hb332_LC_33_1745_a_2.html
07 LC 33 1745
House Bill 332
By: Representatives Coleman of the 97th, Millar of the 79th, Hembree of the 67th, Jones of the 46th, Maxwell of the 17th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT


To amend Code Section 20-2-182 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to program weights, maximum class size, and reporting requirements under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to delay the implementation of certain maximum class size requirements; 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 20-2-182 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to program weights, maximum class size, and reporting requirements under the "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended by revising paragraph (2) of subsection (i) and subsection (k) as follows:

"(2) The State Board of Education shall adopt for each instructional program authorized pursuant to Part 3 of this article except those programs included in paragraph (1) of this subsection the maximum number of students which may be taught by a teacher in an instructional period. For the remedial education, vocational laboratory, alternative education, and early intervention programs, the State Board of Education shall provide for a system average maximum class size that shall not exceed the funding class size by more than 20 percent, unless specifically authorized by the State Board of Education; provided, further, that the system average maximum class size for special education, gifted, and English for speakers of other languages classes shall be set by the State Board of Education. For each instructional program covered under this paragraph, the maximum number of students who may be taught by a teacher in an instructional period shall not exceed the system average maximum class size for the program by more than two students; provided, however, that a system average maximum class size which results in a fractional full-time equivalent shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number. For a period not to exceed seven nine years, beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, local school systems shall be allowed to exceed the maximum class sizes set forth in this subsection in a manner consistent with State Board of Education rules and subsection (k) of this Code section, except for those programs included in paragraph (1) of this subsection beginning with the 2006-2007 school year. The State Board of Education shall lower the current maximum class sizes set by state board rules in effect for the 1999-2000 school year, beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, by an amount so that, beginning with the 2007-2008 2009-2010 school year, State Board of Education rules are in compliance with this subsection; provided, however, that this shall not apply to the programs included in paragraph (1) of this subsection beginning with the 2006-2007 school year."
"(k)(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection or in paragraph (1) of subsection (i) of this Code section, for the 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, and 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 school years, the maximum class sizes set by the State Board of Education for the 2002-2003 school year shall apply for grades four through 12.
(2)(A) For the 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 school year years, for the following regular education programs, the maximum individual class size for mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts classes shall be:
(i) High school general education program (9-12), except science
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(ii) High school general education program (9-12), science only
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(B) For the 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009 school year years, in addition to the maximum individual class size requirements in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the maximum system average class size for mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts classes shall be:
(i) High school general education program (9-12), except science. . .
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(ii) High school general education program (9-12), science only. . . .
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(3) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, other provisions of this Code section shall apply. This subsection shall not be construed to repeal any other provision of this Code section or this chapter, or to apply to any period of time other than the four six fiscal years beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2007 2009. This subsection shall be automatically repealed July 1, 2007 2009."

SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.