[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6119343,"mediaKeyId","2712523-d3024e686052e1d86b9500124d43af4a","parentId",2712523,"title","Senate committee urges coordinated review of teacher pipeline after data show thousands of vacancies","audioSeconds",2071,"startMs",1771000,"endMs",3842000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2712523-d3024e686052e1d86b9500124d43af4a&start=1771&end=3842","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2712523-d3024e686052e1d86b9500124d43af4a/thumbnail_1771000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6119343/Georgia/Senate-committee-urges-coordinated-review-of-teacher-pipeline-after-data-show-thousands-of-vacancies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119343-b6ad41c7925a96619eabe78917acc90e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770556430&Signature=Ebl7CDJKbwI7~RLqLMaS-xn8MM158-UAC8UL76YIG3BZxVyfqRIIweAC26OhrhJ5BjuNwTY702rEJDxAbvCKa~oIACp4ZH6KY~~D9B4fCleZX3swS-hjyLWkgB4fTxa7ZDPAsPeCWm0YL0se~A5CrfWnXH2aGXt77hpNGkx7NwaM9ruQiiauj~bFrmE-y5RHerp1qCTGFMtXIuxaA0XZufV26o6AEihv9twlRmDnFNdyzBvLPfGVJnh0-0kKiGtPneVuLAgB3Acyl~NxcgqAarP65RpZmaBr7~Nt254-a2hiZjUMIyoVW7Cv6NBPVbjQ6OAeNSDlqlHUaAuLgo1F3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Georgia Legislature","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Hickman introduced Senate Resolution 237 and told the committee the resolution urges the Professional Standards Commission to coordinate with state education agencies and stakeholders to develop recommendations addressing teacher recruitment, retention and preparation.

The resolution directs the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) to work with the Department of Education, Department of Early Care and Learning, the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia, the Office of Student Achievement, the University System of Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia, the Georgia Student Finance Commission, and education associations to produce a comprehensive plan. The PSC’s Jody Barrow told the committee the effort should act like a conductor coordinating many parts.

Key points and data

Jody Barrow, speaking for the Professional Standards Commission, said the PSC’s December 2024 Georgia School Staffing Survey showed 5,300 teacher vacancies; he added that about 6,700 positions were filled provisionally or by waiver. Committee testimony emphasized that a significant share of roles are filled via waivers and that better data collection and coordination are needed to track placement, effectiveness and retention.

The resolution asks for recommendations that include: innovative pathways to teaching (apprenticeships, paid student-teacher placements), data collection on placement and retention at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years, partnerships with postsecondary institutions, consideration of funding to compensate student teachers (including restoration of HOPE access for teacher candidates), mentorship and retention strategies for teachers and school leaders, and other evidence-based practices. The PSC is to submit recommendations to the governor and senate by Dec. 1, 2025, with any proposed policy or budget changes.

Testimony and stakeholder input

Margaret Ciccarelli of PAGE (Professional Association of Georgia Educators) told the committee that educators experience pressures inside and outside the profession that undermine retention and that the resolution is an opportunity to examine preparation program costs and pipeline issues, especially in high-need subjects and high-poverty schools. Senator Kemp and others highlighted student-teacher compensation models in other states as a possible model to examine.

Committee action

Senator Kim moved to pass the committee substitute (LC 492353S) for SR 237; Senator Penner seconded. The committee approved the committee substitute by voice/hand vote and passed the resolution unanimously in committee. The transcript did not include a roll-call tally of individual votes.

What the resolution requests

- PSC to lead a collaborative effort with specified state agencies and stakeholders.
- Data collection and reporting on educator program graduates and retention at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years.
- Exploration of paid student-teacher models, apprenticeships, and other pathways to teaching.
- Recommendations on funding, mentorship programs, professional development for leaders, and other retention strategies.
- Submission of recommendations and any proposed legislation or budget items to the governor and legislature by Dec. 1, 2025.

Next steps

The committee-approved resolution will be transmitted as directed; agencies named in the resolution were instructed to participate in the collaborative process. Timing for agency reports and any required funding decisions would follow the PSC’s recommendations and subsequent legislative or executive actions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/20/2025 Senate Committee on Education & Youth","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Resolution 237 asks the Professional Standards Commission to coordinate with multiple state education agencies and stakeholders to develop recommendations addressing teacher recruitment, preparation and retention and to report recommendations and any proposed policy or budget changes to the governor and General Assembly by Dec. 1, 2025.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Georgia , Georgia","taxId",77688,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6119347,"Georgia committee advances bill aligning literacy instruction with science of reading, adds dyslexia to state law",610,1134000,1744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2712523-d3024e686052e1d86b9500124d43af4a&start=1134&end=1744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2712523-d3024e686052e1d86b9500124d43af4a/thumbnail_1134000.jpg","/articles/6119347/Georgia/Georgia-committee-advances-bill-aligning-literacy-instruction-with-science-of-reading-adds-dyslexia-to-state-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119347-23eb3affaae3138807a6d7f5acd7b337/orig.mp4?Expires=1770556430&Signature=mwyinEe6fVc0VHfuq4LdYgAgU6vcaIMB-BY5jVFEGF9bGSxfnBin169k1W7Gaxe0UeDE04S-4bBwnYrrdvgA9L1iUaNtt8YFf56wpAlmw3CO5W4HfwhZ9L5XgvxCslBqj3GQJmQm7zLd3klzyS2FEnZw3VzwvWeqsUJlUj~2r0h4ef1PFz2cC4N043lvsb4OBL~NFYGNcDfysBFNgRMoTqVJ6D9cg-4vpY34oVTJPstE8Ysn5UrNnDedj~mAJ-pRJss1jFSKIE8wNV2PKo3~QSrUU-mlUkiRn6G7TIXd7lG2djuIji2IQqjL0myv2SYAbrBHbr0LvD4Dq8vvLCo9Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Bethany Ballard presented House Bill 307 to the Georgia Senate Education and Youth Committee on the bill’s role in tightening literacy instruction and dyslexia screening across the state.

Ballard said the bill \"is the next piece of our literacy puzzle,\" telling senators the measure removes outdated program language, prevents three-cueing from serving as a primary instructional method, and adds dyslexia to the Georgia Early Literacy Act.

The bill’s sponsor told the committee it would create a literacy coach coordination committee to standardize training for literacy coaches, adjust per diem for the literacy council’s travel so hotel costs are covered, and extend the council’s sunset so it can continue implementation work.

Why it matters: supporters said the measure aligns classroom practice with the science of reading and reduces duplicative assessments. Representative Ballard and witnesses told the committee the bill replaces separate dyslexia and grade-level screening with a single screening tool, reducing testing burden on teachers and students.

Committee discussion and testimony

Claire Buck, executive director of the Georgia Association of Curriculum and Instructional Supervisors, testified in support and called the bill a \"critical next step in advancing literacy education in Georgia,\" saying it builds on prior literacy reforms including House Bill 538. Several senators pressed for details on screening and per diem costs. Ballard said the measure \"puts us all in line\" by moving to one assessment that screens both for dyslexia and grade-level reading, a change recommended by teachers and the literacy council.

Senator Sams and others discussed the lack of precise statewide prevalence data for dyslexia; Ballard and other committee members said shortages in school psychologists and the cost of private assessments limit current data collection.

Committee action

Senator Halpern moved and Senator Payne seconded a motion to pass the committee substitute (LC 492352S). The committee conducted a hand/voice vote and the motion was approved to advance the bill. Individual roll-call vote counts were not specified in the transcript.

What the bill would change

- Remove statutory or program language identified by sponsors as inconsistent with the science of reading.
- Prohibit three-cueing from being used as a primary instructional approach and designate three-cueing curricula as not high-quality instructional material.
- Add dyslexia (with a definition of its characteristics) to the Georgia Early Literacy Act.
- Create a literacy coach coordination committee to ensure uniform training of literacy coaches.
- Adjust per diem to better cover travel lodging for the literacy council and extend the council’s sunset date to continue implementation oversight.

Clarifying details and limits

Committee testimony said the single screening would replace separate dyslexia and general reading assessments so teachers administer one test assessing both dyslexia and grade-level reading. Ballard said the per diem adjustment was small and that Senate budget staff reviewed it; she described an estimated figure in committee discussion as on the order of a few thousand dollars per year for the council’s travel costs. Committee testimony also noted that exact statewide dyslexia prevalence is not known because many students have not been assessed through school systems.

Next steps

The committee approved the committee substitute and the bill will move forward in the legislative process. No implementation timetable or effective dates beyond those in the text were specified during the committee discussion.

","Representative Bethany Ballard told the Senate Education and Youth Committee that House Bill 307 will align Georgia literacy policy with the science of reading by removing outdated program language, banning three-cueing as a primary instructional method, adding dyslexia to the Georgia Early Literacy Act, and creating a literacy coach coordination committee.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6119339,"Committee raises capital-outlay cap and requires accessibility standards for new elementary school playgrounds",290,3776000,4066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2712523-d3024e686052e1d86b9500124d43af4a&start=3776&end=4066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2712523-d3024e686052e1d86b9500124d43af4a/thumbnail_3776000.jpg","/articles/6119339/Georgia/Committee-raises-capital-outlay-cap-and-requires-accessibility-standards-for-new-elementary-school-playgrounds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119339-f0ab2ff5c3782981393c8edb48155ad2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770556430&Signature=DAvl~0AeX89X7bYa4ahoEDTJfEH28xaSoe3-UlDZCAOxbdRj1grtl9CYOcQoqDgX8qlcWzJOpC0J7W05eNLp1vVErZALAKfXOH7nCGofAr-mkCFm2CV1ABqXEQ2YjcL2tvwtiRLfFLMA3ClkxX7y4tXlpeRcV~xRHDYZ2Pdx2nH1-LmiDN3cBDS8gqLQQ4vbTohxDfn6wJNmQYf4EqAv6HTsEsxh9Bj71hDsfqWVhnPMbK-8kpfsw39ouMnEg8bUcjxgiBAe-Thxg7ZQgODXmQAoDHRyDLZCK3wC~Jj1cF5klqmczDL7LYiLJAkoclwHxD-uc3UPzVBkfNuNuuLN4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Corbett presented the committee substitute to House Bill 371, saying the bill has two primary components: increasing the state's capital outlay authorization and setting minimum accessibility standards for playgrounds at newly constructed elementary schools.

Corbett told the committee the capital outlay program provides state funds to local school systems for construction, additions and renovations and that the bill would raise the program’s maximum authorization from $300,000,000 to $375,000,000 to account for added pre-K FTE in the formula and higher construction costs since the cap was last adjusted in 2007.

On playgrounds, the committee substitute (sponsored with an amendment from Pro Tem Kennedy) would require that any elementary school built after July 1, 2027 that includes a playground meet specified inclusive-accessibility standards. Corbett described those elements as a sidewalk or pathway from the school, communication boards (including ASL/print panels), roller slides, musical play equipment, adaptive swings, wheelchair-accessible raised structures, sensory panels, and surfacing such as rubber or turf that allow mobility-impaired children to access play areas.

Why it matters

Supporters said current ADA compliance often does not equate to true accessibility and that inclusive design lets children of varying abilities play together. Testimony from Hope for Hall and local advocates described families who have had no opportunity for children with disabilities to participate fully in recess and urged modern, durable surfacing and design.

Cost and retrofit questions

Committee members asked about costs. Corbett and senators said the primary incremental cost is surfacing (rubberized surfaces vs. mulch), which can be more expensive initially but may offer longer-term maintenance savings. The substitute includes a minimum playground size (committee discussion referenced a 10,000-square-foot baseline with 80% required as play area) and requires accessible route connections and a set of inclusive elements; it does not mandate a particular manufacturer or exact design.

Committee action

Senator Bearden moved and Senator Hatchett seconded to pass the substitute (LC 492329S) for House Bill 371. The committee approved the substitute by hand/voice vote and advanced the bill. The transcript records the committee’s unanimous approval by raised hands; no roll-call tally of individual votes was included.

Next steps

The substitute was advanced in committee and will proceed through the Senate process. The accessibility requirements in the substitute apply only to newly constructed elementary schools after July 1, 2027; retrofitting existing playgrounds was discussed as a potential future consideration but not included in the substitute.

","The Senate Education and Youth Committee approved a committee substitute to House Bill 371 that increases the state’s capital outlay authorization to $375 million and requires inclusive accessibility standards for playgrounds at elementary schools built after July 1, 2027.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee urges coordinated review of teacher pipeline after data show thousands of vacancies

Georgia committee advances bill aligning literacy instruction with science of reading, adds dyslexia to state law

Committee raises capital-outlay cap and requires accessibility standards for new elementary school playgrounds