05 LC 33
0695
House
Bill 423
By:
Representatives Hugley of the
133rd
and Watson of the
91st
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Part 12 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to the effectiveness of educational programs, so as
to provide that a student who does not achieve a passing score on the science
portion of the high school graduation test may be eligible to graduate under
certain conditions; to provide for applicability; to provide for related
matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Part
12 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to the effectiveness of educational programs, is amended by
inserting immediately following Code Section 20-2-281 a new Code Section
20-2-281.1 to read as follows:
"20-2-281.1.
(a)
Notwithstanding any contrary provision, a student who does not achieve a passing
score on the science portion of the high school graduation test provided for in
subsection (a) of Code Section 20-2-281 may be eligible to graduate if the
student:
(1)
Has taken the science portion of the high school graduation test at least two
times and has not achieved a passing score;
(2)
Has met all other graduation requirements;
(3)
Maintained at least a 'B' average or the equivalent in the courses comprising
the credits specifically required for graduation by rule of the board of
education; and
(4)
Received instruction in one or more science courses from a teacher who was not
certified in a science related area.
(b)
The State Board shall be authorized to waive the passing score for any student
who meets the criteria in subsection (a) of this Code section after
consideration of such criteria as well as other appropriate factors, including
but not limited to, the totality of the
student́s
school experience, including the
student́s
attendance record.
(c)
This Code section shall continue in effect until high school science
end-of-course assessments have been fully implemented and the state board
discontinues the high school graduation test as a requirement for
graduation."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.