PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA EDUCATORS

The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) held its bimonthly Board of Trustees meeting July 22, 2026. During his presentation to the board, TRS Executive Director Jason Branch shared statistics on retirees actively collecting benefits from TRS compared with the same period last year. TRS Begins Approvals for New Return-to-Work Program, Special Education is the Most Cited Qualifying Subject Area One of PAGE’s 2026 member-driven legislative priorities on reducing teache

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) held virtual committee meetings July 8 and a full commission meeting July 9. Executive Secretary Update GaPSC Commissioner and Augusta University College of Education Dean Judi Wilson Dr. Judi Wilson (pictured right) is retiring at the end of July. Barrow recognized Wilson for her long career in education and her time on the GaPSC. PAGE thanks Wilson for her service to students and educators throughout her career. GaPSC Ex

The House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Local Government Taxation, Funding, and Budgeting held its first of five scheduled meetings Wednesday, July 22, in Cartersville. As part of the agenda, multiple organizations representing local governments, including the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) and the Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA), testified about local finances and tax collection. Watch full study committee meeting here Policy Background and Commi

The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) held its bimonthly Board of Trustees meeting May 13, 2026.  The full agenda can be found by clicking the button below. TRS Begins Approvals for New Return-to-Work Program, Special Education is the Most Cited Qualifying Subject Area One of PAGE’s 2026 member-driven legislative priorities on reducing teacher vacancies was approved by the Georgia General Assembly in SB 150. SB 150, sponsored by Sen. Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro)

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) held virtual committee meetings June 10 and a full commission meeting June 11. Executive Secretary Update GaPSC Executive Secretary Jody Barrow reported the literacy coaching endorsement taskforce has been meeting to implement measures from HB 1193, the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026. A taskforce has also begun working on possible revisions to Tier 1 and Tier 2 certifications. The work of both groups will be presented

Today, a special legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly called by Gov. Brian P. Kemp continued. The special session was called to address voting equipment changes ahead of Georgia's November general election. Kemp also authorized legislators to examine potential changes to local property taxes. So far, special session highlights have included Republican lawmakers' backing local legislation that would allow local governments to place a 1% sales tax on the ballot,

The State Board of Education (SBOE) met April 29 and 30. The meeting focused on the renewal of charter system charters and amendments to strategic waiver contracts. A meeting agenda is available through the button below. Make Educator Voices Heard in Upcoming Election Several important elections are taking place in Georgia this year. Voters will select multiple statewide offices, including governor and state school superintendent. Georgians will also decide on several fe

PAGE advocacy resulted in important victories for Georgia educators and public education during the 2026 legislative session. Read the full report to learn more about these measures and other legislation that will impact Georgia educators and classrooms. The report also outlines changes to education-related funding in the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2027 state budgets and discusses several bills that did not pass. Note: Unless otherwise noted in the report, passe

The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) held its bimonthly Board of Trustees meeting March 25, 2026.  The full agenda can be found by clicking the button below. Bill Reauthorizing Return-to-Work Program Crosses Legislative Finish Line One of PAGE’s 2026 member-driven legislative priorities on reducing teacher vacancies was approved by the Georgia General Assembly in SB 150 . SB 150, sponsored by Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro) and carried in the House by Rep. Bethany B

The State Board of Education (SBOE) met March 25 and 26. The board received an update on recent budget decisions by Dublin City Schools and actions taken by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) in response to those decisions. A meeting agenda is available through the button below. PAGE Hosts Feb. Forum for State School Superintendent Candidates - Watch the Participants Answer Questions Submitted by PAGE Members As part of 2026 PAGE Day on Capitol Hill, PAGE hosted a f

On the final legislative day of the 2026 session, the House and Senate held marathon floor sessions that ran past midnight. Disagreement over property tax legislation and election bills stalled the movement of other bills, including several supported by PAGE. Senate Floor Action House Floor Action Legislators Approve FY 2027 State Budget Legislators approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget , which includes $70 million to provide a literacy coach for every school serving gra

The penultimate legislative day of the 2026 session saw lengthy floor sessions in the House and Senate during which several PAGE-supported initiatives passed, including legislation to extend and expand the teacher return-to-work program and the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026. Senate Floor Action House Floor Action Senate Gives Final Passage to Return-To-Work Bill With an unanimous vote, the Senate granted final passage to SB 150 . The bill would reauthorize Georgia’s educ

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) held virtual committee meetings March 11 and a full commission meeting March 12. GaPSC Releases Recommendations to Strengthen Educator Workforce Click for Full Document Student teaching provides vital training and experience, but it can also present unique financial burdens. In late 2025, The GaPSC recommended the creation of pilot program to pay student teachers. HB 310, by Rep. Phil Olaleye (D-Atlanta), would create a

The final day of the penultimate week of the 2026 session began with an early-morning committee meeting, at which one school-related urging resolution advanced. Against the backdrop of ongoing House and Senate negotiations on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 state budget, the Early Literacy Act, and property tax legislation, the House and Senate held lengthy floor sessions and passed multiple education bills. Senate Floor Action House Floor Action House Passes Return-to-Work Expansi

Committees from both chambers met to advance education legislation to the finish line, ahead of the last day of the session, planned for next Thursday. Senate Ed & Youth Passes Bill Preventing the Waiver of Planning Time & Duty-Free Lunch The Senate Education & Youth Committee passed multiple bills, several with significant committee substitutes. HB 1259 by Rep. Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville), which would prohibit local school systems that fail to maintain an average College

The House and Senate were in session late into the afternoon for Legislative Day 37, with each chamber considering education bills. The Senate resurrected a bill regarding school zone speed cameras, while the House passed additional financial accountability for school districts. Before today's floor sessions convenend, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a new version of the Literacy Act along with the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 state budget. Senate Floor Action House Fl

Members of the House and Senate worked hard in committees Tuesday and considered multiple important education initiatives. Senate Reviews Literacy Bill Rep. Chris Erwin (R-Homer) and Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville) presented HB 1193 , the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026, to a special subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming). The bill aims to build on the literacy reforms initiated by HB 538 , the Georgia Early Literacy Act o

The penultimate week of the legislative session got off to a busy start with the chambers taking committee and floor action on several education bills. Senate Floor Action House Floor Action Senate Approves 9-12 Student Cell Phone Ban and Math Reform Bill The Senate unanimously passed two education bills and approved a third with only two dissenting votes. HB 1009 by Rep. Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners) banning student use of cell phones and other electronic devices from

Though the House did not consider any K-12-related legislation on the floor today, the Senate voted on one House education bill. Mid-morning, in an attempt to soften the financial strain of rapidly rising gas prices, the Governor signed legislation suspending Georgia's gas tax for 60 days. Senate Floor Action House Floor Action Completion Special Schools Bill Moves to Kemp's Desk With a unanimous vote, the Senate passed HB 907 , by outgoing House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones (R

Several education bills moved through the legislative process on Day 34, both in committee and on the Senate floor. The Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026 was recommitted from the Senate Education and Youth Committee to the Senate Appropriations Committee, perhaps signaling that the proposed cost of its implementation will be closely scrutinized by budget writers. Senate Floor Action House Floor Action Dual Achievement Program and Pre-K Bills Achieve Final Passage With a vot