SB595: SB595 State Board of Education; establish a student personal development and career readiness program; authorize

26 LC 65 0075 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 to1 elementary and secondary education, so as to authorize the Stat e Board of Education to2 establish a student personal development and career readiness p rogram; to provide for the3 selection of third-party providers to administer the program; t o provide requirements for4 approved program providers; to provide for disbursement of fund s to approved program5 providers; to provide for reporting; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters;6 to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8 SECTION 1.9 Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and10 secondary education, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows:11 "ARTICLE 3512 20-2-2140.13 As used in this article, the term:14 S. B. 595 - 1 - 26 LC 65 0075 (1) 'Academic improvement rate' means the academic improvement rate calculated in15 accordance with Code Section 20-2-2142.16 (2) 'Average cost per student' means the average cost per student calculated in accordance17 with Code Section 20-2-2142.18 (3) 'Public school' means any public elementary or secondary school in this state.19 (4) 'State board' means the State Board of Education.20 (5) 'Student personal development and career readiness program' and 'program' mean the21 program provided for in this article.22 20-2-2141.23 (a) The state board shall be authorized to establish a student personal development and24 career readiness program to allow public schools to participate in such program for the25 purpose of enhancing academic growth, career preparedness, and overall personal26 development for students.27 (b) The state board shall be authorized to approve program pro viders to administer the28 program. Such approved program providers shall be selected thr ough an application29 process as follows:30 (1) Not later than August 15 of each year, the state board sha ll make available an31 application for third-party entities to apply to become approved program providers;32 (2) Not later than September 15 of each year, the state board shall review applications,33 approve program providers that meet the requirements set forth in this article, and make34 available a list of approved program providers on the state board's public website; and35 (3) Approved program providers shall be authorized to begin enr olling public schools36 upon being approved by the state board as an approved program provider.37 (c) The state board shall be authorized to promulgate rules an d regulations necessary to38 implement the provisions of this article.39 S. B. 595 - 2 - 26 LC 65 0075 20-2-2142.40 (a) Approved program providers shall:41 (1) Offer the following to public schools at no cost to students:42 (A) On-site mental health support for students, including regu lar coordination with43 teachers, case managers, and interns to ensure students receive consistent care;44 (B) Instruction in essential soft skills, including self-awareness, managing emotions,45 clear communication, responsible decision making, and resolving conflicts;46 (C) Life skills and academic support, including help with sett ing goals, building47 confidence and personal responsibility, and developing strategi es to stay on track in48 school and prepare for careers;49 (D) Additional case management support to connect students and families with50 community services and other resources that reduce barriers to attendance and academic51 success;52 (E) Training and implementation support for participating scho ols, including53 on-boarding assistance and guidance for teachers to effectively integrate the program54 into existing school operations; and55 (F) One or more programs which public schools may choose to participate in;56 (2) Have an academic improvement rate of not less than 50 percent; and57 (3) Have an average cost per student of not more than $1,500.00.58 (b)(1) The average cost per student shall be calculated by div iding the total program59 funding, including expenditures for materials, staffing, traini ng, evaluation, and60 administrative expenses disbursed to an approved program provid er annually, by the61 anticipated number of students served in the program annually.62 (2) The academic improvement rate shall be calculated by divid ing the number of63 students served in the program that have shown an improvement i n course grades64 annually by the number of students for which such approved prog ram provider has65 received program funding.66 S. B. 595 - 3 - 26 LC 65 0075 20-2-2143.67 (a) The state board shall be authorized to establish a grant p rogram to provide financial68 assistance to public schools for the implementation of the program by an approved program69 provider. The grant program shall include funding, subject to appropriations by the70 General Assembly, for grants to program providers to purchase curricula materials, and to71 fund staffing, training, evaluation, and administrative expenses.72 (b) The state board shall establish and administer:73 (1) Eligibility and selection criteria for grant applicants;74 (2) Grant application procedures;75 (3) Guidelines relating to grant amounts;76 (4) Procedures for evaluation of grant applications; and77 (5) Procedures for monitoring the use of a grant awarded under the program and ensuring78 compliance with any conditions of a grant.79 (c) Funds received by approved program providers pursuant to this Code section shall be80 used for providing and preparing for instruction, instructional materials, and support81 services for students and teachers, including coaching and mentoring.82 (d) An approved program provider receiving a grant under this Code section shall, as soon83 as practicable after spending the grant money, provide to the state board proof of purchase,84 as applicable, of curricula materials, staffing, training, eval uation, and administrative85 expenses.86 20-2-2144.87 (a) Beginning in 2027, no later than August 15 of each year, e ach approved program88 provider shall submit a report to the state board which shall include:89 (1) The number of public schools participating in the program;90 (2) The academic improvement rate of the program; and91 (3) The average cost per student.92 S. B. 595 - 4 - 26 LC 65 0075 (b) Beginning in 2027, no later than December 1 of each year, the state board shall provide93 the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and94 the chairpersons of the House Committee on Education and the Se nate Education and95 Youth Committee with a report that includes:96 (1) The information reported to the state board pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code97 section; and98 (2) The amount of funds disbursed to each approved program provider."99 SECTION 2.100 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.101 S. B. 595 - 5 -