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GeorgiaHB 2172025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Education; make Dual Achievement Program a permanent state-wide program

Sponsored By: Bethany Ballard (Republican), Chris Erwin (Republican), Soo Hong (Republican), Charles Martin (Republican), Will Wade (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Higher EducationGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Students keep technical college diploma pathway

The law extends the Dual Achievement Program's repeal date from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2031. The program can include no more than five technical college units. Students earn a Georgia high school diploma after required counseling, assessment, coursework, and a qualifying college credential. That credential must be an associate degree, technical college diploma, or two technical college certificates within one career pathway. Graduates face no additional graduation assessments. The boards must publish approved courses on the technical college system's website by April 1, 2026, and annually afterward. The list identifies courses counting toward graduation and as one-sixth of a school day for funding. Changes require a written agreement explaining why and apply only going forward, without harming enrolled students in good standing. Program waivers or exceptions expire after 10 years unless an earlier date is set.

Students gain access but lose school activities

Beginning July 1, 2026, Georgia public secondary students ages 16 through 20 can join while remaining enrolled in their home system. They must complete at least six of nine required ninth- and tenth-grade courses, related state tests, and an acceptable readiness score. The nine courses cover two each in English, math, science, and social studies, plus one in health or physical education. Students must acknowledge in writing that they cannot join extracurricular or interscholastic activities sponsored, directed, or controlled by their home school or system. They must also acknowledge that the program diploma requires completing the program. School systems must sign participation agreements keeping students enrolled only for administration and education accountability tests. Students enrolled in the program on June 30, 2026, keep their original eligibility terms. Before July 1, 2026, new participants must withdraw from public school and document a parent or guardian conference. Parents must acknowledge that withdrawal may affect special education and disability accommodations and related services.

Returning students can re-enroll without visits

The State Board of Education must adopt re-enrollment rules by March 1, 2026. Students who withdrew can re-enroll in their home school system to participate in Dual Achievement beginning July 1, 2026. They must be able to complete re-enrollment without appearing in person. The rules can allow the Technical College System of Georgia to help with re-enrollment.

Scholarship families face protected income checks

Georgia's education savings authority and its agents can send applicant names and income thresholds to the Department of Revenue for verification. The agencies must first have an executed cooperative agreement. The department can report only whether an applicant's income exceeds the threshold, not share federal tax information. Recipients of confidential tax information face state confidentiality rules and penalties for unlawful disclosure. The education savings authority must reimburse the department's verification costs.

Small district candidates gain waiver route

The State Board of Education can waive the specified school board candidate eligibility restriction in small school systems. The system's current fall enrollment must be no more than 2,800 full-time equivalent students. A local board or candidate can request the waiver; the local board must provide 30 days' notice and hold a public hearing. The local board pays hearing-notice costs, and the state board must decide within 45 days. The election superintendent must receive an approved waiver before the candidate files a declaration or notice of candidacy.

School funds follow technical college students

Beginning July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education must transfer funds for eligible Dual Achievement students to the technical college system. Payments must cover at least a proportional share of the home system's Quality Basic Education formula earnings, grants, and federal funds. The share depends on how many one-sixth school-day segments the student attends at a participating technical college. Included funding covers instructional pay and other costs, psychologists, school social workers, administration, facilities, and other state-designated components. This shifts school-system funding to technical colleges; it does not set a payment to students or families.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Bethany Ballard

    Republican • House

  • Chris Erwin

    Republican • House

  • Soo Hong

    Republican • House

  • Charles Martin

    Republican • House

  • Will Wade

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Bo Hatchett

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 356 • No: 26

House vote • 4/4/2025

Agree to Senate Amendment

Yes: 143 • No: 22 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

PASSAGE AS AMENDED

Yes: 44 • No: 2 • Other: 6

House vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 169 • No: 2 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    4/28/2025House

  3. Act 18

    4/28/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    4/4/2025House

  6. Senate Third Read

    3/28/2025Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended

    3/28/2025Senate

  8. Senate Read Second Time

    3/25/2025Senate

  9. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/21/2025Senate

  10. Senate Read and Referred

    3/10/2025Senate

  11. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/6/2025House

  12. House Third Readers

    3/6/2025House

  13. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/6/2025House

  14. House Withdrawn, Recommitted

    2/26/2025House

  15. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/21/2025House

  16. House Second Readers

    2/5/2025House

  17. House First Readers

    2/4/2025House

  18. House Hopper

    2/3/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 217/AP* (v10)

    PDF

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