Statement
from Superintendent Woods regarding the passing and signing of HB 91, which was
signed into law Monday, March 30. The law retroactively eliminates all graduation tests as a requirement for students who took those tests from the early 1980's to the present.
“I
applaud and thank Chairman Brooks Coleman, members of the General Assembly and
Governor Deal for passing and signing House Bill 91. While in 2011 the State
Board of Education eliminated the test as a requirement for graduation, it did
not extend to students who were unsuccessful on the test prior to that time.
House Bill 91 makes it possible for those students to finally obtain their high
school diploma so they can move on to a brighter future. Those who completed
all of the requirements for graduation except for passing one test on one given
day now have the opportunity to go on to some form of postsecondary education,
where they can obtain skills needed to have a great quality of life and be
contributors to our society.”
Important
Information for Students Who May Qualify
·
Contact the school district/school where he or she last attended
high school in Georgia (Find
Your School District Here)
·
Submit a petition to the local school system (available from
school districts) to determine eligibility
·
The law is effective for any student – currently or previously
enrolled – who has met all graduation requirements except passing any of the
graduation tests (Georgia High School Graduation Test, Georgia High School
Writing Test, Basic Skills Test). The law extends back to the first
administration of the Basic Skills Test in 1981.
·
The law took effect upon the Governor’s signature March 30, 2015.