Sen. Bill Cowsert: Senate Unanimously Passes 10th Grade-to-College Bill

Your Georgia Desk

Senate Unanimously Passes 10^th Grade-to-College Bill

In today’s society, those who haven’t achieved a technical school certificate or earned a college degree have a hard time finding a career path that would easily allow them to raise a family and prosper. Those without a high school diploma are all but left out of the running for any job that could be construed as a “career.” This week, Senate Republicans continued the pursuit of our legislative agenda by passing Senate Bill 2, the Lieutenant Governor’s initiative that encourages education and job readiness by removing obstacles to attaining a high school diploma, the first prerequisite to finding a good job.

Senate Bill 2, the second item on the Republican’s 2015 agenda, was passed unanimously by all 56 Senators, with every Republican and Democrat united in support. It helps eliminate barriers for high school students who are ready to take college level classes or technical college classes.

The measure pertains to students who are at least 16 years old, have finished the 10^th grade, and have completed two English courses, two math courses, two science courses, two social studies courses, and health and physical fitness requirements – typical core courses for the first two years of high school. If these high school students can pass college entrance examinations, they can begin taking courses towards an associate’s degree or technical diploma/certificate. Once they achieve their degree or certificate, their high school requirements will have been fulfilled. In effect, they will have graduated both college and high school on the same day.

This bill is a true win-win. High school students who are ready for college can get a jump start on their education. High school students who are not suited for traditional college can pursue a skilled trade or technical program and gain the training and education that will help them thrive in the workplace. In turn, Georgia gains a skilled workforce of graduates who can fill positions as welders, machinists, medical technicians, wildlife managers, and many more important functions needed in our economy.

The Georgia State Senate voted unanimously to give students this tool to help them follow the educational path of their choosing at an accelerated pace to help them to prosper in today’s world. I applaud Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who spearheaded this bill, for his strong leadership that reflects his vision of providing Georgia’s children varied educational opportunities and provides our state’s economy a skilled workforce. The bill is now headed to the House of Representatives for consideration.

So far this session, the Senate has passed two bills – both unanimously. This is evidence of the bi-partisan spirit and broad support of the Senate Republican agenda. Previously this session, we unanimously passed a bill that requires insurance companies to cover health care costs for autistic children under six years old. Early analysis and treatment of autism has proven to help children perform on par with their peers. If children with autism can enter a traditional school class, as opposed to a special education class, the benefits to them and to our society as a whole will be invaluable.

Remaining on our Republican agenda are initiatives that will:

– Increase the number of caseworkers at the Division of Family and Children Services, reduce red tape for potential foster families, and facilitate the adoption process

– Promote economic development and job creation through methods including transportation infrastructure improvement

– Encourage the teaching of our constitutional republic’s founding principles to Georgia students

Next week, the Senate will consider Senate Bill 3, which gives parents who cannot care for their children an easier alternative to foster care. We will also pass the supplemental budget for the current fiscal year, which funds an increase of 103 DFACS caseworkers to protect children in danger.

Over the next several weeks, Senate Republicans will continue to press our agenda and continue to seek cooperation from our elected peers as we work to ensure Georgia remains the best state in the nation to live, work, worship, and raise families.