Last week, Senators Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro) and Clint Dixon (R–Gwinnett) held a press conference alongside Rep. Bethany Ballard (R–Warner Robins) and Chairman of the Georgia Council Literacy, Scott Johnson, to discuss Senate Bill 464, the “School Supplies for Teachers Act.”
This measure mandates the State Board of Education to establish a program for the Department of Education to allocate funds for eligible teachers to purchase school supplies online. Additionally, the amendment to SB 464 would specify a universal reading screener that each public school and local school system must adopt and administer.
Sen. Hickman emphasized the importance of this measure, stating, “This bill significantly contributes to supporting our teachers, parents, and students here in Georgia. I introduced a friendly amendment to this bill that does not detract from its original purpose but rather seeks to enhance our state’s literacy rate. This amendment requires all schools to utilize a free-of-charge universal screener, addressing the issue of comparison when multiple screeners are used. I commend Sen. Dixon for bringing this legislation forward, and I eagerly await its passage in the House and subsequent signing by the Governor.”
You can read the full text of SB 464 here.
You can watch a recording of the press conference here.
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Sen. Billy Hickman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education. He represents the 4th Senate District which includes Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Evans, and a small portion of Chatham County. He may be reached at 404.463.1371 or via email at billy.hickman@senate.ga.gov
