A day late, millions short.

Yesterday the Southern Education Foundation released a study outlining the rewards of Georgia’s previously  robust lottery-funded Pre-K programs.  No big surprises: Over $200 million in savings over the next 6 years;  improved preparation for kindergarten; fewer special education placements; lower drop out rates. Sadly, the report was too late to impact the vote in the Georgia House of Representatives, which passed sweeping cuts in lottery-funded education programs yesterday.

I was struck by this comment from the report:

The study’s authors said Deal’s plan will have Georgia bucking the national trend of pre-k programs going to longer, not shorter, hours. But they stopped short of calling on the governor to reconsider.

I am grateful to the 21 Democrats who cast their votes against HB326.  You can join the new Facebook Group formed to recognize and thank The Brave 21.


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One response to “A day late, millions short.”

  1. Jen B. Avatar
    Jen B.

    Early childhood education is tremendously important and these cuts are terribly shortsighted. Cut somewhere else. Hell, cut the $3,600 HOPE scholarship that goes to kids enrolled in private schools. Or, raise revenue by legalizing alcohol sales on Sunday or gambling boats off the coast (yeah, I know. pipe dreams!).

    Seriously though, this is the WORST thing to come out of the HOPE bill.

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