Georgia’s Universal Pre-KMarsha Moore, Executive Director

Office of School Readiness

Target PopulationTarget Population

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

In 2002-2003 Georgia’s In 2002-2003 Georgia’s Pre-K Program Served:Pre-K Program Served:

65,900 ChildrenOver 28,600 Category IIn all 159 counties in Georgia

Benefits of Universal Benefits of Universal AccessAccess

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

Help For Working Help For Working FamiliesFamilies

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

Economic DevelopmentEconomic 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.

Challenges of Universal Challenges of Universal AccessAccess

Funding in unstable economyEnsuring access in all areasOversight and program quality

Office of School Office of School ReadinessReadiness

GovernanceGovernanceIndependent State AgencyExecutive Director appointed by GovernorReports Directly to GovernorOperates Without Board of DirectorsIndependent of the State Department of

EducationUses Volunteer Advisory Groups

Office of School Office of School Readiness Readiness

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Universal Pre-K ProgramChild Care ServicesNutrition ServicesHead Start Collaboration ProjectStandards of Care Program

Unique Features of Unique Features of Governance in GeorgiaGovernance in Georgia

Lottery Proceeds Provide Dedicated Funding Stream

Successful Public/Private PartnershipVoluntary ProgramFamily Support Services ProvidedInteragency Collaboration to Coordinate

Service Delivery at the Community Level

Advantages of the Advantages of the Governance StructureGovernance 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

Challenges of the Challenges of the Governance StructureGovernance Structure

Political PressuresViewed as “Not Real School”Perception of Difference Between Public

and Private Pre-K ProgramsSchool Systems Involved With Additional

State Agency (DOE and OSR)Perceived as Having Too Much Autonomy

FundingFunding

Georgia Lottery for EducationLegislation Mandates How Lottery

Proceeds SpentGeorgia General Assembly Allocates Funds

Annually

GEORGIA LOTTERY TRANSFERS TO EDUCATION FY 1994-2003

$362,635,000

$500,429,000

$543,234,000

$581,439,000$555,072,000

$646,705,000

$683,827,000

$726,202,000$751,557,000

$691,672,000

$-

$100,000,000

$200,000,000

$300,000,000

$400,000,000

$500,000,000

$600,000,000

$700,000,000

$800,000,000

FY1994 FY1995 FY1996 FY1997 FY1998 FY1999 FY2000 FY2001 FY2002 FY2003

Flow of Funding for Flow of Funding for Georgia’s Pre-K ProgramGeorgia’s Pre-K Program

Citizens of Georgia

Pre-K Providers

Pre-K/OSR

Georgia Lottery For Education

State of Georgia

HOPE ScholarshipTechnologyEducational Reserves

Pre-K Funding FormulaPre-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.

Funding Formula RatesFunding Formula RatesPre-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.

Funding HistoryFunding HistorySchool Year

Funded Approximate Children Served

Approximate Cost/Child

1992-93 $3 M(State) 750 (Pilot Year)

$4,000

1995-96 $182 M(Lottery) 44,000 $4,136

1996-97 $205 M(Lottery) 57,000 $3,596

1997-98 $210 M(Lottery) 60,000 $3,500

1998-99 $216 M(Lottery) 61,000 $3,540

1999-00 $225 M(Lottery) 62,000 $3,629

2000-01 $229 M(Lottery) 62,500 $3,664

2001-02 $237 M (Lottery)

63,500 $3,732

2002-03 $252 M(Lottery) 65,900 $3,824

Totals $1,874 M (Lottery)

500,850

Public-Private Public-Private PartnershipPartnership

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.

Unique Features of Unique Features of Georgia Pre-KGeorgia 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

For additional information about Georgia’s Pre-K Program, visit our website at:

www.osr.state.ga.us