By Matthew Smith April 8, 2026 Every year, the Georgia General Assembly meets for 40 days. Sine Die marks the last day that legislators can pass bills and resolutions. During session, the Georgia Partnership engages with legislators and other advocates and stakeholders, using the EdQuest Georgia priorities to inform legislators about strategies that ensure more Georgians can access educational and economic opportunities. In 2026, the General Assembly prioritized […]
By Matthew Smith April 8, 2026 Before the Georgia General Assembly adjourned Sine Die early last Friday morning, both houses approved House Bill 974, the FY 2027 State Budget. The budget funds state government operations from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Below, I shared how the budget invests in the five priorities identified by the EdQuest Georgia Coalition and documented several areas where the legislature can dedicate funding […]
MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Gaines, rgaines@gpee.org, 678-476-4491 -Follow the GA Partnership on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn March 31, 2026 – The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (Georgia Partnership) today released Strengthening Support for Rural School Districts, the fourth case study from the broader CARES Impact Study. This multi-year research project draws on interviews with district […]
MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Gaines, rgaines@gpee.org, 678-476-4491 -Follow the GA Partnership on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn March 17, 2026 – Today, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education released the 2026 EdQuest State Policy Plan. This two-year plan spotlights five priorities that will accelerate Georgia’s progress toward the North Star: ensuring 65% of Georgia’s adults have earned post-secondary credentials of value by 2033. The […]
(By Matthew Smith ) Last week, on March 6, the Georgia General Assembly faced an important deadline. Called Crossover, the date marks the last day that legislators can consider bills that originated in their house. While most bills related to education and workforce development, the Georgia Partnership also tracks other topics covered through the EdQuest Georgia initiative, including health, housing, transportation, and tax law. […]
(By Matthew Smith ) Governor Brian Kemp kicked off last week by signing the Amended FY 2026 Budget into law. House Bill 973 funds the government through June 30, 2026. Below, I have shared how the budget invests in the five priorities identified by the EdQuest Georgia Coalition. Early Learning Early care educators who teach in Georgia Pre-K classrooms will receive one-time, $2,000 bonuses. Budget writers also instructed the Department of Early Care and Learning […]
(Prepared by Matthew Smith) Last week, on March 6, the Georgia General Assembly faced an important deadline. Called Crossover, the date marks the last day legislators can consider bills that originated in their house. Governor Kemp kicked off Crossover Week by signing the Amended FY 2026 Budget, which funds the government through June 30, 2026. The budget includes a one-time, $2,000 bonus for educators and $325 […]
MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Gaines, rgaines@gpee.org, 678-476-4491 -Follow the GA Partnership on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram September 23, 2025 – The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (Georgia Partnership) today released “Creating Community, Building Skills, & Boosting the Teacher Pipeline,” the third case study from its broader CARES Impact Study. This multi-year research project examines how Georgia districts used federal COVID-19 relief funds […]
MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Gaines, rgaines@gpee.org, 678-476-4491 -Follow the GA Partnership on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram August 15, 2025 – Last Friday, the Georgia Department of Education released Georgia Milestones assessment results in English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, science, and social studies for the 2024-2025 school year. Proficiency rates increased or stayed the same on 13 […]
By Matthew Smith This blog post is part of a series recapping 2025 legislation. Nearly all students (97%) who responded to a 2023 Common Sense Media survey reported that they use their personal electronic devices during school hours. Their teachers took notice. Nearly three quarters of high school teachers (72%) polled by Pew Research Center […]