Dekalb Initiative for Children and Families

Student literacy overhaul poised for Georgia governor’s signature after compromise

1 min read · Long read · 2026

  • Stay Informed News Events Grant Opportunities

Young Georgia students could soon get a hand hitting the books after the Legislature sent a literacy overhaul to the governor’s desk Tuesday.

Both chambers unanimously passed a compromise version of House Bill 1193, which would place a specialized educator called a literacy coach in every school that teaches kindergarten to third grade.

The bill was the top priority of House Speaker Jon Burns as a reaction to Georgia’s low third grade reading scores. More than 60% of Georgia third graders do not read proficiently, according to the Georgia Council on Literacy.

Read the full story here.