Gov. Kemp signs school voucher, teacher school supply fund bills into law

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Gov. Brian Kemp signed seven education bills into law Tuesday that affect Georgia students and teachers.

Kemp and other state leaders held a bill signing ceremony early Tuesday afternoon.

>> WATCH THE FULL BILL SIGNING CEREMONY BELOW:

One of the bills the governor signed into law will provide $6,500 a year for children who live in school zones where the schools are failing — if their parents choose homeschooling or private schools.

Parents, students and private school teachers advocating for the legislation met at Liberty Plaza just outside of the State Capitol.

Kimberly Leftwich and her daughter Audrey Jane have fought for years for a school choice bill in Georgia. Audrey Jane is dyslexic. She struggled in her large public high school. Her mom put her in a private school with smaller class sizes and more one-on-one time.

“I may not learn at the same rate as everybody else, so it’s nice to be able to take that time and to maybe hone in on certain things that maybe I’m a little bit more confused on,” Audrey Jane said.

RELATED: Parents and lawmakers push for new school choice legislation

Public educators fought hard against the bill.

“The Georgia Association of Educators is very disappointed in the passage and subsequent signing by Gov. Brian Kemp of SB 233,” said Lisa Morgan, kindergarten teacher and president of the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE). “This bill robs the poorest students in Georgia’s poorest schools of the funding they need.”

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones says Georgia families need another option. He said he’s listened to concerns. He points to this year’s $38 billion budget, which includes funding for literacy programs, raises for teachers and a school supply program to cut down on out-of-pocket teacher costs.

“My mother was a public educator for 30 years,” said Jones. “I’m passionate about that issue. A lot of people think that because we’re for school choice, or parents having options, we’re against public schools, but we’re not.”

Another bill the governor signed will require schools to teach about the risks of social media.

Kemp also signed a bill that aims to improve reading skills by identifying a system for a universal reading screener that public schools and districts must use. That same bill also establishes a program with funds that teachers can use to purchase school supplies online.