Reps. Scott, Davis and Schofield urge Georgia General Assembly toapprove $500M investment to support students living in poverty

ATLANTA –State Representatives Sandra G. Scott (D-Rex), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) are calling on the Georgia General Assembly to approve a $500 million investment to better support students living in poverty through House Bill 27, the Investing in Every Student Act. The legislation was introduced by Reps. Scott, Davis and Schofield during the 2025 legislative session.

“This is not about politics—this is about children,” said Rep. Scott, sponsor of HB 27. “Students living in poverty face challenges that extend far beyond the classroom, yet Georgia’s funding formula has never fully acknowledged that reality. A $500 million investment is a moral, educational and economic imperative. If we are serious about outcomes, equity and workforce readiness, we must be serious about funding students living in poverty.”

“We cannot continue to expect schools to close achievement gaps with one hand tied behind their backs,” said Rep. Davis. “This funding would give districts the ability to provide tutoring, mental health supports, literacy interventions and other services that we know work. Investing in students living in poverty is investing in Georgia’s future workforce and economic stability.”

“This is about fairness and responsibility,” said Rep. Schofield. “Every child deserves a real opportunity to succeed, regardless of their ZIP code or family income. Georgia has the resources to do better, and this investment is both fiscally smart and morally right. When we lift our most vulnerable students, we lift the entire state.”

Sponsored by Rep. Scott and co-sponsored by Reps. Davis and Schofield, HB 27 would update Georgia’s Quality Basic Education (QBE) framework to provide targeted grants to school districts serving students living in poverty, including children who are economically disadvantaged, homeless, in foster care or from migrant families. The bill would also require that at least 90 percent of funds be spent on direct school-level services.

These legislators recently submitted a letter to the House Appropriations Committee, urging the passage and funding of HB 27 during the 2026 legislative session.

To learn more about HB 27, please click here. An attachment of the legislation can be viewed here.

Pictured L-R: Rep. Sandra Scott, District 76, which includes a portion of Clayton County.; Rep. Viola Davis, District 87, which includes a portion of DeKalb County. Rep. Kim Schofield, District 63, which includes a portion of Fulton County. Photo provided.