07 LC 33
1703
House
Bill 216
By:
Representatives Porter of the
143rd,
Hugley of the
133rd,
Randall of the
138th,
Ashe of the
56th,
Jamieson of the
28th,
and others
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Code Section 20-2-157 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to the uniform reporting system for certain purposes, so as to provide that the
reporting system based on a "B" average to determine eligibility for HOPE and
other postsecondary scholarships will become effective only upon the development
and implementation of a minimum state-wide standard for honors courses; to
provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Code
Section 20-2-157 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the
uniform reporting system for certain purposes, is amended by revising
subsections (b) and (c) and adding a new subsection (d) as follows:
"(b)
Beginning
May 1,
2007
on the date
indicated in subsection (d) of this Code
section, 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
the date
indicated in subsection (d) of this Code
section, 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
on the date
indicated in subsection (d) of this Code
section, 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 student´s eligibility
status prior to
May 1,
2007
the date
indicated in subsection (d) of this Code
section; and
(5)
Beginning
May 1,
2007
on the date
indicated in subsection (d) of this Code
section, 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)(1)
Prior to
May 1,
2007
the date
indicated in subsection (d) of this Code
section, 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
the date
indicated in subsection (d) of this Code
section, 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.
(d)
Subsection (b) of this Code section shall be effective upon the establishment
and implementation by the State Board of Education of minimum state-wide
standards for honors courses. Prior to such time, subsection (c) of this Code
section shall be in
effect."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.