GA HB1193

Requires all children to complete full-day kindergarten before enrolling in first grade, with mandatory first grade readiness assessments using universal reading screeners and State Board-approved instruments; children not meeting proficiency standards may be retained with parent notification and appeal rights through placement committees

Mandates Quality Basic Education (QBE) funding for one full-time school-based literacy coach at every public school serving grades K-3, with schools of 200 or fewer students receiving 50% funding; coaches must spend at least 70% of their day in classrooms and cannot perform administrative duties

Establishes the Georgia Literacy Coordinating Committee and Georgia Literacy Task Force within the Office of Student Achievement to coordinate statewide literacy efforts, recommend universal reading screeners and high-quality instructional materials aligned to the science of reading, and develop a statewide literacy plan

Requires local school systems to adopt unified literacy plans by January 1, 2027, and mandates that all K-3 instructional materials for reading be aligned to the science of reading; beginning with the 2029-2030 school year, QBE funds cannot be used for non-approved literacy materials

Creates regional literacy coaches employed by Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs) and requires the Professional Standards Commission to establish a literacy coaching endorsement by December 30, 2026; also lowers compulsory school age from seven to six years old