Bill > SB459

Introduced Session

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 include Quality Basic Education funding for school based literacy coaches in each public school in this state with students in any of grades kindergarten through three; to require all children to attend kindergarten prior to enrolling in first grade, subject to exception; to encourage families to have their children attend school or a home study program beginning at age five; 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 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 regional literacy coaches employed by regional educational service agencies; 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 Georgia Director of Literacy; to provide for the Georgia Coordinator of Literacy Coaches; to repeal the Georgia Literacy Coach; 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 such recommendations by the State Board of Education; to provide for a comprehensive state-wide promotional campaign for literacy awareness; 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

Committee Categories

Jason Anavitarte (R)*,  Timothy Bearden (R)*,  Max Burns (R)*,  Bill Cowsert (R)*,  Clint Dixon (R)*,  Drew Echols (R)*,  Russ Goodman (R)*,  Sonya Halpern (D)*,  Marty Harbin (R)*,  Bo Hatchett (R)*,  Billy Hickman (R)*,  Mike Hodges (R)*,  RaShaun Kemp (D)*,  Elena Parent (D)*,  Chuck Payne (R)*,  Shawn Still (R)*,  Brian Strickland (R)*,  Larry Walker (R)*,  Rick Williams (R)*, 

Senate Read and Referred (on 02/05/2026)

Official Document