As August ushers in a new school year, nearly two million students are headed back to Georgia’s 2,300 public schools. How are Georgia schools doing when it comes to preparing kids for work and life? Here are a few key measures of education in Georgia that parents and communities should know as students return to the classroom. 

Learning in Georgia

Results from the latest Georgia Milestones Assessment show students are still struggling with math and reading. In math, 54% of third-graders and 56% of eighth-graders were below proficiency. 

In reading, 45% of eighth-graders were at grade level or above. Third-graders are even further behind—only 38% met proficiency in reading. While that number is up from 36% in 2020, it’s still below pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, 42% of third-graders were reading at grade-level or above. 

Demographic data from the Milestones Assessment shows Black and Hispanic third-graders are struggling most when it comes to reading.

Reading proficiency by third grade is a crucial milestone for Georgia’s students. Not only is it necessary for learning in later grades, but it’s also an indicator of future stability and economic opportunity. That’s because literacy is closely linked to high school completion and participation in the workforce. 

 Children who can’t read proficiently by third grade are more likely to drop out of high school, have lower earning potential, and experience higher rates of poverty and unemployment. 

• The median annual earnings of adults ages 25 to 35 who had not completed high school was $6,300 less than those with a high school diploma.

• Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a 6.2% unemployment rate for people with no high school diploma. It drops to 4.2% for high school graduates and 2.8% for those with an associate’s degree.

• The poverty rate for those with no high school diploma is 25.1%, compared to 13.1% for those who have finished high school. In Georgia, where an estimated 1.4 million people live in poverty, 25% would roughly equate to 350,000 people. 

A literacy study from the Annie E. Casey Foundation sums up what’s at stake for kids in Georgia and the country if reading proficiency continues to slide: 

 “The bottom line is that if we don’t get dramatically more children on track as proficient readers, the United States will lose a growing and essential proportion of its human capital to poverty, and the price will be paid not only by individual children and families, but by the entire country.” 

Enrollment

Georgia public schools enrolled 1,736,730 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, according to the Georgia Department of Education’s spring 2025 enrollment count. That number marks a drop of 10,964 students from spring 2024. 

As Georgia has taken steps to expand education opportunities, more families are embracing new schooling options to find the best education fit for their kids. Homeschooling is on the rise, and over 15,000 families applied to Georgia’s newest school choice program, the Promise Scholarship, between March 2 and June 30.

Students missing school

Georgia, like many states, is battling a crisis of chronic absenteeism. These are students missing 10% or more of school days—a situation that puts kids further behind in academic progress and raises the high school dropout risk.

Chronic absenteeism and its risks tend to be higher among students from low-income families, students of color, and students with disabilities.  

In Georgia, absenteeism skyrocketed between 2020 and 2021 in the wake of pandemic school closures. In 2019, 12.1% of students had been chronically missing school. By 2021, that number had jumped to 20.1%. Only recently, in 2025, did the percentage dip below 20% for the first time in four years. 

Public school spending

On average, Georgia spends $14,660 on K-12 education per pupil. Pre-kindergarten and K-12 education spending accounts for 38% of the state budget, making it Georgia’s biggest line item. In 2025, the state budget included $13.3 billion for Georgia’s public schools, which was a $1.4 billion increase from 2024. 

Despite these amounts, state funding is only a portion of overall revenue for public schools. Local taxes are the biggest source of education dollars, and a small percentage comes from federal funding. 

New education laws in place this year

Georgia lawmakers passed a handful of education-related bills in 2025 that will impact schools as of this academic year. 

The Georgia Literacy Act stops the use of an instructional reading method called “three-cueuing,” which research has shown to be ineffective. Instead, the law ensures teachers are trained in the science of reading—the evidence-based methods that have proven most successful for teaching reading. 

This is a hopeful step for Georgia students, especially in light of results that similar reforms have had in other states. ExcelinEd specifically noted the astonishing transformation in Mississippi: “Mississippi’s fourth-grade Black students have risen to third in the nation in both reading and math, and Hispanic and low-income students have claimed the top spots in reading and second place in math nationwide.” 

In addition to addressing literacy, Georgia lawmakers have also taken steps to improve school learning environments. Starting this year, a new cell phone law will put stricter limits on student phone use during school hours. The goal is to cut down on distractions and help students stay engaged in the classroom. 

What’s next for education in Georgia?

Georgia’s education measures are more than data. Behind the numbers are real children who will be the next generation of mothers, fathers, business owners, employees, and voters in our state. A quality education is necessary for giving them strong, opportunity-filled futures. 

Solutions to boost math and reading proficiency and address chronic absenteeism can strengthen Georgia’s public schools. These are worthwhile steps to support students whose best—and often only—education option is the local public school. 

At the same time, Georgia leaders should be doing everything possible to remove financial and social barriers to quality education and empowering students and families to access the school of their choice. Prioritizing more opportunities over limited choices is the best way to prevent a lack of quality education from locking Georgia’s kids and communities into poverty.

Image Credit: Canva

When it comes to providing educational opportunities for families, Georgia ranks 14th out of 50 on a new 50-state index measuring families’ access to school choice nationwide.  

At first glance, that doesn’t seem like such a bad position, but when you dig deeper, the picture becomes less flattering. Georgia is still lagging behind and we have our work cut out for us to ensure that every family has access to a great education.

Where Does Georgia Stand?

Georgia scored four out of a possible 100 on the EdChoice Friedman Index, which weighs three major factors:

• Access to School Choice: Only 15% of Georgia’s K-12 students are eligible for school choice programs, far below what it takes to establish broad, equitable access.
  

• Flexibility in Educational Funding: While Georgia has made strides through its Promise Scholarship Program (an education savings account or “ESA”), current funding systems and program designs limit how well families can use educational funds to meet their unique needs.
  

• Funding Parity: Choice students in Georgia receive just 45% of the funding allocated to their public school peers. For example, public school students receive $13,810 per pupil, while choice students average $6,264 in funding. 

These metrics paint a clear picture of why Georgia’s score is so low. More significantly, it’s a reminder of the limitations facing families who are seeking to access the best education for their children.

Image Credit: EdChoice, 2025 Friedman Index

Georgia’s Neighbor to the South Earns the Top Score

Educational Opportunity Matters Most for Georgia’s Low-Income Communities

The limitations of Georgia’s school choice programs disproportionately affect children from low-income communities. For these families, access to the right education isn’t just a luxury—it’s a pathway to life-changing opportunities, such as improved academic performance, higher graduation rates, and better chances of long-term employment and financial stability.

Data consistently shows that providing families with education options leads to better outcomes for kids. For example, numerous studies indicate that students in choice programs are more likely to become proficient in core subjects like reading and math, areas that often determine future academic and career success.

One recent leap forward is the Georgia Promise Scholarship, a state-funded initiative designed to give families financial support to choose the best learning environment for their child. The program opens to families this year, providing scholarships of $6,500 a year that families can use for private school tuition, tutoring, special needs programs, homeschooling, or other customized options outside the traditional public school system.

While this program is an encouraging start, it’s not enough to rank Georgia among the nation’s top states for school choice. Currently, too few students have access to the program, and funding levels fall short of what’s needed to enable meaningful choice for all families.

The Friedman Index Gives Georgia a Roadmap, Not Just a Score

The factors that make up the Friedman Index give Georgia lawmakers clear steps to increasing education opportunity for all students:

• Expand Access to School Choice: Every family throughout Georgia should have access to educational opportunities that meet their child’s needs, regardless of income or location. This includes significantly increasing the percentage of students eligible for choice programs, particularly the Georgia Promise Scholarship.

• Increase Funding for Choice Students: Georgia must make substantial investments to bring funding for choice students closer to parity with public school funding. Providing families with adequate resources will make educational choice a real possibility—not just an option in name only.
  

• Focus on Students, Not Systems: It’s time for Georgia to reframe its education policies around the needs of students. Our goal shouldn’t be to improve Georgia’s ranking on an index, but to provide real hope and opportunity for the students who need it the most.

Image Credits: Canva, EdChoice

Key Points

There’s exciting news for Georgia families and students: 

Students zoned for one of 512 elementary, middle, and high schools across Georgia will be able to apply for Georgia’s new Promise Scholarship program to attend an educational alternative. That’s according to a list released by the Georgia Education Savings Authority (GESA), the state government entity responsible for overseeing the new program.

This program offers students a chance to access education opportunities best suited to their needs. The funds can be used for private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, tutoring, or other approved education expenses. The total amount of scholarships is capped at $141 million for the upcoming school year. That amount is estimated to cover around 22,000 students.

The first application period is now open and will run through April 15, 2025. Families can learn more at mygeorgiapromise.org.

If your student is zoned for a school on the Georgia Promise Scholarship School List, your family meets the attendance zone requirement to apply. 

If your student is zoned for a school on the Georgia Promise Scholarship School List, your family meets the attendance zone requirement to apply. 

Does your family quality for the Georgia Promise Scholarship? 

Parents can quickly determine their child’s eligibility by taking a 45-second quiz available on the GESA website.

Eligibility criteria:

To apply, students must meet the following requirements:

1. Be zoned for at least one of the 512 eligible public schools.  
2. Have been enrolled in a Georgia public school for two consecutive semesters, or is a rising kindergarten student. 
3. Parents must have lived in Georgia for at least one year, with exceptions for active-duty military families. 

The program prioritizes lower-income Georgia families. If applications exceed available slots, priority goes to families with household incomes below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly $120,000 for a family of four). 

Are Promise Scholarships a stable option for the future?

Promise Scholarships are off to a strong start. Governor Brian Kemp has allocated full funding for the program in his new proposed budget, which is pending approval by the state legislature. A bill has also been introduced, sponsored by Sen. Greg Dolezal, that would broaden eligibility for Promise Scholarships, including provisions for foster families.

Opportunities like the Promise Scholarship give families a brighter future

The creation of Promise Scholarships has been a crucial step forward for Georgia families. Education is the foundation for a thriving life. For families feeling limited by their current school options, Promise Scholarships provide the hope of access to a better fit for their child’s unique needs. Whether it’s finding the right private school, funding homeschooling expenses, or other learning resources, this program empowers parents to make the best decision possible for their children.

Key Points

Big changes are on the horizon for education in Georgia. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, thousands of families will have greater access to flexible education options through the new Promise Scholarship.

Education is a vital pathway to opportunity, and every child deserves the chance to succeed. Unfortunately, many Georgia students remain stuck in underperforming schools without access to better alternatives. The Promise Scholarship aims to change that by expanding access to diverse, high-quality education opportunities. 

With applications opening soon, now is the perfect time for parents, communities, and educators to prepare for what’s to come.

What are Promise Scholarships? 

Who can apply?

Key dates to remember

What can parents do now?