Stronger Readers, Brighter Futures: Georgia Lawmakers Open Doors with New Literacy Bill

Stronger Readers, Brighter Futures: Georgia Lawmakers Open Doors with New Literacy Bill

by | Mar 19, 2026

The Georgia Early Literacy Act is a new bill to improve literacy rates and support stronger readers.

Stronger Readers, Brighter Futures: Georgia Lawmakers Open Doors with New Literacy Bill

Key Points

  • Georgia’s House of Representatives has drafted a promising bill that will lay the groundwork for improving literacy rates among the state’s students.
  • Major measures in the bill include requiring literacy coaches in schools, making kindergarten mandatory, assessing students’ reading skills more often, and expanding the use of curriculums based on the science of reading.
  • By becoming stronger readers, Georgia’s students will be more successful in school and better prepared for rewarding work, financial stability, and meaningful community engagement as adults.

The Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026 (House Bill 1193) is poised to make a powerful impact on students across the state. Legislators drafted the bill to help increase literacy rates among young Georgians and prepare them for higher levels of learning and greater success in life. 

Georgia’s literacy statistics are undeniably troubling—62% of the state’s third graders aren’t reading proficiently. Georgia’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 69% of American fourth graders aren’t reading proficiently. 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 Georgia 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 House of Representatives for passing the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026. This important legislation helps Georgia 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, Georgia 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 Georgians 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 49th place in the nation in 2013 to ninth place in 2024. Georgia and many other states have taken notice of this significant improvement and are modeling legislation after Mississippi’s laws.

When Will the New Requirements Take Effect?

If the Georgia Early Literacy Act becomes law:

  • Schools will start receiving funding to hire literacy coaches during the 2026-2027 school year.
  • Mandatory kindergarten enrollment and enhanced readiness assessments will go into effect for the 2026-2027 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 Georgia. The state’s Department of Education reports that 65% of third grade students are reading at or above grade level, but the Georgia Council on Literacy has shown that only 38% of the state’s third grade students are reading proficiently. 

How Can Increasing Reading Proficiency Open Doors to Opportunity?

The Georgia Early Literacy Act passed out of the state House of Representatives in February of 2026 with almost unanimous bipartisan support. It heads to the Senate next. The strong approval of the bill confirms that Georgia’s policymakers have made literacy a priority.

This attention to literacy will make a meaningful difference for many Georgians. Research has shown that children who aren’t proficient in reading by third grade are four times as likely to drop out of school before getting their high school diploma. 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, Georgia legislators aim to remove barriers for children and encourage them to follow brighter paths to promising futures. By becoming stronger readers, Georgia’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:

Literacy Bill, Cellphone Ban Among Education Bills Approved by Georgia House
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Assessing the Economic Gains of Eradicating Illiteracy Nationally and Regionally in the United States
Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

Your Home for GA Dyslexia Resources
Decoding Dyslexia GA

The State of Literacy in Georgia
Deloitte

Family Resources: Supporting Your Child’s Reading Development 
Georgia Department of Education

The Incredible Importance of Teaching Children to Read
Georgia Municipal Association

Lawmakers Push Plan to Lift Georgia’s Lagging Literacy Rates
Georgia Recorder

How Education Impacts Chicago Poverty
Illinois Policy Institute

10 Ways to Support Your Child’s Literacy at Home
National Center on Improving Literacy

Unemployment Rates for People 25 Years and Older by Educational Attainment
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unleashing Students’ Potential: Georgia Legislators Champion Advanced Math Opportunities

Unleashing Students’ Potential: Georgia Legislators Champion Advanced Math Opportunities

by | Mar 11, 2026

Georgia lawmakers have crafted bills that will expand opportunities for students to take advanced math classes and pursue meaningful careers.

Unleashing Students’ Potential: Georgia Legislators Champion Advanced Math Opportunities

Key Points

  • Both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly have drafted bills that will create opportunities for students to take advanced math classes earlier in their academic development.
  • Among other measures, the bills will require automatic enrollment for qualified students to make sure all children have equitable access to the advanced classes. This will help close racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic achievement gaps among young Georgians.
  • Research shows that students who pass Algebra I by ninth grade are more likely to graduate from high school. They’re also more likely to succeed in college, accept meaningful jobs, and become financially stable.

Legislators in the Georgia General Assembly have drafted a pair of bills that are set to transform the way math is taught in the state. If the bills become law, they’ll open doors for students to receive a high-quality math education and ultimately shape the direction of their lives.

The Senate’s Quality Basic Education Act (SB 171) will require Georgia’s Board of Education to develop an advanced math pathway for children in grades 3-8. This compressed and accelerated math track 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 House of Representatives’ Math Matters Act (HB 1030) will bring detailed updates to the way math is taught in Georgia schools, including the adoption of new math standards, increases in the amount of time spent on math during the school day, and new requirements for teacher certifications. It shares SB 171’s goal of preparing students to take advanced math classes and setting them up for greater success after graduation.

The bills are based in part on recommendations from the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO), with additional support from ExcelinEd and GeorgiaCAN. The opportunities they create 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 these bills to bring more opportunity to all of Georgia’s students. A strong math education will empower young Georgians to reach their full potential and flourish in their careers and lives.”

Buzz Brockway

Vice President of Policy, Georgia Center for Opportunity

What Are the Key Elements of These Bills?

The two bills are similar in several ways. They differ just slightly in how they’ll require schools to prepare students for advanced math classes.

School Requirements

  • Per SB 171, all local school systems will offer an advanced math pathway in grades 6-8, and they’ll be able (but not required) to offer it as early as third grade.
  • Per HB 1030, schools will provide at least an hour of core math classes every day starting in grades 4 and 5.

Automatic Enrollment
School districts will automatically enroll students in advanced math courses if they meet the program’s 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 for their child.
  • 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.

Additional Assistance for Teachers 
The bills enable local school systems to provide extra training and resources to teachers so they can help students build positive mindsets around math and excel in the classes.

Supportive Student Services
The bills grant school systems the ability to offer tutoring or bridge programs to support students in the faster-paced courses.

Annual Reporting
Georgia’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 Program?

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 Program?

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 advanced classes should be available during the 2027-2028 school year.

What Impact Will Automatic Enrollment Have?

Automatic enrollment supports equitable access to the program 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 National Science Foundation 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 help close racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic achievement gaps 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 students who pass Algebra I by ninth grade 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 Georgians 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

Indicator: Successful Completion of Algebra I by 9th Grade
Education-to-Workforce Indicator Framework

Math Policy
ExcelinEd

From Gatekeeper to Gateway: Creating More Paths to Algebra I Success
National Math Improvement Project

The STEM Labor Force: Scientists, Engineers, and Skilled Technical Workers
National Science Foundation

Employment in STEM Occupations
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

2024 Black Students and STEM Report
YouScience and Black Girls Do STEM

Image Credit: Canva

Understanding welfare work requirements: new eligibility rules for SNAP and Medicaid

Understanding welfare work requirements: new eligibility rules for SNAP and Medicaid

by | Jan 23, 2026

New work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP benefits are coming in 2026.

Understanding welfare work requirements: new eligibility rules for SNAP and Medicaid

Key Points

  • With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill in July 2025, more recipients of Medicaid and SNAP benefits will have to work or engage in other qualifying activities to receive the support they need. 
  • The successful administration of the SNAP and Medicaid work requirements will be critical. Both state governments and beneficiaries will have to figure out how to navigate the updated programs.
  • Work requirements are only a first step in reforming the welfare system. To spark real change, state lawmakers should explore a “One Door” approach to managing safety net and workforce services.

Table of Contents

Big changes are in process for some recipients of Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) benefits and for the state governments that administer the programs. 

Medicaid is the nation’s largest safety net (government assistance or benefits, public assistance, or welfare) program. It helps cover medical costs for families with limited incomes, older adults, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Recent data shows that about 71 million Americans are enrolled in Medicaid.

SNAP, the second largest government assistance program, helps low-income families buy food. Around 42 million Americans currently rely on SNAP benefits.

With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) in July 2025, more recipients of Medicaid and SNAP benefits will have to work or engage in other qualifying activities to receive the vital support they need. 

With the new work requirements, lawmakers aim to encourage people who can work to join the workforce and ultimately lift themselves and their families out of poverty. But for the requirements to have the desired impact, both state governments and beneficiaries will have to figure out how to successfully navigate the updated programs. Challenges lie ahead for everyone involved.

What are welfare work requirements?

Work requirements for SNAP and Medicaid require some recipients to work, train, or volunteer for a certain number of hours per month to remain eligible for benefits.

The requirements generally apply to “able-bodied adults” who receive public assistance. The federal government defines able-bodied adults as most adults under age 65 who aren’t disabled and who don’t have a dependent child under a certain age. 

The new federal law says states have to adopt these work requirements, but the states are the primary administrators of Medicaid and SNAP. As a result, the states will verify recipients’ documentation of qualifying activities or their exemption status.

What are the Medicaid work requirements under the new federal law?

Beginning January 1, 2027, some able-bodied Medicaid recipients ages 19-64 will have to meet work requirements. 

To be eligible for benefits, recipients will have to take part in 80 hours per month of qualifying activities, including:

  • Full- or part-time employment
  • Job or vocational training programs
  • Community service or volunteer opportunities
  • Higher education programs

States will redetermine the eligibility of Medicaid recipients every six months. 

Several groups of individuals will be exempt from meeting the work requirements, including, among others:

  • People who care for a child under 14 years of age
  • Pregnant women or those who need postpartum medical care
  • Caretakers of a disabled relative
  • People who have a disability or health condition that prevents them from fulfilling the work requirement
  • Current or former foster children under the age of 26
  • Native Americans and Alaska Natives
  • People who are incarcerated or have been in the last three months
  • Veterans with a 100% disability rating

The OBBB also provides a temporary opt-out process (known as a waiver) for states with an unemployment rate over 8% or 1.5 times the national unemployment rate. These states’ citizens could struggle to meet the work requirements because of particularly high barriers to work.

The states will get more specific implementation and reporting instructions from the federal government in June 2026, and they could then decide to apply more restrictive work requirements than those in the OBBB.

What are the current Medicaid work requirements in Georgia?

About 2.2 million Georgians were enrolled in Medicaid as of May 2025, and around 67% of the adult beneficiaries were already working. 

Georgia has a head start compared to many other states that don’t have previous experience with Medicaid work requirements. The state implemented the Georgia Pathways to Coverage program in 2023 to provide valuable health care assistance to low-income Georgians who aren’t eligible for traditional Medicaid.   

The Pathways to Coverage program supports adults ages 19-64 whose household income is less than 100% of the federal poverty line. To receive benefits, recipients have to take part in 80 hours per month of qualifying activities similar to those listed above. 

The Pathways program has slightly different exemptions than those in the OBBB. For example, adults are exempt if they take care of a child under age 6 instead of age 14. Recipients also only have to verify their exemptions or their involvement in qualifying activities when they apply for benefits and when they renew their application each year. 

Both administrators and enrollees have run into challenges with the Pathways program, but Georgia’s previous experience with work requirements will be an advantage going forward. It’s important to note, though, that the current requirements for the Pathways program may change with the implementation of the OBBB.

What are the SNAP work requirements under the new federal law?

Many SNAP recipients faced new work requirements as of November 1, 2025. The groups of people below now have to meet these requirements: 

  • Able-bodied adults ages 18-64 without dependent children (in the past, this only applied to people through age 54)
  • Parents whose youngest child is 14 or older 
  • Veterans
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • Former foster children 

Like with Medicaid, individuals can meet the work requirement by working, volunteering, or participating in an approved educational program for at least 80 hours per month. People who aren’t able to meet these requirements can only receive SNAP benefits for three months every three years. 

States can also be more restrictive with the work requirements, but they can only temporarily opt out of the enforcement of these requirements if their unemployment rate is 1.5 times the national average. 

In Georgia in particular, about 1.3 million people, or over 705,000 households, receive food stamps each month. About 69% of these households have kids, and 28% include an older adult or a person with a disability. It’s noteworthy that about 37% of Georgia’s SNAP recipients already live in households with a working family member. 

What are the pros and cons of work requirements?

The updated SNAP and Medicaid work requirements will bring both opportunities and challenges to beneficiaries and state governments.

Pros:

  • Family and community well-being: When people take rewarding jobs, they’re setting foot on a pathway out of poverty and toward self-sufficiency. The families of those who work are also more stable, and strong families can change entire communities for the better. 
  • Health benefits: Work brings a sense of dignity, purpose, and self-worth to people. As a result, working adults often experience less anxiety, fewer symptoms of depression, a decreased risk of suicide, and lower mortality rates. The children of employed people also tend to have better mental and physical health.
  • Private health insurance options: Some of the people who join the workforce will become eligible for private health insurance through their employers. This will both bring stability to workers and their families and reduce the number of Medicaid recipients.
  • Local economic growth: Increased labor force participation helps businesses grow and thrive. This then boosts local economies and spreads greater prosperity to surrounding areas.

Cons:

  • Barriers to work: Many recipients of government benefits, including those who are able-bodied, face multiple barriers to work. These can include a lack of childcare, a lack of transportation, and age-related biases. Some Americans who rely on Medicaid and SNAP also live in rural or impoverished areas. These communities often have fewer jobs and educational or volunteer opportunities that would enable people to meet the work requirements close to home. 
  • Difficulties with reporting work or exemptions: Many Medicaid and SNAP recipients could face hardships related to the reporting requirements. Administrative hurdles, a lack of internet access, and the difficulty of documenting exemptions or unstable earnings may cause people to lose benefits.
  • High administrative costs: Implementing and enforcing work requirements demands significant administrative resources from state agencies. States will need to act quickly and efficiently to prepare to verify both the eligibility and ongoing work status of public assistance recipients.
  • Benefits cliffs: Without additional reforms, work requirements put people at risk of experiencing benefits cliffs. By taking a job, an individual’s income could increase too much to qualify for assistance, but it still might not be enough to cover all the essential needs like food, health care, housing, and child care. This could leave people worse off, despite their efforts to meet the requirements. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that around 5.3 million people could lose much needed Medicaid support and about 2.4 million people could lose essential SNAP benefits because of this difficult situation.

What else can policymakers do to reform the safety net?

Work is crucial to overall well-being because it’s a gateway to upward mobility and a better future. Many public assistance recipients who can work should be able to meet work requirements and find rewarding opportunities. But these requirements are only a first step. 

To spark real change for those who are struggling, state lawmakers should explore a “One Door” approach to managing government benefits and workforce services. With this strategy, both benefits programs and job training assistance would be linked together. This would allow states to connect people to work while ensuring they receive the vital support they need. 

Ultimately, a One Door policy goes far beyond work requirements. It has the power to provide public assistance recipients with a clearer path into the workforce and toward financial independence. This, in turn, will help people realize their full potential as human beings and find opportunities to truly flourish.

Additional resources

Keeping vulnerable Americans on track: one door out of poverty and into opportunity
Alliance for Opportunity

One Big Beautiful Bill takes steps toward a work-first safety net, but states will have to act
Alliance for Opportunity

What states can expect with the new SNAP match: options to reduce state error rates
Alliance for Opportunity

June 2025 Medicaid & CHIP enrollment data highlights
Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services

Chart book: SNAP helps struggling families put food on the table
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

A closer look at who benefits from SNAP: state-by-state fact sheets
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Georgia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Pathways to Coverage: looking back two years and into the future
Georgia Budget and Policy Institute

Are work requirements good or bad?
Georgia Center for Opportunity

Food stamp program work requirements
Georgia Department of Human Services

Expanding Georgians’ access to health care
Georgia Pathways to Coverage

How new federal legislation will affect health care costs and access for Americans
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Implementing work requirements on a national scale: what we know from state waiver experience
KFF

Medicaid in Georgia
KFF

Medicaid.gov
Medicaid.gov

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s work-based welfare reforms are just the first step
Sutherland Institute

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
U.S. Department of Agriculture

How many people are on Medicaid in Georgia?
USAFacts

How will the One Big Beautiful Bill Act impact Medicaid?
USAFacts

Image Credit: Canva

Shaping Georgia’s future: Opportunities for the year ahead

Shaping Georgia’s future: Opportunities for the year ahead

by | Jan 8, 2026

Top 2026 issues for Georgia lawmakers and citizens include welfare, cost of living, education, and crime.

Shaping Georgia’s future: Opportunities for the year ahead

Key Points

  • In 2026, Georgia voters will elect key political leaders who will have the ability to remove barriers and open doors to better futures for the state’s residents. 
  • Top concerns for both lawmakers and citizens include welfare reform, the cost of living, educational opportunities, and public safety. 
  • Proposed policies and reforms will help lift many Georgians above the poverty line and provide clearer pathways to upward mobility and thriving communities.

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

The well-being of many Georgians, 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

Georgians will elect new officials for the state’s top posts in 2026. 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. Georgia’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. 

Georgians will also vote on one of the state’s U.S. senatorial positions—Senator Jon Ossoff currently holds the post. All of Georgia’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 Georgia’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 Georgia. 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, Georgia’s top lawmakers need to focus on streamlining the state’s welfare system and integrating it with workforce development programs. This strategy, called the One Door model, 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 Georgia, 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 Georgia will help these individuals become self-sufficient and also enable them to experience the sense of dignity and purpose meaningful work provides.

Georgia’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 Georgia’s public assistance and workforce programs.

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

Making life more affordable in Georgia

Many low- and middle-income families in Georgia 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 Georgia’s policymakers have opportunities to make some things more affordable for the state’s residents.

  • Housing shortages and costs: At least 94 of Georgia’s 159 counties don’t have enough housing for their residents. 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: Georgia’s state income tax is set to drop to 4.99% in January 2027, but some lawmakers want to eliminate it completely. For many Georgians, 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, Georgia 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 Georgia 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 Georgia 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 Georgia’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 Georgia 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. Georgia’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 Georgians, 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, Georgia 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

Georgia’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.

Georgia 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, Georgians 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

Alliance for Opportunity applauds introduction of the House “One Door to Work” Act
Alliance for Opportunity

How do we know the One Door model works?
Alliance for Opportunity

Georgia candidates for governor should make welfare reform a top priority
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia lawmakers explore plan to eliminate state income tax
CBS News

A better way to get welfare recipients back into the labor force
City Journal

How Georgia can fix its housing shortage
Dalton Daily Citizen

The Georgia Promise Scholarship (SB 233): questions and answers
Georgia Center for Opportunity

How many adults aren’t working in Georgia communities?
Georgia Center for Opportunity

National poverty rate fails to capture the problem of poverty concentration in Georgia and beyond
Georgia Center for Opportunity

The One Door model: a solution to improve economic opportunity for safety net participants
Georgia Center for Opportunity

Reducing crime in Atlanta
Georgia Center for Opportunity

What Georgia can learn from other states about fixing welfare
Georgia Center for Opportunity

Short supply: How many more homes does Georgia need?
Georgia Public Policy Foundation

The safety net “system” that isn’t
Governing

Unlocking opportunity – how Pelican Institute brought “One Door” to Louisiana
Pelican Institute for Public Policy

Image Credit: Canva

Creating links that change lives: Georgia Center for Opportunity partners with Connect to Work GA

Creating links that change lives: Georgia Center for Opportunity partners with Connect to Work GA

by | Dec 11, 2025

Georgia Center for Opportunity and Connect to Work GA have partnered to help more job seekers find rewarding work in the Atlanta area.

Creating links that change lives: Georgia Center for Opportunity partners with Connect to Work GA

Key Points

  • The Georgia Center for Opportunity and Connect to Work GA have entered into a valuable partnership that will link job seekers with rewarding jobs in the Atlanta area.
  • The Georgia Center for Opportunity’s BETTER WORK program will prepare clients for work, and Connect to Work GA will then introduce them to employers. 
  • This collaboration will help lift job seekers above the poverty line by providing opportunities for successful careers and upward mobility.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) entered into a dynamic partnership with Connect to Work GA in October 2025. Together, the organizations will link participants in GCO’s BETTER WORK program with rewarding jobs in the Atlanta area. 

Eric Cochling, GCO’s Chief Program Officer and General Counsel, shared that “GCO is thrilled to partner with Connect to Work GA because it gives our BETTER WORK clients access to the powerful business network of the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the expertise of the Connect to Work team.”

Work is a gateway to a better future, and this collaboration will create a clearer path out of poverty and toward opportunity for many job seekers across Georgia.

Connecting Georgians to work and upward mobility

GCO’s BETTER WORK program joins forces with employers and local organizations in Gwinnett County and in the city of Columbus. Through these strong partnerships, GCO connects people with training and support services that can help them find meaningful work.

Connect to Work GA was launched by the Metro Atlanta Chamber in February 2025, with support from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. The Foundation focuses on increasing access to career pathways for Georgians—and particularly for young people—so they can grow and thrive. 

In the spirit of the Foundation’s mission, the Chamber strives to advance economic growth around Atlanta, and Connect to Work GA contributes to that goal by bridging the gap between pre-qualified job candidates and employers who want to build their teams.

In the new relationship between GCO and Connect to Work GA, GCO’s BETTER WORK program will prepare clients for work by providing them with resume support, interview coaching, and job readiness training. Connect to Work GA will then link those individuals with employers by matching their skills with staffing needs. 

GCO will be a preferred provider of job candidates from Gwinnett County, giving GCO’s BETTER WORK clients a promising opportunity to find rewarding jobs with Metro Atlanta Chamber member companies.

Collaborating to build hope and vibrant communities through work

GCO and Connect to Work GA share the goal of making sure that every Georgian has the chance to experience the sense of dignity, purpose, and potential that comes from a meaningful job and upward mobility. They also aim to help communities across the state benefit from more successful businesses and vibrant local economies.

Together, the organizations will remove barriers to work and open doors to opportunity. In doing so, they will inspire hope and turn poverty into flourishing for many more Georgians, their families, and their communities.