Bill > HB48

This bill establishes the Refugee and International Students Equalization (RISE) program to support international students in Georgia's public schools. The bill defines an "international student" as a school-age child born outside the United States, currently residing in Georgia, enrolled in a public school, and having first enrolled in a Georgia public school within the past 36 months, which includes unaccompanied, asylum-seeking, and refugee children. The State Board of Education will create the RISE program to provide comprehensive wraparound services such as education, housing, medical care, counseling, nutrition, and transportation support, subject to legislative appropriation. The bill also modifies the Quality Basic Education Formula by adding a new program weight and teacher-student ratio specifically for the RISE program, which will have a weight of 1.2000 and a teacher-to-student ratio of 1 to 7. These provisions are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, aimed at providing targeted support for international students who may have unique educational and social needs when entering the Georgia public school system.

Education

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69345