Information on HB91: Elimination of GA HS Graduation Tests (GHSGT)

On March 30, 2015, Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 91 into law. This law provides that students shall no longer be required to earn a passing score on any graduation test to earn a high school diploma.

The law also contains additional details and requirements regarding the ability of students no longer enrolled to petition the local board of education for a diploma. HB 91 eliminated the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT), including the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT) and all predecessors (such as the Basic Skills Test) as a requirement for purposes of graduation.

The February 2015 GHSWT and the March 2015 GHSGT marked the last administration of these tests. Scores from those test administrations were reported but not required for graduation purposes. Any student who first enrolled in the ninth grade on or after July 1, 1981 and completed all course requirements except passing the graduation tests may apply to receive a high school diploma.

Catoosa County Schools has developed procedures to comply with HB 91. Former students who would like to submit a request to secure a high school diploma, and who met all graduation requirements except the required high school graduation test, may petition the local board for a diploma. Former students will find the petition form on the system’s website www. catoosa.k12.ga.us. The form is also available at the system’s high schools – Ringgold High, LFO High, and Heritage High. The form should be signed and returned to the high school the student attended, either by mail or in person. There is no deadline for petitioning.

For additional information, please contact:

Dr. Matt Maynor, High School Instructional Specialist, 706-965-2297

The Georgia Department of Education has also developed a “Frequently Asked Questions” document which can be accessed by www.doe.k12.ga.us.