ATLANTA – State Representatives Sandra Scott (D-Rex), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) recently introduced House Bill 27, the Investing in Every Student Act, which would provide grants to local school systems from the State Board of Education to support students living in poverty. The legislators issued the following joint statement about the legislation:
“As champions for educational equity, we are proud to introduce the Investing in Every Student Act, a legislative initiative aimed at addressing the urgent needs of Georgia’s most vulnerable students. For too long, Georgia has remained one of the few states that does not provide additional funding for students living in poverty. This bill is a direct response to that gap, ensuring that every child—regardless of their economic circumstances—has access to the resources they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”
“We cannot afford to continue leaving our most vulnerable students behind,” added Rep. Sandra Scott. “This bill is about fairness and opportunity. Students living in poverty face significant challenges that their more affluent peers do not. By directing state funding to support these students, we are making an intentional investment in their future and the future of Georgia. Decades of research shows that children from low-income families face greater barriers to academic success, including food insecurity, limited access to school resources and inadequate support services. Yet, Georgia has yet to implement a funding model that directly addresses these challenges. The Investing in Every Student Act will establish state-funded grants to provide targeted assistance, ensuring that schools have the resources they need to close achievement gaps and break the cycle of poverty. The time for action is now—our students cannot wait. We must work together to pass this legislation and make education funding in Georgia more equitable.”
“This legislation is long overdue,” added Rep. Kim Schofield. “When we invest in students from disadvantaged backgrounds, we are investing in stronger communities, a stronger workforce and a stronger economy. The success of Georgia depends on ensuring that all students—regardless of their financial situation—have the opportunity to thrive academically and reach their full potential. The bill amends the Quality Basic Education Act to provide direct state funding for students living in poverty, defining eligibility based on factors such as participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), homelessness, foster care or migrant status. At least 90 percent of the grant funds must be used directly for programs and services that benefit these students.”
“This is not just an education issue—it’s a moral issue,” added Rep. Viola Davis. “Every child deserves a quality education, no matter their zip code or household income. We have the power and responsibility to remove financial barriers that prevent students from reaching their full potential. The Investing in Every Student Act has already gained support from educators, advocacy groups and community leaders across the state. Now, we urge our fellow lawmakers and Georgia residents to join us in ensuring all students—regardless of their socioeconomic background—have the resources they need to succeed.”
The full text of HB 27 may be found here.
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 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 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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