By State Representatives Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), Sandra Scott (D-Rex) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta)
(990 words)
Georgia’s education system stands at a critical juncture. Now is the time to prioritize the future of our children and the prosperity of our state. We are proud to introduce a comprehensive legislative agenda aimed at updating the Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula, ensuring full funding for schools and strengthening early intervention and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs.
For nearly two decades, Georgia’s QBE formula has failed to meet the needs of students and schools. The last revision took place in the 1980s, leaving Georgia’s education system with outdated and inadequate funding. This legislative session, we are introducing key bills to address these pressing issues and ensure all students receive the resources they need to succeed.
Education Legislative Agenda
- House Bill 27, Investing in Every Student Act:
Authored by Rep. Sandra Scott (D-Rex), HB 27 would update House Bill 3, the “Support for Students Living in Poverty Act,” to the “Investing in Every Student Act.” This bill would allocate additional resources to students living in poverty, which would ensure equitable access to education regardless of your zip code. The legislation would also mandate transparency in funding and would ensure grants distributed by the State Board of Education would be used to support student success. A fiscal note from the 2023-2024 legislative term indicated that $390 million would be required to fully support children living in poverty.
- House Bill 42, Ensuring Full Funding for School Transportation:
Introduced by Rep. Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain), HB 42 would address the chronic underfunding of school transportation. Many school districts, especially in rural areas, struggle with the financial burden of transporting students safely. This bill would ensure the state meets its obligation to provide adequate funding, which would reduce the strain on local governments and would ensure students have safe and reliable transportation. A fiscal note from preexisting legislation, House Bill 712, previously introduced during the 2023-2024 legislative term, projected that $1.1 billion would be needed to fully fund school transportation in the 2023-2024 legislative term.
- House Bill 48, Refugee and International Students Equalization Fund (RISE):
HB 48, authored by Rep. Davis, would establish the RISE program that would support refugee and international students in Georgia’s public schools by funding essential services such as educational support, translation, housing assistance, medical care, counseling, nutrition and transportation. These resources would help bridge the educational gap and promote academic success for these students.
- House Bill 47, School Security Protection and Safety Infrastructure Act:
This bill, authored by Rep. Davis, would update and build upon HB 899, legislation previously introduced during the 2023-2024 legislative term, by strengthening school security measures. Additionally, HB 47 would ensure that QBE funding includes dedicated resources for improving school safety infrastructure. The bill would also establish policies and guidelines to safeguard students and staff, which would reduce incidents of school violence. A fiscal note for HB 899 indicated that $103 million would be required to implement these school security measures.
- House Bill 23, Student Success and Progress Act:
HB 23, authored by Rep. Scott, would enhance Georgia’s Early Intervention and ESOL programs by amending the Quality Basic Education Act to improve communication between schools and families while enhancing professional development opportunities for teachers. Schools would be required to provide regular progress reports to parents and legal guardians of students in Early Intervention and ESOL programs. Additionally, the Georgia Department of Education would collaborate with the Professional Standards Commission to improve training for teachers, ensuring they have the skills and resources needed to support struggling learners and limited-English-proficient students.
- House Bill 26, School Behavioral Mental Health Support Act:
HB 26, authored by Rep. Scott, as well as Reps. Davis and Schofield, would introduce the “School Behavioral Mental Health Support Act.” This legislation would expand access to mental health services in K-12 schools by establishing a school-linked behavioral health grant program, which would be designed to support early intervention for students experiencing mental health challenges.
- House Bill 1064, Trauma Informed School Counselors Act:
HB 1064, filed during the 2023-2024 legislative term and due to be refiled in the 2025-2026 term, authored by Rep. Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta), would aim to enhance mental health support for students by funding trauma-informed school counselors in Georgia’s public schools. The bill would also mandate one trauma-informed school counselor be on sit for every 150 full-time students starting in Fiscal Year 2027 and would require professional certification for these counselors. Training would focus on recognizing trauma symptoms, promoting resilience and collaborating with school personnel. The bill would ensure state funding for these positions and would establish accountability measures in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Our legislative agenda is about more than just updating outdated formulas—it is also about investing in Georgia’s future. Our initiatives will:
- Provide students with equitable educational opportunities;
- Ensure safe and reliable school transportation;
- Support refugee and international students with essential services;
- Strengthen early intervention and ESOL programs;
- Enhance school security and safety measures; and
- Expand trauma-informed mental health support in schools.
“As elected officials, we have a duty to ensure every child in Georgia has access to a high-quality education,” said Rep. Davis. “Updating the QBE formula, funding our schools properly and investing in support services will create lasting benefits for our students and communities.”
“Parents and guardians deserve to have a clear understanding of their child’s progress, especially when the child is receiving additional support,” said Rep. Scott. “This legislation prioritizes communication, transparency and parental involvement in education.”
“Teachers are the foundation of student success,” added Rep. Schofield. “By modernizing professional development and investing in resources, we can empower educators to provide every student with the tools they need to thrive.”
As these bills move through the legislative process, we encourage all Georgians to join us in advocating for a stronger, more equitable education system. Georgia must serve as a model for the nation in delivering high-quality education for all students.
*Editor’s note: a photo of Reps. Davis, Scott and Scofield is attached, and fiscal notes on some of these bills from 2023-2024 are attached.
Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes a portion of DeKalb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Health, Insurance, Natural Resources & Environment and Urban Affairs committees.
Representative Sandra Scott represents the citizens of District 76, which includes a portion of Clayton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves on the Banks & Banking, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Insurance and Reapportionment and Redistricting committees.
Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 63, which includes a portion of Fulton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves as the Secretary of the Urban Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Health, Industry and Labor and Small Business Development committees.
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