A major initiative to boost childhood literacy and a ban on cell phones in high school classrooms were among a suite of new Georgia education bills signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Brian Kemp.
“Here in the No. 1 state for business and opportunity, our classrooms must be safe learning environments that serve as launching pads for success in the workforce,” said Kemp, who is serving his final year in office.
Here’s a rundown on what the bills do.
LITERACY OVERHAUL
Georgia’s literacy bill, House Bill 1193, was House Speaker Jon Burns’ top priority during this year’s legislative session. It comes as a response to lackluster elementary school reading scores, with tests showing more than 60% of Georgia third graders reading below grade level.