Section 20-2-161.3 - Dual Enrollment Act; purpose; dual credit courses; eligibility for participation; eligibility for secondary course credits; eligibility to meet high school graduation requirements; eligibility for award of high school diploma; funding; limitations on total hours; exceptions; eligibility for payment(a) This Code section shall be known and may be cited as the "Dual Enrollment Act."(a.1) The purpose of the Dual Enrollment program is to promote and increase access to postsecondary educational opportunities for Georgia high school students while increasing high school graduation rates, preparing a skilled workforce, and decreasing time and cost to postsecondary credential completion.(b) For purposes of this Code section, the term:(1) "Commission" means the Georgia Student Finance Commission created by Code Section 20-3-233.(2) "Department" means the Department of Education.(3) "Dual credit course" means a postsecondary course, including a virtual course, taken by an eligible high school student pursuant to an arrangement at or through an eligible postsecondary institution for which the student receives secondary credit from his or her eligible high school.(4) "Eligible core course" means a course in English, math, science, social studies, or a foreign language upon which the commission calculates grade point averages for HOPE scholarship eligibility pursuant to paragraph (3.1) of subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-157 and which is included in the eligible course list.(5) "Eligible course list" means a list of courses maintained by the commission which identifies courses approved for funding authorized by this Code section and shall include eligible core courses and eligible CTAE courses.(6) "Eligible CTAE course" means all career, technical, and agricultural education courses which are aligned with the department's Career Clusters and Pathways programs and which are included in the eligible course list.(7) "Eligible dual credit course" means a dual credit course which is included in the eligible course list and which is eligible for payment under this program.(8) "Eligible high school" means any private or public secondary educational institution located within the State of Georgia and any home study program operated pursuant to Code Section 20-2-690.(9) "Eligible high school student" means a student who is:(A) Entering or enrolled in eleventh or twelfth grade at an eligible high school taking any eligible dual credit course at any eligible postsecondary institution; or(B) Entering or enrolled in tenth grade at an eligible high school when such student: (i) Is enrolled in an eligible CTAE course at an institution within the Technical College System of Georgia;(ii) Has obtained prior to the beginning of the term of dual enrollment coursework an SAT or ACT test score that would meet the assessment requirements of a Zell Miller Scholar pursuant to division (27)(A)(i) of Code Section 20-3-519 and is taking eligible core courses at any eligible postsecondary institution; or(iii) Was enrolled as a ninth grader in one or more dual credit courses at an eligible postsecondary institution for which payment was made under this part on or before June 30, 2020.(10) "Eligible postsecondary institution" or "postsecondary institution" means an eligible postsecondary institution as defined in paragraph (7) of Code Section 20-3-519.(11) "Program" means the arrangement authorized by this Code section whereby an eligible high school student takes one or more dual credit courses with the goal of completing postsecondary credit and high school diploma requirements.(12) "Secondary credit" means high school credit for dual credit courses taken at or through an eligible postsecondary institution under the program.(c) An eligible high school student may apply to an eligible postsecondary institution to take one or more dual credit courses at or through that postsecondary institution which are approved for secondary credit pursuant to subsection (f) of this Code section. If accepted at an eligible postsecondary institution, such eligible high school student may take any such approved dual credit course at or through that postsecondary institution, whether or not the course is taught during the regular eligible high school day, and receive secondary credit therefor under the conditions provided in this Code section.(d) In consultation with and subject to approval by the commission, the department shall develop appropriate forms and counseling guidelines for the program and shall make such forms and guidelines available to eligible high schools and eligible postsecondary institutions. No later than the first day of February each year, each eligible high school shall provide general information about the program, including such forms, to all its eligible high school students. An eligible high school shall also provide counseling services to such students and their parents or guardians before the students enroll in the program. Prior to participating in the program, the student and the student's parent or guardian shall sign the form provided by the eligible high school or by an eligible postsecondary institution stating that they have received the counseling specified in this subsection and that they understand the responsibilities that shall be assumed in participating in the program. Program information and materials shall be provided to each eighth grade public school student at the time the student is developing his or her individual graduation plan as required by Code Section 20-2-327.(e) In order to participate in the program, each eligible high school shall be required to execute a participation agreement as prescribed by the commission.(f)(1) A participating eligible high school shall grant secondary credit to an eligible high school student enrolled in a dual credit course in an eligible postsecondary institution if such student successfully completes such course. The secondary credit granted shall be for a comparable required course; career, technical, and agricultural education course; or elective course. Upon completion of an eligible postsecondary institution's dual credit course, the eligible high school student shall be responsible for requesting that the eligible postsecondary institution notify such student's eligible high school regarding his or her grade in such course.(2) Secondary credits granted for eligible postsecondary institution dual credit courses under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be counted by the eligible high school toward graduation requirements and subject area requirements of the eligible high school. Evidence of successful completion of each dual credit course and secondary credits granted shall be included in the eligible high school student's secondary school records.(3) The local board of education or other authorized governing body of a participating eligible high school shall be required to award a high school diploma to an eligible high school student who is enrolled at or through an eligible postsecondary institution under the program so long as the credit earned at or through such postsecondary institution satisfies course requirements provided in subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-149.2.(4) No local school system that receives funding under this article shall exclude eligible high school students taking one or more dual credit courses pursuant to this Code section from eligibility determinations for valedictorian and salutatorian of a participating eligible high school; provided, however, that this shall not apply to a student who moves into the local school system after tenth grade and has not taken any courses on site at the participating eligible high school.(g)(1) Each eligible student shall be limited to a total of 30 semester hours, or the equivalent amount of quarter hours, of eligible dual credit courses funded under this part; provided, however, that, subject to appropriations specifically for such purpose, the commission shall be authorized to waive such limitation for students participating in the Accelerated Career Diploma Program provided for in Code Section 20-2-149.2 to the extent necessary for such students to complete such program.(2) Hours for eligible dual credit courses taken at or through an eligible postsecondary institution pursuant to this Code section by an eligible high school student shall not count against any maximum hourly caps which may be applicable for purposes of HOPE scholarships or grants.(h) The commission is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Code section relating to the program described in this Code section. Said rules and regulations shall provide that, after June 30, 2020, eligible high school students shall not be permitted to retake a dual credit course except under extenuating circumstances, as determined by the commission; and after withdrawal from a second dual credit course, a student shall be ineligible to take any dual credit courses except under extenuating circumstances, as determined by the commission.(i)(1) Every eligible postsecondary institution shall be subject to examination by the commission for the sole purpose of determining whether such postsecondary institution has properly complied with rules and regulations established pursuant to this Code section. Such examination shall be conducted by the commission no less frequently than once every three years. The commission is authorized to conduct the examination using sampling and extrapolation techniques. However, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to interfere with the authority of a postsecondary institution to determine its own curriculum, philosophy, purpose, or administration. In the event it is determined that a postsecondary institution knowingly or through error certified an ineligible student to be eligible for the program established under this Code section, the amount paid to the postsecondary institution pursuant to such certification shall be refunded by the postsecondary institution to the commission. The commission may suspend a postsecondary institution from receiving payments under this Code section if it fails to refund any moneys deemed due pursuant to this subsection.(2) Every eligible high school shall be subject to examination by the commission for the sole purpose of determining whether such high school has properly complied with rules and regulations established pursuant to this Code section. Such examination shall be conducted on a schedule prescribed by the commission. The commission is authorized to conduct the examination using sampling and extrapolation techniques. In the event it is determined that an eligible high school knowingly or through error certified an ineligible student to be eligible for the program established under this Code section, the commission may institute corrective actions, including but not limited to removing the high school's eligibility under this program.(j) In order to participate in the program, each eligible postsecondary institution shall be required to enter into a participation agreement with the commission agreeing to:(1) Waive all mandatory and noncourse related fees for eligible high school students participating in the program taking eligible dual credit courses;(2) Provide course books to eligible high school students participating in the program taking eligible dual credit courses at no charge to the student;(3) Accept the amount paid by the commission as full payment for tuition, mandatory and noncourse related fees, and course books for eligible high school students taking eligible dual credit courses; and(4) Provide enrollment and student record data to the Office of Planning and Budget and to the state-wide longitudinal data system maintained by such office. Such data shall be submitted in accordance with timelines and formats established by the Office of Planning and Budget.(k) The commission shall provide funding in accordance with this Code section for eligible dual credit courses taken by eligible high school students; provided, however, that the funding provided to the commission for the program shall be subject to annual appropriations enacted by the General Assembly. The commission shall set criteria for funding for tuition, mandatory and noncourse related fees, course books, and transportation. The amount of such funds to be paid shall be determined by the commission. The commission shall create a grant program, subject to the availability of funds, pursuant to which participating public eligible high schools may apply for transportation grants. Such grants shall be awarded based on criteria, terms, and conditions determined by the commission in consultation with the department.(l) In the event the funds made available to the commission are not sufficient to enable the commission to meet all funding requirements of the program, the amount paid to eligible postsecondary institutions shall be reduced by the commission. Under no circumstances shall the eligible postsecondary institutions require an eligible high school student participating in the program taking an eligible dual credit course to pay for tuition, mandatory and noncourse related fees, or course books.(m) Students enrolled in a work based learning program under Code Section 20-2-161.2 may be eligible to earn dual credit upon completing a planned training experience under guidelines developed by the department and the Technical College System of Georgia, provided that students meet postsecondary readiness established in reading and writing and mathematics for the particular advanced training program or associate's degree.(n) The commission shall collect and monitor enrollment and student record data for eligible dual credit courses taken pursuant to this Code section. The commission shall annually measure and evaluate the program. The Office of Planning and Budget, the department, eligible postsecondary institutions, and local boards of education shall cooperate with and provide data as necessary to the commission to facilitate the provisions of this subsection.(o) Nothing in this Code section shall be deemed to preclude an eligible high school student from taking one or more dual credit courses at his or her own expense.(p)(1) The department and any organization that receives program funds shall annually report to the commission, at a minimum, the following data: (A) Rates of participation, dual credit earned, and attempted but uncompleted courses;(B) Rates of college enrollment and graduation for participating students; and(C) Correlation between completion of eligible dual credit courses and the time to complete a college degree program.(2) The commission shall maintain and annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly data for the three preceding school years, including, at a minimum, the data reported under paragraph (1) of this subsection and: (A) The impact of the program on credential attainment; and(B) Cost savings resulting from the program.(3) The commission is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to implement this subsection.Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 559,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2024.Amended by 2023 Ga. Laws 54,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by 2020 Ga. Laws 327,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2020.Amended by 2018 Ga. Laws 449,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2018.Amended by 2017 Ga. Laws 36,§ 2, eff. 4/27/2017.Amended by 2015 Ga. Laws 34,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2015.Amended by 2011 Ga. Laws 225,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2011.Added by 2009 Ga. Laws 63,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2009.