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GeorgiaHB 3072025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Quality Basic Education Act; students significantly at risk of not achieving grade level reading proficiency or with characteristics of dyslexia; include provisions

Sponsored By: Bethany Ballard (Republican), John Corbett (Republican), Matt Dubnik (Republican), Chris Erwin (Republican), Jan Jones (Republican), Carmen Rice (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EducationEducation and YouthGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Dyslexia review and choices for parents

Schools must review more data when an at-risk kindergarten-through-third-grade student makes inadequate progress despite evidence-based reading help and added supports. They must use this data and screening results to check for signs of dyslexia. Within 15 school days of identifying dyslexia characteristics, schools must send parents written notice. Notices must explain supporting data, proposed plan and service changes, progress updates, dyslexia resources, and home strategies; parents can decline the proposed plan and changes in writing. By July 15 each year, the education department must publish and share a handbook covering proven practices, support plans, and dyslexia training programs.

Earlier reading help and parent notices

Schools must use screening results and other data to identify kindergarten-through-third-grade students at significant risk of falling behind in reading. This replaces the narrower significant-reading-deficiency standard. Schools must start a tiered support plan within 30 school days, with intensive help until significant risk ends. Parents must receive written notice within 15 school days, covering supporting data, current services, proposed help, home strategies, and progress updates. Parents can decline the proposed supports in writing.

Expense payments for literacy council members

Nonlegislative members of the Georgia Council on Literacy receive the daily expense allowance set by state law. They also receive authorized mileage or transportation allowances. The supplied text does not state the payment amounts.

Literacy council adds adults and years

The Georgia Council on Literacy now includes adult literacy outcomes alongside student outcomes. It must partner with the state education board and department to carry out the Georgia Early Literacy and Dyslexia Act. The law moves the council’s abolition date and repeal of its governing rules from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2030. These changes do not create a specific adult service or payment.

New reading standards for young students

Georgia public schools must use high-quality reading materials aligned with reading science for kindergarten through third grade. Materials that feature or promote three-cueing do not meet that standard. Schools cannot use three-cueing or visual memory as the basis for teaching word reading, including in interventions. Visual clues remain allowed for context and understanding, but not for teaching word reading. Each year by August 1, local school boards and public school governing bodies must approve materials and certify their quality.

Reading checks for every young student

Georgia public schools must screen every kindergarten-through-third-grade student three times each school year, starting within the first 30 school days. First- and second-graders can no longer substitute another reading assessment for one screening. The state board’s May 15, 2025, deadline covers approval of up to five screeners, including one free to schools. The tools must measure basic reading skills, flag reading risks and dyslexia signs, limit testing time, and track progress. The education department must publish the list by July 15, 2025, and schools must report each screening’s results to parents and the department.

Required reading training for early-grade teachers

The Georgia education department must create or obtain reading training for kindergarten-through-third-grade teachers, consulting education agencies and literacy experts. Training must cover reading science, structured literacy, basic reading skills, dyslexia, approved screeners, and using assessment results. All teachers serving those grades must complete it by August 1, 2025, replacing the July 1, 2025, deadline. Schools must provide instructional help and onsite training. Districts lacking enough funding must notify the department, which must help identify funding sources.

State coordination for school literacy coaches

The law creates a Georgia Literacy Coach Coordinating Committee in the Office of Student Achievement. The office must employ a state literacy coach and a literacy coaching coordinator. The coordinator chairs the committee, coordinates coaching statewide, and oversees coaches whose positions receive state or federal funding. The committee brings together literacy, education, and regional service representatives.

Earlier dyslexia pilot rules are repealed

The law repeals the earlier Georgia code section covering dyslexia screening, staff training, an early-intervention pilot, and data reporting. Those requirements no longer apply through that section. Separate requirements in the Georgia Early Literacy and Dyslexia Act now govern reading screening and dyslexia support. The supplied information does not establish a net loss of student services.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Bethany Ballard

    Republican • House

  • John Corbett

    Republican • House

  • Matt Dubnik

    Republican • House

  • Chris Erwin

    Republican • House

  • Jan Jones

    Republican • House

  • Carmen Rice

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Billy Hickman

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 388 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2025

Agree to Senate Substitute

Yes: 167 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 55 • No: 0

House vote • 2/28/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 166 • No: 0 • Other: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. House Date Signed by Governor

    4/28/2025House

  2. Act 13

    4/28/2025

  3. Effective Date

    4/28/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/9/2025House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    3/31/2025House

  6. Senate Third Read

    3/27/2025Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/27/2025Senate

  8. Senate Read Second Time

    3/25/2025Senate

  9. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/21/2025Senate

  10. Senate Read and Referred

    3/3/2025Senate

  11. House Third Readers

    2/28/2025House

  12. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    2/28/2025House

  13. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/26/2025House

  14. House Second Readers

    2/11/2025House

  15. House First Readers

    2/10/2025House

  16. House Hopper

    2/6/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 307/AP* (v10)

    PDF

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