Georgias Universal PreK

1

• Georgias Universal Pre-K
• Marsha Moore, Executive Director
• Office of School Readiness

2
Target Population

• Georgias Pre-K Program is open to all four year
  olds regardless of family income.

3
In 2002-2003 Georgias 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

14
(No Transcript)
15
Flow of Funding for Georgias 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 Georgias Pre-K
  Program, visit our website at
• www.osr.state.ga.us