State policymakers have developed a strong early-learning infrastructure in Georgia over the last 30 years, anchored by Georgia’s Pre-K Program. The program has provided prekindergarten to over 1.87 million of Georgia’s four-year-olds.
Bolstered by state revenue surpluses, the Georgia General Assembly has fully funded the K-12 Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula for the last three fiscal years. Legislators also funded HOPE scholarships and grants at 100% in FY 2024 – the first time in over a decade.
Between 2020 and 2021, Georgia also received significant federal funds – $2 billion for early learning, $6 billion for K-12 education, and $1.4 billion for post-secondary education – to stabilize systems disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
With federal pandemic-relief funding ending in September 2024, state and local leaders must focus on how to continue the practices aimed at accelerating student learning, protecting student well-being, and removing non-academic learning barriers.
Allocation of additional resources to provide high-quality school readiness programs for infants and toddlers.
Revision of the Quality Basic Education formula to address the effects of poverty on student outcomes and to include funding for emerging district needs, such as transportation, counseling, school safety, and physical and mental health supports.
Redesign of financial aid strategies to ensure programs are student-centered, goal-driven, timely and flexible, and available to all students, regardless of the chosen post-secondary pathway.