DECAL to Offer Pre-K Summer Transition Program Again in 2021

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Providers that would like to participate invited to apply by March 12

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is again offering a six-week intensive academic program this summer for rising kindergarteners who meet any of the following criteria:

  • child did not attend a Georgia’s Pre-K Program or Head Start program during the 2020-21 school year;
  • child attended a Georgia’s Pre-K or Head Start program but did not attend the entire school year;
  • child attended a Georgia’s Pre-K or Head Start classroom utilizing a hybrid or full distance learning model of instruction during the 2020-21 school year; or
  • child attended a Georgia’s Pre-K or Head Start program the entire school year and falls into one of these priority groups:
    • child identified as needing additional academic support by a teacher or other data,
    • dual language learner (home language is a language other than English),
    • foster care placement,
    • child’s family is without permanent housing (homeless as defined by McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act), or
    • child with an Individual Education Program (IEP).

“The goal of Georgia’s Pre-K Program is to prepare 4-year-olds academically and socially for kindergarten, but some students either do not attend Georgia Pre-K or Head Start or need additional help. The Summer Transition Program (STP) was created to support those students,” said DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs. “Dedicated Pre-K teachers and providers make this program successful, and we appreciate their willingness to participate again this summer.”

Assistant Commissioner for Georgia’s Pre-K Program and Instructional Supports Susan Adams agrees. “The Summer Transition Program, which begins in early June, is a great opportunity for these young students to build their skills and confidence before moving into kindergarten,” she said.

Programs that have a status of compliance or good standing with DECAL programs—Pre-K, Child Care Services, Nutrition Services, Audits and Compliance, and Child and Parent Services (CAPS)—are eligible to offer a Summer Transition Program.

Providers are chosen to participate through a competitive application process. Applications are available to providers beginning today with a submission deadline close of business March 12, 2021. Locations chosen to provide the STP will be announced in April. After classes are awarded, a list of STP providers will be posted to decal.ga.gov, and parents can register their children directly with the programs.

Summer 2021 will be the 11th year DECAL has offered the STP. According to independent researchers who have evaluated the STP, the program has significantly impacted the children served, especially in their crucial language and literacy skills.

 

For more information about the Summer Transition Program, visit decal.ga.gov/Prek/SummerTransitionProgram.aspx or email questions to summerschool@decal.ga.gov.


Contact:
Reg Griffin
DECAL Communications Director
404-656-0239
reg.griffin@decal.ga.gov

Bill Valladares
GaFCP Communications Director
404-739-0043
william@gafcp.org

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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 Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia’s community powered child care rating system. 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.