PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA EDUCATORS

The   Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools  met for the final time Nov. 20 at the Georgia State Capitol. Following presentations from multiple student support services providers, committee members recessed to draft the final report. Educators Share Views on Student Absenteeism in Upcoming PAGE Report Results from the 2025 PAGE Legislative Policy Survey indicate educators perceive chronic student absenteeism as a significant challenge. Nearly 87%

The     House Study Committee on Student Attendance in PreK-12 Education   held its final meeting Nov. 5 at the Georgia State Capitol. The meeting addressed school mental health resources with a specific focus on school social workers. Committee members also shared their policy priorities ore about Issues Facing Special Education Teachers In PAGE's Educator Workforce Survey Report Learn More about Educator Views on Student Absenteeism in Upcoming PAGE Report Thank you to the

The   Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools  and the House Study Committee on Student Attendance in PreK-12 Education   held a joint meeting Sept. 22 at the Georgia State Capitol. During the meeting, members from both committees heard from a number of organizations on a wide range of topics, including recommendations to combat chronic absenteeism. rn ore about Issues Facing Special Education Teachers In PAGE's Educator Workforce Survey Report PAGE

The   Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools   met Aug. 7 at Mercer University. The study committee was created via SR 217 sponsored by Sen. John Kennedy (R-Macon), who serves as chair. In addition to Kennedy, the following Senate members sit on the committee:  Sen. Shawn Still (R-Johns Creek) Sen. Freddie Powell Sims (D-Dawson) Sen. RaShaun Kemp (D-Atlanta) Sen. Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett) Sen. Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro) Penny Elkins, executive v

After an early morning Senate Public Safety meeting on school zone speed cameras was canceled, the most notable Day 37 education action occurred on the Senate floor. With seven dissenting votes, the body passed the FY26 budget after a contentious debate about education funding and private school vouchers. More details below. The Senate also passed several higher education bills , and the House passed SB 44  by Sen. Sam Watson (R-Bonaire), which reduces the minimum required m

As those working under the Gold Dome continue to recover from a lengthy Day 28/Crossover Day, the House and Senate Day 29 floor calendars were light and contained no education bills. The most notable news of the day was promising announcements from the House Appropriations Committee, which shared education priorities in the FY2026 budget. The House is expected to vote on the budget tomorrow. House Chamber Senate Chamber House Budget Writers Propose Big Investment in Public Sc

The fourth week of the legislative session featured two key school-focused events: House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) held a press conference on upcoming House school safety legislation, and a joint meeting of the House and Senate education committees included presentations on school safety and literacy. House Floor Session Senate Floor Session Speaker Burns Announces School Safety Legislation Burns and other members of the House held a news conference to unveil a major

As the morning sun shone off melting snow, the Georgia General Assembly officially convened for the 2025 Legislative Session. This year represents a reset since it is the first year of a two-year biennium. Several new legislators begin their first terms following November elections. And, all legislation that failed to pass in 2024 must be refiled anew and restart the legislative process. Both chambers' business was light and primarily administrative. Perhaps the most notable

The Senate Higher Education and Education and Youth committees met jointly Oct. 15 to consider why educators enter and leave the profession. Below is a link to the full agenda and video footage of the meeting, which begins at the 18:40 mark. PAGE Presents Member Survey Data & Recommendations to Joint Senate Committee Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro) convened the meeting and mentioned that the Oct. 15 meeting is the first of four or five to