Last chance to comment on graduation rules

State officials will give the public one more chance to comment on changing high school graduation requirements.

In September the state school board will vote on new graduation requirements for students who enter high school in the fall of next year. Over a dozen public hearing have been held around the state. On Monday the department will hold 2 more phone conferences, one at 3:30 and one at 5:00. Each can handle 100 calls from the public who can to comment on the plan for 3 minutes.

Department of Education spokesperson Matt Cardoza says it's one last chance to be heard before the Board will vote. Despite Georgia high dropout rates new graduation requirements will start next fall.

"Data has shown us and a lot of kids who have dropped out have told us they were board," says Cardoza. "And had more been required of them, they say they would have risen to the challenge."

The new rules eliminate the two graduation tracks for college and technical school prep and require the same units of study from all high school students.

To see the current high school graduation requirements go here.

The proposed rules can be found here.



More info from the DOE:

There will be 100 lines available per conference call. Lines are
Available on a first come, first serve basis. Callers will have three
Minutes to comment. Additional comments will be taken as time permits.
• To access the 3:30-4:30 p.m. conference call, dial toll free
1-888-373-5705 and enter the pass code 418821.
• To access the 5:00-6:00 p.m. conference call, dial toll free
1-800-214-0745 and enter the pass code 584805.

Participant information:
- Please dial in 3-5 minutes prior to the conference start time.
- Enter your pass code, followed by the pound (#) sign.
- Your line will be placed on hold with music until the conference call
starts.

Written Input: Written comments and questions can be sent to the GaDOE's
Policy Division via email at policy@doe.k12.ga.us or by mail to:

Graduation Rule Input
c/o Georgia Department of Education Policy Division
2053 Twin Towers East
205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive
Atlanta, GA 30334