Today, Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 211 into law. Sponsored by Senator Billy Hickman (R – Statesboro), this measure establishes the Georgia Council on Literacy.
“The creation of the Georgia Council on Literacy is a major step forward in improving early literacy rates in our state,” said Sen. Hickman. “It is vital to ensure our children receive literacy instruction backed by evidence-based principles. This has been a priority of the Senate Majority Caucus, and I am honored to have carried it through to the finish line with bipartisan support. I am thankful to my Senate colleagues, especially Senate Committee on Education and Youth Chairman Sen. Clint Dixon (R – Gwinnett), for the support of this measure. Georgia’s students are our greatest asset and we must continue investing in their education to guarantee a bright future for our great state. I am truly honored to see SB 211 signed into law today, knowing that Georgia’s students will be positively impacted for generations to come.”
“I am grateful to Sen. Hickman for carrying this landmark bill for the Majority Caucus this session,” said Majority Leader Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega). “Giving these children a strong foundation in literacy will not only ensure that they have a pathway to individual success, but that Georgia has a strong foundation for economic prosperity in the future. Cultivating an educated workforce is a top priority for our Caucus, and I look forward to seeing the work that this newly created Georgia Council on Literacy will accomplish.”
The Georgia Council on Literacy will be made up of 30 appointees who will conduct comprehensive reviews of birth to postsecondary literary programs and ensure the state is supporting the improvement of literacy outcomes for Georgia students. Additional duties of the Council include
researching and providing recommendations on how to improve literacy rates for students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities as well as students from low-income households. Read the full text of SB 211 here.
