HB 1032: Early Enrollment Act; enact

House Bill 1032

By: Representatives Scott of the 76th, Schofield of the 63rd, Davis of the 87th, and Burnough of the 77th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to provide for early enrollment for students who have completed pre-kindergarten or kindergarten at a private school but who do not meet the age requirements for enrollment in kindergarten or first grade; to require the State Board of Education to establish guidelines for early enrollment and to develop a model early enrollment policy; to require local boards of education to adopt an early enrollment policy; to provide for a short title; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Early Enrollment Act."

SECTION 2.

Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended in Code Section 20-2-150, relating to eligibility for enrollment, by revising subsection (a) and adding a new subsection to read as follows: "(a) Except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) or (b.1) of this Code section, all children and youth who have attained the age of five years by September 1 shall be eligible for enrollment in the appropriate general education programs authorized in this part unless they attain the age of 20 by September 1 or they have received high school diplomas or the equivalent. This shall specifically include students who have reenrolled after dropping out and who are married, parents, or pregnant. Special education students shall also be eligible for enrollment in appropriate education programs through age 21 or until they receive high school or special education diplomas or the equivalent; provided, however, that they were enrolled during the preceding school year and had an approved Individualized Education Program (IEP) which indicated that a successive year of enrollment was needed. Other students who have not yet attained age 21 by September 1 or received high school diplomas or the equivalent shall be eligible for enrollment in appropriate education programs, provided they have not dropped out of school for one quarter or more. Each local unit of administration shall have the authority to assign students who are married, parents, or pregnant or who have reenrolled after dropping out one quarter or more to programs of instruction within its regular daytime educational program, provided that a local unit of administration may develop and implement special programs of instruction limited to such students within the regular daytime educational program or, at the option of the student, in an alternative program beyond the regular daytime program; provided, further, that such programs of instruction are designed to enable such students to earn course credit toward receiving high school diplomas. These programs may include instruction in prenatal care and child care. Each local unit of administration shall have the authority to provide alternative programs beyond the regular daytime educational program. Unless otherwise provided by law, the State Board of Education shall have the authority to determine the eligibility of students for enrollment. It is declared to be the policy of this state that general and occupational education be integrated into a comprehensive educational program which will contribute to the total development of the individual." "(b.1)(1) A child who has successfully completed pre-kindergarten or kindergarten at a private school which meets the requirements of subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-690 shall be eligible for enrollment in kindergarten, if such child has completed pre-kindergarten, or first grade, if such child has completed kindergarten, in the appropriate general or special education programs authorized in this part if such child is otherwise qualified; provided, however, that, if such child does not meet the age requirements of subsection (a) of this Code section for eligibility for enrollment in kindergarten or the age requirements of paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-151 for eligibility for enrollment in first grade, such child may be eligible for early enrollment if he or she demonstrates readiness for kindergarten or first grade in accordance with this subsection.

(2) No later than January 1, 2027, the State Board of Education shall establish guidelines for a student to demonstrate readiness for kindergarten, which shall include a student's grades, his or her scores on norm-referenced assessments, teacher recommendations, and other factors relevant to determine whether a student is ready for kindergarten. Such guidelines shall provide that the first grade readiness assessment required by Code Sections 20-2-151 and 20-2-281 shall be used to determine if a student is ready for first grade. Such guidelines shall include information pertinent to consideration of the placement of students who have been identified as being disabled or limited-English-proficient.

(3) No later than July 1, 2027, each local board of education shall adopt an early enrollment policy in accordance with the guidelines established by the State Board of Education pursuant to this subsection. Such policy shall establish a process for a parent or guardian to request early enrollment for his or her child and an appeal process for denials of such requests. The State Board of Education shall develop a model early enrollment policy which may be utilized by a local board of education."

SECTION 3.

Said article is further amended by revising subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-151, relating to general and career education programs, purpose, and authorized programs, as follows: "(b) The following general and career education programs are authorized for purposes of funding under this article:

(1)(A) All local school systems may offer a full-day kindergarten program. For purposes of As used in this subsection, the term 'full-day kindergarten program' means a student is provided classroom instruction for a minimum of four and one-half hours daily for a 180 day school year, or the equivalent thereof as determined in accordance with State Board of Education guidelines.

(B) It is the policy of this state that the purposes of the kindergarten program shall be to provide all children with an equal opportunity to become prepared for a successful first grade experience and to acquire the foundation for academic progress throughout the students' educational careers. To be eligible for enrollment in a state supported kindergarten program, a child must attain the age of five by September 1, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) or (b.1) of Code Section 20-2-150;

(2) It is the policy of this state that the purpose of the primary grades program shall be mastery by enrolled students of the essential basic skills and knowledge which will enable them to achieve more advanced skills and knowledge offered at the higher grade levels. For purposes of funding under this article, the primary grades program shall include grades one, two, and three. To be eligible for enrollment in the first grade of a state supported primary grades program, a child must attain the age of six by September 1, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) or (b.1) of Code Section 20-2-150. The State Board of Education shall adopt an instrument or instruments, procedures, and policies necessary to assess the first grade readiness of children enrolled in Georgia's public school kindergarten programs pursuant to Code Section 20-2-281. Readiness information obtained by the instrument or instruments adopted by the state board shall be used by local school systems in concert with teacher recommendations and other relevant information to make appropriate student grade placement decisions. The Department of Education shall develop guidelines for utilization of the instrument or instruments in grade placement decisions and shall provide such guidelines to local school systems. The guidelines shall include information pertinent to consideration of the placement of students who have been identified as being disabled or limited-English-proficient. Whenever the decision is made not to promote a child to the first grade, the local school system shall document the reasons for the decision not to promote, according to guidelines established by the board. The State School Superintendent may annually provide a report summarizing the results of the readiness of first grade Georgia public school kindergarten children. No student shall remain in kindergarten for more than two years;

(3) It is the policy of this state that the primary purposes of the middle grades program shall be assuring the mastery of essential basic skills and knowledge, assisting students in the transition from childhood to adolescence, and preparing students for the selection of programs and courses consistent with their abilities and interests when they enter high school, as well as providing an opportunity for mastery of essential but more advanced skills and knowledge. For purposes of funding under this article, the middle grades program shall include grades four, five, six, seven, and eight; and (4)(A) It is the policy of this state that the primary purposes of the high school programs shall be to prepare students for the continuation of their education beyond high school and for entry into their chosen career fields as well as to prepare them to take their places in society as young adults. The following high school programs for grades nine, ten, 11, and 12 are authorized for purposes of funding under this article:

(i) The high school education program; and

(ii) The career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program.

(B) As a reflection of the reduced teacher-student ratios and more extensive material and equipment needed for effective laboratory courses compared to courses with no or only limited laboratory experiences, the career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program shall be funded at a higher level than the high school general education program. The state board shall adopt criteria which courses must meet in order to qualify for the career, technical, and agricultural education laboratory program."

SECTION 4.

This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026, and shall apply beginning with the 2027-2028 school year.

SECTION 5.

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