Gov. Brian Kemp signs education bills into law

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Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 1193 into law, with the goal of improving the state’s literacy rate.

Credit: Sarah Kallis/GPB News

Two-thirds of Georgia third graders are reading below grade level. A bill signed by Gov. Brian Kemp Tuesday aims to change that. 

Kemp signed House Bill 1193 into law with the goal of improving the state’s literacy rate. The bill funds literacy coaches for all public elementary schools in the state, allows schools to hold back first graders if they don't read on grade level, offers more literacy resources to teachers and has a $70 million price tag.

Kemp thinks it's worth the money.

"If young learners fail to learn how to read at the start of their educational careers, they'll struggle to read to learn during the rest of their academic journeys," he said. "This bill is a monumental step in our years-long work to ensure students have the literacy skills they need."

There's no set deadline on schools hiring literacy coaches, but they will have access to the funding in July. HB 1193 was one of House Speaker Jon Burns’ legislative priorities.

Kemp also signed HB 1009 which, extends the ban on student cellphone use in schools through high school. Schools will need to implement the ban by the 2027-2028 school year.