Georgia’s Universal Pre-K Marsha Moore, Executive Director Office of School Readiness

1. Georgia’s Universal Pre-K Marsha Moore, Executive Director Office of School Readiness

2. Target Population Georgia’s Pre-K Program is open to all four year olds regardless of family income.

3. In 2002-2003 Georgia’s Pre-K Program Served: • 65,900 Children • Over 28,600 Category I • In all 159 counties in Georgia

4. Benefits of Universal Access • Expanded pool of Pre-K providers • Removal of stigma associated with an “at-risk” program • More diversified student population enriches learning experience for all children • Trickle down effect on services to younger children as high quality Pre-K classes operate in the private early care and education sector • Increased school readiness for ALL children

5. Help For Working Families • Provides a cost effective high quality educational program for children and eliminates barriers faced by many low-income parents who need time to pursue work or education related opportunities • Allows low and middle income families to send children to Pre-K • Guaranteed before and after school child care subsidies for eligible families • Expansion of Head Start program services • Improved quality in classrooms serving younger children

6. Economic Development • Pre-K funds are used as matching funds to increase access to federal education, nutrition, Medicaid and child care funds. • Pre-K strengthens the fragmented fragile system of early care and education. • Pre-K is a model of a successful education program that will improve all education outcomes in the state. • A stronger education system will, in turn, attract business. • Participation in high quality preschool programs has been linked to reduced high school drop out rates.

7. Challenges of Universal Access • Funding in unstable economy • Ensuring access in all areas • Oversight and program quality

8. Office of School ReadinessGovernance • Independent State Agency • Executive Director appointed by Governor • Reports Directly to Governor • Operates Without Board of Directors • Independent of the State Department of Education • Uses Volunteer Advisory Groups

9. Office of School Readiness Responsibilities • Universal Pre-K Program • Child Care Services • Nutrition Services • Head Start Collaboration Project • Standards of Care Program

10. Unique Features of Governance in Georgia • Lottery Proceeds Provide Dedicated Funding Stream • Successful Public/Private Partnership • Voluntary Program • Family Support Services Provided • Interagency Collaboration to Coordinate Service Delivery at the Community Level

11. Advantages of the Governance Structure • Allows Focus to Remain on Early Education • Fast Response to Issues • Eliminates Some Bureaucracy Associated With Large State Agency • Ability to Treat Public and Private Providers as Independent Contractors • Equalizes Footing Between Public and Private Providers • Funding Formula Flexibility

12. Challenges of the Governance Structure • Political Pressures • Viewed as “Not Real School” • Perception of Difference Between Public and Private Pre-K Programs • School Systems Involved With Additional State Agency (DOE and OSR) • Perceived as Having Too Much Autonomy

13. Funding • Georgia Lottery for Education • Legislation Mandates How Lottery Proceeds Spent • Georgia General Assembly Allocates Funds Annually

15. Flow of Funding for Georgia’s Pre-K Program Citizens of Georgia Georgia Lottery For Education Pre-K Providers State of Georgia Pre-K/OSR • HOPE Scholarship • Technology • Educational Reserves

16. Pre-K Funding Formula • The Pre-K funding formula is divided into salary and non-salary components and pays for the following types of expenses: • teacher and teacher assistant salaries • classroom supplies and materials • administration (maximum 6%) • Pre-K providers must spend all Pre-K funds on the provision of Pre-K services but have flexibility once certain expenditure controls are met.

17. Funding Formula Rates • Pre-K funding is based on a standard formula established by OSR. • The amount paid to providers is based on the number of children served. • The per child rate varies according to the lead teacher credential, location within the state and provider type. • The base formula rate is $2481 to $3566.

18. Funding History

19. Public-Private Partnership • Pre-K is a successful public-private partnership. • Private sector providers serve more than 50% of the publicly funded Pre-K program children. • Private sector participation significantly enhances program capacity and support in cost effective ways that expand private industry interests and maximize the use of limited state resources. • The partnership saves facility construction costs and strengthens the local child care industry.

20. Unique Features of Georgia Pre-K • Lottery funds provide dedicated monies • Successful public/private partnership • Voluntary program • 180 days, 6.5 hours a day • The goal is to prepare children to be successful in school. • Family support services are provided. • Interagency collaboration to coordinate service delivery at the community level

21. For additional information about Georgia’s Pre-K Program, visit our website at: www.osr.state.ga.us