Signed by Governor Nathan Deal

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that establishes numerical ratings for schools based on student performance.

Highlights:

• Requires the Office of Student Achievement, in coordination with the Department of Education, to adopt and annually review indicators of “the quality of learning by students, financial efficiency, and school climate for individual schools and for school systems” (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a 5-star rating system for indicating financial efficiency and the school climate, the specifics of which will be determined by the Office of Student Achievement (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a 0-100 point scale annually calculated by the Office of Student Achievement and the Department of Education for schools, based on the indicators of quality of learning for student achievement, achievement gap closure, and student progress with “a majority of the score based on student achievement” (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes numerical ratings for schools based on student performance.

Highlights:

• Requires the Office of Student Achievement, in coordination with the Department of Education, to adopt and annually review indicators of “the quality of learning by students, financial efficiency, and school climate for individual schools and for school systems” (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a 5-star rating system for indicating financial efficiency and the school climate, the specifics of which will be determined by the Office of Student Achievement (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a 0-100 point scale annually calculated by the Office of Student Achievement and the Department of Education for schools, based on the indicators of quality of learning for student achievement, achievement gap closure, and student progress with “a majority of the score based on student achievement” (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes numerical ratings for schools based on student performance.

Highlights:

• Establishes a 100 point scale with corresponding letter grades that schools will be graded on that includes, but is not limited to, the following criteria (Secs. 1 & 2):
• Student achievement;
• Achievement gap closure; and
• Student progress.

• Establishes a 5-star rating system that schools will be assigned for “financial efficiency” and school climate (Sec. 1).

• Defines “financial efficiency” as the analysis on the use of state and federal funding for student performance, school improvements and resources (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes financial awards to schools determined to have the greatest improvement in the following areas (Sec. 3):
• Student achievement;
• Achievement gap closure; and
• Student progress.

• Requires intervention and assistance for schools that receive low ratings for student achievement, achievement gap closure or student progress (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text