Hundreds of community, education and business leaders plan to visit pre-kindergarten classes in Georgia to show support for early education, government officials say.
Launched five years ago, Georgia’s Pre-K Week takes place this year Oct. 5-9. The Georgia School Boards Association joins as a Pre-K Week partner this year, and Georgia Power, Synovus and Scholastic return as corporate sponsors. Other supporters include Gov. Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal.
“The support of such influential public and private organizations is a powerful statement about the value of children’s education and learning in the early years,” said Emily Pelton, executive director of Voices for Georgia’s Children, in a released statement. The child advocacy organization organizes Pre-K Week each year, along with its partners.
“Investment in early childhood education creates the foundation necessary for a child to succeed in nearly every phase of life, from learning to read successfully by third grade to graduating high school and entering the workforce,” she said.
Deal recently announced he wants to spend $50 million to reverse cuts to Georgia's pre-k program that increased class sizes and cut teacher pay. In 2011, Deal and state lawmakers cut the pre-kindergarten program's school year by 20 days to save money. The maximum classroom size was raised from 20 to 22 students. A 180-day school calendar has since been restored, but class sizes remain the same.
During Georgia’s official Pre-K Week, hundreds of state, business and community leaders will visit pre-k centers to see early learning in action and engage children and educators. Many will read a favorite children’s book to young learners.
The statewide celebration, which includes all 159 counties, is aimed at drawing attention to early learning, including pre-k, a program started in Georgia 22 years ago.
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