Education
Education

Georgia’s pre-K program works, study says

170816 TAYLOR, TEXAS: Renee Long accompanies her son Jakevin Brown, 4, to his pre-k classroom on Wednesday, the first day of classes at T.H. Johnson Elementary School in Taylor. T.H. Johnson Elementary School, with approximately 375 students, is for pre-k and kindergarten students in Taylor. Andy Sharp / For the American-Statesman.

Credit: Andy Sharp

Credit: Andy Sharp

170816 TAYLOR, TEXAS: Renee Long accompanies her son Jakevin Brown, 4, to his pre-k classroom on Wednesday, the first day of classes at T.H. Johnson Elementary School in Taylor. T.H. Johnson Elementary School, with approximately 375 students, is for pre-k and kindergarten students in Taylor. Andy Sharp / For the American-Statesman.
By Ty Tagami
Aug 23, 2017

A new study finds that Georgia’s pre-K program is effective.

The multi-year study by the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill was commissioned by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning -- the agency that runs the pre-k program -- at the request of the Georgia General Assembly.

“Children exhibited significant growth during their pre-k year across all domains of  learning, including language and literacy skills, math skills, general knowledge, and

behavioral skills,” the authors concluded.

Spanish speakers -- the largest language-based student subgroup in the state -- showed gains, as well.

The lottery-based program serves about 60 percent of 4-year-old children.

>> LEARN MORE: See the research here.

In other Education news:

BBB talks about college scams

About the Author

Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.

Follow Ty Tagami on facebookFollow Ty Tagami on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Students put their cellphone in a box before heading to class at Sylvan Hills Middle School in Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Education wants lawmakers to expand a cellphone ban. (AJC file)

Credit: Ziyu Julian Zhu/AJC

Georgia school cellphone ban should expand to high school, state ed leaders say

The Georgia Department of Education wants to ban cellphones in high schools too, not just K-8 classrooms.

Acting Dekalb superintendent gets salary bump, 1-year contract to ensure ‘stable leadership’

The contract, obtained via an open records request, doesn't mean Sauce will be the permanent superintendent of the DeKalb County School District.

Lovett School gets ‘historic’ $30 million gift from Rollins family

The gift honors the oldest child of Randall and Peggy Rollins, who died in 1970.

The Latest

Students put their cellphone in a box before heading to class at Sylvan Hills Middle School in Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Education wants lawmakers to expand a cellphone ban. (AJC file)

Credit: Ziyu Julian Zhu/AJC

Georgia school cellphone ban should expand to high school, state ed leaders say

Acting Dekalb superintendent gets salary bump, 1-year contract to ensure ‘stable leadership’

Lovett School gets ‘historic’ $30 million gift from Rollins family

Featured

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., arrives to a news conference on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s exit opens new political unknown in Georgia

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is walking away from Washington. What comes next for her — and for Georgia politics — is suddenly wide open.

How a grand vision and a gift launched 20 years of wonder at Georgia Aquarium

Georgia stays at No. 4, Georgia Tech falls heading into rivalry week

Georgia stayed at No. 4 in the AP Top 25 this week, while next week's opponent Georgia Tech dropped eight spots to No. 23 after a home loss to Pitt.