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Bill > HB294
GA HB294
GA HB294Quality Basic Education Act; require State Board of Education to review and update policies, guidelines, and processes for awarding units of high school credit to students based on a demonstration of subject area competency
summary
Introduced
02/05/2025
02/05/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Part 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to require the State Board of Education to review and update, as necessary, policies, guidelines, and processes for awarding units of high school credit to students based on a demonstration of subject area competency; to include international baccalaureate exams among the assessments to be identified by the State Board of Education for students to demonstrate subject area competency; to prohibit the State School Superintendent from being authorized to deny, delay, or otherwise interfere with the approval of any performance based assessment identified and approved by the State Board of Education; to provide for statutory construction; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill amends the Quality Basic Education Act to update how high school students can earn academic credits in Georgia. The State Board of Education is required to review and update, by August 1, 2025, its policies for awarding high school credits based on subject area competency, rather than just traditional classroom instruction. Students will be able to earn credits by either completing courses or demonstrating mastery through various assessments, which now explicitly include international baccalaureate exams alongside existing options like Advanced Placement exams, ACT course assessments, industry certificates, CLEP exams, and foreign language performance assessments. The bill limits initial credit earning through these alternative methods to three credits per student and mandates that the board review the policy after three years to ensure equivalent student outcomes. Importantly, the bill prohibits the State School Superintendent from interfering with performance-based assessment approvals and requires local school systems to comply with these new policies. The legislation does not mandate that schools must offer advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses, but provides a framework for students to earn credits through competency demonstrations. The act will become effective on July 1, 2025, providing schools time to prepare for implementation.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (6)
Bryce Berry (D)*,
Doreen Carter (D)*,
Lydia Glaize (D)*,
Mekyah McQueen (D)*,
Tanya Miller (D)*,
Inga Willis (D)*,
Last Action
House Second Readers (on 02/10/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69964 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/231491 |
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