GBPI - Georgia Budget and Policy Institute
02/18/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/18/2026 09:49
MEDIA ADVISORY: Protect Public Education Day at the Georgia Capitol; GBPI Statement on Recent Dual Enrollment Policy Changes
Students, Educators and Advocacy Organizations Demand Action at Protect Public Education Day at Georgia Capitol
ATLANTA - On Thursday, February 19 at 12:30pm ET, Fund Georgia's Future (FGF) and Georgia Coalition for Education Justice (GCEJ) will hold a joint press conference to draw attention to the urgent need to protect public education funding this legislative session.
With proposed tax and revenue changes that could weaken the state's ability to fund public schools, advocates are urging lawmakers to protect state revenue, fully fund public schools, and keep public dollars in public schools.
Protect Public Education Day of Action and Press Conference
WHO:
- Shavonne Williams, Fund Georgia's Future
- Marcus Hepburn, Georgia Youth Justice Coalition
- Ramona Bivins, Clayton County Public Schools
- Senator RaShaun Kemp, Georgia State Senate
- More legislative champions for public education
WHEN:
Thursday, Feb. 19, at 12:30 PM ET
WHERE:
Georgia Capitol, Room 125
206 Washington St. SW
Atlanta, GA
GBPI Statement on Harmful New Restrictions to Dual Enrollment Program
ATLANTA - On February 6th, 2026, The Georgia Student Finance Commission sent out a "Dear Colleague" letter detailing revisions to the Dual Enrollment program regulations approved by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) Board. The GSFC board used an administrative loophole in a closed process to potentially exclude thousands of students from the Dual Enrollment program.
According to the regulations, "A student must be a United States Citizen, born or naturalized, or an Eligible Non-Citizen according to the Federal Title IV Regulations." In addition to excluding undocumented students from receiving state funding, the revision is also likely to exclude students who are lawfully present-such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Temporary Protected Status (TPS) asylum seekers and H-1 visa holders.
This policy revision will be effective in FY 2027, beginning the summer term of 2026.
"We believe that all students, regardless of residency status, should have access to Georgia's Dual Enrollment program," said Ashley Young, GBPI's Senior Education Policy Analyst. "Equitable opportunities for all students to earn postsecondary education credit at no cost are essential for early exposure to college and to ensure that all Georgia students are highly skilled and prepared to enter the workforce."
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Ashley Young
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