Foundations for Learning

To reach the North Star goal by 2033, Georgia’s leaders must address the literacy gaps that emerge before kindergarten and that widen into adulthood. Too many children are unable to read on grade level because of nonacademic factors like low parental education, community poverty, and lack of access to health care. State leaders should ensure that vulnerable children and families receive integrated education, health, and family supports to close learning and well-being gaps. 

Early Care and Child Development 

Expanded access to evidence-based strategies that promote school readiness and parental engagement, e.g., home visiting, comprehensive health screenings, and early interventions for children with developmental delays.    

Creation of a statewide early learning workforce strategy focused on improving working conditions, strengthening professional preparation, and achieving compensation parity relative to similar professions.   

Family and Community Supports 

Championing policies that support economic mobility and mitigate family poverty, e.g., Medicaid expansion, paid family leave, state earned income tax credit programs, and expanded access to childcare subsidies.    

Supporting multi-generation strategies that increase parental engagement and encourage the integrated delivery of services across Georgia’s education, health, and economic and workforce development sectors. 

Early Learning Indicators 

  • Number of children enrolled in Georgia Pre-K 
  • Percent of eligible four-year-olds enrolled in Georgia Pre-K 
  • Percent of at-risk four-year-olds served by Georgia Pre-K 
  • Percent of children receiving subsidies to enroll in Quality-Rated child care 
  • Percent of grade three children reading at a proficient level or above  

Health and Economic Indicators 

  • Low-birthweight babies 
  • Children without health insurance 
  • Births to women receiving late or no prenatal care 
  • Children with one or more emotional, behavioral, or developmental conditions 
  • Food-insecure households  
  • Children Under Age 6 Living in Poverty