Bill Text: GA HR364 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: General Assembly and Governor increase quality and affordability of pre-K programs; urge
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-02-24 - House Second Readers [HR364 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2011-HR364-Introduced.html
11 LC 33
4053
House
Resolution 364
By:
Representatives Benfield of the
85th,
Ashe of the
56th,
Oliver of the
83rd,
Parent of the
81st,
Gardner of the
57th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Urging
the General Assembly and the Governor of the State of Georgia to increase the
quality, accessibility, and affordability of pre-K programs for Georgia
children; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
ninety percent of brain development occurs by age 5; and
WHEREAS,
early education means children will be more prepared for kindergarten, which has
proven positive results on longer-term life success; and
WHEREAS,
forty years of early education research show that programs which positively
impact children are those with highly skilled teachers, age-appropriate
activities, stimulating materials, and a safe environment; and
WHEREAS,
the economic impact of investing $1.00 in early education now saves $6.00 down
the road; and
WHEREAS,
early investment yields a significant long-term return on investment in terms of
both workforce productivity and reduced societal costs of welfare and crime,
leading to a better economic outcome for the future of Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
currently in Georgia, only about two percent of the funding from philanthropy
going to education is directed to early learning.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body request and strongly urge that the Georgia General Assembly and the
Governor of the State of Georgia work in conjunction to:
(1)
Increase the quality, accessibility, and affordability of early care and
education for all Georgia children;
(2)
Establish higher standards of excellence for pre-K programs that help Georgia's
children enter kindergarten ready to learn and on a path to "read to learn" by
3rd grade;
(3)
Provide resources for parents to evaluate and support pre-K
learning;
(4)
Increase public awareness of the importance of learning from birth to age
5;
(5)
Fully fund public pre-K programs by cutting funding to student scholarship
organizations that fund private schools; and
(6)
Decrease the waiting list for HOPE-funded pre-K programs.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to legislative
leaders and to the Honorable Nathan Deal, Governor of Georgia.
