Gov. Nathan Deal abandoned plans Monday to take Georgia pre-kindergarten from a full- to a part-time program after an outcry from parents, teachers and child advocates.
Instead, Deal said, the pre-k school year will be shortened from 180 to 160 days and will see class size increased by two students to 22 each.
Both proposals will keep on track plans to reduce pre-k spending by $54 million and to increase the program's long-term viability, the governor said. It also will allow the program to take on more children, but 2,000, not the 5,000 Deal first recommended.
"Coordinating with those closest to the work, we believe these changes will have a minimal impact in the classroom while saving the $54 million needed to place this program on solid ground as we go forward," Deal said during a Monday news conference.
Child advocates and pre-k operators hailed Deal's decision.
"Our parents and teachers were heard by Governor Deal, and we are grateful," said Elaine P. Draeger, president and chief executive officer of the Sheltering Arms Early Education & Family Centers."This is definitely better for our children."
Two weeks ago, Deal announced plans to cut pre-k hours from 6.5 a day to four a day as part of a package of moves aimed at preserving the pre-k and the HOPE scholarship programs. Both programs are funded through the Georgia Lottery, but their expenses are exceeding lottery revenue.
The HOPE proposals -- including an end to full scholarships for all but the brightest students -- appeared late last week to be headed for quick legislative approval, despite some public protests. But there was no movement on the pre-k proposal, which drew the ire of families who said their children need a full-day program and with teachers who said they couldn't stay with pre-k with only part-time pay. The final say on what happens to the pre-k program will be addressed in the state's budget.
Deal acknowledged Monday that pre-k teachers and providers will still be hurt under his new plan, just not as severely. Pay for pre-k teachers will be reduced by 10 percent, and providers will be receiving 94 percent of what they were paid this year, Deal said.
Advocates were still crunching numbers late Monday on Deal's latest proposal. But some estimated that, statewide, about 300 teachers and 300 paraprofessionals could lose their jobs because of the proposed increase in class sizes. This is over and above those who will lose their jobs as transition coaches under Deal's original and current proposals.
Still, the biggest objective -- keeping the program full-time -- was met, and pre-k's champions were pleased.
Polly McKinney, the advocacy director for the nonprofit Voices for Georgia's Children, said Deal "has listened well to his constituents."
"We commend him for being responsive to thousands of parents, teachers and providers who asked that Georgia pre-k not be scaled back due to a lack of lottery funds,” she said.
Pat Willis, the group's executive director, said Deal's new plan “ensures a continuation of the quality children need to get ready for school." She said it also provides "the least possible disruption to working families."
Mindy Binderman, executive director of the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, said she recognizes the shorter school year may present challenges for parents, but she considers this a "much better alternative than the governor's original plan."
She said Deal deserves credit for "all the attention he and his staff gave to creating a better plan."
Draeger said she still has concerns -- mainly for low-income working families who need full-year, full-day child care.
A month of child care in Atlanta costs a family about $800, Draeger said.
"When you’re a young parent working entry-level jobs," she said, "$800 is the difference between paying your rent and eviction."
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