SB426: SB426 Education; high school students seeking a high school diploma to achieve a minimum score of 70 percent on the United States Citizenship Civics Test; require

26 LC 49 2513 Senate Bill 426 By: Senators Harbin of the 16th, Summers of the 13th, Burns of the 23rd, Dickerson of the 21st, Hickman of the 4th and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 20 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to general provisions relative to education, so as to require high school students2 seeking a high school diploma and individuals seeking a state a pproved high school3 equivalency (HSE) diploma to achieve a minimum score of 70 percent on the United States4 Citizenship Civics Test for the purpose of being eligible to receive a high school diploma or5 a state approved high school equivalency (HSE) diploma; to provide for multiple attempts;6 to provide for certification of scores; to provide for legislat ive findings; to provide for7 applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal confli cting laws; and for other8 purposes.9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:10 SECTION 1.11 The General Assembly finds that as the United States of America commemorates and12 celebrates its Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of its independence, it is appropriate13 to recognize the words of President Ronald Regan, who said, "Freedom is never more than14 one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream.15 It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."16 S. B. 426 - 1 - 26 LC 49 2513 SECTION 2.17 Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Geor gia Annotated, relating to18 general provisions relative to education, is amended by adding a new Code section to read19 as follows:20 "20-1-13.21 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'citizenship test' s hall mean the United States22 Citizenship Civics Test produced by the United States Citizensh ip and Immigration23 Services.24 (b) On and after July 1, 2027, each local board of education a nd other public school25 governing body shall require students in any of grades nine through 12, as a condition of26 earning a high school diploma, to achieve a minimum score of 70 percent on the citizenship27 test.28 (c) On and after July 1, 2027, each individual seeking a state approved high school29 equivalency (HSE) diploma shall, as a condition of earning such diploma, achieve a30 minimum score of 70 percent on the citizenship test.31 (d) Students and other individuals may take the citizenship test as many times as necessary32 to earn the minimum required score.33 (e) All local boards of education and other public school gove rning bodies and a state34 approved high school equivalency (HSE) programs shall establish a process to certify that35 a student or other individual has achieved the minimum required score on the citizenship36 test in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Code section."37 SECTION 3.38 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.39 S. B. 426 - 2 -