SUMMARY:  [VETOED ON MAY 11]

SB 178 became an omnibus bill as it passed on the final day.  The original bill to extend the capital outlay program now includes HB 278, waiving expenditure controls for two years; HB 400, the BRIDGE bill; and provisions for funding dual enrollment.  

REQUIREMENTS:

• Dual enrollment:
  • State Board and Governor's Office of Planning and Budget shall establish, no later than September 1, 2009, a funding code to enable a separate FTE count of students who are dually enrolled in high school and postsecondary courses if the program is provided at a charter school or at a high school in a district having a cost sharing agreement with the postsecondary institution that has been approved by the State Board.
  • The program weight shall be no less than 50% of the program weight for the appropriate instructional program for the student.
• This bill extends the capital outlay program until June 30, 2011.
• Expenditure controls:
  • For school years 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, the expenditure cost controls relating to state funds received for direct instruction, media center, staff and professional development, and additional days of instruction shall be waived and shall not apply to nor be enforceable against a local school system.
  • Each local school system shall report its budgets and expenditures related to these programs to the Department of Education in October and March.
  • No penalty shall apply to a local school system that executes the waiver on the above expenditure categories as long as reports are made in a timely manner 
  • This waiver is automatically repealed July 1, 2010.
• The BRIDGE bill:
• The Department of Education shall develop focus programs of study in high demand, high skill, and high wage academic and career fields.
• Students may pursue courses at the high school of attendance, a technical school or college, a public four year college, a career academy, at a work site under an apprenticeship cooperative education program and at other approved settings.
• Focused programs of study shall blend academic and technical content developed around college and career readiness standards. Other academic requirements are prescribed.
• Programs shall include state-wide articulation and dual enrollment courses between local school systems and postsecondary institutions to allow adequately prepared high school students to move directly into postsecondary education.
• Dual enrollment credit shall be awarded.
• Counseling and career guidance shall be provided for students in grades 6, 7, and 8 as well as high school students.
• Individual graduation plans will be required of high school students, including selection of a preferred focused program of study (to be developed before the end of the second semester of the eighth grade). The plans must be reviewed annually and revised as needed.  Components of the plan shall include:
  • Rigorous academic core subjects and focused course work in mathematics and science or in humanities, fine arts, and foreign language or sequenced career pathway course work;
  • Provisions of a students IEP where applicable;
  • Alignment of educational and broad career goals and the student's course of study;
  • Based on the student's selected academic and career focus area;
  • Include, but not be limited to, internships, apprenticeships, mentoring, co-op education, and service learning;
  • Opportunities for postsecondary studies
  • Allow change in the course of study; meet graduation requirements; qualify the student for admission to postsecondary education;
  • Approval by  the student, parent/guardian with guidance from the counselor or teacher advisor.
• The Department of Education shall provide training for school counselors and graduation coaches related to implementation of graduation plans.
• Chronically low-performing high schools receiving a grant under this program will implement an evidence based reform/support program for at risk students developed by the State Board of Education, including (among others): identification of at risk students; reduction of high failure rates; improving student performance in ninth grade reading and math; developing  diagnostic assessments; developing a program evaluation component in each high school; utilization of a flexible schedule increasing student time in language arts/reading and mathematics; utilizing experienced and effective teachers in ninth grade; teacher mentors; ninth grade career courses which incorporate miniprojects emphasizing reading, mathematics, science and technology skills.
• Student performance at the advanced proficiency/honors level on any assessments required for high school graduation shall be recognized as meeting postsecondary entrance requirements and qualifying students to enroll in credit-bearing postsecondary work in accordance with policies/requirements established by the State Board of Education, Board of Regents, and the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.
• Passage of a State Board approved employer or industry certification or state licensure examination shall be a factor when considering whether to grant a variance for one or more sections of the high school graduation test if the student has attempted and failed to pass the relevant portion of the test at least three times.

POINTS TO CONSIDER:

• The dual enrollment provision clarifies the funding process.
• Capital outlay:
  • This bill is necessary in order to maintain funding for Georgia school construction projects.
  • Discussion among legislators indicated plans are to review and revamp the capital outlay provisions in the future.
• Expenditure controls:
  • Provides much needed fiscal flexibility to local school systems during a time of reduced revenue.
  • Allows local school systems to move funds from categories of low need to categories of higher need.
  • Requires additional reporting to the Department of Education.
• BRIDGE:
  • Mandated graduation plans will require additional resources in order to monitor and modify such plans.
  • The bill will require extensive policy, support, and other actions by the Department of Education and postsecondary entities.
  • Development of academic offerings, including industry certification, will be expensive. If funded, grants will be available to help offset the cost.
  • Transportation will be an issue for some students.
  • Implementation of the program is subject to appropriations by the General Assembly.
  • Additional reporting and training is required of local school staff.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon approval of the Governor or upon becoming law without such approval.