James_May-June_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 73
E D U CAT I O N
An Education Wrapup
•
SINE DIE 2026 •
BY TA N A PA G E
• Continued support for dual
enrollment (high school/college
coursework)
You cannot strengthen
the weak by weakening
the strong. —Abraham Lincoln
In many ways, that quote sums
up the Georgia General Assembly’s
2026 session. Let’s take a closer
look at what lawmakers have been
up to— specifically in the realm of
education and the legislation that
touches it.
The Strong
Among the most prominent
efforts this session was the expansive literacy bill (HB 1193), which
was still under debate on Sine
Die— the final day of the legislative
session. Championed by House of
Representatives Speaker Jon Burns,
this bill consumed significant time
and attention.
Under the proposal, every
school serving grades K–3 would
be assigned a literacy coach, with
70 percent of that coach’s time
devoted directly to classroom
instruction and no administrative
responsibilities. In addition, regional coaches would be assigned
through Regional Education Service Agencies (RESA) districts.
Research indicates that schools
• Expansion of after-school programs
• “Math Matters” initiative
utilizing literacy coaches have, on
average, increased reading scores
by 15 percent The renewed focus
on literacy stems, in part, from a
troubling disconnect: while the
state Department of Education has
suggested progress toward state
reading goals, only 38 percent of
Georgia third graders are reading
on grade level. Among eighth
graders, that number rises to just
50 percent.
The bill also includes a retention clause— an approach not new
to Georgia, as similar concerns date
back to 1998. For more information,
readers can explore the Georgia
Reads initiative or visit the Georgia
General Assembly website.
Other Highlights
For Students:
• Ban on cell phone use during
high school classes
• Financial literacy education requirements
For Educators:
• Scholarships for 500 student
teachers based on 昀椀nancial
need
• $70 million allocated to the
State Health Bene昀椀t Plan
• Increased funding for special
education scholarships
General Legislation
Impacting Education
• Anti-Semitism legislation
• Department of Education audit
committee establishment
• Prohibition on unaccredited
institutions conferring degrees
• Local school board audits, with
suspension for identi昀椀ed mismanagement
• HB 295 (sponsored by Rep.
Houston Gaines), addressing
M AR C H /A PRIL 2026
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