Three year-olds could go to pre-K

Georgia’s children could soon be more prepared for the classroom and do better in school under a plan proposed by House Democrats. State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur), Representative Stephanie Benfield, (D-Decatur) and Rep. Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta) have introduced legislation that would provide for a field study on expanding the popular Pre-K program to cover three year-olds. The criteria for this expanded Pre-K program would be set by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

“All experts say the earlier you prepare children for school the better they do so why shouldn’t the state of Georgia expand Pre-K,” said Rep. Oliver. “I believe thousands of parents would take advantage of this wonderful program for their children at three years-old and the state of Georgia would have a brighter future with a more prepared student.”

“The Pre-K program helps teach children that learning is fun and they take that through the rest of their education. Other states start their Pre-K program at three years-old and their students have higher test scores too. Not doing this puts Georgia at a disadvantage,” said Rep. Benfield.

According to Rep. Ashe, “The Georgia Lottery, which funds our Pre-K program, has a $600 million surplus and we can at least study expanding the program to cover three year-olds. Taking a successful program and making it more successful would be a win win for the state of Georgia.”

Georgia is only one of two states that spend no general revenue on early childhood development. Most states fund their Pre-K program with taxpayer dollars and last year the Georgia Lottery had a $600 million surplus.

Representative Oliver serves on the House Judiciary, House Governmental Affairs and House Science and Technology committees.

Representative Benfield serves on the Judiciary Non-Civil, Banks and Banking, Natural Resources and Environment and Code Revision committees.

Representative Ashe serves on the Children and Youth, Interstate Cooperation and Higher Education committees.