Bill Text: GA HB313 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Quality Basic Education Act; calculating grade point averages; revise certain provisions

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2009-07-01 - Effective Date [HB313 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HB313-Introduced.html

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09 LC 33 2900/AP

House Bill 313 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)

By: Representatives Hembree of the 67th and Millar of the 79th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Part 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to educational programs within the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to revise certain provisions relating to calculating grade point averages for purposes of determining eligibility for enrollment and scholarships for postsecondary education; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Part 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to educational programs within the "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended by revising Code Section 20-2-157, relating to the uniform reporting system for high school grades for purposes of determining eligibility for enrollment and scholarships for postsecondary education, as follows:

"20-2-157.

(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to establish a uniform reporting system to be used as one of the criteria to determine eligibility of students seeking enrollment in postsecondary courses pursuant to Code Section 20-2-161.1 or seeking educational scholarships, grants, or loan assistance administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission pursuant to Article 7 of Chapter 3 of this title.

(b) Beginning May 1, 2007, each 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, or thereafter, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3.1) of this subsection, 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;

(3.1) For students otherwise qualified and enrolling in the ninth grade for the first time during the 2008-2009 school year and 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 by equating each grade for a student in attempted coursework in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign language during the student's ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade year 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; and

(4) Qualification for the HOPE scholarship shall be determined from the grade point average calculated either as set out in paragraph (3) of this subsection or as set out in paragraph (3.1) of this subsection for students enrolling in the ninth grade for the first time in a Georgia public school during the 2008-2009 school year and thereafter. Beginning May 1, 2007, 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. For students enrolling in the ninth grade for the first time in a Georgia public school during the 2008-2009 school year and thereafter, such students with grade point averages equal to or in excess of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale shall meet achievement standards for the HOPE scholarship. 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; and

(5) Beginning May 1, 2007, 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, 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, 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."

SECTION 2.

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