The Georgia Department of Education is announcing its 2025 legislative priorities, which will guide State School Superintendent Richard Woods’ conversations with lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session, along with the agency’s work during the session and beyond.
Among the priorities:
- a crisis alert system and School Resource Officer in every school
- record-sharing policies between school districts, state agencies, and law enforcement
- Fentanyl Awareness Education and Narcan Funding.
- Establish a Literacy Trust to support state literacy requirements, providing state funding to school districts for universal screeners, high-quality curricula, school-level coaches, training, implementation, and teacher stipends.
- Provide all fourth grade students with a pocket U.S. Constitution
- Expand the teacher salary step increases beyond 21 years of service
- Fund afterschool and summer learning programs to expand instructional time, address learning loss, and support working families.
“We are at a critical moment in Georgia public education,” Superintendent Woods said. “Building on the investments made by the Governor’s Office and General Assembly, and the work of the Department of Education and local districts and schools, we have the continued opportunity to ensure all schools can prepare all students for life. Our legislative priorities this year focus on steps we can take to ensure a safe, successful, supported education system – from enhancements to school safety to funding for ongoing literacy initiatives. I look forward to working with our partners in the General Assembly to pursue legislation that will benefit the students of our state.”
