Bills would give students options

Georgia’s high school students could face new graduation requirements, learn skills in different careers and take more college courses through three different bills filed in the state House.

The bills overhaul high schools to give students more options so they are more likely to stay in school.

Education leaders say they have mixed feelings about the bills. While some could benefit students, they said, others could weaken graduation requirements.

> HB 149, sponsored by Rep. Jan Jones (R-Milton), would let juniors and seniors finish their high school diploma requirements while attending college or university full time. If the bill is approved, the Georgia Department of Education will write rules for how this would work. Gov. Sonny Perdue endorsed this legislation.

> HB 215, sponsored by Steve Davis (R-McDonough), would create three high school diplomas to replace the one developed by the state education department. Each diploma would have its own requirements.

> HB 400, sponsored by Rep. Fran Millar (R-Dunwoody), would create a grant program so participating high schools can offer majors focused around high-demand careers, such as science, agribusiness and health care. Students would select a career track before starting high school. Classes would be offered at high schools, four-year or technical colleges or business apprenticeships.

It’s too soon to say if all or any of the bills will pass.

The education committee passed HB 149 Thursday, and Jones said she hopes for a vote by the full House next week. Herb Garrett, executive director of the Georgia School Superintendents Association, said it’s hard to find anything objectionable in the bill, adding many districts already have dual-enrollment programs with colleges.

HB 215 may face a tougher battle.

Davis’ bill would undercut the state education department’s rules that went into effect with this year’s ninth-graders. Those rules require all students to earn 23 credits for a diploma, regardless of their post-high school plans.

His legislation would let students pick from one of three diplomas and meet the requirements associated with it.

A general diploma would take 18 credits, a career/vocational diploma 22 and a college prep diploma 23 credits. Community service is required for each diploma.

“Our students are all individuals, but their high school careers are currently based on a cookie-cutter formula that just isn’t working,” Davis said. “In order to help them be successful, we must give them greater flexibility and choices as they set their course for post graduation.”

Dana Tofig, spokesman for the Georgia Department of Education, said all students need common know-ledge. Those skills, he said, are the basis for the state’s current graduation rules.

“We don’t want to lower expectations for any students,” he said. “We will not support any bill that waters down graduation standards.”

Millar developed his bill with input from the state education department. He introduced a similar bill last year that passed the House, but stalled in the Senate.

Millar said the new bill includes several improvements, such as more opportunities for dual-enrollment programs. It also would give all students a personalized plan to guarantee they’re prepared for work or college when they graduate.

“The bottom line is we’re trying to give these kids some options so they don’t drop out of high school,” Millar said. “If we can keep them engaged, they’ll stay.”