Senate Bill 595
By: Senators James of the 28th, Rhett of the 33rd, Howard of the 35th, Mangham of the 55th,
Kemp of the 38th and others
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 authorize the State Board of Education to
establish a student personal development and career readiness program; to provide for the
selection of third-party providers to administer the program; to provide requirements for
approved program providers; to provide for disbursement of funds to approved program
providers; to provide for reporting; to provide for definitions; 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 adding a new article to read as follows:
<ins>"ARTICLE 35
20-2-2140.
As used in this article, the term:
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<ins>(1) 'Academic improvement rate' means the academic improvement rate calculated in
accordance with Code Section 20-2-2142.
(2) 'Average cost per student' means the average cost per student calculated in accordance
with Code Section 20-2-2142.
(3) 'Public school' means any public elementary or secondary school in this state.
(4) 'State board' means the State Board of Education.
(5) 'Student personal development and career readiness program' and 'program' mean the
program provided for in this article.
20-2-2141.
(a) The state board shall be authorized to establish a student personal development and
career readiness program to allow public schools to participate in such program for the
purpose of enhancing academic growth, career preparedness, and overall personal
development for students.
(b) The state board shall be authorized to approve program providers to administer the
program. Such approved program providers shall be selected through an application
process as follows:
(1) Not later than August 15 of each year, the state board shall make available an
application for third-party entities to apply to become approved program providers;
(2) Not later than September 15 of each year, the state board shall review applications,
approve program providers that meet the requirements set forth in this article, and make
available a list of approved program providers on the state board's public website; and
(3) Approved program providers shall be authorized to begin enrolling public schools
upon being approved by the state board as an approved program provider.
(c) The state board shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to
implement the provisions of this article.
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<ins>20-2-2142.
(a) Approved program providers shall:
(1) Offer the following to public schools at no cost to students:
(A) On-site mental health support for students, including regular coordination with
teachers, case managers, and interns to ensure students receive consistent care;
(B) Instruction in essential soft skills, including self-awareness, managing emotions,
clear communication, responsible decision making, and resolving conflicts;
(C) Life skills and academic support, including help with setting goals, building
confidence and personal responsibility, and developing strategies to stay on track in
school and prepare for careers;
(D) Additional case management support to connect students and families with
community services and other resources that reduce barriers to attendance and academic
success;
(E) Training and implementation support for participating schools, including
on-boarding assistance and guidance for teachers to effectively integrate the program
into existing school operations; and
(F) One or more programs which public schools may choose to participate in;
(2) Have an academic improvement rate of not less than 50 percent; and
(3) Have an average cost per student of not more than $1,500.00.
(b)(1) The average cost per student shall be calculated by dividing the total program
funding, including expenditures for materials, staffing, training, evaluation, and
administrative expenses disbursed to an approved program provider annually, by the
anticipated number of students served in the program annually.
(2) The academic improvement rate shall be calculated by dividing the number of
students served in the program that have shown an improvement in course grades
annually by the number of students for which such approved program provider has
received program funding.
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<ins>20-2-2143.
(a) The state board shall be authorized to establish a grant program to provide financial
assistance to public schools for the implementation of the program by an approved program
provider. The grant program shall include funding, subject to appropriations by the
General Assembly, for grants to program providers to purchase curricula materials, and to
fund staffing, training, evaluation, and administrative expenses.
(b) The state board shall establish and administer:
(1) Eligibility and selection criteria for grant applicants;
(2) Grant application procedures;
(3) Guidelines relating to grant amounts;
(4) Procedures for evaluation of grant applications; and
(5) Procedures for monitoring the use of a grant awarded under the program and ensuring
compliance with any conditions of a grant.
(c) Funds received by approved program providers pursuant to this Code section shall be
used for providing and preparing for instruction, instructional materials, and support
services for students and teachers, including coaching and mentoring.
(d) An approved program provider receiving a grant under this Code section shall, as soon
as practicable after spending the grant money, provide to the state board proof of purchase,
as applicable, of curricula materials, staffing, training, evaluation, and administrative
expenses.
20-2-2144.
(a) Beginning in 2027, no later than August 15 of each year, each approved program
provider shall submit a report to the state board which shall include:
(1) The number of public schools participating in the program;
(2) The academic improvement rate of the program; and
(3) The average cost per student.
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<ins>(b) Beginning in 2027, no later than December 1 of each year, the state board shall provide
the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and
the chairpersons of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Education and
Youth Committee with a report that includes:
(1) The information reported to the state board pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code
section; and
(2) The amount of funds disbursed to each approved program provider."
</ins> SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.