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GeorgiaHB 12932025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Education; updated eligibility requirements for the Dual Achievement Program; provide

Sponsored By: Kasey Carpenter (Republican), Robert Dickey (Republican), Tim Fleming (Republican), Jan Jones (Republican), Charles Martin (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Higher EducationEducation and YouthGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Tighter entry rules for diploma students

The law changes who can join Georgia’s Dual Achievement Program. Before July 1, 2028, students generally must be at least 16 and complete six of nine required courses and associated tests. Those nine courses include two each in English, math, science, and social studies, plus one health/physical education course. Students must also earn an acceptable technical college readiness score; ages 16–20 face added enrollment and written acknowledgment requirements. Starting July 1, 2028, students generally must be ages 18–22, withdrawn from a Georgia public secondary school, and without a high school diploma. They must meet admission rules and take part in required support services, such as advising, tutoring, and career counseling. Students must document a discussion with their principal or a designated technical college official about withdrawal and earning their diploma through the program. Parents or guardians must acknowledge possible loss of accommodations and the need to complete the program to earn a diploma. An exception allows qualifying 16- and 17-year-olds in completion special school attendance zones without an operating completion special school. The technical college board must set admission and support-service standards by January 1, 2028.

Diploma pathway stays open for students

The law makes Georgia’s Dual Achievement Program permanent and statewide, removing its planned July 1, 2031 end date. Georgia’s technical college system runs the program through participating colleges. Students earn a high school diploma by completing required counseling, assessments, rigorous college coursework, and program skills. They must also finish an associate degree, technical college diploma, or at least two technical college certificates in one career pathway. The State Board of Education awards the high school diploma. Students enrolled on June 30, 2028, keep their original eligibility terms when the new entry rules begin.

Easier school access for diploma students

Starting July 1, 2026, withdrawn students seeking to join the program can re-enroll in their resident school or school system. This enrollment is only for recordkeeping and school accountability, not classroom attendance. The State Board of Education must adopt policies by that date allowing re-enrollment without an in-person visit. Those policies may let Georgia’s technical college system help with re-enrollment. The law also removes the program’s ban on resident-school extracurricular and interscholastic activities; students still follow the usual participation rules.

New funding plan for diploma students

Georgia’s technical college board must develop a program funding formula with the Office of Planning and Budget. Starting in Fiscal Year 2028, yearly budget requests must use it to calculate program funding needs. It must consider current and expected enrollment, credits attempted and completed, student support services, and outcomes, including completion and persistence. Annual reports are due November 15 to the budget office and legislative education and budget committee chairs. Beginning in 2027, reports must include the formula, its factors, and recommended changes. The law sets no funding amount and does not guarantee an appropriation.

Required diploma program funding transfers end

The law ends required per-student funding transfers from the State Board of Education to Georgia’s technical college board. The transfers covered proportional shares of resident school systems’ state formula earnings, state education grants, and federal funds. The removed rule covered eligible program students enrolled on or after July 1, 2026. This change removes a required program funding source, not a payment owed by students or families.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Kasey Carpenter

    Republican • House

  • Robert Dickey

    Republican • House

  • Tim Fleming

    Republican • House

  • Jan Jones

    Republican • House

  • Charles Martin

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Shawn Still

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 219 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/19/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 53 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/6/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 166 • No: 0 • Other: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/5/2026House

  2. Act 389

    5/5/2026

  3. Effective Date

    5/5/2026

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/6/2026House

  5. Senate Third Read

    3/19/2026Senate

  6. Senate Passed/Adopted

    3/19/2026Senate

  7. Senate Read Second Time

    3/18/2026Senate

  8. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/16/2026Senate

  9. Senate Read and Referred

    3/9/2026Senate

  10. House Third Readers

    3/6/2026House

  11. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/6/2026House

  12. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/24/2026House

  13. House Second Readers

    2/18/2026House

  14. House First Readers

    2/17/2026House

  15. House Hopper

    2/12/2026House

Bill Text

  • HB 1293/AP* (v6)

    PDF

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