SB 596: "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

Georgia law currently has an empty, reserved section (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-255) under the Quality Basic Education Act where this program would go. This bill fills that gap by requiring the State Board of Education to set up statewide coordinated support for summer literacy programs run by local school systems and other public schools, aimed at students in kindergarten through third grade. Local school systems and public schools that want grant funding must apply to the Department of Education, describing their summer literacy program, showing they use high quality materials and methods based on the science of reading, explaining how they will measure student progress, and detailing extra help for students at risk of falling behind in reading. By November 1, 2026, the Department of Education must work with school systems, the Office of Student Achievement, and regional educational service agencies (RESAs) to write an implementation plan, including a funding request, and send it to four legislative committees.

• Requires the State Board of Education to establish a statewide program supporting summer literacy programs for grades K through 3.
• Creates a grant application process for local school systems and public schools that want funding, requiring details on program design, materials, and progress measurement.
• Requires applicants to explain how they will prioritize support for students identified as significantly at risk of not reading at grade level.
• Requires the Department of Education to consult with school systems, the Office of Student Achievement, and RESAs to draft an implementation plan by November 1, 2026.
• Requires that implementation plan, including a funding request and grant-awarding proposal, be sent to House and Senate education and appropriations committees.

Local school systems and public schools that run or want to start summer literacy programs, kindergarten through third grade students (especially those at risk of falling behind in reading), the Department of Education, the Office of Student Achievement, regional educational service agencies, and state lawmakers who will review the funding plan.

Georgia schools currently have no statewide coordinated support structure for summer reading programs. This bill would set up a grant process and a funding plan, potentially expanding access to summer literacy instruction for young students and directing new state resources toward children at risk of not reading at grade level.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 20-2-255, previously reserved (empty), to require the State Board of Education to establish the summer literacy support program for grades K-3.
• Subsection (b) sets four required elements of a grant application: program description, use of high quality science-of-reading materials, progress measurement methods, and strategies for at-risk students.
• Subsection (c)(1) requires the Department of Education, by November 1, 2026, to consult with school systems, the Office of Student Achievement, and RESAs to build an implementation plan, including a request for state funding.
• Subsection (c)(1)(B) requires the plan to detail coordination methods, use of existing state and federal funds, need for additional appropriations, prioritized support for at-risk readers, and progress reporting.
• Subsection (c)(2) requires the plan to be submitted by November 1, 2026 to the House Committee on Education, Senate Education and Youth Committee, House Appropriations Committee, and Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Section 2 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-02-26Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
2. 2026-02-25Senate Hopper (Senado)

• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)Patrocinador principal
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)

• summer literacy programs
• early reading education
• K-3 education funding
• Quality Basic Education Act
• reading proficiency