HB1417: HB1417 Education; inclusion of advanced placement, international baccalaureate, and Cambridge fine arts courses in calculation of grade point averages for determining student eligibility for HOPE scholarships and other scholarships; provide

26 LC 49 2703 House Bill 1417 By: Representatives Campbell of the 35th, Lupton of the 83rd, Erwin of the 32nd, Wilkerson of the 38th, Carter of the 93rd, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 20-2-157 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 uniform reporting system for certain purposes, dual credit courses, and academic eligibility2 requirements to receive HOPE scholarship, so as to provide for the inclusion of advanced3 placement, international baccalaureate, and Cambridge fine arts courses in the calculation4 of grade point averages for determining student eligibility for the HOPE scholarships and5 other scholarships; to provide for applicability; to provide fo r a definition; to provide for6 related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal confli cting laws; and for other7 purposes.8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9 SECTION 1.10 Code Section 20-2-157 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated , relating to uniform11 reporting system for certain purposes, dual credit courses, and academic eligibility12 requirements to receive HOPE scholarship, is amended by revisin g subsection (a.1),13 paragraph (3.1) of subsection (b), and paragraph (3) of subsection (c) as follows:14 "(a.1) As used in this Code section, the term:15 (1) 'Dual 'dual credit course' shall have the same meaning as in Code Section 20-2-161.3.16 H. B. 1417 - 1 - 26 LC 49 2703 (2) 'Fine arts' means an advanced placement, international baccalaureate, or Cambridge17 fine arts course for which the Department of Education has designated a unique course18 number and name indicating that such course is classified as ad vanced placement,19 international baccalaureate, or Cambridge."20 "(3.1) For students otherwise qualified and enrolling in the ninth grade for the first time21 during the 2008-2009 school year and thereafter, the Georgia St udent Finance22 Commission shall calculate grade point averages for determining eligibility for the HOPE23 scholarship and other scholarships referenced in this Code section by equating each grade24 for a student in attempted coursework in English, mathematics, science, social studies,25 fine arts, and foreign language during the student's ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade26 year to a grade on a 4.0 scale, such that a grade of 'A' = 4.0, a grade of 'B' = 3.0, a grade27 of 'C' = 2.0, a grade of 'D' = 1.0, and a grade of 'F' = 0. Gr ades for coursework that is28 classified as advanced placement, a dual credit course, or international baccalaureate shall29 be weighted uniformly by the Georgia Student Finance Commission in calculating the30 overall grade point averages for students, provided that the we ighting of such course31 grades is uniformly applied to all students in this state taking the specified coursework. 32 The sum of the equated grades shall be divided by the number of course grades, adjusted33 for term length, to yield a grade point average on a 4.0 scale; and"34 "(3) The Georgia Student Finance Commission shall calculate a grade point average for35 the purpose of determining eligibility for the HOPE scholarship from these electronic36 transcripts and shall notify students of their potential eligibility and high schools as to the37 potential eligibility of students; provided, however, that the Georgia Student Finance38 Commission shall not include fine arts course grades in the calculation of any grade point39 average for any student who graduated from high school before July 1, 2026."40 SECTION 2.41 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026.42 H. B. 1417 - 2 - 26 LC 49 2703 SECTION 3.43 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.44 H. B. 1417 - 3 -