This week, the Georgia General Assembly approved the “Georgia Promise Scholarship Act,” setting a new course for educational freedom in the Peach State. The bill, SB 233, passed after a year of intense debate and signifies a monumental win for school choice advocates. The measure, strongly supported by Gov. Brian Kemp (R) and a majority of the Republican legislature, will grant parents and students alternatives to underperforming public schools by providing $6,500 per student per year in educational vouchers.
Gov. Kemp hailed the passage as a victory for Georgia’s families, emphasizing the bill’s role in expanding educational opportunities beyond traditional public schools. “I’m thankful to the General Assembly for giving final passage to SB 233 today to give students and families greater choice,” Kemp wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
I firmly believe we can take an all-of-the-above approach to education options.
I’m thankful to the General Assembly for giving final passage to SB 233 today to give students and families greater choice.— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) March 20, 2024
The bill targets students attending public schools ranked in the state’s bottom 25% for academic performance, offering them a lifeline to better educational environments. These vouchers can cover private school tuition, homeschooling supplies, and other educational expenses, creating a more individualized educational experience.
Georgia Senator Greg Dolezal ON FIRE🔥:
"When this bill failed on the floor of the Senate in 2019.. the photo that ran the next day was [a school choice opponent] cheering in the foreground and me sulking in the background.
Last year, I stood in the back of the House chamber,… pic.twitter.com/BaGt5cIzYa
— Corey A. DeAngelis, school choice evangelist (@DeAngelisCorey) March 20, 2024
Critics — particularly those who receive financial backing from teachers’ unions — argue that the bill will siphon resources from public schools. Proponents like state Sen. Greg Dolezal (R) counter that this initiative empowers parents and provides children with the best possible education. “Don’t tell these parents that this $6,500 bridge can’t change the lives of their kids, because it can,” Dolezal asserted, reflecting the optimism surrounding the bill.
WOW: Georgia Democrat Debbie Buckner just admitted–while arguing against school choice–to sending her own kids to private school.
"I NEVER went to an agency and said 'give me some money to pay my way.' I WENT TO WORK!"
She voted against the bill but it still passed 91 to 82. pic.twitter.com/0f3LbEIRD1
— Corey A. DeAngelis, school choice evangelist (@DeAngelisCorey) March 14, 2024
The initiative follows a nationwide trend favoring school choice, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Georgia joins a growing list of states seeking to give parents more control over their children’s education, addressing demands for flexibility and personalized learning paths.
The bill also includes measures beyond vouchers, such as codifying teacher pay raises, increasing PreK funding, and allowing inter-district transfers, showcasing a comprehensive approach to education reform.
However, the legislation has faced stiff opposition from Democrats who argue it might lead to greater inequality and neglect for public schools. State Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes (D) expressed concerns that private institutions might not accommodate all students equally, especially those with special needs or from underserved communities.
The approval of SB 233 represents a significant shift in Georgia’s educational landscape. It reflects a growing sentiment among conservative circles that parents should have the ultimate say in their children’s education. By redirecting funds toward vouchers, the state is betting on the idea that competition will spur improvement across all schools, not just private ones.
