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A Study Co-Led by Kagan Affirms Georgia's Early Learning Standards
Study found that Georgia's early learning standards are well developed and clear, embracing critical elements of early learning
A study co-led by TC’s Sharon Lynn Kagan, TC’s Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor of Early Childhood and Family Policy and Co-Director of TC’s National Center for Children and Families, has found that Georgia’s early learning standards are well developed and clear, embracing critical elements of early learning.
The study – titled Georgia’s Early Learning Standards Alignment Study -- was commissioned by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning to gather empirical data that can be used to further improve the state’s early learning standards.
“Georgia is to be congratulated for its excellent work on early learning standards,” said Kagan, who collaborated on the year-long study with Catherine Scott-Little of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. “The state stands as a pioneer in developing aligned early learning standards that will help ready young children for school.”
The study addressed the content of Georgia’s early learning standards; the extent which the standards are vertically aligned from birth through three years; alignment with pre-kindergarten and kindergarten performance standards; alignment with the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework; and other issues.
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers federal nutrition programs, and manages voluntary quality enhancement programs.
The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.
A downloadable copy of the Executive Summary as well as the full report is available by visiting Bright from the Start’s Web site at www.decal.ga.gov.
Published Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011
