Published: September 30, 2008 03:00 pm            

The people’s business

Georgia’s Pre-K Program: A sound investment in preparing children for the future

By Tommie Williams



These days we hear a lot about investments. Investments that have gone bad, investments that should have never been made, and how much a role the government should play in making investments in the private sector.

In the midst of all this economic discussion, we do not always hear when there are opportunities for state government, local or county governments, and business entrepreneurs to unite and make a good investment that has the potential to benefit a large number of citizens. I am proud to say that Georgia’s Pre-K Program is such an example.

Georgia’s Pre-K Program operates as a public-private partnership. The program partners with private child care centers as well as public school districts, military bases, Head Start programs, the Technical College System of Georgia, the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia, and faith-based environments (though state law prohibits religious instruction during the 6 � hour classroom time). Locations for Georgia Pre-K are funded based on the quality of the facilities, classroom and teachers, regardless of whether the program is publicly operated or privately owned. Thus a high percentage - 57 percent of the children served - is enrolled in classrooms operated by private businesses. It is important to note that the program does not depend on the dollars of local taxpayers. The Pre-K Program is funded through the Georgia Lottery for Education. The Georgia Pre-K program along with the Hope Scholarship is completely sustainable through lottery revenues.

This nationally renowned program has now been in existence for over 15 years and currently serves over 79,000 four-year-old children in public schools, private child care centers, Head Start sites and military bases across the state. In the counties that comprise my district alone, approximately 2,220 children are served in 111 classes.

The Pre-K Program is based on a foundation that gives parents clear choices. The program is not mandatory, recognizing that the needs of parents and children vary. Also, parents are free to enroll their child in Georgia’s Pre-K at any private program that best fits their needs, perhaps because they prefer the curriculum or facilities of a certain location, want a program in a faith-based environment, or even if they just need a program close to their work rather than near their home.

Nationally, the results of prekindergarten programs are proving a wise investment in the lives of children. Studies from other states have shown that public investments in pre-k yield future returns far greater than the cost of the program. A recent study from Oklahoma found that children enrolled in the program, which is similar to Georgia’s, had higher pre-reading and pre-writing skills than children who did not attend the program regardless of family background or economic circumstances. In other words, the program worked for all children.

I am proud to say that Georgia has been a leader in the pre-k movement. Our public-private partnership model gives parents choices, contributes to the Georgia economy and does not drain tax dollars. Most importantly, the program helps ensure that children begin kindergarten ready to learn and prepared to excel.



Georgia Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Appling, Jeff Davis, Long, Montgomery, Toombs, Wayne and Wheeler counties and a portion of Liberty and Tattnall counties.

        

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