Plain English Breakdown
The bill status shows it was 'House Withdrawn' and 'Recommitted,' meaning this text describes a proposal that has not yet become final law.
Student Character Development Act
This bill allows public school students to attend religious moral instruction courses provided by outside groups and receive academic credit for them.
What This Bill Does
- Permits public school students to take courses in religious moral instruction offered by people or organizations not part of the public school system, subject to certain conditions.
- Allows students who complete these approved courses to earn academic credit toward their graduation requirements.
- Requires local education agencies (school districts) to adopt policies regarding these programs.
- States that time spent in these courses does not count as an absence from regular school hours.
- Assigns specific responsibilities to the Department of Education.
Who It Names or Affects
- Public school students who choose to take outside religious moral instruction classes.
- Local education agencies (school districts) that must create policies for these courses.
- The Georgia Department of Education, which has defined responsibilities under the law.
- Private organizations or individuals providing the approved religious moral instruction.
Terms To Know
- Religious Moral Instruction
- Courses teaching values and ethics based on a specific religion, offered by groups outside of public schools.
- Local Education Agency
- The local school district or board responsible for managing public schools in an area.
Limits and Unknowns
- The official summary mentions 'certain conditions' must be met but does not list what those specific rules are.
- The exact duties of the Department of Education and local agencies are mentioned as required, but their details are not described in this text.