Sens. Kemp, Jones, Jackson, Parent, and Howard Introduce Legislation to Ensure Georgia Students Have the Resources They Need to Succeed

Ndubuisi Onwumere
Jan 15
2 min read

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 15, 2026

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Sens. Kemp, Jones, Jackson, Parent, and Howard Introduce Legislation to Ensure Georgia Students Have the Resources They Need to Succeed

Bill would recalibrate the Quality Basic Education funding formula to better account for low-income students

Atlanta, Ga. — Senator RaShaun Kemp (D-Atlanta) introduced SB 381 to modernize Georgia’s outdated education funding system. This would ensure Georgia schools and students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds and rural communities, are receiving the appropriate resources needed to succeed.

The bill was cosponsored by Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones II (D-Atlanta), Senate Minority Whip Kim Jackson (D-Atlanta), Senate Caucus Chair Elena Parent (D-Decatur), and Senator Jaha Howard (D-Smyrna).

“Senate Democrats are fighting to protect public education because we know so many of our state’s issues are tied to the classroom. Ensuring Georgia students have the resources they need to succeed is paramount to our collective future,” said Senator Rashaun Kemp. “I’m introducing SB 381 to guarantee schools — from rural communities to the inner cities — have more money to invest in students from low-income backgrounds. Students who learn more earn more and that benefits all Georgians.”

Senate Bill 381 would:

Add a poverty weight to Georgia’s educational funding formula to better account for students from low-income families

Background

The Quality Basic Education funding formula is the backbone of how Georgia funds public education but it was designed decades ago for a very different Georgia. Presently, it operates on outdated assumptions related to student needs, class size, transportation challenges, and technology usage.

Modernizing the QBE would take into account the realities of the current education landscape, including student poverty, special education services, and challenges faced by students in rural communities.

Click HERE to learn more about SB 381.

Senator Rashaun Kemp is available for comment.

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