Bill > HB634

This bill modifies the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act to improve scholarship administration and transparency for students with special needs. The bill introduces changes to how scholarship amounts are calculated, particularly for students whose first Individualized Education Program (IEP) is expedited, ensuring that the initial scholarship calculation will be based on the services specified when the IEP takes effect and then revised at the next enrollment count. The bill also updates payment methods, allowing for electronic deposits of scholarship funds to participating schools, with a mailed warrant as a backup option. Additionally, the bill enhances program oversight by requiring the Department of Education to develop a compliance form for participating schools, conduct an annual parent satisfaction survey, and post estimated and actual scholarship amounts. The annual report on the scholarship program will now include more detailed demographic information about participating students, such as age, grade level, gender, race, ethnicity, and meal assistance eligibility, as well as information about the medical or behavioral conditions schools are accommodating. These changes aim to increase program transparency, improve communication with parents, and provide more comprehensive data about the scholarship program's implementation and impact.

Education

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70812