IDRA’s Georgia education legislative priorities for 2026 focus on fair school funding, safe schools and inclusive learning environments. IDRA is an independent, non-profit organization. Our mission is to achieve equal educational opportunity for every child through strong public schools that prepare all students to access and succeed in college.
To do this, IDRA works to promote educational justice, build excellent and equitable schools, and protect the civil rights of all students in Georgia. Our 2026 legislative priorities will help to ensure that our state’s public schools are places where young people can learn, thrive and belong.
Reverse decades of divestment and underfunding in Georgia Public Schools: The Georgia Legislature should increase state investments in schools most affected by decades of underfunding and divestment to ensure all students have access to high-quality education and the resources students need to succeed.
Expand the Quality Basic Education formula to include funds for educating students living in poverty: The Georgia Legislature should allocate dedicated funds to help local schools address the unique needs of educating students from families with limited resources.
Protect students impacted by shortfalls and shifts in federal funds: The Georgia Legislature should allocate state fun’ds to address revenue shortfalls created by any federal education budget cuts. It should ensure any federal funds distributed by the state continue to be targeted to specific student populations to ensure equal educational opportunity for all.
Oppose all efforts to divert public funding to private education institutions: The Georgia Legislature should reject any proposals that seek to establish or expand efforts that redirect public education funds to private institutions in the form of voucher programs, including education savings accounts, tax credits or private school scholarships.
Expand MTSS availability to all students: The Georgia Legislature should expand multi-tiered systems of support to all public school students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and reduce the maximum threshold to trigger its implementation from five suspension days to zero. Currently, these practices that are designed to address the diverse academic and behavioral needs of students are only required for pre-K through third-grade students.
Prohibit corporal punishment: The Georgia Legislature must ban the use of corporal punishment in schools and emphasize a commitment to non-violent, effective and evidence-based disciplinary methods.
Prevent and respond to identity-based bullying: The Georgia Legislature should require schools to clearly prohibit bullying based on students’ identities, provide supportive measures for impacted students, and include meaningful investigation and prevention practices. These steps will ensure all students have safe, inclusive learning environments where they can thrive.
Protect diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives from pre-K through higher education: The Georgia Legislature should ensure that schools and institutions across the education landscape can implement programs and policies that promote diversity, inclusion and equitable opportunities for all students. Schools should be empowered to provide inclusive curricula, support services and professional development for educators without restrictions from laws or policies that could limit academic opportunities. The state must ensure every student has access to a safe, supportive and welcoming learning environment.
Isabelle Philip, IDRA Georgia Advocacy Intern (isabelle.philip@idra.org)
Terrence Wilson, J.D., IDRA Regional Policy and Community Engagement Director (terrence.wilson@idra.org)
Makiah Lyons, J.D., IDRA Staff Attorney (makiah.lyons@idra.org)
Isabelle Philip, IDRA Georgia Advocacy Intern (isabelle.philip@idra.org)
First Day of Session Update! Greetings! Today, the Georgia General Assembly kicked off the legislative session. For the next 40 legislative days they will take
