$3.3 billion Invested in Georgia's Pre-K Program

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Georgia Lottery Corporation announced that it has transferred a total of $10 billion for education to the state of Georgia since its inception in 1993. Gov. Sonny Perdue accepted the oversized check marking the significant milestone of the corporation's contribution to programs such as Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia's Pre-K Program.

Approximately $3.3 billion of those funds have gone towards the education of more than 860,000 children who participated in Georgia's Pre-K Program during the last 15 years. Georgia's Pre-K Program is administered by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (Bright from the Start).

"Georgia's Pre-K Program was first funded by the Georgia Lottery Corporation for education in 1993. We received $37 million and served 8,700 children," said Holly Robinson, Commissioner of Bright from the Start. "During 2007-08, the program received $325 million ensuring that 78,000 of Georgia's four year olds would receive quality early learning experiences."

This is the first year that Georgia's Pre-K Program earliest participants are eligible to enroll in colleges and universities across the state. Gov. Perdue recognized some of these students during his annual State of the State address earlier this year.

In addition to its direct impact on Georgia's children, Georgia's Pre-K Program has generated national attention for the state, contributed to an increase in early learning and development, and, more importantly, supported parents in their role as a child's first and most vital teacher.