ATLANTA (WJBF) – With just three months until the 2026 legislative session, the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) is outlining its top priorities to better support teachers and students next school year.

The organization said reducing class sizes and hiring more social workers and counselors will help address growing student mental health needs.

GAE also called for higher teacher salaries, particularly for new educators, to keep Georgia competitive with neighboring states.

Another focus is the state’s school voucher program, known as the Georgia Promise Scholarship, which launched in August. GAE leaders argued the program diverts public money to private schools and note that far fewer students are enrolled than originally budgeted.

GAE President Lisa Morgan also raised concerns about retirement benefits for school employees:

“The public school employee’s retirement system — the average benefit is still around $300 — and that is not a dignified retirement,” Morgan said.

Lawmakers will return to the Capitol on the second Monday in January for the 40-day session, where education spending will once again make up the bulk of Georgia’s state budget.