The Senate Education and Youth Committee met this afternoon for possibly the last time this session. The following bills were covered:

HB 959, the Title 20 "cleanup" bill became an omnibus bill when the committee attached several pieces of legislation onto the existing bill. The list includes Senate Education and Youth Chairman Lindsey Tippins' (R-Marietta) SB 348 which allows for college and career academies in Charter and Strategic Waivers systems and SB 329 which expands the types of technical diplomas awarded based on dual credit courses. Also added to the bill is language from Rep. Mike Glanton's (D-Jonesboro) HB 814 that creates a unique identifier for students with a parent or guardian that is an active duty military service member or a reserve in the National Guard. A provision was also added that would allow students who make a 3 on AP tests or a 4 on IB exams to not have to take End of Course Tests (EOCT's) in the corresponding areas.

HB 100 by Rep. Tom Dickson (R-Cohutta), a bill that originally changed the Kindergarten start date for students, was stripped of its original language and replaced with language that requires school systems to use 90 percent of funds received for students enrolled only in virtual school programs in a local system but residing in another system ON virtual school instruction and nothing else. The bill was amended in committee in a way that this provision will not be eligible to be waived by Charter or Strategic Waivers systems. 

HB 868 by Rep. Terry Rogers (R-Clarkesville), a bill that would eliminate the Georgia State Games Commission, was tabled by the committee. Unless Chairman Tippins calls another meeting Wednesday morning, this bill will not move forward.