---
title: SB 179. Education; the academic and disciplinary records of each transferring student shall be provided within five days; require
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sb179
cite_as: SB 179, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb179
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb179.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb179/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70372
date: 2026-05-12
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 1645
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb179.md?full=1
bill_number: SB 179
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2026-05-12
last_action: Effective Date 2026-07-01
sponsors:
- Clint Dixon
- Steve Gooch
- Bill Cowsert
- John Kennedy
- Frank Ginn
- Russ Goodman
- Billy Hickman
- Randal Mangham
- Chuck Hufstetler
- Bethany Ballard
text_version: Enrolled
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB179/2025
upstream_id: 1970366
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- computer science education
- high school graduation requirements
- Georgia Virtual School
- school access for youth groups
- private school definition
---
# SB 179. Education; the academic and disciplinary records of each transferring student shall be provided within five days; require
## Text
Senate Bill 179
By: Senators Dixon of the 45th, Gooch of the 51st, Cowsert of the 46th, Kennedy of the 18th,
Ginn of the 47th and others
AS PASSED
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
elementary and secondary education, so as to provide that, beginning in the 2031-2032
school year, a computer science course shall be a high school graduation requirement; to
provide for certain computer science courses to be substituted for units of credit graduation
requirements in certain other subject areas; to provide for such exception; to revise legislative
findings; to increase the allowable charge per student per semester for each Georgia Virtual
School course from $250.00 to $350.00; to require local school systems to allow the
representatives of certain organizations to speak with students during school hours; to require
certain organizations to provide notice; to require local school superintendents to provide
approval of certain activities by certain organizations during school hours; to require local
school superintendents to provide written explanation for denial of certain activities; to
provide for legislative intent; to provide for a definition; to include certain online schools in
the definition of "private school"; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws;
and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and
secondary education, is amended by revising Code Section 20-2-149.3, relating to
requirements for computer science education, as follows:
"20-2-149.3.
(a) The General Assembly finds that:
(1) Education in computer science is a critical need for the students of Georgia for the
twenty-first century; and
(2) Less than 0.5 percent of high school graduates have taken a computer science course;
(3) There are thousands of unfulfilled computer science jobs in the state; and
(4) The logical critical thinking skills taught by computer science are now very valuable
in many noncomputer science jobs, as technology has become embedded in most
professions.
(b) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Computer science' means the study of computers, algorithmic processes, coding,
computer science ethics, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and logical critical
thinking, including computer principles, their hardware and software designs, their
implementation, and their impact on society.
(2) 'Computer science courses and content' means high school courses that teach
computer science as stand-alone implementations and middle school courses that provide
instruction in computer science in stand-alone implementations or by being embedded
in other subjects and focus on how to create and understand technology, rather than by
simply using technology.
(3) 'High-quality professional learning' means professional development activities that:
(A) Clarify the conceptual foundations of computer science;
(B) Teach research based practices, including hands-on and inquiry based learning; and
(C) Are intended for teachers with or without prior exposure to computer science.
(4) 'High-quality professional learning providers' means institutions of higher education
in this state, local school systems, nonprofit organizations, or private entities that have
successfully designed, implemented, and scaled high-quality professional learning for
teachers and are approved or recommended by the State Board of Education in
coordination with the Department of Education.
(5) 'Offer' means providing a course taught by a computer science teacher:
(A) Who is onsite at the physical location of the school; or
(B) Who is not onsite at the physical location of the school but conducts the course
through virtual means with a proctor onsite at the physical location of the school.
(c)(1) Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year:
(A) Each local school system shall provide that at least one high school in its school
system offer a course in computer science;
(B) Each local school system shall provide that all middle schools in its school system
offer instruction in exploratory computer science;
(C) Each state charter school that serves high school students shall offer a course in
computer science;
(D) Each state charter school that serves middle school students shall offer instruction
in exploratory computer science;
(E) Each local school system may provide that all elementary schools in its school
system offer instruction in exploratory computer science; and
(F) Each state charter school that serves elementary school students may offer
instruction in exploratory computer science.
(2) Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, each local school system shall provide that
at least 50 percent of the high schools in its school system offer a course in computer
science.
(3) Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, each local school system shall provide that
all high schools in its school system offer a course in computer science.
(4)(A) Beginning in the 2031-2032 school year, each local board of education shall
require all students who will graduate in 2037 or later, as a condition of graduation
from high school, to complete a course in computer science or a career, technical, and
agricultural education (CTAE) course embedded with computer science which meets
the requirements provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.
(B) The course required in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph may be earned by
students in any of grades eight through 12 and shall:
(i) Meet or exceed the content standards and any other requirements prescribed by
the State Board of Education for such courses;
(ii) Be made available in a traditional classroom setting, a blended learning
environment, or an online or other technology based format that is tailored to meet the
needs of each participating student; and
(iii) Not increase the number of credits required for graduation.
(C)(i) Except as provided in division (ii) of this subparagraph, a full-credit computer
science course that meets the requirements provided in subparagraph (B) of this
paragraph shall be eligible to satisfy the course required in subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph and one unit of credit graduation requirement for one of the following:
(I) One unit of math credit; provided, however, that such unit of credit shall not be
a substitute for Algebra: Concepts and Connections or its equivalent, Geometry:
Concepts and Connections or its equivalent, or Advanced Algebra: Concepts and
Connections or its equivalent;
(II) One unit of science credit; provided, however, that such unit of credit shall not
be a substitute for Biology or an equivalent, Physical Science, Physics, Chemistry,
Earth Systems, Environmental Science, or an advanced placement or international
baccalaureate course;
(III) One unit of CTAE credit;
(IV) One unit of Modern Language or Latin credit;
(V) One unit of Fine Arts credit; or
(VI) One unit of elective credit.
(ii) A student may be permitted to earn more than one unit of credit graduation
requirement by completing more than one computer science course that implements
a minimum course of instruction based on content standards prescribed by the State
Board of Education and which is separate and distinct from such other computer
science course completed by such student, and such student may be permitted to use
multiple units of credit to offset other graduation requirements as provided in this
subparagraph; provided, however, that a student shall not be permitted to offset more
than one unit of math credit and one unit of science credit; and, provided, further, that
there shall be no limit to the number of offsets permitted for units of CTAE or elective
credits.
(D)(i) Except as provided in division (ii) of this subparagraph, a full-credit CTAE
course embedded with computer science that meets the requirements provided in
subparagraph (B) of this paragraph shall be eligible to satisfy the full-credit course
required in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and one unit of credit graduation
requirement for one of the following:
(I) One unit of CTAE credit; or
(II) One unit of elective credit.
(ii) A student may be permitted to earn more than one unit of credit graduation
requirement by completing more than one CTAE course embedded with computer
science that implements a minimum course of instruction based on content standards
prescribed by the State Board of Education and which is separate and distinct from
such other computer science course completed by such student, and such student may
be permitted to use multiple units of credit to offset other graduation requirements as
provided in this subparagraph.
(E) The Department of Education shall establish, and the State Board of Education
shall approve, the minimum criteria by which a CTAE course embedded with computer
science may be approved.
(d) The Department of Education shall ensure that the Georgia Virtual School operated
pursuant to Code Section 20-2-319.1 has sufficient capacity to enable schools to utilize
computer science courses to meet the needs of such schools as a result of this Code section.
(e)(1) Subject to appropriations, grants shall be provided to eligible entities to deliver
professional development programs for teachers providing instruction in computer
science courses and content.
(2) Eligible entities shall include local school systems, consortia of local school systems,
local charter schools, state charter schools, and high-quality professional learning
providers working in partnership with local school systems.
(3) Criteria for grant awards to eligible entities pursuant to this subsection shall include:
(A) The number of teachers in a local school system that require training and the
number of teachers in a local school system that have already received training; and
(B) The willingness of local school systems to make available their teachers who have
received training in computer science courses and content to provide computer science
instruction in another local school system or systems.
(4) The Department of Education shall submit a report on December 1 of each year to
the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
chairperson of the Senate Education and Youth Committee, and the chairperson of the
House Committee on Education. Such report shall include the number of teachers
trained, the number of schools offering training, the number of students served and the
demographics of such students, and a list of the eligible entities that provided the
training."
SECTION 2.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 20-2-319.1, relating to the Georgia Virtual
School, by revising paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b) as follows:
"(2) The local school system shall pay to the department costs for tuition, materials, and
fees directly related to the approved course taken by a student in its school system
through the Georgia Virtual School; provided, however, that in no event shall the amount
of tuition charged to and paid by the local school system on behalf of such student exceed
$250.00 $350.00 per student per semester course; and provided, further, that, if a student
participates in courses through the Georgia Virtual School that are in excess of the
maximum number of courses a student may be enrolled in during a school day, such
student shall be subject to the cost of tuition not to exceed $250.00 $350.00 per student
per semester course.
(3) Students in home study programs and private schools in this state may enroll in
courses through the Georgia Virtual School at no cost, if appropriations are provided for
such purpose in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection. If appropriations are
not provided or if appropriations are provided but have been expended for such purpose,
students in home study programs and private schools in this state may enroll in courses
through the Georgia Virtual School based on availability of slots; provided, however, that
such students shall be subject to the cost of tuition not to exceed $250.00 $350.00 per
student per semester course."
SECTION 3.
Said chapter is further amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
"20-2-324.10.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'patriotic society' means a youth organization
listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society that promotes good
citizenship, civic education, and patriotism, including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts
of America and its affiliated Georgia groups and councils and the Girl Scouts of the United
States of America and its affiliated Georgia groups and councils.
(b) To encourage local school systems to facilitate access for students to participate in
citizenship, civic, and patriotic activities provided by a patriotic society, each local school
system shall allow representatives of a patriotic society the opportunity to speak with
students to promote good citizenship, civic education, and patriotism during school hours.
(c)(1) To speak with students during school hours pursuant to this Code section, a
patriotic society shall submit a written request to a local school superintendent proposing
a date and time to visit a school. Such notice shall be submitted at least 30 days before
the proposed date and time.
(2) Such notice shall also include the purpose of the visit, the amount of time the
patriotic society will be on school grounds, and the speakers and representatives of such
patriotic society who will be in attendance.
(3) Within seven days of receiving the request, the local school superintendent shall
provide verbal or written approval or denial of the specific date and time requested by the
patriotic society. If the local school superintendent denies such request, the local school
superintendent shall provide, in writing, a comparable, alternative date and time for the
patriotic society to visit.
(4) If the local school superintendent denies the request and does not provide an
alternative date and time, the local school superintendent shall provide the patriotic
society with a written explanation of the reasoning for such denial without an alternative
date and time.
(d) It is the intent of the General Assembly that if any provision of this Code section is
found invalid by a court of law, this Code section shall be void and repealed in its entirety."
SECTION 4.
Said chapter is further amended in Code Section 20-2-690, relating to educational entities,
requirements for private schools and home study programs, and learning pod protection, by
revising paragraph (3) of subsection (b) as follows:
"(3) The institution provides instruction each 12 months for the equivalent of 180 school
days of education with each school day consisting of at least four and one-half school
hours; provided, however, that a nonpublic institution which meets the requirements of
paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of this subsection and which solely provides virtual
instruction shall be deemed a private school notwithstanding whether such institution
provides instruction each 12 months for the equivalent of 180 school days of education
with each school day consisting of at least four and one-half school hours;"
SECTION 5.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
A Georgia Senate bill would make a computer science course a high school graduation requirement starting with students graduating in 2037, raise the cap on Georgia Virtual School course fees, and require schools to let patriotic youth groups speak with students.
### Plain-language summary
Georgia currently encourages but does not require computer science instruction in schools. This bill changes that by requiring, beginning in the 2031-2032 school year, that students graduating in 2037 or later complete a computer science or computer-science-embedded CTAE course to graduate high school, without adding to total credit requirements. It also lets that course substitute for one unit of credit in math, science, CTAE, foreign language, fine arts, or electives under specific rules.
The bill raises the per-student, per-semester tuition cap for the state's Georgia Virtual School from $250 to $350. It creates a new requirement that local school systems let representatives of "patriotic societies" like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts speak with students during school hours, with a notice and approval process for superintendents. Finally, it expands the definition of "private school" to include online-only schools that otherwise meet private school requirements, even if they don't meet the standard instructional-hours rule.
### What it does
- Requires all local boards of education to make computer science (or a qualifying CTAE course) a graduation requirement for the class of 2037 and beyond, starting in the 2031-2032 school year.
- Allows a qualifying computer science or CTAE course to substitute for one unit of credit in subjects like math, science, foreign language, fine arts, CTAE, or electives, under detailed limits.
- Increases the maximum tuition local school systems can be charged for a Georgia Virtual School course from $250 to $350 per student per semester.
- Creates a new law requiring local school systems to let representatives of youth patriotic societies, such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, speak with students during school hours, subject to a 30-day notice and approval process.
- Requires school superintendents to give written reasons if they deny a patriotic society's request to visit, unless they offer an alternate date.
- Expands the legal definition of a private school to include online-only schools that meet other private school requirements but do not offer the standard 180-day, in-person school schedule.
### Who it affects
Public high school students and their families, local school boards and superintendents, teachers who deliver computer science instruction, the Georgia Virtual School program, youth patriotic organizations like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and online-only private schools seeking recognition under state law.
### Why it matters
Students graduating from 2037 onward would need a computer science credit to earn a diploma, changing what schools must teach and how students plan their schedules years in advance. Families using Georgia Virtual School would pay up to $100 more per course, and schools would gain a new legal obligation to host patriotic youth groups.
### Key provisions
- Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 20-2-149.3 to require a computer science or CTAE-embedded computer science course for graduation starting with the 2031-2032 school year, applying to students graduating in 2037 or later.
- Section 1 details how the course can substitute for one credit in math, science, CTAE, modern language, fine arts, or electives, with limits on how many credits can be offset.
- Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 20-2-319.1 to raise the maximum Georgia Virtual School tuition local school systems can be charged from $250 to $350 per student per semester course.
- Section 3 adds a new Code section, 20-2-324.10, requiring local school systems to allow patriotic societies like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to speak with students during school hours, following a notice and approval process with a 30-day advance request and a 7-day superintendent response window.
- Section 3 requires superintendents to give a written explanation if they deny a visit request without offering an alternative date, and states the section is void if any part is found invalid by a court.
- Section 4 amends O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690 so that online-only nonpublic schools can qualify as private schools even without meeting the standard 180-day, four-and-a-half-hour school day requirement, as long as other private school criteria are met.
## Status
- Status: Passed (2026-05-12)
- Last action: Effective Date 2026-07-01 (2026-05-12)
- Sponsors: Clint Dixon, Steve Gooch, Bill Cowsert, John Kennedy, Frank Ginn, Russ Goodman, Billy Hickman, Randal Mangham, Chuck Hufstetler, Bethany Ballard
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70372
> The history, votes, and amendments (1,645 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb179.md?full=1