Deal Announces Modified Pre-K Plan

Gov. Nathan Deal has revealed his updated plan to keep Georgia’s pre-kindergarten program solvent while still maintaining the benefits of the program.

As a result of bipartisan negotiations, the new plan will include a full day of instruction for Georgia’s youngest students while reducing the school year from 180 to 160 days.

“From day one we have worked tirelessly to make sure Georgia’s youngest scholars continue to benefit from the Pre-K program,” said Deal. “It is so important that we keep Georgia Pre-K a priority in order to ensure that students are school ready and on pace to read on grade level by third grade. I appreciate the cooperative, can-do spirit of the Georgia Pre-K community. They have provided invaluable feedback over the last few weeks to help us improve our original proposal.”

In addition to shortening the school year, the new plan will increase class size from 20 to 22. An additional 2,000 Pre-K slots will be added bringing the total enrollment to 86,000. Operating funds for Pre-K providers will be 94 percent of current funding levels and Pre-K teachers will receive 90 percent of their current salaries.

“Teachers, providers and parents understand the importance of reforms to maintain our excellent prekindergarten program for the next generation, but they emphasized a desire to keep the program full day,” Deal said. “These discussions have yielded an improved product. Most important, this plan will serve our 4-year-olds well.”

Georgia is one of only four states in the nation to provide a universal Pre-K program. The new proposal will save $54 million.