Governor Kemp’s priorities for a second term build on these historic successes by focusing on addressing learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing our educator and school counselor workforce, and implementing stronger school safety measures.

Addressing Learning Loss

While Georgia led the nation in reopening under Governor Kemp’s leadership, a few local school systems chose to play pandemic politics with their students’ education. As a result, 63% of 3rd graders in Georgia were reading at or above grade level.

Utilizing state funds in his 2023 budget recommendations, Governor Kemp will propose $25 million for a Learning Loss Opportunity Scholarship Grant to address the learning loss caused by the disruption during the pandemic. These funds may be used to leverage additional tutoring, non-traditional staff, or supplement existing learning loss services.

Governor Kemp is committed to making sure every child in our state has the opportunity to reach their full potential and succeed in the classroom.

Educator and School Counselor Workforce

Since the beginning of his first term, Governor Kemp has made strengthening the Peach State’s education workforce a top priority of his administration. From historic pay raises and record state funding for schools and staff, Governor Kemp has delivered major reforms that made Georgia a better place to be an educator.

But our work is far from over. The need for more qualified, passionate teachers in our classrooms and counselors in our schools has never been greater.

That’s why the governor is proposing two key initiatives for his second term that will build upon our state’s successes over the last few years in recruiting, retaining, and appreciating those who serve our students.

With approximately 9,000 paraprofessionals who have a four-year degree, Governor Kemp is proposing $15 million in state funds for a $3,000 reimbursable grant program to help these hardworking Georgians offset the certification costs of becoming a teacher.
The Governor’s budget proposal will also recommend an additional $25 million for local school systems to recruit more school counselors across the state.

Enhancing School Safety

In his first year in office, Governor Kemp proposed and signed into law school security grants of $30,000 to every school in the state. Schools used these funds to harden their campuses, utilize technology, and train staff.

In his second term, Governor Kemp will propose the following legislation to further enhance school safety efforts statewide:

Offer “intruder alert drills” for teachers and staff once during the months of August and September.
Schools Safety/Anti-Gang Voluntary Training Endorsement for New and Current Teachers
School Safety Plans must be submitted to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency
Continuing education for School Resource Officers