SUMMARY:  LC 33 5885S  Removes criterion-referenced competency tests and the Georgia High School Graduation Test from the list of approved student achievement measures leading to a high school diploma and adds end-of-grade assessments to the list.  The bill also retroactively removes the Test requirement for students who have met all other graduation requirements and allows a diploma to be awarded.

The bill also replaces references to the criterion-referenced assessments with the term end of grade assessments.  

REQUIREMENTS:

• On and after the date of signing of this bill by the Governor, students shall no longer be required to earn a passing score on the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) to earn a high school diploma
• A person no longer enrolled in a Georgia public school and who previously failed to receive a high school diploma or was denied graduation solely for failing to achieve a passing score on one or more portions of the GHSGT or the Georgia High School Writing Test (or their predecessor tests) may petition the local board of education in which last enrolled to determine the student's eligibility to receive a high school diploma based on the graduation requirements in effect when the student first entered ninth grade.
• The local board of education may date the diploma on the date the student graduated or the date the diploma was conferred. 
• Persons receiving diplomas in this manner shall not be counted as graduates in the graduation rate calculation. 
• Local systems must advertise the provisions of the law at least three times on a schedule and in a format defined in the law. 

POINTS TO CONSIDER:

• The Georgia High School Graduation Test is being phased out and replaced by end-of-course test as a graduation assessment
• This would eliminate the process students go through to apply for a waiver of the GHSGT minimum score requirement from the State Board of Education.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Immediately upon approval by the General Assembly and signature of the Governor.