SB596: SB596 "Quality Basic Education Act"; State Board of Education to establish a program of state-wide coordinated support for summer literacy programs offered by local school systems and other public schools; require

26 LC 49 2647 Senate Bill 596 By: Senators Mangham of the 55th, Jones II of the 22nd, Wicks of the 34th, Parkes of the 7th and Orrock of the 36th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Part 9 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Of ficial Code of Georgia1 Annotated, relating to grants for educational programs under the "Quality Basic education2 Act," so as to require the State Board of Education to establis h a program of state-wide3 coordinated support for summer literacy programs offered by local school systems and other4 public schools; to provide for eligibility for such program; to require the Department of5 Education to develop a plan to implement such program and to su bmit such plan to the6 General Assembly; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other7 purposes.8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:9 SECTION 1.10 Part 9 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Co de of Georgia Annotated,11 relating to grants for educational programs under the "Quality Basic education Act," is12 amended by revising Code Section 20-2-255, which is reserved, as follows:13 "20-2-255.14 (a) The State Board of Education shall establish a program of state-wide coordinated15 support for summer literacy programs offered by local school sy stems and other public16 S. B. 596 - 1 - 26 LC 49 2647 schools to students in kindergarten through grade three. The p rogram shall include, but17 shall not be limited to, grants for eligible local school systems and other public schools.18 (b) To be eligible to receive grant funds under the program es tablished pursuant to this19 Code section, local school systems and other public schools shall submit an application to20 the Department of Education on a form and in a manner determined by the Department of21 Education, which details:22 (1) The summer literacy program or programs to be offered to students in kindergarten23 through grade three;24 (2) How only high quality instructional materials and instructional practices aligned to25 the science of reading shall be used;26 (3) How student progress will be measured; and27 (4) What particular strategies will be deployed to provide pri oritized supports for28 students who are identified as significantly at risk of not att aining grade level reading29 proficiency, as provided for in Code Section 20-2-153.1.30 (c)(1) By November 1, 2026, the Department of Education shall consult with local31 school systems and other public schools, the Office of Student Achievement, and the32 regional educational services agencies (RESAs) to develop a plan for implementing the33 program required by this Code section. Such plan shall:34 (A) Include a request for appropriations sufficient to provide for the program required35 by this Code section and a proposal for the most effective method of awarding grants36 to local school systems and other public schools in order to maximize positive impacts37 on student progress; and38 (B) Detail how:39 (i) The Department of Education, working in conjunction with local school systems40 and other public schools, the Office of Student Achievement, an d the regional41 educational services agencies (RESAs), will provide state-wide coordinated support42 S. B. 596 - 2 - 26 LC 49 2647 for summer literacy programs offered by local school systems an d other public43 schools to students in kindergarten through grade three;44 (ii) Existing state and federal funding sources may be used fo r purposes of the45 program;46 (iii) Additional appropriations by the General Assembly would be used for purposes47 of the program;48 (iv) Students who are identified as significantly at risk of not attaining grade level49 reading proficiency, as provided for in Code Section 20-2-153.1 , will receive50 prioritized supports; and51 (v) Student progress will be measured and reported by local school systems and other52 public schools to the Department of Education.53 (2) The plan required by paragraph (1) of this subsection shal l be provided by54 November 1, 2026 to the chairpersons of the House Committee on Education, the Senate55 Education and Youth Committee, the House Committee on Appropria tions, and the56 Senate Appropriations Committee. Reserved."57 SECTION 2.58 Said All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.59 S. B. 596 - 3 -