Georgia

Title 20. Education
Chapter 2. Elementary and Secondary Education

Section 20-2-142. Required courses of study

(a)(1) All elementary and secondary schools which receive in any manner funds from the state shall provide the following course offerings in the manner and at the grade level prescribed by the State Board of Education in its quality core curriculum:

(A) A course of study in the background, history, and development of the federal and state governments and a study of Georgia county and municipal governments; and

(B) A course of study in the history of the United States and in the history of Georgia and in the essentials of the United States and Georgia Constitutions, including the study of American institutions and ideals.

(2) No student shall be eligible to receive a diploma from a high school unless such student has successfully completed the courses in history and government provided for by this subsection, except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection. For students moving to Georgia and unable to take the course or courses available to fulfill these requirements in the grade level in which such course or courses are ordinarily offered, the State Board of Education may develop alternative methods, which may include but shall not be limited to an online course of study, for such students to learn about and demonstrate an adequate understanding of federal or Georgia history and government. . . .

(4) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the required course of study in the history of Georgia and in the essentials of the Georgia Constitution for students who transfer from another state after having completed the year in which such course or courses are ordinarily offered. The State Board of Education is authorized to provide for exemptions to the required course of study for such students and for students whose parent or parents serve in the armed forces of the United States. . . .

[This statute was located on March 24, 2005 and may have been modified or amended since that date.]