LaTina Emerson-School is back in Session

School is back in session, and it’s time for students to get serious about their studies and start making important decisions about their future goals and career paths.

High school students can gain valuable work experience or save time and money on technical school or college by taking advantage of the state of Georgia’s new Work-Based Learning Diploma or dual enrollment classes at participating colleges and universities. Students of all
grade levels who need mentorship or extra support in a variety of areas, including life skills and college and career readiness, can seek services from a local nonprofit organization.

Learn more about these programs and give your children a jumpstart on their future:

Work-Based Learning Diploma

The Georgia Department of Education has launched a new Work-Based Learning Diploma, which provides an additional pathway to a Georgia high school diploma for students who plan
to directly enter high-demand careers right after graduation, according to a press release from the Georgia Department of Education.

In June, the State Board of Education approved recommendations to update Georgia’s high school graduation requirements, including a new option for the Work-Based Learning Diploma.
This diploma, which maintains Georgia’s 23-credit graduation requirement, creates a pathway for students to complete focused Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) coursework and extensive work-based learning experiences aligned to high-demand careers.

To earn the Work-Based Learning Diploma, students will complete two High Demand CTAE or
Academic Career Pathways and at least four work-based learning courses in a paid position connected to one of those pathways. School districts will receive additional guidance and implementation information, and details will be shared with students starting this fall, the press
release reported.

The new diploma was developed as part of the state’s commitment to prepare students for enrollment, employment, enlistment or entrepreneurship after graduation. It’s designed to give
students access to hands-on, intensive on-the-job experience in high-demand fields. Fulfilling the requirements for this diploma will show employers and postsecondary institutions that
graduates have demonstrated workforce readiness through coursework and extensive real- world experience.

“We must continue to expand opportunities for students that align not only to their passions but also to the workforce needs of our state,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said in the press release. “This diploma is about recognizing that workforce readiness matters. We want students to graduate with meaningful experience, real skills, and a clear connection to
high-demand careers.”

Georgia’s Dual Enrollment Program

Georgia’s Dual Enrollment Program gives students who are Georgia residents and enrolled in eligible schools or home study programs the chance to earn high school and college credit at participating eligible postsecondary institutions in the state of Georgia. The program, which enables students to begin their college academic career while still in high
school, provides standard tuition, mandatory fees and required books.

To be eligible for Dual Enrollment, students must:

 Be enrolled in and physically attending a participating eligible public or private high
school in Georgia or an eligible participating home study program in Georgia.
 Meet U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements and Georgia Residency
requirements before the first day of classes of the college term for which they’re
seeking funding.
 Be approved, by the participating high school or home study program where the student
is enrolled, to participate in dual enrollment.
 Have completed the admission process and been accepted and approved by the
participating postsecondary institution. The student and their parent/guardian must also complete the Student Participation Agreement.
 Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by the college or university they are attending.
 Complete all postsecondary coursework prior to high school graduation or home study
completion in order to receive Dual Enrollment credit and funding.
 Meet federal Selective Service registration requirements, per Georgia state law.
 Eligibility requirements vary for students depending on their grade level (9 th , 10 th , 11 th or
12 th grades). For details, visit https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-
programs/scholarships-grants/dual-enrollment/eligibility/. Approved Eligible Course Categories:

 Core academic areas: English, math, science, social sciences and world (foreign)
languages.
 CTAE (Career, Technical and Agricultural Education) courses that align to a Georgia Department of Education Career Cluster and Pathway.
Dual Enrollment Award Amounts:
 The Dual Enrollment Funding Cap is 30 semester or 45 quarter hours. Funding
availability is limited per term to 15 semester or 12 quarter hours and three semesters or four quarters per academic year depending on the student’s eligibility.
 The award amount will vary based on the postsecondary institution and the number of credit hours in which a student is enrolled in approved Dual Enrollment courses.
 The approved award rates to be paid for tuition, mandatory fees and book costs are published each year and subject to change.
 Postsecondary institutions must waive all mandatory and non-course related fees and can’t charge eligible high school students participating in the Dual Enrollment program additional tuition, mandatory fees or book costs for courses approved for Dual Enrollment funding.
 Institutions must provide required textbooks at no cost to participating students for courses approved for Dual Enrollment funding. If the course textbook and/or course homework delivery method is provided online or online materials are used instead of a
physical textbook, the institution must provide the access code at no cost to the
student.

To view the list of participating colleges and universities, visit https://www.gafutures.org/hope-
state-aid-programs/scholarships-grants/dual-enrollment/participating-colleges-and- universities/.
For more information about Georgia’s Dual Enrollment Program, visit
https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/scholarships-grants/dual-enrollment/. Find Support and Mentorship for Students
ELEVATE Coweta Students, a local nonprofit organization, provides mentoring, encouragement and critical support that helps students overcome obstacles, stay in school and believe in their future. The organization strives to let children know they are supported, valued and never alone, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

ELEVATE Coweta Students offers assistance for basic needs, mental health, life skills, college and career readiness, and attendance, behavior and course performance. Site coordinators,
who serve as advocates for students, focus on attendance, behavior and coursework. They also help identify students in need of assistance and connect them with community resources that can help remove obstacles to their success. While ELEVATE Coweta Students supports students throughout the Coweta County School System, there are currently site coordinators in six schools: Arnco-Sargent Elementary School,
Ruth Hill Elementary School, Welch Elementary School, Smokey Road Middle School, East Coweta High School and Newnan High School.

For more information about ELEVATE Coweta Students, visit
https://elevatecowetastudents.org.