On March 30, 2015, Gov. Nathan Deal signed the Emancipation Diploma Bill (HB 91) into law.

This law means that students who completed school at an Effingham County School System high school and have previously met all graduation requirements with the exception of passing the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) or the Basic Skills Tests can petition to be granted a diploma.

Petitioners should complete an application available on the district Web site or in person at the Effingham County Board of Education office at 405 N. Ash St., Springfield.

There is no deadline for submission of a petition, so applications are being continuously accepted and reviewed. Petitioners should allow three to four weeks for completion of the review process. Further questions may be directed to Dr. Cheryl Tobey at 754-2540.