ATLANTA — A bipartisan effort is underway at the state Capitol to address student literacy in Georgia.

House Education Committee Chairman Chris Erwin says the proposed legislation would place literacy coaches in every public school to assist students in kindergarten through third grade. “If you can’t read, we’re coming to help,” Erwin said.

The measure would also make kindergarten mandatory and give schools the authority to retain students who are not reading at grade level.

House Speaker Jon Burns, a supporter of the legislation, added, “the time for decisive, bold action is now, not later when it is too late for countless students.”