HR1734: HR1734 Georgia Pre-K Week; October 5-9, 2026; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives formally recognizes October 5-9, 2026, as Georgia Pre-K Week, marking the 16th consecutive year that Voices for Georgia's Children and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning have hosted the observance. It highlights the history of Georgia's Pre-K Program, which began in 1992 under Governor Zell Miller and now serves more than 70,000 four-year-olds each year in classrooms across all 159 counties. The resolution does not create any new law, funding, or requirement. It thanks Pre-K teachers, aides, and staff, names the 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year, and references a legislative working group's past recommendations on improving Pre-K, such as smaller class sizes and better pay. It directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to Voices for Georgia's Children.

• Officially recognizes October 5-9, 2026, as Georgia Pre-K Week in the state of Georgia.
• Thanks the teachers, aides, and staff involved in Georgia's Pre-K programs and other early education efforts.
• Encourages parents, educators, community members, and business leaders to participate in Georgia Pre-K Week.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send a copy of the resolution to Voices for Georgia's Children.
• Does not create any new funding, program, or legal requirement; it is a symbolic statement rather than a change to Georgia law.

The resolution touches Georgia's Pre-K teachers, teaching assistants, and program staff statewide, along with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and the nonprofit Voices for Georgia's Children, which co-hosts the annual observance. It also invites participation from parents, educators, and community members.

While the resolution changes no law or funding, it publicly highlights Georgia's Pre-K Program, its history, and its statewide reach, and references past recommendations for improving class sizes, teacher pay, and program funding that lawmakers could later act on.

• The resolution recites the history of Georgia's Pre-K Program, launched in 1992 and administered statewide by the Department of Early Care and Learning since 2004.
• It cites research findings that Pre-K participation produces learning gains sustained through fourth grade, especially for high-risk populations.
• It names Teresa Swaim and Autumn Hart as the Georgia Pre-K Program's 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year.
• It references the House Working Group on Early Childhood Education's recommendations, including restoring class sizes to 20 students and increasing pay for assistant teachers.
• The resolving clause designates October 5-9, 2026, as Georgia Pre-K Week and encourages public participation.
• A final clause directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to Voices for Georgia's Children.

1. 2026-03-16House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-03-16House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-16House Hopper (House)

• Jan Jones (R, HD-047)Primary sponsor
• Chris Erwin (R, HD-032)
• Carmen Rice (R, HD-139)
• Matt Dubnik (R, HD-029)
• Bethany Ballard (R, HD-147)
• Lydia Glaize (D, HD-067)

• Pre-K education
• early childhood education
• Georgia schools
• legislative resolutions