Literacy and Education
Our education system, run at the local level with active parental involvement, is vitally important to every Georgia citizen who wants to find their path to prosperity. It has a direct impact on our economic well-being. As a former educator and a parent of two boys, I know all too well the challenges we have in our classrooms.
Georgia's House of Representatives supports education. This year, 52% of our budget, $18.9 billion, is allotted for education. We are proud to say that Georgia's teachers now have the highest salaries in the Southeastern United States! We've also acknowledged that parents are the final authority regarding their children's educational path and well-being while in our public schools.
We also need to make sure that our children are given the tools to set them up for success in school and in the workforce. My goal is to ensure that our state's children will be able to read proficiently by the end of 3rd grade so they will be able to spend the rest of their lives reading to learn.
I was proud to sponsor House Bill 538, The Georgia Early Literacy Act, that was signed by Governor Kemp in 2023. This life changing legislation returns our public school literacy curriculum to tried and true foundational principles that have been proven to work. Our educators will be given the training and tools to be able to teach their students to read proficiently, setting them up for future success in school and in life.
My goal is to expand computer science and technology CTAE classes in our schools and make them a requirement for graduation. Our world is becoming more and more dependent on technology, and we must make sure Georgia's students are ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Computer science is literacy for the 21st century!
In 2024, the General Assembly made sure that our children are not trapped in failing schools. We have identified the schools that are in the bottom 25% in our state and have put plans in place to help parents do what is necessary to help their children find a place where their child can succeed.