readiness standards to demonstrate competency in reading, writing, and mathematics aligned with the content standards adopted by the state board pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section with the level of performance necessary to meet college-readiness standards in the state's technical colleges, community colleges, state colleges, and universities and in other advanced training programs.
(c)
The State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia shall require its institutions to accept core coursework completed by high school students for purposes of admission into its institutions.
Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 241,§ 4, eff. 7/1/2015.
Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 662,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2012.
Amended by 2011 Ga. Laws 226,§ 3, eff. 5/13/2011.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 2 - COMPETENCIES AND CORE CURRICULUM (§§ 20-2-140 — 20-2-149.4) › Section 20-2-140.1 - Online learning

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
.
Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 241,§ 5, eff. 7/1/2015.
Added by 2012 Ga. Laws 708,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2012.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 2 - COMPETENCIES AND CORE CURRICULUM (§§ 20-2-140 — 20-2-149.4) › Section 20-2-141 - Review of competencies and core curriculum

The State Board of Education shall establish at least once every four years a review of the adopted competencies and uniformly sequenced core curriculum by a task force broadly representative of educational interests and the concerned public. After considering the findings and recommendations of the task force, the state board shall make such changes in the student competencies lists and core curriculum as it deems in the best interest of the state and its citizens and shall report such proposed changes to local school systems and the General Assembly for review.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 2 - COMPETENCIES AND CORE CURRICULUM (§§ 20-2-140 — 20-2-149.4) › Section 20-2-145 - [Effective Until 7/1/2025] Comprehensive character education program

(a)
The State Board of Education shall develop by the start of the 1997-1998 school year a comprehensive character education program for levels K-12. This comprehensive character education program shall be known as the "character curriculum" and shall focus on the students' development of the following character traits: courage, patriotism, citizenship, honesty, fairness, respect for others, kindness, cooperation, self-respect, self-control, courtesy, compassion, tolerance, diligence, generosity, punctuality, cleanliness, cheerfulness, school pride, respect for the environment, respect for the creator, patience, creativity, sportsmanship, loyalty, perseverance, and virtue. Such program shall also address, by the start of the 1999-2000 school year, methods of discouraging bullying and violent acts against fellow students. Local boards shall implement such a program in all grade levels at the beginning of the 2000-2001 school year and shall provide opportunities for parental involvement in establishing expected outcomes of the character education program.
(b)
The Department of Education shall develop character education program workshops designed for employees of local school systems.
This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 2 - COMPETENCIES AND CORE CURRICULUM (§§ 20-2-140 — 20-2-149.4) › Section 20-2-145 - [Effective 7/1/2025] Comprehensive character education program

(a)
The State Board of Education shall develop by the start of the 1997-1998 school year a comprehensive character education program for levels K-12. This comprehensive character education program shall be known as the 'character curriculum' and shall focus on the students' development of the following character traits: courage, patriotism, citizenship, honesty, fairness, respect for others, kindness, cooperation, self-respect, self-control, courtesy, compassion, tolerance, diligence, generosity, punctuality, cleanliness, cheerfulness, school pride, respect for the environment, respect for the creator, patience, creativity, sportsmanship, loyalty, perseverance, and virtue. Such program shall also address, by the start of the 2025-2026 school year, methods of discouraging bullying and violent acts against fellow students and methods of promoting responsible digital citizenship and the safe and appropriate use of technology, the internet, and social media. Local governing bodies shall implement such a program in all grade levels at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year and shall provide opportunities for parental involvement in establishing expected outcomes of the character education program.
(b)
The Department of Education shall develop character education program workshops designed for public school employees .
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 463,§ 2-1, eff. 7/1/2025.
This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 2 - COMPETENCIES AND CORE CURRICULUM (§§ 20-2-140 — 20-2-149.4) › Section 20-2-145.1 - Career education

The State Board of Education shall prescribe a minimum course of study in career education for students in grades six through 12. Such minimum course of study shall be age appropriate and shall include, but not be limited to, career exploration and career oriented learning experiences. Career oriented learning experiences shall include, but not be limited to, participation in work based learning programs such as internships, apprenticeships, cooperative education, or employability skill development. The State Board of Education shall ensure that career oriented learning experiences include rigorous industry credentialing, as defined in Code Section
20-2-326
, if such rigorous industry credentialing has been created or endorsed by Georgia employers.
Amended by 2018 Ga. Laws 446,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2018.
Added by 2012 Ga. Laws 662,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2012.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 2 - COMPETENCIES AND CORE CURRICULUM (§§ 20-2-140 — 20-2-149.4) › Section 20-2-146 - Scholastic Assessment Test preparatory course; acceptance as elective credit

(a)
All schools with grade ten or above may make available to eligible students a Scholastic Assessment Test preparatory course. Such course of study shall be designed to offer an opportunity for review and practice to students preparing to take the Scholastic Assessment Test. The course may be offered periodically in the manner prescribed by the local board.
(b)
Each local board of education shall be authorized to supplement and develop the exact approach of content areas of such Scholastic Assessment Test preparatory course with such specific curriculum standards as it may deem appropriate.
(c)
For the purposes of earning Carnegie unit curriculum credits at the high school level, completion of the Scholastic Assessment Test preparatory course may be accepted by the State Board of Education for one-half unit of elective credit.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 2 - COMPETENCIES AND CORE CURRICULUM (§§ 20-2-140 — 20-2-149.4) › Section 20-2-147 - Instructional activities focusing on veterans and the armed forces; closure of schools for Veterans Day

On a school day immediately preceding or as close to the annual observance of Veterans Day as practicable as determined by a school's scheduled curriculum, each elementary and secondary school may provide for instructional activity focusing on the contributions of veterans and the importance of the armed forces of the United States. Beginning in the 2010-2011 school year, public elementary and secondary schools may be closed on Veterans Day as provided in paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Code Section
20-2-168
.
Amended by 2009 Ga. Laws 118,§ 5A, eff. 5/4/2009.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 2 - COMPETENCIES AND CORE CURRICULUM (§§ 20-2-140 — 20-2-149.4) › Section 20-2-149 - [Effective Until 7/1/2025] Program for educating students regarding online Internet safety

(a)
The Department of Education shall develop a model program for educating students regarding online safety while using the Internet, taking into consideration educational materials on this topic developed by other states as well as any other materials suggested by education experts, child psychologists, and technology companies that promote child online safety issues.
(b)
Each local board of education may incorporate into its instructional program a component on online Internet safety to be taught on a schedule as determined by the local board of education.
Added by 2008 Ga. Laws 715,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2008.
This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 2 - COMPETENCIES AND CORE CURRICULUM (§§ 20-2-140 — 20-2-149.4) › Section 20-2-149 - [Effective 7/1/2025] Program for educating students regarding online Internet safety

(a)
(1)
The Department of Education shall develop model programs for educating students regarding online safety while using the internet, taking into consideration educational materials on this topic developed by other states as well as any other materials suggested by education experts, child psychologists, and technology companies that promote child online safety issues.
(2)
The model programs provided for in this subsection shall include one or more model programs for students in grades six through 12 which:
(A)
Shall include instruction regarding:
(i)
The social, emotional, and physical effects of social media on users;
(ii)
The effects of social media on the mental health of users, particularly teenagers;
(iii)
The distribution of disinformation and misinformation on social media;
(iv)
How social media influences thoughts and behaviors;
(v)
The permanency and risks of sharing materials online;
(vi)
How to maintain personal security and identify cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and human trafficking on the internet and social media; and
(vii)
How to report suspicious behavior encountered on the internet and social media to appropriate persons and authorities; and
(B)
May include information regarding the benefits of social media use, such as supporting career readiness for future academic or employment opportunities, sharing information with familiar family and friends, and safely connecting with other users with similar interests.
(3)
The Department of Education shall periodically update the model programs provided for in this subsection to reflect changes in internet and social media use, emergent technologies, social and psychological research, and information concerning new threats to teenagers and young adults using social media platforms and other online communication technologies.
(4)
The Department of Education shall publish on its website information relating to the model programs provided for in this Code section, including recommended curricula and instructional materials as updated periodically as provided in this subsection. The Department of Education shall provide technical assistance in addition to such model programs and recommended curricula and instructional materials to aid any local board of education that may elect to incorporate one or more components of internet and social media safety into its instructional program.
(b)
Each local board of education may incorporate into its instructional program a component on online internet safety, including social media safety, to be taught on a schedule as determined by the local board of education.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 463,§ 2-2, eff. 7/1/2025.
Added by 2008 Ga. Laws 715,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2008.
This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 2 - COMPETENCIES AND CORE CURRICULUM (§§ 20-2-140 — 20-2-149.4) › Section 20-2-149.1 - Instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of automated external defibrillator; requirements

(a)
This Code section shall be known and may be cited as the "Cory Joseph Wilson Act."
(b)
As used in this Code section, the term "psychomotor skills" means skills using hands-on practice to support cognitive learning.
(c)
Beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, each local board of education which operates a school with grades nine through 12 shall provide instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator to its students as a requirement within existing health or physical education courses. Such training shall include either of the following and shall incorporate into the instruction the psychomotor skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use an automated external defibrillator:
(1)
An instructional program developed by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross; or
(2)
An instructional program which is nationally recognized and is based on the most current national evidence based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator.
(d)
A teacher shall not be required to be a certified trainer of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or to facilitate, provide, or oversee instruction which does not result in certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator.
(e)
This Code section shall not be construed to require students to become certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator; provided, however, that if a local board of education chooses to offer courses which result in certification being earned, such courses shall be taught by instructors in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator authorized to conduct an instructional program included in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (c) of this Code section.
(f)
The Department of Education shall establish a procedure to monitor adherence by local boards of education.
Amended by 2017 Ga. Laws 141,§ 7-1, eff. 7/1/2017.
Amended by 2017 Ga. Laws 30,§ 2A, eff. 7/1/2017.
Added by 2013 Ga. Laws 129,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 2 - COMPETENCIES AND CORE CURRICULUM (§§ 20-2-140 — 20-2-149.4) › Section 20-2-149.4 - Financial literacy instruction and curriculum

(a)
The State Board of Education shall adopt content standards for a minimum course of instruction in financial literacy to be completed by students in eleventh or twelfth grade.
(b)
Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, each local board of education shall require all students, as a condition of graduation, during their eleventh or twelfth grade years to complete at least a half-credit course in financial literacy which implements the minimum course of instruction based on the content standards prescribed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section. Such course of instruction may be provided within the framework of existing coursework offered by a local school system. Such course of instruction shall be eligible to count toward a mathematics, social studies, or elective unit of credit requirement for graduation.
Added by 2022 Ga. Laws 723,§ 1-1, eff. 4/28/2022.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-151.1 - American Sign Language as foreign language for college preparatory curriculum and for Carnegie unit elective credits

(a)
For the purpose of fulfilling the foreign language requirements for a college preparatory curriculum seal of endorsement on a high school diploma, a demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language shall be accepted as a foreign language for any student by all local boards of education and the State Board of Education. A demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language shall be accepted as the equivalent of the required two units of a foreign language.
(b)
For the purpose of earning Carnegie unit curriculum credits at the high school level, American Sign Language may be accepted by the State Board of Education for two or more units of elective credit or for two or more units of foreign language credit, pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section.
Amended by 2007 Ga. Laws 203,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2007.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-151.2 - Driver education course accepted for Carnegie unit elective credits

For the purpose of earning Carnegie unit curriculum credits at the high school level, satisfactory completion, on or after January 1, 1999, of a driver education course in a driver training school and under the instruction of a driver training instructor licensed by the department under Chapter 13 of Title 43, "The Driver Training School and Commercial Driver Training School License Act," may be accepted by the State Board of Education for one-half unit of elective credit for any student.
Amended by 2017 Ga. Laws 275,§ 20, eff. 5/9/2017.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-152.2 - Protocols for assessment of trauma in students in foster care; guidance regarding trauma and its impact on students

(a)
The General Assembly finds that foster care students are particularly vulnerable to exposure to traumatic events and situations. The General Assembly also finds that a foster care student's exposure to trauma can be exacerbated by changing schools, particularly when the student may be eligible for special education and related services. Therefore, it is the intent of the General Assembly that a protocol be developed for use by each school that receives state funds under this article to immediately and deliberately assess foster care students upon their enrollment at a new school and determine whether exposure to trauma has had or is likely to have an adverse impact on the foster care student's educational performance, including both academics and classroom behavior.
(b)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
"Foster care student" means a student who is placed in a foster family home, child care institution, or another substitute care setting approved by the Department of Human Services.
(2)
"Trauma" means exposure of a foster care student, as a witness or direct participant, to one or more traumatic events or traumatic situations.
(c)
No later than August 1, 2021, the State Board of Education shall adopt any rules, regulations, and protocols necessary for use by public school personnel to immediately and deliberately assess whether exposure to trauma has had or is likely to have an adverse impact on the foster care student's educational performance, including both academics and classroom behavior. Such rules, regulations, and protocols shall also provide that the impact of trauma shall be considered at the appropriate time among the relevant criteria considered by school personnel to determine the eligibility of foster care students for special education and related services as provided for in Code Section
20-2-152
. Further, the Department of Education shall provide guidance to local school systems regarding trauma, the impacts of trauma on students, including, but not limited to, foster care students, and procedures for the immediate and deliberate assessment of newly enrolled foster care students.
(d)
Upon the enrollment of a foster care student, a local school system shall immediately and deliberately assess whether exposure to trauma has had or is likely to have an adverse impact on the foster care student's educational performance, including both academics and classroom behavior. The local school system's assessment shall be part of its overall determination of whether the initial evaluation process for determining eligibility for special education and related services should be commenced for such foster care student.
Added by 2020 Ga. Laws 497,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2021.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-154.2 - Agricultural education program; development of plan

The agricultural education program provided in this state to students in grades six through 12 shall be based on the nationally recognized three-component model of school based agricultural education: daily instruction in an organized classroom and lab environment; hands-on, experiential learning opportunities through a supervised agriculture experience (SAE) program; and leadership and learning opportunities through participation in the Georgia FFA Association, the National FFA Organization, and agricultural education. The Department of Education, through its agricultural education program employees, shall develop the curriculum and standards for the agricultural education program, with input from agricultural education teachers, so as to include all three components of such model and local school systems shall include all three components of such model whenever offering any agricultural education course approved by the State Board of Education. The Department of Education shall maintain an adequate number of full-time employees, certified in agricultural education and distributed regionally throughout the state, to provide accountability for state and federal funds for program delivery of agricultural education, to continue to develop and maintain pertinent agricultural education curriculum and standards, to assist local school systems on matters related to agricultural education, and to coordinate regional and state-wide activities of the Georgia FFA Association, the National FFA Organization, and agricultural education.
Added by 2018 Ga. Laws 294,§ 2, eff. 4/27/2018.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-154.3 - Agricultural programs in elementary schools; evaluation

(a)
The Department of Education, through its agricultural education program employees described in Code Section
20-2-154.2
, is authorized to administer an agricultural education program that local school systems may offer in elementary schools. If a local board of education elects to offer an elementary agricultural education program in an elementary school, the local board of education shall agree to implement and fully fund such program in accordance with this Code section and the practices or standards established by the agricultural education program of the Department of Education. The local school system shall employ an agricultural education teacher to provide such program for the elementary school.
(b)
The Department of Education, through its agricultural education program employees described in Code Section
20-2-154.2
, shall establish the curriculum for each elementary agricultural education program. Such curriculum shall be grade-appropriate and include instruction in an organized classroom; collaborative learning experiences through investigation and inquiry, including laboratory and site-based learning activities; and personal and leadership development opportunities.
(c)
The Department of Education, through its agricultural education program, shall provide for a program evaluation regarding the success and impact of the pilot program in place in the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022 school years and shall report in writing the results of such evaluation to the House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs and the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Education and Youth Committee, by December 31, 2022.
Amended by 2022 Ga. Laws 599,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2022.
Added by 2018 Ga. Laws 294,§ 2, eff. 4/27/2018.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-155 - School climate management program; model codes of behavior and discipline

The State Board of Education shall establish a state-wide school climate management program to help local schools and systems requesting assistance in developing school climate improvement and management processes. Such projects will be designed to optimize local resources through voluntary community, student, teacher, administrator, and other school personnel participation. These processes will be designed for, but will not be limited to, promoting positive gains in student achievement scores, student and teacher morale, community support, and student and teacher attendance, while decreasing student suspensions, expulsions, dropouts, and other negative aspects of the total school environment. The state board upon request of a local school system is authorized to provide the necessary on-site technical assistance to local schools and systems and to offer other assistance through regional and state-wide conferences and workshops, printed material, and such other assistance as may be deemed appropriate under this Code section. The state board shall, upon request of a local school system, produce model codes of behavior and discipline and shall produce guidelines for application and administration of such codes. The results of this program shall be annually presented to the General Assembly for review in determining future appropriations for state-level technical assistance necessary to perform the duties assigned to the state board under this Code section.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-156 - Program for limited-English-proficient students

The State Board of Education shall create a program for limited-English-proficient students whose native language is not English, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly. The purpose of this program is to assist such students to develop proficiency in the English language, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing, sufficient to perform effectively at the currently assigned grade level. The state board shall prescribe such rules and regulations regarding eligibility criteria and standards as may be needed to carry out the provisions of this Code section. This program may also be referred to as the English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) program.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-158 - Contracts for school psychology services

A local unit of administration shall be authorized to contract for school psychology services with an individual certified by the Professional Standards Commission in school psychology. The certified individual shall be authorized to practice school psychology for the local unit of administration notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in Chapter 39 of Title 43 which requires such individual to be licensed thereunder.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-159 - Requirements for receiving special education and related services of students enrolled in home study programs

For the purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,
20 U.S.C.A. Section 1400
, et seq., students enrolled in home study programs meeting the requirements of Code Section
20-2-690
shall be deemed to be private school students and shall be provided with the same special education and related services as students enrolled in private schools.
Added by 2002 Ga. Laws 819, § 1, eff. 7/1/2002.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-159.1 - Focused programs of study

(a)
The Department of Education shall develop, and the State Board of Education shall approve, state models and industry required content standards, after consultation with industries in Georgia and in collaboration with the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System of Georgia to ensure alignment with postsecondary opportunities, for the following focused programs of study, as defined in Code Section
20-2-326
, including, but not limited to:
(1)
Agriculture, food, and natural resources;
(2)
Architecture and construction;
(3)
Arts, audio-video technology, and communications;
(4)
Business, management, and administration;
(5)
Education and training;
(6)
Finance;
(7)
Health science;
(8)
Hospitality and tourism;
(9)
Human services;
(10)
Information technology;
(11)
Law, public safety, and security;
(12)
Manufacturing;
(13)
Government and public administration;
(14)
Marketing, sales, and service;
(15)
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;
(16)
Transportation, distribution, and logistics;
(17)
Energy; and
(18)
Lifeguarding and aquatic safety.
Such focused programs of study may be combined around these and other related clusters.
(b)
The focused programs of study established pursuant to this Code section may include or be revised to include industry certifications or industry credentialing, as defined in Code Section
20-2-326
, pertinent to any such focused program of study. After consultation with employers and industries in Georgia, the Department of Education and the Technical College System of Georgia shall jointly establish a list of industry credentials that are required by Georgia employers. Such list shall be made available on the Department of Education and the Technical College System of Georgia websites. Such list shall be annually reviewed and updated as appropriate and made available prior to the beginning of the annual competitive grant application process provided for in subsection (j) of Code Section
20-2-260
.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 414,§ 2, eff. 4/22/2024.
Amended by 2018 Ga. Laws 446,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2018.
Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 241,§ 9, eff. 7/1/2015.
Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 662,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2012.
Added by 2011 Ga. Laws 226,§ 5, eff. 5/13/2011.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-159.2 - Coordination between high schools and postsecondary institutions to minimize the need for remedial coursework for students in postsecondary institutions

Stronger coordination between high schools and institutions of higher education is necessary to prepare students for more challenging postsecondary endeavors and to lessen the need for academic remediation in college, thereby reducing the costs of higher education for students, families, and the state. To this end, the State Board of Education, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia shall:
(1)
Develop policies to ensure that students who master the content standards established pursuant to Code Section
20-2-140
will meet the requirements for purposes of admission into a postsecondary institution, such as grade point average and readiness levels in reading, writing, and mathematics, without having to take remedial coursework. Such policies shall:
(A)
Establish the benchmarks for college readiness and the method in which students can demonstrate readiness in reading, writing, and mathematics for postsecondary coursework upon completing the content standards; and
(B)
Set the conditions for ensuring college readiness;
(2)
Define college-readiness standards in reading, writing, and mathematics needed for success in advanced training, certificate programs, and programs leading to an associate's or bachelor's degree;
(3)
Identify one or more state-wide common assessments to determine postsecondary readiness in reading, writing, and mathematics and inform students of their performance on such assessments no later than the end of tenth grade;
(4)
Develop transitional courses in reading, writing, and mathematics, with common standards, syllabus, and instruction materials for eleventh and twelfth grade students who fail to meet readiness standards, which courses shall be required by the state board to be offered by all local boards of education and which all students who are identified pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection as failing to meet readiness standards shall be required to take;
(5)
Establish a state-wide process for determining how successful completion of transitional courses will guarantee that students will meet readiness standards; and
(6)
Ensure dual credit courses reflect postsecondary coursework.
Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 241,§ 10, eff. 7/1/2015.
Amended by 2012 Ga. Laws 662,§ 4, eff. 7/1/2012.
Added by 2011 Ga. Laws 226,§ 5, eff. 5/13/2011.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-159.3 - Academic core standards to be embedded in career, technical, and agricultural education courses

(a)
The content standards established for career, technical, and agricultural education courses pursuant to Code Section
20-2-140
shall include embedded standards in academic core subject areas, as appropriate. In establishing such content standards, the state board shall work to ensure that the coursework meets postsecondary requirements for acceptance of credit for such coursework at the postsecondary level. Such courses shall be taught by a highly qualified teacher in the academic content and trained or experienced in contextualized learning using project based methods; by a highly qualified career, technical, and agricultural education teacher who has completed a state-approved training program to strengthen academic content and has passed a state-approved exam for demonstrating mastery of academic content; or by a team made up of a highly qualified teacher in the academic content and a highly qualified career, technical, and agricultural education teacher working together to teach the course.
(b)
Local school systems and individual charter schools may develop and implement career, technical, and agricultural courses with embedded standards in academic core subjects areas, including, but not limited to, English, language arts, science, social studies, and mathematics.
(c)
For an academic core subject area for which an end-of-course assessment has been adopted pursuant to Code Section
20-2-281
, students shall be given the opportunity to take such end-of-course assessment upon completion of the career, technical, and agricultural education course that includes embedded standards in such academic core subject area, unless such student has already passed such end-of-course assessment.
(d)
Students who successfully complete a course in career, technical, and agricultural education that includes embedded standards in academic core subject areas, as adopted or approved by the state board, shall receive course credit for both the career, technical, and agricultural education course as well as for the academic core coursework embedded in such course.
(e)
The guidelines shall limit the number of academic credits earned through career, technical, and agricultural education courses for any student to three credits and shall ensure acceptance of such credits for purposes of admission into a postsecondary institution. Further, such a credit shall count only once toward high school diploma requirements unless the course requires expanded time to cover the academic and career, technical, and agricultural education content found in both the academic and the career, technical, and agricultural education course.
Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 241,§ 11, eff. 7/1/2015.
Added by 2011 Ga. Laws 226,§ 5, eff. 5/13/2011.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 3 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (§§ 20-2-150 — 20-2-159.6) › Section 20-2-159.5 - Georgia Seal of Biliteracy; purpose; qualifications; insignia

(a)
There is established a Georgia Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English.
(b)
The purposes of the Georgia Seal of Biliteracy are as follows:
(1)
To encourage pupils to study foreign languages;
(2)
To certify attainment of biliteracy;
(3)
To provide employers with a method to identify people with language and biliteracy skills;
(4)
To provide universities with a method to recognize and give academic credit to applicants seeking admission; and
(5)
To recognize and promote foreign language instruction in public schools.
(c)
In order to qualify for the Georgia Seal of Biliteracy, a high school graduate shall meet the following criteria:
(1)
Completion of all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above in those classes; and
(2)
Proficiency in one or more languages other than English, demonstrated by passing a foreign language advanced placement examination with a score of 4 or higher or an international baccalaureate examination with a score of 5 or higher; provided, however, that for languages in which an advanced placement examination is not available, the Department of Education may provide a listing of equivalent summative examinations that local school systems may use in place of such an advanced placement examination.
(d)
(1)
A local school system participating in the Georgia Seal of Biliteracy program shall maintain appropriate records in order to identify pupils who have earned a Georgia Seal of Biliteracy and shall affix the appropriate insignia to the diploma or transcript of each pupil who earns such seal.
(2)
Local school system participation in the Georgia Seal of Biliteracy program shall be voluntary. No local school system shall be required to expend additional resources or hire additional personnel to implement the provisions of this Code section.
(e)
The Department of Education shall prepare and deliver to participating local school systems an appropriate insignia to be affixed to the diploma or transcript of the pupil indicating that such pupil has been awarded a Georgia Seal of Biliteracy.
Added by 2016 Ga. Laws 618,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2016.
Repealed by 2015 Ga. Laws 34,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2015.
Amended by 2014 Ga. Laws 543,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2014.
Added by 2011 Ga. Laws 226,§ 5, eff. 5/13/2011.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 4 - FINANCING (§§ 20-2-160 — 20-2-172) › Section 20-2-161.1 - [Repealed] Enrollment in postsecondary courses; academic credit; secondary options grant account

Repealed by 2011 Ga. Laws 226,§ 7, eff. 5/13/2011.
Amended by 2011 Ga. Laws 225,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2011.
Amended by 2003 Ga. Laws 30, § 1, eff. 5/20/2003.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 4 - FINANCING (§§ 20-2-160 — 20-2-172) › Section 20-2-161.4 - [Effective until 6/30/2027] Accessing HOPE scholarship funds for dual enrolled students; termination

(a)
(1)
Beginning July 1, 2023, each student participating in the Dual Enrollment program provided for in Code Section
20-2-161.3
who is eligible for a HOPE grant pursuant to Code Section
20-3-519.5
shall be allowed to access HOPE grant funds for eligible CTAE courses, as defined in Code Section
20-2-161.3
, irrespective of whether such student has reached any maximum credit hour cap provided for in Code Section
20-2-161.3
.
(2)
For three years beginning on July 1, 2023, the Georgia Student Finance Commission, in collaboration with the Technical College System of Georgia, shall collect and report data on:
(A)
Student enrollment in and completion of at least one eligible CTAE course, as defined in Code Section
20-2-161.3
, as part of the Dual Enrollment program provided for in Code Section
20-2-161.3
;
(B)
HOPE grant funding and Dual Enrollment program funding, including, but not limited to, the number of students who received such funding and the maximum, mean, median, and mode amounts of such funding received by students;
(C)
Postsecondary credits earned by students who received such funding;
(D)
The number of students who enrolled in a postsecondary degree program after completing a program of study that includes at least one eligible CTAE course, as defined in Code Section
20-2-161.3
, as part of the Dual Enrollment program provided for in Code Section
20-2-161.3
; and
(E)
The number of students employed in a high-demand field after completing a focused program of study identified by the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia as part of the High Demand Apprenticeship Program provided for in Code Section
20-4-152
.
No later than January 1 each year, the Georgia Student Finance Commission shall provide an interim report to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the director of the Office of Planning and Budget, and the chairpersons of the House Committee on Education, the Senate Education and Youth Committee, the House Committee on Higher Education, and the Senate Higher Education Committee. A final report shall be provided to the same no later than December 1, 2027.
(3)
The Georgia Student Finance Commission, in consultation with the State Board of Education, the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, and the Office of Workforce Development, shall establish rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this subsection.
(b)
This Code section shall stand repealed on June 30, 2027.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 560,§ 3-1, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 559,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2024.
Added by 2023 Ga. Laws 54,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2023.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 20 - EDUCATION (§§ 20-1-1 — 20-18-7) › Chapter 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-1 — 20-2-2140) › Article 6 - QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (§§ 20-2-130 — 20-2-329.2) › Part 4 - FINANCING (§§ 20-2-160 — 20-2-172) › Section 20-2-165.1 - Charter system earnings for each full-time equivalent student; use of funds

In addition to the amounts earned by a charter system or a local charter school pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section
20-2-161
, a charter system or a local charter school shall earn 3.785 percent of the base amount established pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section
20-2-161
for each full-time equivalent student in each school within the charter system or each full-time equivalent student within the local charter school; provided, however, that no individual charter system or local charter school shall receive more than $4.5 million in a fiscal year. The State Board of Education shall directly allocate the amount of appropriated funds calculated pursuant to this Code section to each local charter school. Funds appropriated pursuant to this Code section shall be used in accordance with recommendations of the school level governing body established by the charter or to advance student achievement goals and school level governance training objectives pursuant to the charter.
Amended by 2021 Ga. Laws 158,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2022.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 335,§ 10, eff. 7/1/2013.