Speaker of the House Jon Burns introduces new literacy measures at the Capitol Tuesday. ATLANTA — Lawmakers in the Georgia House embraced a plan to send literacy coaches to elementary schools while also sending a high school cell phone ban to the Senate, as part of a package of eight educational bills approved Tuesday. Georgia lawmakers’ years-long focus on literacy instruction started with mandates for use of the “science of reading,” a method based in phonics. Initially, they focused on teacher training and tests to identify children with dyslexia. House Bill 1193 seeks to expand on that strategy by sending state funding to school districts to hire an estimated 1,300 literacy experts in schools with K-3 classrooms. Many of the measures discussed are things already in place at local schools. Both Floyd County and Rome City schools utilize literacy and academic coaches to aid teachers and ensure students are learning on grade level. While these professionals are already present in schools, additional funding would allow the school systems to hire more help reaching more of their students. The legislation, which Senate leaders have praised, also would bring new requirements for curr
