HB 558: State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia; establish adult workforce high school diploma program

Georgia currently has no dedicated pathway for adults between 21 and 40 who never finished high school to earn a diploma through third-party providers funded by the state. This bill would authorize the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to create an 'adult workforce high school diploma program' and approve outside organizations, called approved program providers, to run it. Providers would have to be accredited, offer free services like skills assessments, remedial education, and workforce credential courses, and hit performance benchmarks: at least a 50 percent graduation rate and no more than $7,500 average cost per graduate. The state would pay providers set amounts for milestones such as completed course credits, certifications, and diplomas, subject to money the General Assembly appropriates for the program. Providers must report monthly to the state board, and starting in 2027 the board must report yearly to top state officials and legislative education committees.

• Authorizes the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia to create a new adult workforce high school diploma program for eligible adults.
• Sets up a yearly application process for third-party organizations to become approved program providers, with applications due by August 15 and approvals by September 15.
• Requires approved providers to offer free assessments, remedial education, credential programs, and all coursework needed for a diploma, and to meet accreditation, graduation rate, and cost standards.
• Creates a milestone-based funding system paying providers set dollar amounts for course credits, certifications, workforce credentials, and diplomas earned by students, subject to legislative funding.
• Requires monthly funding reports from providers and, starting in 2027, annual reports from the state board to the Governor, legislative leaders, and education committees.
• Lets the state board waive certain state rules and seek waivers of federal rules to help run the program.

Adults aged 21 to 40 in Georgia who lack a high school diploma and previously attended a Georgia public school or adult education program, third-party education providers seeking state approval and funding, and the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, which administers and funds the program.

Eligible adults without a diploma could get free access to coursework, workforce credentials, and support services through approved outside providers, funded through state milestone payments rather than a fixed per-student subsidy, potentially expanding options for adult learners seeking a diploma and job-ready skills.

• Code Section 20-4-170 defines key terms, including who counts as an 'eligible student': Georgia residents aged 21 to 40 without a diploma who previously attended a Georgia school or adult education program.
• Code Section 20-4-171 authorizes the state board to run the program and approve providers through an annual application cycle, and to waive certain state and federal rules to implement it.
• Code Section 20-4-172 requires approved providers to be accredited, offer specific free services, maintain at least a 50 percent graduation rate, and keep average cost per graduate at or below $7,500.00, with probation and removal for providers that fall short.
• Code Section 20-4-173 sets specific per-milestone payment amounts, ranging from $275.00 for a half credit or certification to $1,100.00 for each diploma earned, funded only if the General Assembly appropriates money for the program.
• Code Section 20-4-173 requires providers to report monthly on milestones met and restricts use of funds to instruction and support services, not building construction.
• Code Section 20-4-174 requires providers to report participation and outcome data starting in 2027, and requires the state board to send an annual report to the Governor and legislative education leaders.

1. 2025-02-24House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-21House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-20House Hopper (House)

• Houston Gaines (R, HD-120)Primary sponsor
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)
• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)

• adult education
• high school diploma
• workforce credentials
• technical college system
• education funding