House passes bill to update literacy rules, create literacy coach coordination committee

Representative Bethany Ballard, a Republican from Warner Robins, presented House Bill 307 on the House floor, saying the measure continues bipartisan work begun with 2023’s House Bill 538 to improve statewide literacy. “This bill removes outdated language regarding programs that do not align with our new science of reading standards, defines characteristics of dyslexia,” Ballard said, and it “creates the structure and composition of the literacy coach coordination committee to ensure our state's literacy coaches get quality and uniform training.”

The bill’s sponsors and supporters argued the measure focuses on early identification and intervention. Representative Rice asked whether early identification in kindergarten or first grade improves outcomes; Ballard answered, “Absolutely. When we identify these children in kindergarten or first grade, they might need this much help to get on grade level. When we wait till third or fourth grade, they need this much. So it's imperative we identify them early.” Chairman Erwin and other members cited training for educators as a statewide benefit and urged colleagues to support the bill.

The House adopted the rules committee substitute and agreed to the committee report favorable to passage. The clerk announced the vote: the yeas were 166, the nays were 0; the bill was passed.

Why it matters: HB 307 aims to update state literacy policy to reflect contemporary reading science, create a vehicle to standardize training for literacy coaches, and add explicit dyslexia-related definitions. Supporters said earlier identification and better-trained coaches will improve reading outcomes across Georgia’s public schools.

Next steps: With House passage recorded on the floor, the bill moves to the Senate for consideration per regular legislative process.