About the Georgia Pre-K Program Evaluation
The Georgia Pre-K Program Evaluation Project provides an external statewide evaluation of Georgia's Pre-Kindergarten Program, a universal pre-k program for four-year-olds. Since 2011, we have conducted a series of studies to examine Georgia's Pre-K. These have included: Study 1 (2011-2012) Pre-K Outcomes Study—a study of classroom quality and outcomes for children enrolled in the program during the pre-k year; Study 1a (2012-2013) Pre-K Enrollment Study—a statewide study examining local variations in implementation of recruitment, application, assignment, and waitlist procedures and the feasibility of conducting an RCT study; Study 2 (2012-2013) RDD Study—a study of the effects of program participation on children's school readiness skills using a regression discontinuity design (RDD); and Study 3 (2013-2020) Longitudinal Study—an ongoing longitudinal study of the short- and long-term learning outcomes for children who attended Georgia's Pre-K as well as the quality of their preschool and early elementary school experiences from pre-k through fifth grade. And now, a new evaluation study will involve data collection, analyses, and reporting on Georgia’s Pre-K program related to practices observed during the upcoming school year (2022-23).
About the Georgia Pre-K Program
Georgia's Pre-K Program is a state-funded universal pre-kindergarten program for four-year-olds, serving over 80,000 children per year in a variety of settings, including public school systems, private providers, and blended Head Start/pre-k classrooms. The program operates on a school-based model, with program standards around class size, teacher qualifications, curriculum, assessment, and other program services. Bright from the Start: Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) oversees the program, and staff provide consultation, technical assistance, and monitoring visits throughout the year.
For more information about Georgia's Pre-K Program, see the Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning website.