HB 972: Education; require written notice to parents and guardians of students in grades four through eight at least twice each school year stating whether such student has attained grade level reading proficiency

Georgia law currently does not require schools to regularly tell parents whether their child is reading at grade level in the middle grades. This bill would add a new section to the Quality Basic Education Act requiring local boards of education and other public school governing bodies to create and carry out a policy for notifying parents about their child's reading proficiency. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, schools would have to send written notice to the parent or guardian of every student in grades four through eight stating whether that student has reached grade level reading proficiency. This notice would have to go out at least twice during each school year. The bill does not specify the format of the notice or set penalties for noncompliance; it leaves the details of the policy to each local board.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-153.2) requiring local school boards to create a policy for notifying parents about their child's reading proficiency.
• Requires written notice to parents or guardians of students in grades four through eight about whether the student has reached grade level reading proficiency.
• Sets a minimum frequency of at least twice per school year for these written notices.
• Sets the start date for this requirement as the 2026-2027 school year.

The bill affects parents and guardians of public school students in grades four through eight, local boards of education and other public school governing bodies that must create and carry out the notice policy, and school staff responsible for assessing reading proficiency and sending the notices.

Parents of students in grades four through eight would get a regular, direct, written update on whether their child is reading at grade level, rather than relying on report cards or informal communication, which could help families identify reading struggles earlier and seek additional support.

• Section 1 adds new Code section 20-2-153.2, requiring each local board of education and public school governing body to develop and implement a written notice policy.
• The notice must state whether a student in grades four through eight has attained grade level reading proficiency.
• The written notice must be sent no less than twice each school year.
• The requirement begins in the 2026-2027 school year.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws, a standard provision with no independent substantive effect.

1. 2026-01-16House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2026-01-15House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2026-01-14House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Bryce Berry (D, HD-056)Patrocinador principal
• Phil Olaleye (D, HD-059)
• Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)
• Tangie Herring (D, HD-145)
• Leesa Hagan (R, HD-156)
• Rick Townsend (R, HD-179)

• education
• reading proficiency
• parent notification
• public schools
• Quality Basic Education Act