06 LC 33
1363
House
Bill 1458
By:
Representatives Porter of the
143rd,
Hugley of the
133rd,
Smyre of the
132nd,
and Ashe of the
56th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to elementary and secondary education, so as to eliminate the uniform reporting
system based on a 4.0 scale that was to be effective on May 1, 2007; to provide
that the current uniform reporting system based on a numeric average shall
continue in effect; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws;
and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Chapter
2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary
and secondary education, is amended by striking Code Section 20-2-157, relating
to the uniform reporting system for certain purposes, and inserting in lieu
thereof the following:
"20-2-157.
(a)
It is the intent of the General Assembly to establish a uniform reporting system
to be used as one of the criteria to determine eligibility of students seeking
enrollment in postsecondary courses pursuant to Code Section 20-2-161.1 or
seeking educational scholarships, grants, or loan assistance administered by the
Georgia Student Finance Commission pursuant to Article 7 of Chapter 3 of this
title.
(b)
Beginning May 1, 2007, each school system and private school shall adopt the
reporting system described in this subsection for purposes of identifying and
qualifying graduating seniors for the HOPE scholarship program and other
programs identified in this Code section:
(1)
Each school system and private school shall transmit, in a manner and at times
prescribed by the Georgia Student Finance Commission, an electronic transcript
of courses and course grades for each graduating senior that reflects the
complete high school academic record of the student, including scores on any
state tests required for graduation, the grading scales used by the school
system or private school for the time periods referenced by the transcripts, and
any other pertinent information as
determined
by the
Georgia Student Finance Commission. Each grade reported by a school system or
private school to the commission for the purpose of calculating the grade point
average for HOPE scholarship eligibility shall be the actual grade earned by the
student, with no weighting or addition of points by the local school system or
private school;
(2)
The Georgia Student Finance Commission shall calculate a grade point average for
the purpose of determining eligibility for the HOPE scholarship from these
electronic transcripts and shall notify students of their eligibility and high
schools as to the eligibility of students;
(3)
For students otherwise qualified and enrolling as freshmen students in eligible
public or private postsecondary institutions for the first time on May 1, 2007,
or thereafter, the Georgia Student Finance Commission shall calculate grade
point averages for determining eligibility for the HOPE scholarship and other
scholarships referenced in this Code section as follows:
(A)
For students receiving a college preparatory diploma, each grade for a student
in attempted coursework in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and
foreign language that would, if successfully completed, satisfy a core
graduation requirement for the college preparatory curriculum shall be equated
to a grade on a 4.0 scale, such that a grade of 'A' = 4.0, a grade of 'B' = 3.0,
a grade of 'C' = 2.0, a grade of 'D' = 1.0, and a grade of 'F' = 0;
or
(B)
For students receiving a career/technical diploma, each grade for a student in
attempted coursework in English, mathematics, science, and social studies that
would, if successfully completed, satisfy a core graduation requirement for the
career/technical curriculum shall be equated to a grade on a 4.0 scale, such
that a grade of 'A' = 4.0, a grade of 'B' = 3.0, a grade of 'C' = 2.0, a grade
of 'D' = 1.0, and a grade of 'F' = 0.
Grades
for coursework that is classified as advanced placement or international
baccalaureate shall be weighted by the Georgia Student Finance Commission in
calculating the overall grade point averages for students, provided that the
weighting of such course grades is uniformly applied to all students in the
state taking the specified coursework. The sum of the equated grades shall be
divided by the number of course grades, adjusted for term length, to yield a
grade point average on a 4.0 scale;
(4)
Qualification for the HOPE scholarship shall be determined from the grade point
average calculated as set out in paragraph (3) of this subsection. Beginning May
1, 2007, students with grade point averages equal to or in excess of 3.0 on the
4.0 scale with a college preparatory diploma shall meet achievement standards
for the HOPE scholarship; students receiving a career/technical diploma shall
meet achievement standards for the HOPE scholarship with a grade point average
equal to or in excess of 3.2 on a 4.0
scale.
This
paragraph shall apply regardless of when a student graduated from high school
and
regardless
of such
student́s
eligibility status prior to May 1, 2007; and
(5)
Beginning May 1, 2007, only the reporting system as indicated in this subsection
shall be used to determine eligibility for all grants, scholarships, or loans to
attend colleges or universities which are administered pursuant to Article 7 of
Chapter 3 of this title and eligibility for enrollment in postsecondary courses
pursuant to Code Section 20-2-161.1.
(c)(b)(1)
Prior to
May 1, 2007, each
Each
school system shall adopt the following reporting system for purposes of
identifying and qualifying graduating seniors for the HOPE scholarship program
and other programs identified in this Code section:
(A)
A final grade average of at least an 80 numeric average in their core curriculum
subjects, provided that the student meets the college preparatory curriculum
requirements; or
(B)
A final grade average of at least an 85 numeric average in their core curriculum
subjects if the student meets the career/technical curriculum
requirements.
(2)
Prior to
May 1, 2007, only
Only
the reporting system as indicated in this subsection shall be used to determine
eligibility for all grants, scholarships, or loans to attend colleges or
universities which are administered pursuant to Article 7 of Chapter 3 of this
title and eligibility for enrollment in postsecondary courses pursuant to Code
Section
20-2-161.1."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.