GeorgiaHB 11932025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026; enact

Sponsored By: Jon Burns (Republican), Matt Dubnik (Republican), Chris Erwin (Republican), Gerald Greene (Republican), Matt Hatchett (Republican), Jan Jones (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EducationAppropriationsGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

13 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 2 costs, 5 mixed.

First graders get help, face retention

Beginning in 2027–2028, first graders at serious risk of missing grade-level reading goals must receive intensive help and reassessment. Schools must notify parents or guardians. A child who remains at risk must repeat first grade unless a parent appeals and a placement committee unanimously approves promotion. Children promoted through an appeal must receive prescribed instruction and ongoing assessment. No child can spend more than two years in first grade.

Readiness checks shape children’s first-grade entry

Children generally must attend full-day kindergarten before first grade, unless they meet age rules and are assessed as ready. The age rule generally requires turning six by September 1, with a statutory exception. Parents can request a readiness assessment; approved tools, teacher input, reading screening, and parent preferences inform readiness decisions. State policies and tools are due July 1, 2026; guidance is due July 15, with updates due July 1, 2027. Guidance must address placement for students with disabilities or limited English skills; readiness rules begin in 2027–2028.

Students face clearer grade-promotion rules

Local public-school governing bodies must adopt placement and promotion policies by July 1, 2026. The State Board must adopt criteria for grades one, three, five, and eight by January 1, 2027. Policies must explain how grades one through eight tests and first-grade reading assessments affect instruction, placement, promotion, or retention. At-risk first graders cannot advance without meeting applicable standards; specified older-grade cases require retention after failed assessments and a second additional opportunity. The framework also requires extra instruction, reassessment, notice, and appeals.

Full-day kindergarten available for Georgia families

Every Georgia local school system must offer full-day kindergarten. Programs must provide at least 4.5 hours of classroom instruction daily for 180 days, or an approved equivalent schedule. This requirement makes the program available; it does not itself require children to attend.

Pre-K access for four- and five-year-olds

Children who turn four or five by September 1 qualify for Georgia’s voluntary Pre-K Program. Enrollment requires a parent’s or guardian’s request and an available seat. Four- and five-year-olds must receive equal treatment when seats are assigned. Each child can attend for only one year.

School reading funds require approved materials

Beginning in 2029–2030, schools cannot use Article 6 state education funds for unapproved kindergarten-through-third-grade reading materials. Materials must have State Board approval following a Georgia Literacy Task Force recommendation. The task force must recommend two to five high-quality reading programs by April 1, 2027, and every four years afterward. These rules restrict school spending, not family purchases.

Schools must meet reading-material quality standards

Public schools must use only high-quality reading materials based on the science of reading in kindergarten through third grade. Local school governing bodies must approve these materials, and schools and systems must certify their quality each year. By March 1, 2027, the State Board must approve materials recommended by the Office of Student Achievement. The board must also define learning materials for state-funded kindergarten-through-grade-12 courses to include supporting technology.

Georgia coordinates reading help for families

The Office of Student Achievement must employ a State Literacy Director and a literacy-coach coordinator. State literacy leaders coordinate programs, update Georgia’s literacy plan, review local and early-childhood efforts, and recommend policy and funding changes. The office must run a family literacy campaign focused on children from birth through fifth grade with education and health partners. The task force must convene by September 1, 2026. The law also schedules repeal of the committee and task-force provisions for December 31, 2026, despite later recommendation deadlines.

Schools get free reading screening tools

By April 1, 2028, the state must approve two to five reading screeners, including at least one free option. The task force recommends the list, which is updated every three years; the board cannot approve an unrecommended screener. Each public school and school system must adopt and use an approved tool. Screeners check basic reading skills, identify serious reading risk and signs of dyslexia, and report student and group results. By July 1 annually, the state sends schools a dyslexia handbook with evidence-based guidance and training resources.

Schools get grants for reading coaches

Subject to state appropriations, grants reimburse beginning salary and benefits for one literacy coach per eligible school serving any kindergarten-through-third grade. Schools with 200 or fewer full-time-equivalent students receive 50% of the full grant. Coaches need state certification, five years of successful relevant experience, and expertise in reading, dyslexia support, and data. They spend at least 70% of the school day directly supporting students and teachers, not evaluating teachers or handling administrative work. They cannot substitute, serve as teacher of record, or attend placement committees; regional agencies also assign qualified coaches for training and leadership support.

Teachers gain a reading-coach credential

By December 31, 2026, the state must establish a literacy-coaching credential for teachers and other certified school staff. Training covers evidence-based reading instruction, reading screeners, parent guidance, and support for other school staff. Beginning January 1, 2027, approved teacher-preparation programs must align their core courses with the science of reading. Courses cover step-by-step instruction, literacy and math practices, and adapting lessons using assessment results. The state reviews every program at least once every four years and reports findings by November 1 annually.

Schools need literacy plans for approvals

By January 1, 2027, every public-school governing body must adopt a unified literacy plan. Starting then, school systems without a plan cannot receive specified waivers or variances or enter or renew specified state contracts. New and renewal petitions for local and state charter schools must include a literacy plan.

Teachers get free reading training

Public-school kindergarten-through-third-grade teachers receive access to free statewide reading training no later than the 2027–2028 school year. Training covers structured reading instruction, approved materials, and reading screeners, and also supports literacy coaches. Schools must provide research materials, lesson demonstrations, prompt feedback, and coach support as time permits. The law removes the earlier written funding-shortage notice rule and the Department of Education’s related technical-assistance duty.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Blake Tillery
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 387 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 49 • No: 0 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/31/2026

Agree to Senate Substitute

Yes: 168 • No: 0 • Other: 5

House vote • 2/24/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 170 • No: 2 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

House Date Signed by Governor
5/5/2026House
Act 391
5/5/2026
Effective Date
5/5/2026
House Sent to Governor
4/10/2026House
Senate Third Read
3/31/2026Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/31/2026Senate
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
3/31/2026House
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/25/2026Senate
Senate Read Second Time
3/25/2026Senate
Senate Withdrawn & Recommitted
3/19/2026Senate
Senate Read and Referred
2/25/2026Senate
House Third Readers
2/24/2026House
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
2/24/2026House
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/12/2026House
House Second Readers
2/6/2026House
House First Readers
2/5/2026House
House Hopper
2/4/2026House

Bill Text

HB 1193/AP* (v13)
PDF

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