SB 2 (Senators Tippins, Sims, Cowsert, Wilkinson, Millar, and others - Bipartisan signers)

This bill amends current code by adding a new Code Section 20-2-149.2 which allows a local board of education to award a high school diploma to any student who:

1. Completes courwork at postsecondary institution (college, university, or technical college) that is accredited as specified in O.C.G.A. § 20-3-519;
2. Has completed at least two ninth or tenth grade courses in each subject (English, mathematics, science, social studies) AND any state required tests associated with those courses.
3. Receives a score of admission acceptable on the readiness assessment required by the postsecondary institution.
4. Completes either:
   1. An associate degree program
   2. A technical college diploma program and all postsecondary academic education and technical education and training prerequisites for any state national, or industrial certification or licenses required to work in the field.
   3. At least two technical college certificate of credit programs in one specific career pathway and all postsecondary academic education and technical education and training prerequisites for any state national, or industrial certification or licenses required to work in the field.

The State Board of Education, after consultation with the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia and the Board of Regents would establish rules and regulations for implementation.

Any student who meets the requirements listed above are considered to have met all graduation requirements of the State Board of Education and cannot be subject to any additional assessments required for purposes of graduation. 

1/29/15

Note: Favorably reported out of Senate Education Committe by Substitute containing the following new provision:

The State Board of The Technical College System of Georgia shall annually identify and report fields of study in whcih a critical need or shortage of trained personnel exists in the state's labor force.  The State Board of Education will, in turn, annually provide this information to Local School Districts for the purpose of emphasizing areas of critical workforce needs and shortages in Georgia's labor market to high school students to support their career pathway decisions.