A state representative has introduced a bill that would give a GPA boost to Georgia college students taking tough courses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
The same boost already applies to high school students taking advanced courses. This boost would make a B in applicable courses count as a 3.5 instead of 3.0, and a C would be a 2.5 instead of a 2.0.
The courses that apply the boost would be set by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in consultation with the Technical College System of Georgia, the Department of Economic Development, and private eligible postsecondary institutions.
If passed, applicable students would see weighted grades for specific STEM classes affect their grade point average in academic year 2017-2018.
The GPA boost is intended to encourage students to stay in the STEM majors that prepare them for hard-to-fill jobs in Georgia. The bill, known as House Bill 801, states that the courses “shall be academically rigorous and required for or leading to employment in high demand fields in Georgia in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”
With the newly consolidated Kennesaw State University now offering many more courses in technology and engineering, this bill stands to greatly benefit prospective STEM majors looking at attending KSU.
The bill proposes a debate over whether a student’s choice of major should determine their HOPE eligibility requirements, which is determined by their GPA. If the bill goes forward, there may be pushback. Students in majors that are not deemed applicable by the Board of Regents, such as art, English and communication degrees, would have to achieve a higher grade in their class than those in STEM majors, in order to maintain HOPE.
