Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

As we mark the beginning of the new school year, I want to highlight some key education legislation passed during the 2024 Legislative Session. These initiatives aim to support our students, teachers, schools, and families by enhancing education funding and providing parents with the flexibility to choose the best educational options for their children. We are also fighting to ensure our students are learning strong fundamentals in reading, writing and arithmetic and removing politics or other distractions from classrooms.

Thousands of students and teachers throughout Georgia will begin this school year with increased resources, funding, and opportunities. From historic investments in Pre-K programs, early literacy initiatives, and teacher pay raises to school safety funding—providing access to quality education for every Georgia student continues to be a top priority for the House. 

2024 Education Legislative Highlights include:

Georgia Pre-K: The Georgia Lottery for Education Act (HB 353) adjusted COAM regulations, resulting in a $97 million increase in funding for the Georgia Pre-K Program.

K-12 Education: The FY25 budget (HB 916) again fully funds the K-12 Quality Basic Education formula, provides $2,500 teacher pay raises, and allocates $45,000 annually to every public school towards school safety resources. Click here more information about the education investments included in the FY 2025 Budget. 

Literacy: Under SB 464, the early literacy testing process statewide is streamlined and updated and provides a free universal screener to every Georgia school system.

Higher Education: The House Study Committee on Assessing the Semester and Quarter Systems at USG and TCSG Institutions continues evaluating the impacts and benefits of each student and employers. 

Background: In 1999, USG transitioned from the quarter system to the semester system, followed by the TCSG of Georgia in 2011. The switch was intended to improve curriculum alignment, enhance administrative efficiencies and reduce student costs. However, in recent years we’ve heard concerns from students, employers, and other stakeholders about whether these anticipated benefits have been realized. 

The committee is composed of five members of the House of Representatives, the USG chancellor, and the TCSG commissioner, will examine these issues and evaluate both systems. The study committee also aims to determine if the anticipated benefits of the conversion to the semester system have been realized, and to assess the impact on student outcomes and workforce development. The committee will produce its findings by Dec. 31, 2024. 

As always, it is a privilege and honor to represent you and your families at our Capitol, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. 

My best wishes to our students on a safe, exciting and productive school year!