The is poised to make a powerful impact on students across the state. Legislators drafted the bill to help increase literacy rates among young Ģ����Ƶns and prepare them for higher levels of learning and greater success in life. 

Ģ����Ƶ’s literacy statistics are undeniably troubling—. Ģ����Ƶ’s proficiency percentage is just slightly above the average reading level in the United States. The Nation’s Report Card, which tracks how well students across the country are reading in fourth grade, recently showed that . And proficiency is a key indicator of children’s progress and readiness for more advanced work.  

Third grade also marks a critical point in a student’s academic development. Between third and fourth grade, children should be transitioning from learning to read to using reading to learn. If students fall behind in reading during this crucial period, they can start to have a hard time in other school subjects, too. This struggle often takes a big toll on children as they grow up, and it can limit economic opportunities later on. 

But with support from organizations like the Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity (GCO), state legislators are paving the way for children to overcome challenges with literacy. This will empower them to thrive in their academic development and build flourishing lives for themselves and their families in the future.

“GCO applauds the state’s General Assembly for passing the Ģ����Ƶ Early Literacy Act of 2026. This important legislation helps Ģ����Ƶ make sure that students read proficiently so they can excel in school and reach their full potential in life.”

Buzz Brockway, Vice President of Policy, Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity

What Are the Core Requirements in This Bill?

Policymakers have included several key measures in the new literacy bill to help the youngest Ģ����Ƶns become skilled readers.

• Literacy Coaches in Every School: All schools that serve students in kindergarten through third grade will be required to hire literacy coaches—educators with expertise in teaching reading. The coaches will support teachers through lesson planning, co-teaching, and mentoring.
• Mandatory Kindergarten Enrollment: Students will be required to attend kindergarten before starting first grade (exemptions are possible if students pass the assessment described below). The bill will also encourage families to enroll their children in school or establish a home study program beginning at age 5. These measures should strengthen children’s foundational reading skills early on.
• First Grade Readiness Assessments: Schools will test students before they start first grade to make sure they’re academically prepared. If a kindergartener isn’t reading on grade level, the school will design a plan to help them.
• Expanded Use of Science of Reading Curriculums: Schools will continue to expand the use of materials grounded in the science of reading, a field of research that focuses on how students develop reading skills. Teachers will no longer be able to use the older three-cueing system, which encourages students to guess words.
  

Have Other States Passed Similar Laws?

Yes. Mississippi, in particular, has set the standard for effective literacy legislation. Recent reforms in that state include:

• Placing literacy coaches in the lowest-performing schools to guide reading teachers 
• Regularly screening students in grades K-3 for challenges with reading and creating plans to help children who are struggling
• Requiring third graders to demonstrate reading proficiency before starting fourth grade
• Training teachers to shift to an approach based on the science of reading

As a result of the strong focus on literacy, Mississippi’s fourth grade reading proficiency scores went from . Ģ����Ƶ and many other states have taken notice of this significant improvement and have modeled legislation after Mississippi’s laws.

When Will the New Requirements Take Effect?

Governor Brian Kemp is expected to sign the Ģ����Ƶ Early Literacy Act once the 2026 legislative session ends. After it becomes law:

• Schools will likely have literacy coaches on staff by the 2028-2029 school year.
• Mandatory kindergarten enrollment and enhanced readiness assessments will go into effect for the 2027-2028 school year.
• Every K-3 classroom will use only state-approved materials aligned with the science of reading by July 1, 2027.

What Is the Science of Reading

The science of reading is a field of research focused on how the brain learns to read and how to teach reading. It promotes proven practices that support students of all abilities. These practices involve several essential elements:

• Phonemic Awareness: the ability to hear and identify individual sounds in spoken words
• Phonics: the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent
• Fluency: the ability to read texts smoothly, accurately, and with the right expression
• Vocabulary: an understanding of what words mean and how to say and use them correctly
• Comprehension: the ability to understand, interpret, and analyze texts

What’s the Difference Between Reading on Grade Level and Reading Proficiently?

People often use these two phrases interchangeably, but they actually mean different things.

• Reading on Grade Level: A student who reads on grade level can figure out words and follow a basic plot, but they might still struggle to analyze more complex texts. This is the minimum expected skill level for a child in a specific grade.
• Reading Proficiently: A proficient reader has a higher-level skill set, including the ability to analyze more challenging material and to think critically about it. Reading proficiently makes it easier for students to use reading for learning as they develop academically.

This difference is important for understanding literacy rates in Ģ����Ƶ. The state’s Department of Education reports that , but the Ģ����Ƶ Council on Literacy has shown that only . 

How Can Increasing Reading Proficiency Open Doors to Opportunity?

The state legislature passed the Ģ����Ƶ Early Literacy Act in March of 2026 with unanimous bipartisan support. The strong approval of the bill confirms that Ģ����Ƶ’s policymakers have made literacy a priority.

This attention to literacy will make a meaningful difference for many Ģ����Ƶns. Research has shown that . And without that degree, access to higher levels of education, fulfilling jobs, and economic opportunities is more limited. For students who come from vulnerable families, struggles with reading can also make it harder to escape poverty.

Through the Literacy Act, Ģ����Ƶ legislators aim to remove barriers for children and encourage them to follow brighter paths to promising futures. By becoming stronger readers, Ģ����Ƶ’s students will be more successful in school. They’ll also learn to think more critically about the world around them. Their advanced skills will then lead young people toward more rewarding work and economic mobility as adults, and they’ll be able to positively impact their communities. The bill has the power to make all this possible, with literacy as the key that unlocks the door to these life-changing opportunities.

Additional Resources

The post Stronger Readers, Brighter Futures: Ģ����Ƶ Lawmakers Open Doors with New Literacy Bill appeared first on For Opportunity.

Legislators in the Ģ����Ƶ General Assembly have unanimously passed the , a bill that will transform the way math is taught in the state. It will open doors for students to receive a high-quality math education and ultimately shape the direction of their lives.

The Act brings significant updates to Ģ����Ƶ schools, including the adoption of new math standards, increases in the amount of time spent on math during the elementary school day, an advanced (compressed and accelerated) math track for qualifying students, and new requirements for teacher certifications.��

The changes will prepare students to take high school-level math classes like Algebra I in middle school and, if desired, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The legislation is based in part on recommendations from the Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity (GCO), with additional support from and . The opportunities it creates will pave the way to fulfilling jobs, economic opportunity, and brighter futures for participating students, and especially for young African Americans, Latinos, and girls, who haven’t traditionally received significant STEM education.

“GCO has helped lead the charge in crafting this bill to bring more opportunity to all of Ģ����Ƶ’s students. A strong math education will empower young Ģ����Ƶns to reach their full potential and flourish in their careers and lives.”

Buzz Brockway, Vice President of Public Policy, Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity

What Are the Key Elements of This Bill?

The Math Matters Act establishes several important measures to help students become proficient in math earlier in their academic development.

School Requirements

• In elementary schools, fourth and fifth graders will receive at least 60 minutes of core math instruction every day.
• School districts will design advanced math classes for students in grades 6-10.

Automatic Enrollment

School districts will automatically enroll students in the advanced math courses if they meet the qualifications.

• Parents or guardians will have the option to withdraw their child from the classes if they think the standard math track is a better fit.
• Parents of students who don’t qualify for the advanced math classes will still be able to enroll their child if the student’s score on the previous year’s math assessment is above a certain level.

Revised Teacher Certification Requirements��

The bill updates teacher certification requirements to make sure that all teachers are trained in developmentally appropriate, evidence-based math curriculums.

Supportive Student Services

The bill grants school systems the ability to offer tutoring or bridge programs to support students in the faster-paced courses.

Annual Reporting

Ģ����Ƶ’s Department of Education will publish annual reports on student demographics, enrollment, and test scores to make sure the advanced math curriculum is meeting its equity and achievement goals.

How Will Students Qualify for the Advanced Math Classes?

Students who receive high scores on statewide end-of-grade math assessments will be eligible for the advanced classes during the following school year.

What Types of Classes Will Students Take as Part of the New Curriculum?

Students on the advanced math track will be able to complete high school-level math classes—usually Algebra I—by the time they finish eighth grade. They’ll then be ready to tackle subjects like calculus in high school.

When Will the Advanced Math Courses Be Available?

The changes to math curriculums will go into effect for the 2027-2028 school year.

What Impact Will Automatic Enrollment Have?

Automatic enrollment supports equitable access to the advanced math track by removing barriers like possible teacher bias, a student’s lack of confidence, or participation fees. In the past, obstacles like these have sometimes prevented qualified but traditionally underserved students from setting foot on advanced academic pathways.

Barriers to early educational opportunity are still being reflected in the composition of our nation’s workforce. For example, a recent report from the revealed that the nation’s STEM workers were:

• 62.9% white 
• 14.8% Hispanic
• 9.5% Asian American
• 8.2% Black
• 4.3% multi-racial 
• 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native

And just 18% of working women in the United States held a STEM job, per the report. 

Opening doors to all students and exposing them to challenging math coursework early in their academic development can and pave the way for young people’s future success and upward mobility.��

How Can Advanced Math Classes Build Bridges to Opportunity?

Research indicates that are twice as likely to graduate from high school. They’re also more likely to succeed in college and then accept meaningful jobs in STEM fields, which are critical to the nation’s economic success. And outside of work, the essential skills math teaches—analytical, logical, and problem-solving skills—will empower young people to serve as engaged members of their communities.

The advanced math track will give young Ģ����Ƶns the chance to experience the sense of dignity and purpose that comes from rewarding work—both academic and professional. And for students who are part of vulnerable families, this opportunity sets the stage for them to break out of generational cycles of poverty and to achieve their full potential. Their success will then ripple out, transforming their future families, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

Additional Resources

The post Unleashing Students’ Potential: Ģ����Ƶ Legislators Champion Advanced Math Opportunities appeared first on For Opportunity.

Opportunities to drive progress and hope will greet Ģ����Ƶns in 2026. Critical issues will dominate the legislative agenda, and top governmental positions will be up for election.

The well-being of many Ģ����Ƶns, their families, and their communities is at stake as pressing concerns like welfare reform, the cost of living, educational opportunities, and public safety take center stage in political discussions. These issues involve significant challenges, but policymakers are working to find promising solutions that will enable people across the state to flourish.

Electing leaders to fill key political offices

The primary election will take place on May 19, and the general election is scheduled for November 3.

The roles of both the governor and lieutenant governor will be on the ballot. Ģ����Ƶ’s current governor, Brian Kemp, isn’t eligible to run again because he’s reached his term limit, so several candidates are competing for the position, including Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones. 

Ģ����Ƶns will also vote on one of the state’s U.S. senatorial positions—Senator Jon Ossoff currently holds the post. All of Ģ����Ƶ’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be up for election as well.

These political races are pivotal because the elected officials will have the power to remove barriers and open more doors to opportunity for the state’s residents.

Reforming Ģ����Ƶ’s public assistance programs and creating a pathway out of poverty

The candidates running for office will likely take positions on ways to reform government assistance (welfare or safety net) programs in Ģ����Ƶ. This should be a top priority because about 13.5% of the state’s population is currently living in poverty. 

One of the main concerns about the welfare system is that it isn’t helping to lift people above the poverty line or empowering them to become self-sufficient. Instead, the complexities and regulations in the system tend to trap people in long-term cycles of poverty that affect families for generations.

To make real change, Ģ����Ƶ’s top lawmakers need to focus on streamlining the state’s welfare system and integrating it with workforce development programs. This strategy, called the , connects recipients of government benefits with one caseworker who not only helps them meet their immediate needs but also provides resources to support them in finding a rewarding job.

In Ģ����Ƶ, around 28% of prime-age (25-54) adults aren’t working, and disengagement from work is one of the primary reasons people seek public assistance. Developing a One Door strategy in Ģ����Ƶ will help these individuals become self-sufficient and also enable them to experience the sense of dignity and purpose meaningful work provides.

Ģ����Ƶ’s political leaders can take steps toward implementing a One Door model by advocating for federal authorization to do so. At the state level, they can also establish a task force to explore ways to connect and improve Ģ����Ƶ’s public assistance and workforce programs.

A reform called the One Door model would allow Ģ����Ƶ to connect more welfare recipients to meaningful work and economic opportunity. 

Making life more affordable in Ģ����Ƶ

Many low- and middle-income families in Ģ����Ƶ are struggling to cover the basic costs of living, as prices for just about everything seem to be rising. The increasing costs add extra hardship to the numerous barriers that already impact people’s well-being. But Ģ����Ƶ’s policymakers have opportunities to make some things more affordable for the state’s residents.

• Housing shortages and costs: The shortage is driving up prices and making affordable homes hard to come by. Builders want to construct more houses, but they face restrictive regulations regarding land use and infrastructure, including roads and water lines. Local policymakers can address the issue by allowing greater flexibility in lot sizes and housing types. Doing so will bring more affordable homes to the market, and that will reduce rent and mortgage payments and free up income to cover other necessities.
• State income taxes: Ģ����Ƶ’s state income tax is set to drop to 4.99% in January 2027, but some lawmakers want to eliminate it completely. For many Ģ����Ƶns, every dollar matters, and doing away with the tax would allow them to keep more of their income in their own pockets. State leaders are considering eliminating corporate tax breaks to offset the potential loss in government revenue from income taxes. But it’s important to note that they could also raise the sales tax to recoup the state’s lost revenue. That could leave lower-income families worse off because essential goods would cost them more.

Creating an educational system that meets the needs of every child

In 2026, Ģ����Ƶ lawmakers will continue their efforts to develop an educational system that honors every child’s unique situation and needs.

Several education-related bills that carried over from 2025 will likely be up for consideration in the Ģ����Ƶ General Assembly.

• Senate Bills 124 and 152: These bills will expand eligibility for Promise Scholarship accounts to students with a parent who’s an active-duty military service member stationed in Ģ����Ƶ and to biological or adopted children of foster parents. The bills will help support more families who want to consider alternative education options for their children
• Senate Bill 171: This bill will require Ģ����Ƶ’s Board of Education to develop an advanced math pathway for students in grades 3-8. The program will prepare students to take higher-level math classes in middle school and ultimately to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The opportunity will pave the way to brighter futures and upward mobility for participating students, and particularly for young African Americans, Hispanics, and girls who haven’t traditionally received significant STEM education.
• House Bill 917: This bill will provide open enrollment processes for students who want to transfer between local school systems or from one school to another within a school system. This will enable students to attend the school that’s the right fit for them, regardless of where they live.

Charter school funding will also be on policymakers’ radar. In 2025, the Ģ����Ƶ Senate created the Study Committee on Funding for Charter School Capital Improvements. The committee was tasked with reviewing current funding processes for public schools, examining the differences in capital funding between charter and public schools, and analyzing the challenges charter schools face in getting funding. Ģ����Ƶ’s leaders will likely use the study’s findings to make sure charter schools have equal access to capital improvement funds so they can continue to offer alternate educational options for families.��

Prioritizing neighborhood safety and reducing crime

Public safety is a top concern for Ģ����Ƶns, and especially for those living in impoverished communities. High crime rates lead to losses in property value, community resources, business activity, and job opportunities—all making it increasingly difficult for people to escape poverty.

Among several public safety bills, Ģ����Ƶ lawmakers will likely consider two that were drafted during the 2025 session.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for juveniles: The first bill will enable greater use of CBT with young people who get arrested, even those who are non-violent or have minor convictions. CBT teaches participants to look at the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and helps them respond to challenging situations more effectively. Studies show that CBT programs can reduce recidivism by an impactful 25%. They also set participants on a path toward healing and growth, which will, in turn, help their communities flourish.
• Support for local law enforcement agencies: The second bill will create grants for local law enforcement agencies to assist them in solving more violent crimes. Local departments can use the funds to improve investigations, enhance the technology and data systems officers use, and support victims and families. The resources will also help authorities deter future crime and boost community safety and resiliency.

Taking action to transform lives and communities

Ģ����Ƶ’s policymakers know that more needs to be done to break down the social and economic barriers so many people are facing, and they’re taking action. But this responsibility doesn’t lie with government leaders alone.

Ģ����Ƶ residents should pay close attention to the issues lawmakers discuss, but also to the needs of their families and communities. They can then use what they learn, along with their voices and votes, to create real change. 

In doing so, Ģ����Ƶns will bring even greater promise and prosperity to the state—making it a place where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential and thrive.

Additional resources

The post Shaping Ģ����Ƶ’s Future: Opportunities for the Year Ahead appeared first on For Opportunity.

As Halloween approaches, Ģ����Ƶ families usually look forward to making great memories involving irresistibly adorable costumes and big candy hauls. Many of us know—maybe even from our own childhood experiences—that trick-or-treaters often cheer with delight when they find their favorite sweets in their candy bags.

Halloween is the season for treats. It’s the biggest day of the year for candy sales, slightly surpassing Valentine’s Day. Data on consumer purchases shows that Ģ����Ƶ’s favorite Halloween candies are , , and , with M&M’s and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups following close behind.

Most of us indulge in these sweet treats every now and then, especially around Halloween. But for many Ģ����Ƶ families, candy is becoming hard to afford. 

Candy and chewing gum prices have increased by an astonishing 38% over the last five years. That’s even more than grocery prices, which have gone up 25% during the same period.

Candy and chewing gum prices, January 2021 to July 2025

For chocolate treats in particular, recent bouts of bad weather and crop diseases have damaged cocoa trees around the world. This has led to a cocoa shortage that has . 

High costs like these are making it difficult for some Ģ����Ƶns to give their children and their young neighbors the happy and memorable Halloween they’re hoping for.  

The struggle to afford life in Ģ����Ƶ (beyond Halloween candy)

Many low- and middle-income families in Ģ����Ƶ are struggling to cover the basic costs of living, as prices for just about everything seem to be rising. The increasing costs add extra hardship to the many barriers that already impact people’s well-being and their ability to afford the occasional fun extras like Halloween candy.

• Shortage of affordable housing: The shortage is driving up prices and making affordable homes hard to come by. High mortgage rates, rising costs of construction materials, and a big increase in Ģ����Ƶ’s population since 1980 are contributing to the problem. Restrictive local regulations regarding land use and infrastructure, including roads and water lines, are making the housing shortage even more severe.

• Barriers to work and upward mobility:Ģ����Ƶ a quarter of prime age (25-54) adults aren’t working in 96 Ģ����Ƶ counties. Many of these Ģ����Ƶns are facing limited economic opportunities in their communities. And some workers feel forced to stay in low-paying jobs to remain eligible for the safety net benefits that protect their family’s well-being. These difficult situations keep people from rising out of poverty and growing their income.

• Access to sufficient food: In 2024, to help them buy food. Of those SNAP participants, 69% were part of families with children, and most had incomes below the poverty line. While Ģ����Ƶ families can use SNAP benefits to buy candy, meeting basic needs is the priority for most.

Policy solutions Ģ����Ƶ can’t afford to ignore

Ģ����Ƶ lawmakers have the ability to make valuable reforms that would help people have more money in their pockets for family expenses.

• Fewer housing regulations: To , local leaders in Ģ����Ƶ need to allow greater flexibility in lot sizes in new subdivisions. They should also grant more permits for varied housing types—like duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes—and for additional homes near commercial centers. These changes would enable builders to construct more affordable homes.

• Reduced occupational licensing requirements: Ģ����Ƶ policymakers have many opportunities to lower barriers to meaningful work and upward mobility, including by . These licenses are typically mandatory for certain professions. By implementing licensing reforms, lawmakers could open more doors for workers, streamlining processes and removing some of the exclusions for people who have been incarcerated.

• Revamped welfare system: To improve Ģ����Ƶ’s welfare system, state lawmakers should explore a . In this scenario, both benefits and job training support would be linked together in a single location. This would provide welfare recipients with a clear path back into the workforce and toward financial independence.

These vital policy changes would strengthen and stabilize Ģ����Ƶ families, helping to lift them above the poverty line and making it possible for them to thrive, even in the face of rising costs. Strong families, in turn, would help their communities prosper. And with more opportunities to flourish, life would be sweeter for Ģ����Ƶns—not just at Halloween but all throughout the year.

Additional Resources

The post Frightfully Pricey Treats: Why Halloween Fun Is Costing Ģ����Ƶ Families More appeared first on For Opportunity.

The report is based on , which asked parents to share what they’re most worried about when it comes to their children’s health, safety, and well-being. The leading issues are not isolated worries. Instead, they are the daily realities shared by Ģ����Ƶ families from a variety of backgrounds and types of communities. 

Parents are most worried about education and school quality��

More Ģ����Ƶ parents cited education and school quality as a top concern than any other issue.

Confidence in schools is slipping across all communities, especially among Black and Hispanic families, who are more likely to rate their local schools as “fair” or “poor.” For 35% of Black parents, education quality was the second highest concern behind gun violence. 

Education is also the top issue across geographic locations: 36% of rural parents and 39% of non-rural parents said it was their highest concern, followed by social media and bullying. 

When it comes to schools, safety is just as much top-of-mind for parents as the quality of education. Overall, 60% of parents surveyed feel that schools are less safe than in the past. They overwhelmingly support measures to improve school safety, including mental health awareness and laws promoting safe firearm storage.

Image: Emory Center for Child Health Policy, ““

Mental health concerns are growing

According to the report, as many as 15% of Ģ����Ƶ children have depression, 25% have ADHD, and 31% have anxiety. Some of these children have received an official diagnosis, while others have not—though their parents are concerned about the possibility.

Even more alarming: 63% of kids who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition aren’t yet receiving the care they need.

Ģ����Ƶ parents are trying to respond. Encouragingly, most parents say they feel comfortable talking to their kids about suicide and emotional well-being. 

But access to mental health services remains a major issue. Long waitlists, provider shortages, and geographic barriers keep kids from the help they need—especially in rural areas. These challenges can snowball into higher rates of school dropouts, encounters with the juvenile justice system, substance abuse, and other negative outcomes. 

Social media is fueling anxiety for both parents and kids

Ģ����Ƶ parents are also worried about the impact of digital life on their children’s well-being. Social media ranked among the top three concerns statewide, right alongside bullying and gun violence.

Parents recognize the growing of social media on young people—everything from unrealistic expectations and cyberbullying to struggles with sleep and behavioral regulation. 

The takeaway is clear: families want better tools for managing digital risks—and they need help to set institutional boundaries that protect kids’ mental and emotional health.

The good news is that Ģ����Ƶ lawmakers are recognizing the urgency of this issue. In 2025, Ģ����Ƶ lawmakers passed the (HB 340) to limit cellphone use for K-8 public school students during the school day. Under the bill, phones could be restricted from the start of the school day until the end, ensuring students can fully engage in learning and schools can foster an environment that supports focus and mental well-being. 

Listening to parents is key to moving forward

For policymakers and community leaders, these findings shed light on where Ģ����Ƶ’s families need better solutions and support. Giving families more school choice options, improving school safety and learning environments, and strengthening access to mental health care are all areas where smart policy reforms and community-based efforts can help remove barriers to opportunity, especially for our most vulnerable communities.

The post Three Issues Ģ����Ƶ Parents Are Most Concerned Ģ����Ƶ appeared first on For Opportunity.

Ģ����Ƶ lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 legislative session with some big decisions that affect our state’s families, students, and workers.

Several new laws were passed to improve education, job opportunities, and access to childcare — while a few important changes didn’t quite make it through.

“The 2025 session included some key victories to improve public school classrooms, expand school choice options, and improve workforce opportunities,” said Buzz Brockway, vice president of policy for GCO. “While there were some disappointments on bills that didn’t make it across the finish line, we are pleased with the progress lawmakers made this year in promoting an agenda to allow all Ģ����Ƶns to flourish.”

What Passed: New Ģ����Ƶ Laws in 2025

These bills passed out of both the House of Representatives and the Senate and are headed to the governor for signing. 

: Less phone distraction, more student engagement

K-8 classrooms now face stricter limits on student cell phone use during school hours. The goal of this policy is to cut down on distractions and help kids stay engaged in the classroom.

: More support for charter schools

With this legislation, local boards of education must reconsider denied charter petitions and provide detailed explanations for their decisions. To incentivize approvals, schools receiving charters are eligible for grants of $250,000 a year for three years to help them get started.

and : Helping kids read better

Two bills aimed to boost reading skills among Ģ����Ƶ students. HB 307 updates dyslexia screening and interventions and improves statewide coordination to help at-risk students earlier. SB 93 makes sure future teachers are trained in proven methods to teach reading. State-approved educator preparation programs must align their core curricula with the science of reading—a move that aims to enhance literacy instruction by prioritizing evidence-based methods.

: Bigger tax break for child care

Families can now get a larger credit on their state taxes (up to 40% of the federal tax credit) for expenses related to child and dependent care. By allowing Ģ����Ƶ families to subtract more child care expenses from their annual taxes, this measure eases the financial burden on working families across the states.

: Simplifying licensing for businesses and trades

HB 579 makes it simpler and faster to get professional, business, or trade licenses in Ģ����Ƶ, reducing paperwork, red tape, and other barriers getting in the way of people looking for steady work.

: Free college prep tests for homeschoolers

SB 63 mandates that homeschool students in Ģ����Ƶ must have free access to take AP, SAT, and PSAT exams at their local public schools. Improving access to testing for  all students helps level the playing field for college readiness.

​�ċWhat Didn’t Pass (But Could Still Come Back)��

Despite these successes, some significant bills were left on the table when the legislative session abruptly adjourned early.

: Second chance for job-seekers with a criminal record 

This measure would have helped people with past criminal records get job licenses more easily.  A simpler, fairer process gives returning citizens better opportunities to rejoin  the workforce and build stable livelihoods and futures. However, due to legislative discord, the bill didn’t get a final vote. 

: Making Ģ����Ƶ’s welfare programs work better 

This proposal sought to create a task force to streamline safety net and workforce development systems in Ģ����Ƶ. It was shelved due to disagreements, but it’s on the radar for next year’s session. Connecting welfare and workforce programs should be an immediate priority because it’s one of Ģ����Ƶ’s best opportunities to remove barriers to work and upward mobility for more people. 

Image Credit: Canva

The post From classrooms to careers: Ģ����Ƶ laws that passed (and didn’t) in 2025 appeared first on For Opportunity.

For returning citizens, stable employment can mean so much more than financial stability. It can be a powerful source of renewed purpose and belonging within their communities. In fact, has shown that if returning citizens can keep a job for six months or more, their likelihood of ending up back in prison drops dramatically. It also improves the odds that returning citizens will reconnect with loved ones, especially their children, another step toward preventing recidivism.

That’s where enters the picture. Introduced in Ģ����Ƶ’s 2025 legislative session and sponsored by Sen. Brian Strickland, the measure would create clearer guidelines for individuals with criminal records, making it easier to obtain job licenses in various industries.

The bill applies to a variety of occupations in various fields, including education, healthcare, insurance, real estate, trade occupations, and first responders.

The Ģ����Ƶ Chamber of Commerce SB 207, praising the bill for how it “standardizes the process for reviewing applicants with criminal records, narrows the types of offenses licensing boards can consider, and updates first-offender treatment provisions—all while maintaining important public safety protections.”

SB 207 didn’t get the final vote it needed to pass in 2025, but lawmakers can pick it up again in 2026. 

Key job licensing improvements in SB 207��

1. Creates a simpler process for evaluating licenses applications.

SB 207 introduces a preclearance process to streamline the evaluation of licensing applicants with criminal records. Under this process, licensing authorities must present clear evidence when rejecting applicants based on criminal convictions. The measure also mandates hearings before applicants are denied licenses due to their criminal backgrounds, setting specific criteria to guide these decisions and prioritize due process. These structures help ensure licensing boards operate with greater transparency and fairness. 

2. Shores up the predetermination process to increase fairness.

The bill creates a predetermination process that allows individuals to petition licensing boards for an early evaluation of their eligibility based on their criminal history, even before completing the necessary qualifications. Licensing boards are required to provide detailed justifications for any adverse outcomes, offering applicants the chance to appeal or present additional evidence. The changes help ground decisions in merit rather than prejudice.

3. Recognizes the hard work returning citizens have put in toward rehabilitation. 

The bill requires licensing boards to carefully evaluate the nature and seriousness of past offenses, the length of time since the incident, and the individual’s age at the time of the crime. They must also review evidence of rehabilitation, including educational achievements, work history, and community involvement. This holistic approach gives more consideration to the applicant’s growth and emphasizes their present ability to contribute to the workforce, allowing them to overcome past mistakes. 

4. Places limitations on criminal records to create more neutrality.

Finally, the bill imposes limitations on the types of criminal records that can influence licensing decisions. Sealed, pardoned, or older minor convictions are generally excluded from consideration, helping applicants avoid unnecessary penalties for issues long resolved. It also curtails the use of subjective standards, such as assessing “good moral character,” which can perpetuate bias and inconsistencies.

Ģ����Ƶ needs licensing reform to reduce barriers to employment

While occupational licensing serves an important purpose in certain industries, it often becomes an unnecessary barrier for individuals eager to pursue meaningful careers. These barriers hit low-income workers the hardest. Licensing fees, mandatory coursework, and unpaid apprenticeships can be insurmountable for those struggling to make ends meet or to overcome difficult circumstances, past or present. For example, someone trying to enter a trade like plumbing or electrical work might face costs of thousands of dollars before they can begin earning.

Job licensing reforms offer a way to expand job opportunities and restore people’s hope for better future. With SB 207, Ģ����Ƶ lawmakers have a chance to build on their recent history of reforming occupational licensure to benefit Ģ����Ƶns and strengthen our workforce.

The post Occupational licensing bill would improve access to job opportunities for Ģ����Ƶ’s returning citizens appeared first on For Opportunity.

Crime, social and family instability, lack of quality education, and disengagement from work have all contributed to the sense that better futures are slipping out of reach for everyday Americans.

As these challenges persist, leaders and communities are taking notice of how typical government interventions fall short of meeting communities’ long-term needs. 

Ģ����Ƶ and many other states have incredible opportunities in 2025 to pursue better solutions that tear down social and economic barriers. Looking to the year ahead, here are a few key opportunities for supporting vibrant communities and flourishing lives in Ģ����Ƶ and beyond.

Elected leaders are looking more closely at barriers to work in the welfare system��

With the incoming presidential administration, there’s renewed interest in improving government efficiency. GCO has recommended that addressing the barriers to work in our safety net would be one of the best places to start. 

Congress began considering major safety net reforms in 2024 but ran out of time to pass any meaningful policy changes before the end of the year. In 2025, incoming officials have a fresh opportunity to pursue One Door reforms that would allow states to streamline their safety net and work programs. With these reforms, states could reduce systemic barriers that discourage individuals from growing careers and families. 

GCO and several of our partner organizations are continuing to educate federal lawmakers on how work-focused reforms can support social and economic mobility for safety net recipients. 

But states don’t have to wait solely on federal action to start improving their welfare programs. In 2025, GCO is working alongside several states to help them pursue safety net audits. This process is a first step to identifying inefficiencies and incentives that discourage people from work. It also helps states see where recipients face benefits cliffs—the sudden and often unexpected loss of assistance that occurs with slight increases in wages and leaves recipients financially worse off despite earning more.

In Louisiana, for example, the collaborative efforts of GCO and our partners in identifying ways to enhance their social safety net system. Similarly, our initiatives have inspired lawmakers in Arkansas to push aimed at evaluating and strengthening the state’s workforce and social services infrastructure.

BETTER WORK is empowering community-based pathways to employment��

While we work to remove policy barriers to employment, our BETTER WORK program is harnessing the power of community to help Ģ����Ƶns connect to immediate job opportunities in their own neighborhoods. 

The program’s success in Gwinnett and Columbus counties has shown how employment not only provides income but also restores dignity and purpose. BETTER WORK is set to grow in Gwinnett and Columbus in 2025, and we have begun to collaborate with partners in additional communities that want to use our BETTER WORK model to build their own local efforts to support economic and social mobility. 

“Everyone wants to feel that their life matters to someone, that there’s a reason for their existence beyond just getting through each day. Work provides that sense of purpose. It offers us an opportunity to contribute to something bigger than ourselves, connecting us with others who share our values and goals. Through our work, we become part of a collective effort, united in a common purpose.”

— Kristin Barker, Vice President of Workforce Solutions at GCO

Families are getting a new education option with the Promise Scholarship��

The Promise Scholarship Program is launching this year, offering families in underperforming school districts the chance to access quality education. Families can use $6,500 scholarships to pursue alternative education options, unlocking opportunities for thousands of Ģ����Ƶ children.

Gov. Brian Kemp’s new budget includes full funding for the program. Once appropriated by the Ģ����Ƶ General Assembly, this funding could help an estimated 22,000 kids who meet the eligibility criteria. 

We’re also encouraging lawmakers to adopt better funding formulas to ensure Ģ����Ƶ’s public charter schools can access high-quality facilities. Charter schools have an essential role in addressing diverse educational needs, and improving their infrastructure will ensure more students can thrive.

“Adding Promise Scholarships to the menu of Ģ����Ƶ’s schooling options is a positive step toward an education system that honors every child’s unique situation and prevents a lack of quality education from limiting children’s futures. We look forward to working with the Governor and Legislature to see the program fully funded and implemented.”

— Buzz Brockway, Vice President of Policy for GCO

Legislative sessions hold opportunities for policymakers to strengthen public safety

Public safety is the first step to stability and prosperity in our communities. In the 2024 election, voters made it clear that they want elected leaders to take public safety seriously.

The 2025 legislative sessions offer elected officials the opportunity to focus on ensuring police departments are properly funded, sentences for violent offenders are sufficiently severe, and programming in prisons focuses on helping offenders become productive members of society upon release.

GCO is working with Ģ����Ƶ lawmakers to advance a crime reduction package based on our recommendations for restoring community safety in Atlanta. Our public safety expertise is also aiding leaders in Kentucky as they consider to improve data reporting and reduce recidivism in their criminal justice system. 

“In the 2024 election cycle, voters once again affirmed they want safe communities, less crime, and criminals held accountable. Though rates of certain violent crimes have fallen in recent years, it’s important to think about this decline as a response to positive policy change. Policymakers cannot take their eye off the ball now.”

— Josh Crawford, Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives

Communities are getting support to empower strong families

Empowering parents is at the core of our mission. The Raising Highly Capable Kids (RHCK) program equips parents with tools to nurture strong family connections, fostering children’s academic and personal success.

With expansion plans for 2025, we’re excited to bring this life-changing program to even more parents across Ģ����Ƶ, ensuring future generations thrive in stable and supportive environments.

“Empowering parents strengthens the bond between parent and child,” noted Joyce Mayberry, GCO’s Vice President of Family. “When parents feel confident and equipped, they can create a stable and nurturing home environment. This type of environment not only supports children’s well-being but also fosters academic success. Together, these efforts can transform the trajectory of a family’s future. Strong parenting within the home radiates outward, positively impacting neighborhoods, schools, and ultimately building stronger, more resilient communities.”

“When parents feel confident and equipped, they can create a stable and nurturing home environment. This type of environment not only supports children’s well-being but also fosters academic success. Strong parenting within the home radiates outward, positively impacting neighborhoods, schools, and ultimately building stronger, more resilient communities.”

— Joyce Mayberry, Vice President of Family

The post 5 Issues That Will Impact Opportunities and Hope for Ģ����Ƶns in 2025 appeared first on For Opportunity.

PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA—Today, the Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity (GCO) applauded Gov. Brian Kemp and the Ģ����Ƶ legislature for ushering into law the Promise Scholarships bill that will bring much-needed relief to the over half-a-million low- and middle-income kids stuck in low-performing schools.

“We are thankful to Gov. Kemp and the many House and Senate lawmakers who recognized the urgency of the moment and advanced a bill to provide much-needed opportunity to bolster academic options,” said Buzz Brockway, GCO’s vice president of public policy. “Passing Promise Scholarships is a momentous milestone for tens of thousands of Ģ����Ƶ kids struggling in a system that doesn’t work for them. It recognizes that Ģ����Ƶ is a diverse state with a diverse set of needs for education. After years of work, this bill is a positive step toward shaping an education system that honors every child’s unique situation and prevents a lack of quality education from locking children and communities into poverty.”

Senate Bill 233 will make students from the lowest performing 25% of public schools eligible to receive $6,500 a year set aside in an account. Parents can then use the funds to cover approved educational expenses, including private school tuition, books, uniforms, and even transportation.

SB 233 also gives first priority to students from families below 400% of the federal poverty level — around $120,000 a year for a family of four. Students above that threshold will be allowed to participate if funds are left over after the lower-income students are served.

Promise Scholarships will serve an estimated 21,500 kids when the program goes live for the 2025-2026 school year.

Ģ����Ƶ now joins a growing list of states offering educational options for all students. In the Southeast, Alabama, Florida, and North Carolina have recently enacted universal Education Savings Account programs, while South Carolina is in the process of creating a universal program in the coming years.

“The urgency to create an education lifeline for kids can’t be overstated. Education is a basic need. Lack of access to quality options is a major cause of many of the ills in our society, including putting a cap on upward mobility. A lack of quality education locks children into poverty and prevents communities from thriving,” said Brockway.

Although GCO praised passage of Promise Scholarships, Randy Hicks, GCO’s president and CEO, cautioned that the bill is just a first step.

“Unfortunately, the final compromise bill was watered down in a number of ways that will limit its reach,” said Hicks. “Funding for Promise Scholarships is capped to 1% of public school funding and there is a 10-year sunset on the entire program. It’s a positive step that over 20,000 students will be eligible for educational freedom, that number is a drop in the bucket compared to the need. We will continue building on this foundation for the future so that all of Ģ����Ƶ’s schoolchildren have options.”

��

###

Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity (GCO) is independent, non-partisan, and solutions-focused. Our team is dedicated to creating opportunities for a quality education, fulfilling work, and a healthy family life for all Ģ����Ƶns. To achieve our mission, we research ways to help remove barriers to opportunity in each of these pathways, promote our solutions to policymakers and the public, and help effective and innovative social enterprises deliver results in their communities.

Learn More about SB233

Schedule An Interview

The post GCO Applauds Signing of Promise Scholarship Bill, Says More Work Needs to be Done appeared first on For Opportunity.

Key Points

• On March 14, 2024, the Ģ����Ƶ House voted 91-82 to pass Promise Scholarships (). The bill was confirmed in the Senate and signed into law on April 23, 2024.��
• SB 233 will create a much-needed education option for students zoned for a school ranked in the bottom 25% of public schools.��
• The Ģ����Ƶ House added parameters to the bill that reduce accessibility and set the bill to expire after 10 years. These issues will need to be addressed moving forward so that every child can have better opportunities to access quality education in Ģ����Ƶ.

On March 14, 2024, the Ģ����Ƶ House voted 91-82 to pass Promise Scholarships (). This bill is an important first step in extending an education lifeline to low- and middle-income kids in under-performing schools. While there is still much more to do as we press toward universal school access, we are thankful to the many House lawmakers who put the needs of kids above politics to advance this measure.

What’s in the Promise Scholarship Bill?

With these Promise Scholarships, students in the lowest performing 25% of public schools will be eligible to have $6,500 a year set aside in an account. These are the funds the state would have spent for their public school education. Under this bill, parents can direct the funds to cover approved educational expenses, including private school tuition, books, uniforms, and even transportation.

SB 233 also gives first priority to students from families below 400% of the federal poverty level—around $120,000 a year for a family of four. Students above that threshold will be allowed to participate if funds are left over after lower-income students are served.

To give public schools time to plan and adjust, public school districts will still receive state funding for a period of two years to cover any students leaving to participate in the program.��

“Our job is not decide for every family but to support them in making the best choice for their child.” — Gov. Brian Kemp, 2024 State of the State Address

“Our job is not decide for every family but to support them in making the best choice for their child.”
— Gov. Brian Kemp, 2024 State of the State Address

Limits to Promise Scholarships

While we are thankful that the bill moved forward in the 2024 legislative session, the version of SB 233 passed by the House is watered down in significant ways:

It restricts eligibility and access: The bill caps the amount of revenue available to fund Promise Scholarships to not exceed 1% of public school funding. Even if parent demand maxes out the program, this amount only covers an estimated 21,000-22,000 kids. That’s 0.012% of Ģ����Ƶ’s public school student population, and only a fraction of the 500,000+ kids that are stuck in the bottom 25% of public schools.

It applies expiration dates: Unless a future legislative body evaluates the program and chooses to extend it, the Ģ����Ƶ Promise Scholarship program will expire in 10 years. In that decade, lawmakers will still have to vote annually to fund the program. These measures add a layer of uncertainty that makes it difficult to secure a future of success and opportunity for our kids.

Curious how your representative voted on SB 233?
Ģ����Ƶ’s General Assembly puts the voting records online. Go to the legislature’s website to see the breakdown of support among state representatives.��

Student success is at the heart of Promise Scholarships

The passage of SB 233 can’t come soon enough. Ģ����Ƶ is now surrounded by states that are aggressively and urgently addressing the needs of the future generations by adopting , or ESAs, that are open to all students. Alabama, Florida, and North Carolina have recently enacted universal programs, while South Carolina is in the process of creating a universal program in the coming years.

ESAs, particularly universal ones, are good policy because kids need quicker solutions for accessing education options that will work best for them. We can’t wait on reforms that will take years or even decades to take hold. As we’ve seen before, increased funding is no guarantee that poor performing public schools will improve, much less improve quickly.

Every semester, our K-12 students have academic milestones they are supposed to hit. And we know that when they don’t achieve these goals, they are more likely to fall further and further behind their peers, putting themselves and their futures at risk.��

SB 233 provides immediate help by making Promise Scholarships available beginning with the school year in 2025.

Education is a building block of a flourishing life. Without access to quality education in Ģ����Ƶ, our kids and our communities will continue down a path where success and opportunity are not open to everyone in the state. An increasing number of families are looking for alternatives, and we must work to provide opportunities that meets the needs of all students, not just a few.

Related Articles

Ģ����Ƶ Needs to Widen Schooling Choices in 2024
(Buzz Brockway in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Ģ����Ƶ Passes Promise Scholarships and Expands Education Opportunity

(Randy Hicks in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Ģ����Ƶ Promise Scholarships (SB 233): Questions and Answers

Gov. Brian Kemp Champions Education Opportunity, Calls for Unity on Promise Scholarship

Why Educational Opportunity Is Good for Rural Areas, Too

The post Promise Scholarships Cross Major Hurdle appeared first on For Opportunity.