A Solid Start

Why It Matters

631,545 children aged 0 to 4 lived in Georgia in 2022.

The physical, emotional, and social development of young children beginning with prenatal care impacts their chances for lifetime success. From birth, both good and bad experiences, can greatly affect the trajectory of a child's life. Providing children with quality community; nutrition; cognitive, emotional, and physical supports; as well as minimizing stressors are all key to developing the brain's immediate and lifelong responses as a child grows into adulthood.

Where Georgia Stands

73,760

4-year-olds were enrolled in the Georgia Pre-K program during the 2022-2023 school year

66%

of third graders were reading proficiently, based on the 2023 Georgia Milestones results

9

out of every 1,000 Black infants die. That's more than twice the rate of White infants.

Our Priorities

Highlights of Our Priorities

High-quality, affordable early education and child care

Access to fresh, locally-grown foods in early childcare centers

Improving health and well-being outcomes

Maintaining funding for Georgia's Pre-K Program

Progress for Georgia's Kids

All public schools in Georgia will start screening K-3 students for dyslexia beginning in 2024.

The state Board of Education implemented the 2019 (Senate Bill 48) which requires district to do universal screening for students who show characteristics of dyslexia. Districts can also screen for aphasia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.

Public school teachers will be trained on developmentally-appropriate, evidence-based literacy instruction.

House Bill 538 (2023) requires public school K-3 teachers to be trained on the science of reading, structured literacy, and foundational literacy skills to enable students to develop reading skills required to meet state standards in literacy. Schools will administer reading assessments three times a year and implement tiered reading intervention plans for students who exhibit a significant reading deficiency.