Rep. Bethany Ballard Recognized as 2025 Torchbearer for Education Winner by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators

ATLANTA - State Representative Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins) recently was recognized as a 2025 Torchbearer for Education winner by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) for sponsoring House Bill 538, the Georgia Early Literacy Act, and House Bill 81, the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists. This award is intended to highlight policymakers whose work benefits Georgia students, educators and public education.

"I am grateful to PAGE for selecting me as a 2025 Torchbearer for Education winner," said Rep. Ballard. "The Georgia House is committed to supporting our young learners and promoting literacy among schools. It is vital that we ensure that Georgia's schools have the resources they need in order to succeed, and we will continue to champion both our state's educators and students."

HB 538, the Georgia Early Literacy Act, requires all K-3 schools to use state-approved, high-quality reading materials and mandates training for teachers in the science of reading. The law also introduces universal reading screeners to monitor student progress throughout the year and extends literacy training requirements to early childhood educators by July 1, 2025.

HB 81 enters Georgia into the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists, establishing a pathway for school psychologists to obtain equivalent licenses in participating states. The goal of the legislation is to reduce licensure barriers for school psychologists, while ensuring that safe, effective school psychological services are available and delivered by appropriately qualified professionals in schools.

Rep. Ballard was also recognized by PAGE for sponsoring House Bill 372 during the 2025 legislative session, which would extend the sunset date for Georgia's Return-to-Work program for retired educators from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2030. The measure would seek to strengthen literacy instruction by requiring retired educators who return to the classroom in English, language arts or writing to hold a current dyslexia or reading endorsement approved by the Professional Standards Commission.

For more information on PAGE, please click here.

Representative Bethany Ballard represents the citizens of District 147, which includes portions of Houston and Peach counties. She first was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Special Rules Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Judicial, Defense & Veterans Affairs and Education committees.

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