GA HB294

State Board of Education must review and update policies for awarding high school credit based on demonstrated subject area competency by August 1, 2025, with implementation beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.

International baccalaureate exams are added to the list of approved assessments for demonstrating competency, alongside AP exams, ACT course assessments, CLEP exams, industry credentials, and foreign language assessments.

State School Superintendent is prohibited from denying, delaying, or interfering with approval of any performance-based assessment that has been identified and approved by the State Board of Education.

Local school systems and public school governing bodies must comply with state policies and are prohibited from setting policies that impede student access to competency-based credit options.

Schools are not required to offer AP or IB courses; the bill only expands options for students to earn credit through demonstrated proficiency rather than traditional seat-time requirements.