SR369: SR369 Georgia Pre-K Week; recognize October 6-10, 2025

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recognizes October 6-10, 2025 as Georgia Pre-K Week, marking the 15th year that Voices for Georgia's Children and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning have hosted the observance during the first full week of October. The resolution recounts the history of Georgia's Pre-K Program, started in 1992 under Governor Zell Miller, and notes it has been funded by more than $9 billion from the Georgia Lottery Corporation, serving over 2.2 million children since it began. It references a study showing lasting learning gains for participants, cites recommendations from a House working group on improving the program, and thanks the teachers, aides, and staff involved. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy to Voices for Georgia's Children.

• Formally recognizes October 6-10, 2025 as Georgia Pre-K Week in Georgia.
• Thanks the teachers, aides, and staff who work in Georgia's Pre-K Program and other early education programs.
• Encourages parents, educators, community members, and business leaders to participate in Georgia Pre-K Week.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Voices for Georgia's Children.
• Does not create, fund, or change any Georgia program or law; it is a symbolic statement rather than binding legislation.

The resolution mainly touches Georgia's Pre-K Program, its teachers and staff, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, and the nonprofit Voices for Georgia's Children, along with the roughly 73,000 children and their families who participate in Pre-K programs statewide.

Because this is a ceremonial resolution, it does not change funding, staffing, or rules for Georgia's Pre-K Program. Its practical effect is public recognition of the program and its workers, along with encouragement for communities to take part in Pre-K Week events.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe the history of Georgia's Pre-K Program since 1992 and its statewide administration by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning since 2004.
• It notes more than $9 billion in Georgia Lottery Corporation funding has supported over 2.2 million children in the program.
• It cites a longitudinal study by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute finding sustained learning gains through fourth grade.
• It references recommendations from the House Working Group on Early Childhood Education, such as restoring class sizes to 20 students and increasing assistant teacher salaries.
• The resolving clause designates October 6-10, 2025 as Georgia Pre-K Week and thanks Pre-K educators and staff.
• A further resolution clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy to Voices for Georgia's Children.

1. 2025-03-11Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-10Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)Primary sponsor
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)

• Pre-K education
• early childhood education
• Georgia Lottery funding
• education recognition