A major education bill aimed at improving reading skills across Georgia has become one of the biggest political fights at the State Capitol as lawmakers head into the final days of the legislative session.

House Speaker Jon Burns is pushing for passage of the sweeping literacy measure, calling it a response to what he describes as a statewide literacy crisis.

The bill focuses on early intervention for young students, including expanded use of phonics-based instruction, literacy coaches, and additional support for struggling readers.

It passed the Georgia House with overwhelming support, but has stalled in the Senate, where leaders are working on a competing version of the proposal.

The disagreement has set up a late-session showdown between the House and Senate, with both sides trying to shape the final version before time runs out.

Supporters say the legislation is critical, pointing to data showing many Georgia students are not reading on grade level by the third grade—a benchmark seen as key to long-term academic success.

The bill is part of a broader push to invest in education, including funding for literacy coaches in elementary schools and new tools to identify reading challenges early.

Lawmakers now face a tight deadline to reach an agreement, with the future of the proposal uncertain as negotiations continue.