SB589

"Quality Basic Education Act"; the date by which a child must attain a certain age to be eligible for enrollment in kindergarten or first grade; revise

Chamber Passed·3/6/26

Georgia SB589 revises kindergarten and first grade eligibility ages and expands pre-kindergarten enrollment.

Georgia SB589, the "Quality Basic Education Act," revises the age requirement for kindergarten and first grade eligibility. Children must now be five years old by August 1 to enroll in kindergarten and six by the same date for first grade. The bill also expands pre-kindergarten enrollment eligibility to children who turn four or five by August 1. The State Board of Education will adopt criteria for assessing first-grade readiness and develop guidelines for grade placement decisions. The act becomes effective July 1, 2026, for the 2026-2027 school year.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Last
Passed the Senate · 49–0 · Mar 6
Current
The House
Next
House floor vote

Sponsors

D
1
10
RRRRRRRRRR
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

49 Yea

RRRRRRRRRDDRDRRDRDDRRRDRDDRRRRRDRDDDRDRRDRRDDRRRD

0 Nay

2 Not Voting

RD

3 Absent

DDD

Calendar

Mar 23

1:00 PM

House Education

Mar 23

3:00 PM

House Education (upon Adjournment)

History

Mar 31

Senate

Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

Mar 27

House

House Third Readers

Mar 27

House

House Passed/Adopted By Substitute