FACT SHEET – BASICS OF GEORGIA’S PRE-K

What is Georgia’s Pre-K?

  • Educational program for 4-year-old children funded by the Georgia Lottery.
  • Launched in 1992 for families below a designated income level; opened to all families in 1995
  • Administered by Bright from the Start, the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL).

Who provides Georgia’s Pre-K programs?

  • Available in all 159 counties in the state
  • Provided by approved public schools, private and nonprofit childcare centers, militarybases and other education centers under contract with DECAL.

How many children are enrolled in Georgia’s Pre-K?

  • During the 2012-13 school year, Georgia’s Pre-K served 81,683children (about 59% of the state’s 145,000 4-year-olds) in 3,809 classes.
  • In 2013-14, funding provided for 84,000 children in 3,819 classrooms.
  • Since its inception, Georgia’s Pre-K has educated over1.2 million.

What services does Georgia’s Pre-K provide?

  • In 2013-14, classes will operate 180 days/year, 6.5 hours/day, aligned with the K-12 calendar.
  • Maximum class size is 22 students.
  • Teachers are required to have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a relatedfield and teacher certification. Assistant teachers also must meet minimum credentialrequirements.
  • Curriculum is aligned with Pre-K standards and birth through third grade standards.

How is Georgia’s Pre-K funded?

  • Georgia’s Pre-K is funded almost exclusively by Georgia Lottery proceeds.
  • In 2013-14 Pre-K received 33% of lottery proceeds or $299 million.
  • Federal funds provide approximately $218,000 for quality improvement.
  • No state general revenues support Georgia’s Pre-K.
  • Participating centers may supplement costs of Georgia’s Pre-K but may not charge tuition.

Why is Pre-K important to Georgia?

  • 90% of a child’s brain develops in the first five years of life.
  • Studies confirm that educational programs for preschool-aged children of all income groupsare beneficial for early reading performance, but are especially effective for low-incomechildren.
  • Approximately 30% of Georgia’s children under 6 live at or below the poverty level.
  • A study in 2012 by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill demonstrated that children in Georgia’s Pre-K exhibited significant growth during their pre-k year across all domains of learning, including language and literacy skills, math skills, general knowledge, and behavioral skills.
  • Georgia continues to lag behind the nation in high school graduation.
  • National longitudinal studies report that quality Pre-K for very poor 3- and 4- year olds will lead to fewer retentions, less need for special education services and higher graduation rates; and cost savings for the government due to lower instances of welfare, incarceration and substance abuse.

Voices for Georgia’s Children is a non profit child policy and advocacy organization. To learn more about us, visit our website at .