SB 63: "Quality Basic Education Act"; local school systems offer certain exams to home study students; require

Under current Georgia law, home study (homeschool) students in grades six through 12 do not have a guaranteed right to take standardized tests like the SAT or PSAT through their local public school system, even though those systems often offer these exams to their own enrolled students. Senate Bill 63 changes that by adding a new section to the Quality Basic Education Act. The bill says that any local school system offering the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, PreACT, ACT, Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or an advanced placement exam to its enrolled students must also make those same tests available to home study students who live within its boundaries. School systems must post exam dates, registration procedures, and availability for home study students on their websites. The bill also bars school systems from charging home study students extra fees or adding requirements beyond what is already required for legal home study under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690).

• Adds a new Code section requiring local school systems to offer the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, PreACT, ACT, ASVAB, or AP exams to home study students if those systems offer them to enrolled students.
• Requires school systems to publicly post test dates, registration dates, and procedures, including a statement that the tests are open to home study students.
• Bans school systems from charging home study students a fee that enrolled students do not have to pay.
• Prohibits school systems from adding any extra requirements for home study students beyond what state home study law already requires.
• Defines 'home study student' as a student in grades six through 12 enrolled in a qualifying home study program under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.

Home study (homeschool) families with students in grades six through 12, local school systems and their staff who administer standardized tests, and public school students who already take these same exams through their district.

Home study students who want to take the SAT, ACT, PSAT, or AP exams often need to go through a local public school to do so. This bill would guarantee they get the same access, pricing, and notice as enrolled students, removing a barrier some families currently face.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 20-2-324.8 to Part 15 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
• Subsection (a) defines 'home study student' by reference to the home study requirements in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690(c).
• Subsection (b) requires school systems offering the listed exams to make them available to local home study students and post notice of test dates and registration on their websites.
• Subsection (c) prohibits charging home study students fees not charged to enrolled students and bars additional requirements beyond those in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690(c).
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-14Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-05-14Act 360
3. 2025-05-14Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senado)
4. 2025-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senado)
5. 2025-04-04Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senado)
6. 2025-03-27House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Cámara de Representantes)
7. 2025-03-27House Third Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
8. 2025-03-21House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Cámara de Representantes)

• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)Patrocinador principal
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Greg Dolezal (R, SD-027)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)

1. AprobadaVotación: Senado4 de marzo de 2025

   53 a favor, 0 en contra (1 sin votar, 2 ausentes)

   Passage As Amended: Senate Vote #152

2. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes27 de marzo de 2025

   166 a favor, 0 en contra (9 sin votar, 5 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #319

3. AprobadaVotación: Senado4 de abril de 2025

   51 a favor, 0 en contra (3 sin votar, 2 ausentes)

   Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #448

• homeschooling
• standardized testing
• education policy
• school systems
• SAT and ACT access