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Thursday, March 20, 2025 - Day 33
Archive of past GAE Legislative Alerts this year
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Numerous education bills considered yesterday
A number of education-related bills were the subject of committee hearings yesterday, which was designated as a "committee work day."
House Education subcommittees heard several bills. The House Education Committee's Subcommittee on Curriculum passed two pieces of legislation:
SB 63 would require that each local school system that offers the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, PreACT, or ACT or an advanced placement exam make such tests available to home-schooled students living in the district. The bill's sponsor said of the bill: "the bill [was filed] because home-school parents are paying taxes," and he thinks their local schools should serve them even if their children aren't enrolled. The bill was brought before the full House Education Committee today and was given a "do pass" recommendation.
SB 93 would curtail the use of "three cueing" in teaching reading. Three-cueing, or MSV, teaches reading by meaning drawn from context or pictures, syntax, and visual information, meaning letters or parts of words. The bill was before the full House Education Committee this afternoon and was passed on to the Rules Committee.
The House Education Subcommittee on Policy heard three bills, one of which passed:
SB 236 would permit students whose parents or guardians are on active military duty to enroll in the school in which district they intend to reside based upon presentation of a copy of official military orders - not, as present, just upon proof of residency. The bill was given a "do pass" recommendation by the subcommittee yesterday. SB 236 was the subject of a hearing of the full House Education Committee today and was adopted with amendments.
Two other bills - both House bills - that did not pass by Crossover Day were heard without a vote:
HB 333 would require annual adjustments to the state teacher salary schedule so that salaries would increase as inflation increases. GAE testified on behalf of the bill, which raised a healthy, general debate on teacher salaries.
HB 505, which appears to benefit a very limited number of private companies, would require the tracking of students in the name of "career readiness" and which could place additional and substantial responsibilities and burdens on teachers.
Today the House Education Committee also passed SB 123, concerning chronic student absenteeism. Among other things, the bill would add to Georgia law the following sentence: "No student shall be expelled from a public school in this state due solely to such student's absences from school." Parents of students who are chronically absent could be fined and/or imprisoned for up to 30 days.
In the Senate Public Safety Committee, two bills were brought forward addressing school safety zones:
HB 225, to ban all speed detection and red light cameras in school safety zones, was heard. The committee did not appear to be receptive to a complete ban, as the bill proposes. No vote was taken on the legislation.
HB 651, which would continue to allow the use of speed detection and red light cameras in school safety zones but which would require signage or flashing lights to notify drivers of their usage. This bill, too, did not receive a vote.
The House Judiciary Committee debated SB 36, the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act," and voted the bill down, with two Republicans joining Democrats for not including anti-discrimination provisions. A motion to reconsider was passed, meaning the bill could return for a second vote.
The bill's sponsor says the bill prohibits a substantial burden on the exercise of religion unless the burden is the least restrictive possible and furthers a compelling interest of the government.
Several Jewish advocacy groups opposed the measure. In addition, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said: "SB 36 jeopardizes the rights of minorities ... Across the country, similar laws have repeatedly been invoked by individuals and businesses to deny services to the LGBTQ+ community." Both the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce oppose the bill. Some Democrats have claimed the bill "would allow people to use their religion as a free pass to discriminate."
A subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee considered HB 267, a bill that would limit students to participation in school sports teams to those that align with their sex as identified at birth. No vote was taken on the legislation.
SB 30 would outlaw the prescribing or administering certain hormone therapies and puberty-blocking medications to minors. The bill was on the agenda of the House Public and Community Health Committee. No vote was taken on the bill. Chairwoman Sharon Cooper, R-Marietta, appears to oppose the legislation.
SB 74, a bill that could result in jail time for librarians and library staff for furnishing material to minors that is "harmful to minors," was heard in the House Non-Civil Judiciary, however, no vote was taken. The chair did indicate the bill will be back in committee Monday.
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Senate Education Committee met this morning
The Senate Education and Youth Committee met this morning at 8 a.m. and passed three bills:
HB 307, which would apply resources and programs to improve the reading proficiency of students with dyslexia and includes provisions to restrict MSV, which teaches reading by meaning drawn from context or pictures, syntax, and visual clues.
HB 371 would increase the state's maximum authorization of capital outlay funding. It would also provide for the standards of any playground built after July 1, 2027.
SR 237 urges the Professional Standards Commission (PSC), in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Early Care and Learning, the Office of Student Achievement, the University System of Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia, and the Georgia Student Finance Commission, to provide recommendations to support the state's K-12 education workforce and teacher and school leader pipeline, including compensation for student teachers.
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TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CLOSE
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
President Trump signed an executive order late this afternoon to start the process of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The President, ironically surrounded by school children, said today, "We're going to eliminate it, and everybody knows it's right."
GAE President Lisa Morgan conducted five media interviews today to speak out against Trump's action and the crushing impact the executive order will have on students, educators, and schools in Georgia.
Trump has already suggested a 50% cut in funding for the Department.
There are few details available at this moment but Congressional approval is required, which means in the U.S. Senate, seven Democrats votes in support would be required. The White House later said that the following services will not be affected by the order: student loans, Pell grants and Title I, which provides financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
IMMEDIATELY CONTACT your Congressional representative to tell them you oppose the shuttering of the U.S. Department of Education and the draconian cuts Trump has proposed to the Department's budget, using NEA's two-click process, here.
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Teaching Truthful Native History
NEA Aspiring Educators and the NEA American Indian/Alaska Native Caucus to invite you to attend the upcoming virtual engagement, "Teaching Truthful Native History" with Indigenous rights activist and artist Steph Littlebird.
Mark your calendar! Sunday, March 23, 7-8:30 p.m. Littlebird is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, a children’s book illustrator, and artist. Learn about the history of the United States from an Indigenous perspective and explore hidden histories and discover tools you can use to move beyond land acknowledgements into empowered allies and community members. Register here.
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Bills targeting Catoosa County schools moving forward
A petition is circulating among Catoosa County residents and educators to oppose three House bills offered by Rep. Mitchell Horner, R-Ringgold, that the Catoosa County Association of Educators (CCAE) says will negatively impact public schools in the county.
The bills are House Bills 30, 31, and 754.
HB 30 proposes a third homestead exemption for senior citizens from Catoosa County school district taxes. The bill would provide an exemption of $100,000 for residents in the school district who are 67 years of age or older. According to Caitlin Martin, president of the Catoosa County Association of Educators (CCAE), the bill would reduce school funding by approximately $2.9 million annually and would likely result in raising the millage rate for younger residents.
HB 31 would prohibit the Catoosa school system from borrowing for new school construction or other capital projects.
HB 754 would require a third annual audit of the school system.
The Catoosa County Board of Education also opposes, unanimously, all three bills.
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| Next Legislative Update: Friday, March 21
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