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Georgia Council on Literacy

In 2023, the Georgia General Assembly passed, and Governor Brian Kemp signed into law, two significant bills that address the state’s literacy rates: House Bill 538 and Senate Bill 211.

HB 538 requires kindergarten through third grade reading instruction to be based on the science of reading. The bill specifies five requirements including teacher training, universal screening of students, high quality instructional materials based on the science of reading, tiered student interventions, and new teacher instruction through the public schools of education.

Senate Bill 211 created the Georgia Council on Literacy, a 30-member council appointed by the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker of the House. The Council’s primary responsibility is to ensure the implementation of the science of reading instruction in every Georgia public school. The Council is also responsible for community engagement, research of literacy efforts in other states, and prioritizing low income, minority and ESOL students.

Georgia Council on Literacy

Meet Our Georgia Literacy Coach

Sarah Richardson

Sarah Richards
Georgia Literacy Coach

Sarah Richards brings over two decades of service as an educator and a passion for literacy to her role as Georgia Literacy Coach. Over her 21-year career, Mrs. Richards has been committed to positively impacting student achievement. She served as a classroom teacher and Literacy Master Teacher Leader with Atlanta Public Schools, and as an elementary instructional administrator, supporting curriculum and data for Title I schools in Fulton County. As a Statewide Coach with the Governor’s School Leadership Academy, Mrs. Richards fostered the professional growth of teachers in rural and urban communities across Georgia.

Mrs. Richards holds an M.Ed. in Education Administration and Policy from the University of Georgia, and a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa. Her strong foundation of literacy knowledge is rooted in the science of reading and supported by training in the Orton-Gillingham approach, certification through the Rollins Center/Cox Campus, and a reading endorsement.

Council Members

Governor Kemp, Lt. Governor Jones, and Speaker of the House Burns appointed a total of 30 members to the Council as required by SB 211.

Governor Appointed

Dr. Gary Bingham Professor, GSU, Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Dr. Stan DeJarnett State Board of Education Chair
Amy Denty Director of Literacy, Georgia Department of Education
Scott Johnson Chair, Georgia Council on Literacy
Kelly McKay Assistant Superintendent, Rabun County Schools
Dr. Lindee Morgan Executive Director, Sandra Dunagan Deal Center
Andri Pilgrim Intervention Lead Teacher and Title 1 Coordinator, Bremen City Schools
Dr. Noris Price Superintendent, Baldwin County Schools
Katie Seymour Instructional Coach, Putnam County Charter School System
Julie Walker State Librarian of Georgia, University System of Georgia Library System
Dr. Stephanie Westhafer Teacher, West Jackson Elementary School, Jackson County School System
Ellen Wiley Board of Trustees: Athens Academy, Atlanta Speech School, and Trinity School

Lieutenant Governor Appointed

Katie Bennett Teacher, Brandywine Elementary School, Forsyth County Schools
Senator Clint Dixon (R – Buford), Chair, Senate Education and Youth Committee
Senator Jason Esteves (D – Atlanta)
Senator Billy Hickman (R – Statesboro), Chair, Senate Higher Education Committee
Jaillene Hunter Board of Education Member, Marietta City Schools
Dr. Bubba Longgrear Superintendent, Candler County Schools
Christie Moore President and CEO, Valdosta Chamber of Commerce
Senator Freddie Powell Sims (D – Dawson)
Senator Blake Tillery (R – Vidalia), Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee

Speaker Appointed

Rep. Chris Erwin (R-Homer), Chair, House Education Committee
Rep. Becky Evans (D-Atlanta)
Dr. Yancey Ford Superintendent, Effingham County Schools
Carlette Fulcher Teacher, Rincon Elementary, Effingham County Schools
Rep. Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin), Chair, House Appropriations Committee
Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta), Chair, House Higher Education Committee
Dr. Whit Myers Board of Education Member, Screven County Schools
Jeanne Seaver Literacy Advocate
Rep. Al Williams (D-Midway)

Upcoming Council Meetings

  • Nov 19 2024

    Georgia Council on Literacy Meeting – November 2024

    Date

    Tuesday, November 19, 2024
    10:00 am

    Add to Calendar (ICS)

    Location

    2535 Lanier Tech Drive
    Gainesville, GA 30507

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Past Council Meetings

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