SB65: SB65 Education; mandatory kindergarten for all children prior to entering into first grade; provide

25 LC 49 2324S The Senate Committee on Education and Youth offered the following substitute to SB 65: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for mandat ory kindergarten for all2 children prior to entering into first grade; to provide for rel ated matters; to provide for3 contingent effectiveness; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and7 secondary education, is amended in Code Section 20-2-150, relat ing to eligibility for8 enrollment for educational programs, by revising subsection (c) as follows:9 "(c) All children enrolled for 20 school days or more in the pu blic schools of this state10 prior to their seventh sixth birthday shall become subject to all of the provisions of this11 article, the provisions of Code Sections 20-2-690 through 20-2- 701, and the rules and12 regulations of the State Board of Education relating to compulsory school attendance even13 though they have not attained seven six years of age."14 - 1 - 25 LC 49 2324S SECTION 2.15 Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 20-2-151, relat ing to general and career16 education programs, by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (b) as follows:17 "(1)(A) All local school systems may shall offer a full-day kindergarten program. For18 purposes of this subsection, the term 'full-day kindergarten program' means a student19 is provided classroom instruction for a minimum of four and one-half hours daily for20 a 180 day school year, or the equivalent thereof as determined in accordance with State21 Board of Education guidelines.22 (B) It is the policy of this state that all children shall att end a full-day kindergarten23 program for one school year prior to enrolling in first grade and that the purposes of the24 kindergarten such program shall be to provide all children with an equal opportu nity25 to become prepared for a successful first grade experience and to acquire the foundation26 for academic progress throughout the students' educational careers. To be eligible for27 enrollment in a state supported kindergarten program, a child must attain the age of five28 by September 1, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of Code Section29 20-2-150;"30 SECTION 3.31 This Act shall become effective only upon the effective date of a specific appropriation of32 funds for purposes of this Act, as expressed in a line item making specific reference to such33 Act in a General Appropriations Act enacted by the General Assembly.34 SECTION 4.35 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.36 - 2 -