summary
Introduced
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
In Committee
03/25/2026
03/25/2026
Crossed Over
02/24/2026
02/24/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to education, so as to promote and advance state-wide literacy and reading education efforts; to provide for funding for school based literacy coaches in all public schools in this state with students in any of grades kindergarten through three; to provide for regional literacy coaches employed by regional educational service agencies; to provide for literacy coaching endorsements for certificated professional personnel; to substantially revise the "Georgia Early Literacy and Dyslexia Act"; to include legislative intent; to provide for a definition; to revise provisions of said Act relative to the selection of and requirements for universal reading screeners; to revise provisions for professional learning; to require local school systems and other public schools to have unified literacy plans; to revise provisions for educator preparation programs and the evaluation of such programs by the Professional Standards Commission; to provide for certification of and funding for high-quality instructional materials; to establish within the Office of Student Achievement the Georgia Literacy Coordinating Committee; to provide for the State Literacy Director; to provide for the Georgia Coordinator of Literacy Coaches; to provide for a position description and minimum qualifications and duties for school based literacy coaches and regional literacy coaches; to establish the Georgia Literacy Task Force; to provide for appointment, qualifications, duties, and compensation of members of such task force; to provide for recommendations of such task force; to provide for consideration of HB 1193/AP such recommendations by the State Board of Education; to provide for a comprehensive state-wide promotional campaign for literacy awareness; to provide for the termination of the Georgia Council on Literacy; to encourage families to have their children attend school or a home study program beginning at age five; to provide for the placement of newly enrolled students; to provide for parents and guardians of students who are eligible for initial public school enrollment in first grade to elect for their children to be enrolled in kindergarten rather than first grade; to provide for parents and guardians to elect for their children who are either four or five years old to be enrolled in a voluntary pre-kindergarten program provided and operated as part of Georgia's Pre-K Program; to provide for first grade readiness assessments; to require annual reports regarding first grade readiness; to revise provisions relative to grade placement, promotion, and retention; to provide a short title; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026, aims to significantly improve literacy education across the state by introducing new provisions and revising existing ones. Key components include the establishment of school-based and regional literacy coaches to provide direct support to teachers and students, the creation of a literacy coaching endorsement for educators, and the requirement for all public schools and local school systems to develop unified literacy plans. The Act also mandates the approval of high-quality instructional materials aligned with the "science of reading," which refers to research-based methods for teaching reading, and establishes new roles like the State Literacy Director and the Georgia Literacy Coordinating Committee to oversee these efforts. Furthermore, it revises policies regarding universal reading screeners, which are assessments used to identify students at risk of reading difficulties, and professional learning for educators. The bill also encourages earlier school enrollment by age five and introduces first-grade readiness assessments, while also revising promotion and retention policies to ensure students are adequately prepared for advancement. Finally, it includes provisions for a statewide literacy awareness campaign and the termination of the Georgia Council on Literacy.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education
Sponsors (7)
Jon Burns (R)*,
Matt Dubnik (R)*,
Chris Erwin (R)*,
Gerald Greene (R)*,
Matt Hatchett (R)*,
Jan Jones (R)*,
Blake Tillery (R),
Last Action
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (on 03/31/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72842 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/248642 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/248416 |
| Sen Floor Amend 1 AM 49 0327 | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/248257 |
| Sen Floor Amend 1A | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/248278 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/247336 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/243748 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/242489 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/241521 |
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