Georgia lawmakers have made a historic move in their proposed budget by allocating $28 million for low-income public school students. This marks the first time in the state’s history that funds have been earmarked specifically for this group of students. The budget, which was approved by the House on March 11, 2025, with a 171-4 vote, signals a shift toward addressing educational inequalities that have long persisted in Georgia.
Despite the breakthrough, education advocates argue that the proposed amount falls far short of what is necessary to support Georgia’s low-income students adequately. As reported by the Associated Press, the funding amounts to only $45 per low-income student, a figure that experts claim is insufficient to make meaningful improvements. According to the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, approximately 36% of Georgia’s 1.75 million public school students—roughly 625,000 children—come from impoverished households.
Historic budget shift, but critics demand more
House Bill 68, which includes the $28 million proposal, is part of a broader budget plan of $37.7 billion in state funds and $73.1 billion in overall expenditures. This budget allocates additional funds for a variety of public services, including prisons and retiree bonuses. However, it also earmarks funds for education initiatives, including the $28 million directed toward low-income students, a group that historically has not received such targeted funding in Georgia.
Rebecca Sibilia, executive director of the nonprofit Ed Fund, highlighted that while any effort to address the needs of low-income students is a positive step, $28 million is not enough. Sibilia stated, as quoted by the Associated Press, “Every low-income student that comes to school is coming from a household that has additional needs.” Experts argue that a significant increase in funding—at least $1,000 extra per low-income student, or $625 million statewide—would be necessary to see real improvements in academic outcomes for disadvantaged students.
Georgia’s need for change
Currently, Georgia is one of only five states, along with Alaska, Idaho, South Dakota, and West Virginia, that do not allocate additional funds for low-income students, according to the Associated Press. Unlike other states, Georgia has historically relied on property wealth to fund education, which has left poorer districts with fewer resources. The proposed $28 million is a step in the right direction, but Sibilia and other experts stress that a much larger investment is needed.
The House budget, as reported by the Associated Press, also includes measures aimed at improving school safety, mental health services, and literacy instruction. However, for many advocates, the $28 million allocation represents only a beginning—far from the comprehensive solution needed to close the education gap for Georgia’s most vulnerable students.
Leave a Reply