ATLANTA (May 1, 2011) – Governor Nathan Deal has signed Senate Bill 289, the Digital Learning Act, into law. Authored by Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, SB 289 seeks to make Georgia a national leader in digital learning.
“The students of today will spend the remainder of their lives learning in an increasingly digital format. The legislation signed by Governor Deal could transform Georgia into a national leader for providing educational opportunities for our students,” said Sen. Rogers. “The immediate impact will be a significant cost savings to our local school systems, but more importantly the state will begin to focus on delivering education along a new format, one that has an endless possibility for content. Combining the best of classroom techniques with digital delivery holds the promise of higher test scores, and individualized education, all delivered at a lower cost.”
Under SB 289, the State Board of Education (BOE) must establish rules and regulations to maximize the number of students, beginning with students entering the 9th grade during the 2014-2015 school year, who complete at least one online learning course before graduation.
There are four options for online learning, including:
• Online courses offered by the Georgia Virtual School (GVS);
• Virtual instruction programs offered by a DOE-approved provider;
• Online dual enrollment courses offered by a postsecondary institution; or
• Enrollment in a full-time or part-time virtual instruction program.
The bill also requires all end-of-year core subject assessments to be available online by the 2015-2016 school year and establishes rules and regulations to maximize the number of students utilizing these online assessments.
Finally, the new law lowers the cost to local school systems by some 65% or more for all classes taken through the Georgia Virtual School or a qualified provider.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
May 2, 2012
Contact:
Natalie Dale, Director
natalie.dale@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028