Georgia's Pre-K Program Expands to Serve More Families

Georgia’s Pre-K Program Expands to Serve More Families

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that he has authorized 1,600 additional slots for Georgia’s Pre-K Program for the 2006-2007 school year, bringing this year’s total allotment to 76,600. The Governor’s FY07 Amended budget recommendation will include $7.5 million in lottery funds for the additional slots.

“Allocating additional funds for Georgia’s Pre-K Program is one of the best investments we can make in Georgia’s future,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Children are our most precious resource, and this program is helping prepare them for success in school and in life.”

Children enrolled in Georgia’s Pre-K Program demonstrate significant gains in language, communication and cognitive skills compared to national samples of children their age, according to The Georgia Early Childhood Study: 2001-04 prepared by Georgia State University. The study also cites the positive peer effects that occur because the program is open to all children in Georgia.

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, which administers Georgia’s Pre-K Program, will award the additional Pre-K classes based on a county-by-county review of providers’ ability and desire to offer Pre-K and the need for additional Pre-K slots in the area.

“We are committed to working with public and private providers to offer quality preschool experiences to Georgia’s children,” said Marsha H. Moore, commissioner of Bright from the Start.

Parents can locate Georgia Pre-K providers and link to report cards on Pre-K program providers by visiting www.decal.state.ga.us.

Georgia’s Pre-K Program, funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education, is recognized nationally as one of the most extensive, exemplary pre-kindergarten programs in the country. The program has served more than 700,000 children since its inception in 1992.

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