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HB 68 - QBE; President's Day & Vets Day; instruction provisions

Birdsong, Kenneth W (123rd)	Porter, DuBose (143rd)	Jamieson, Mary Jeanette (22nd)
Roberts, Lawrence R (162nd)	Sims, Chuck (167th)	Squires, Mary (78th)

Status Summary	HC:	Ed	SC:	Ed	FR:	01/13/99	LA:	04/27/00	Signed by Governor

First Reader Summary

A BILL to amend Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, known as the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to provide for instructional activity relating to the Presidents of the United States on President's Day of each year; to provide for instructional activity relating to Veterans Day; and for other purposes.

Code Sections - 20-2-146

HB 68                                                HB 68/AP 
 
      H. B. No. 68 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) 
      By:  Representatives Birdsong of the 123rd, Porter of the 
      143rd, Jamieson of the 22nd, Roberts of the 162nd, Sims of 
      the 167th and others 
 
                        A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 
                               AN ACT 
 
 
  1- 1  To amend Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official 
  1- 2  Code of Georgia Annotated, known as the "Quality Basic 
  1- 3  Education Act," so as to provide for instructional activity 
  1- 4  relating to Veterans Day; to provide that public elementary 
  1- 5  and secondary schools may be closed on November 11 of each 
  1- 6  year in honor of veterans; to provide for related matters; 
  1- 7  to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. 
 
  1- 8  WHEREAS, veterans of the armed forces of the United States 
  1- 9  have established an outstanding record of valor and service 
  1-10  during periods of international conflict; and 
 
  1-11  WHEREAS, the exceptional leadership, courage, and commitment 
  1-12  demonstrated by those who have served their country in times 
  1-13  of war have created a proud and noble heritage; and 
 
  1-14  WHEREAS, our nation has been blessed with an abundance of 
  1-15  men and women who have served with dedication to ensure that 
  1-16  peace and freedom are preserved for others; and 
 
  1-17  WHEREAS, we must recognize the sacrifices made by committed 
  1-18  members of the armed forces and affirm the ideals and 
  1-19  principles they have been called to defend; and 
 
  1-20  WHEREAS, it is only fitting and proper that students, 
  1-21  teachers, and administrators in the public schools be 
  1-22  encouraged to observe November 11 each year with appropriate 
  1-23  programs, ceremonies, and activities in honor of those who 
  1-24  have served in our armed forces. 
 
  1-25  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF 
  1-26  GEORGIA: 
 
  1-27                           SECTION 1. 
 
  1-28  Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of 
  1-29  Georgia Annotated, known as the "Quality Basic Education 
  1-30  Act," is amended by adding at the end of Part 2, relating to 
  1-31  competencies and core curriculum, a new Code Section 
  1-32  20-2-146 to read as follows: 
 
 
 
 
                                 -1- 
 
 
 
  2- 1    "20-2-146. 
 
  2- 2    On a school day on or immediately preceding or as close to 
  2- 3    the annual observance of Veterans Day as practicable as 
  2- 4    determined by a school's scheduled curriculum, each 
  2- 5    elementary and secondary school may provide for 
  2- 6    instructional activity focusing on the contributions of 
  2- 7    veterans and the importance of the armed forces of the 
  2- 8    United States." 
 
  2- 9                           SECTION 2. 
 
  2-10  Said article is further amended by striking in its entirety 
  2-11  paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of Code Section 20-2-168, 
  2-12  relating to distribution of federal funds by the State Board 
  2-13  of Education, combined purchase of supplies and equipment, 
  2-14  minimum school year, summer school programs, and year-round 
  2-15  operation, and inserting in lieu thereof a new paragraph (1) 
  2-16  to read as follows: 
 
  2-17      "(c)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Code 
  2-18      section, public elementary and secondary schools of this 
  2-19      state receiving state aid under this article shall 
  2-20      provide each eligible student with access to no less 
  2-21      than 180 school days of education each fiscal year.  The 
  2-22      State Board of Education shall define a school year, 
  2-23      which shall be no less than 180 days of instruction in 
  2-24      accordance with the provisions of this subsection, and 
  2-25      shall define the length of the school day, and shall 
  2-26      provide that all public elementary and secondary schools 
  2-27      may be closed for instruction on November 11 of each 
  2-28      year as  determined by each local board of education to 
  2-29      enable students, teachers, and administrators to 
  2-30      participate in Veterans Day programs to honor veterans 
  2-31      of the armed forces." 
 
  2-32                           SECTION 3. 
 
  2-33  All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are 
  2-34  repealed. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                 -2-