Georgia’s Student Bill of Rights: A Vision for K-12 Education
By Eva Burbo

Introduction
On June 26, 2025, Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods unveiled the Student Bill of Rights, a groundbreaking statement that defines 12 essential rights for every K-12 public school student in Georgia. This bold initiative highlights the state’s educational achievements while setting a clear vision for the future. Georgia joins Hawaii as only the second state to adopt such a bill—the first being Hawaii in 1947, which included rights like freedom of expression and student participation.

Georgia’s Student Bill of Rights builds on this legacy, tailored to reflect the state’s unique values and goals for education.

The 12 Rights Every Georgia Student Deserves

1. The right to a quality education

2. The right to learn in safe schools with small class sizes

3. The right to recess, play, and Georgia-grown school meals

4. The right to well-trained, respected, and well-paid educators

5. The right to a 21st-century education supported by modern funding

6. The right to more instructional time and less screen time

7. The right to understand and respect the founding of our Nation

8. The right to Georgia-owned academic standards

9. The right to be prepared for life with strong reading, math, and financial skills

10. The right to be worth more than a high-stakes test score

11. The right to access opportunities that match personal interests, including career, arts, STEM, and advanced coursework

12. The right to graduate with a meaningful diploma that opens pathways to college, career, or service

Law vs. Vision
Though called a “bill of rights,” this document is not law. It carries no legal enforcement but acts as a visionary standard for student-centered education across Georgia.

Many rights echo existing state laws—such as class size limits, certification requirements, and academic standards—while others set aspirational goals, like reducing screen time or ensuring respect for educators.

Evaluation of Legal Foundations

Right #1: The right to a quality education

This right comes from Georgia Code § 20-2-131 or the Quality Basic Education Act of 1985. This law lists 20 educational goals but does not explain how to achieve them or require that they be enforced. These goals aim to offer a high-quality education to students by promoting academic success, safe and well-resourced schools, strong community involvement, effective teachers, and lifelong skills for civic, personal, and career development. Forty years later, this act is still the core document that Georgia bases its quality education on. Additionally, Georgia’s accountability system is set by a different law (O.C.G.A. §20-14-33) and it explains how to measure and report student, school, and district performance using various rating frameworks. This right is grounded in law as a set of goals but lacks direct legal enforcement leaving it as a broad policy vision.

Right #2: The right to learn in safe schools with small class sizes

The second right in the student bill of rights ensures students’ access to safe schools and small class sizes. Georgia does not explicitly define what a safe school is or outline standards for a safe school. However, Georgia Code (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-735) does outline student conduct in order to improve the student learning environment, and an additional code (O.C.G.A § 20-2-182) places limits on maximum class sizes. K-8 has a set number limit while specialized instructional programs and grades 9-12 have formulas that regulate class sizes. Class size limits are established by law, but the term “safe schools” is not legally defined and remains a policy goal.

Right #3: The right to recess, play and Georgia-grown meals

This right is partially codified in Georgia Code § 20-2-323, which mandates recess for K–5 and requires break policies for K–8. While Georgia-grown meals are not codified in this same section, they are supported by Georgia’s nutrition programs and state initiatives, like the Farm to School program that is focused on local agriculture in school meals. Recess is legally required in certain grades, while Georgia-grown meals are supported through state programs.

Right #4: The right to well-trained, respected, and well-paid educators

Educator training and pay are both grounded in Georgia law. Georgia Code § 20-2-200 requires all public school educators to be certified under the Professional Standards Commission, while Georgia Code § 20-2-212 establishes a mandatory salary schedule based on experience and education level. However, there is no legal standard or enforcement mechanism that guarantees teachers will be “respected.” Educator training and pay are protected by law, but professional respect is not a legally enforceable right.

Right #5: The right to a 21st-century education with a modernized funding formula

Georgia’s education funding continues to be governed by the Quality Basic Education (QBE) Act, originally passed in 1985 and now codified in Georgia Code §§ 20-2-161 through 20-2-166. This law outlines how state funds are allocated based on student enrollment, instructional programs, and staffing formulas. While Georgia’s funding formula is set in law there is no legal requirement to modernize it.

Right #6: The right to more instructional time and less screen time

Georgia sets minimum instructional time requirements via State Board Rule 160-5-1-.02, which mandates at least 4.5 hours of instruction per day for grades K–3, 5 hours for grades 4–5, and 5.5 hours for grades 6–12. However, there is no law or regulation that limits screen time in schools, nor does Georgia define an acceptable ratio of screen time to instructional time. Thus, while instructional time is legally mandated, the concept of “less screen time” remains a policy suggestion rather than a legal right.

Right #7: The right to understand and respect the founding of our Nation

This language appears in Georgia’s Student Bill of Rights but does not correspond to a specific statute in Georgia law. While civics and U.S. history are part of Georgia’s curriculum standards, no statute mandates instruction on respecting the nation’s founding, nor does it restrict students from expressing critical views. This right reflects an educational value and not a legal requirement.

Right #8: The right to Georgia-owned academic standards

Georgia’s academic standards are codified in policy rather than statute. The Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) are adopted by the State Board of Education under its authority in Georgia Code Title 20. These standards are required in all public schools and are reviewed and revised by state-appointed committees. Georgia’s academic standards are official policy but are not defined by a specific law.

Right #9: The right to be prepared for life

This right is loosely grounded in Georgia Code § 20-2-131 or the Quality Basic Education Act of 1985, which outlines educational goals that include developing communication, decision-making, and life skills. These goals support the spirit of this right but are not enforceable guarantees. This is a broad policy goal and not a legal guarantee.

Right #10: The right to be worth more than a test score

This idea is reflected in Georgia Code § 20-14-33, which governs the state’s accountability system. The law requires that multiple indicators—such as student growth, achievement gaps, school climate, and financial efficiency—be considered when evaluating schools. Georgia law supports a broader evaluation of schools beyond test scores by using multiple accountability indicators.

Right #11: The right to access interest-aligned opportunities

Many of the programs associated with this right—such as career pathways, dual enrollment, and Advanced Placement—are implemented through State Board rules and policies. While no single statute guarantees universal access to all such programs, many are supported by Georgia law or federal education policy. For example, dual enrollment is governed by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-161.3. However, this right remains a patchwork of policies rather than a single law.

Right #12: The right to a meaningful diploma

Georgia has established academic standards through the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) that guide students toward a meaningful diploma that will meet Georgia’s standards of excellence and serve as a pathway to enrollment, employment, enlistment, or entrepreneurship. Georgia policy guides students toward a meaningful diploma but the definition is shaped more by practice than law.

Conclusion
Georgia’s Student Bill of Rights is a powerful statement of intent—highlighting both progress made and challenges ahead. As Georgia approaches the nation’s Semiquincentennial, this vision calls on educators, families, and policymakers to center students in every decision.

While not legally binding, it sets a clear path toward a stronger, more student-focused education system that prepares all Georgia children to succeed.