Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy FY 23 Annual Report

Fiscal Year 2023

Annual Report Propelling every Georgia child to read proficiently and beyond

MESSAGE FROM THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Partners, Donors, and Friends, This August marked one year since the passing of beloved Mrs. Sandra Dunagan Deal. As the new Executive Director of the Deal Center, I am committed to continue Mrs. Deal’s legacy to propel every child in Georgia to read proficiently and beyond. In the tradition of her tireless work to improve outcomes for children, this year’s theme of the Deal Center focused on Supporting Emergent Literacy Development with Evidence-based Practices for Birth through Age 8.

Historically, around 68% of Georgia’s third graders do not read proficiently, and the rates are even higher (~80%) for children of color. Early elementary school milestones, such as reading on grade level, can impact students’ academic outcomes and life-long trajectories, including high school dropout rates and poor economic, health, and social outcomes.

Since the inception of the Deal Center, the vision has been to improve all outcomes for people living in our state, beginning before birth. As an educator, speech language pathologist, and scientist, it is my honor to help continue Mrs. Deal's legacy on behalf of Georgia’s children, especially those with social, language, and environmental vulnerabilities. In my work, I have learned that by starting targeted interventions in the first year of life, communication outcomes are improved dramatically. Early language stimulation is critical to developing a strong language and social-emotional foundation, preparing the child for academic success. I pledge my support to initiate and support novel initiatives through a multi-pronged approach of evidence-based professional development and application of implementation science to engage our schools and communities.

I am delighted by recent momentum across the state, including the passage of HB 538, known as the Georgia Early Literacy Act, and SB 211, the bill that formed the Georgia Council on Literacy. I serve on the Council, along with a team of multi-disciplinary experts, to work with the Georgia Department of Education and the State Board of Education to review and make recommendations for literacy needs, improvements, and best practices. The science is clear: we know what works and, as you will see in our 2023 annual report, the Deal Center has built the infrastructure to strengthen these efforts across the state.

As always, we are grateful to each of you for your unwavering support. If you are able, please consider helping us strengthen our community efforts and collaborations with an individual or corporate donation. Many thanks for all you do for Georgia’s children!

Lindee Morgan, PhD, CCC-SLP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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ABOUT

THE DEAL CENTER

At the Deal Center, we believe literacy changes lives, and we work to turn this promise into practice. We are a statewide organization established in 2017 by the state legislature and former Governor Deal in honor of his late wife, Sandra Dunagan Deal. The Deal Center is Georgia’s hub for evidence-based professional development, research, and best practices. The Deal Center continues the legacy of Mrs. Deal through our charge to put all of Georgia’s children on the path to reading success. Located on the campus of Georgia College & State University, we are centrally located and work alongside partners and collaborators throughout the state. We are well positioned to achieve our vision of propelling every Georgia child to read proficiently and beyond.

GOVERNING BOARD Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs, Chair Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Arianne Weldon, Vice Chair Get Georgia Reading Campaign Dr. Keisha Callins Mercer University School of Medicine, Community Health Care Systems Evan Michael Bush Georgia Public Library Service Lisa Kinnemore Georgia Board of Education Dr. Joseph Peters Georgia College & State University Martha Ann Todd Technical College System of Georgia Joy Hawkins Governor’s Office of Student Achievement Carrie Deal Georgia Lottery Corporation

DEAL CENTER STAFF Dr. Lindee Morgan Executive Director Jamie Thomas Early Language Professional Development Specialist Caroline Lacksen Early Literacy Professional Development Specialist Kimberly Scott Administrative Office Manager Elizabeth Panther Administrative Assistant II Joseph Wenke Data Analyst I Katrina Davis Program Assistant Emily Johnfore Student Assistant Hannah Easter Student Assistant

The right to read belongs to all of Georgia’s children.

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BUDGET INFORMATION The chart below illustrates the Deal Center FY23 Special Funded Initiative Budget of which $1,820,528 was allocated to statewide outreach and engagement.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 5.5% $137,500 RESEARCH 15.8% $399,111

TOTAL BUDGET $2,525,857

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES 50.8% $1,283,917

OPERATING EXPENSES 27.9% $705,329

OPERATING EXPENSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $705,329 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $137,500 RESEARCH.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $399,111

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,283,917

TOTAL BUDGET. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,525,857 4

FY23 DEAL CENTER QUICK FACTS “I hope to encourage children to want to read for themselves.” — MRS. DEAL

200+

ATTENDEES AT THE 2023 GOVERNOR’S SUMMIT ON EARLY LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

52

COUNTIES IMPACTED BY RESEARCH, PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

740

ATTENDEES AT 11 VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS

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USG INSITUTIONS GRANTED $50,000 EACH Research Grant Initiative for Implementation Research to Improve Early Language and Literacy Outcomes

13

COUNTIES GRANTED $10,000 EACH Empowering Communities Sustaining the Basics

365

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS AWARDED

316

GEORGIA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM CREDIT HOURS EARNED

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AWARDEES GRANTED $25,000 EACH Empowering Communities, Bringing The Basics

$1,820,528

IN STATEWIDE OUTREACH TO EQUIP, SUPPORT, AND RECOGNIZE GEORGIA’S EDUCATORS 5

OUR APPROACH WE ARE A RESEARCH AND TRAINING FACILITY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF EARLY LANGUAGE AND LITERACY DEVELOPMENT

RESEARCH

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

RESEARCH: We conduct research and support partners in the field to create sustainable and scalable solutions. We disseminate evidence-based practices in early language and literacy development, effective instruction, and professional development.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING: We provide evidence-based professional learning for individuals and organizations working with children from birth through age eight.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: We invest in Georgia communities by offering annual monetary awards to community partners through grant initiatives to equip organizations with the knowledge and evidence-based practices that lead to better early language and literacy outcomes for Georgia’s children.

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THE DEAL CENTER PROVIDES GUIDANCE FOR THE FOLLOWING EDUCATORS

We provide evidence-based professional learning and resources for individuals and organizations working with children from birth through age eight, at no cost to participants.

Please see our website for more information on new professional learning opportunities and resources!

DECISION MAKERS

We translate new policies and disseminate these for implementation in Georgia communities.

We strategically equip leaders with knowledge, research on evidence-based practices, and tools needed to inform critical curricular decisions.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

We offer annual monetary awards to community partners through grant initiatives and community impact projects to equip organizations with the knowledge and evidence-based practices that lead to better early language and literacy outcomes for Georgia’s children. In FY23, awards totaling $1,283,917 were granted to communities across the state.

RESEARCHERS

We actively support partner organizations in an ongoing effort to add to the literature base and make improvements in early language and literacy research and recommendations. Last year, nearly $400,000 was distributed to Georgia researchers studying implementation of evidencebased practices for early language and literacy.

PARENTS & CAREGIVERS

We raise awareness of regional events, policy changes, and timely topics concerning early language and literacy through our website and social media outlets. We serve as a pipeline to connect parents and caregivers with resources, tools, and information that can promote language and literacy development within their families and communities. Our virtual learning opportunities are accessible to anyone looking to further their knowledge of evidence-based practices to support children's development birth through age eight.

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RESEARCH 2023 RESEARCH INITIATIVE FOR IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE Each year, the Deal Center provides research grants of $50,000 for up to five recipients.

Through this grant mechanism, we support the University System of Georgia institutions and state agencies conducting early language and literacy research aimed at embedding evidence-based practices into service systems. These studies help create the conditions for children to achieve third grade reading proficiency. We are proud to champion the following implementation science research studies examining the practices that foster early language and literacy throughout the state of Georgia.

Fiscal Year (FY) 23, Ongoing: Augusta University, Dr. Rebecca Harper, Implementation Research to Improve Early Language and Literacy Outcomes Kennesaw State University, Dr. Megan Adams, WRITE@KSU: Expanding the Partnership with Marietta City Schools

CSRA RESA, Kayce Tyler, The “Head Start” Before Head Start: Early Language Access is a Head Start” for 3- and 4-Year Olds in Warren County, GA Augusta University, Dr. Kim Barker, Scaling Up CLIMBE: Implementation of Collaborative Learning in Multi-Sensory Based Environments

LANGUAGE AS A MISSING LINK TOOLKIT CHAMPION AWARD The Deal Center selected two community-based, cross-sector teams that demonstrated a commitment to early language development across the birth through age eight continuum as the inaugural recipients of this award: United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley

United Way of the Coastal Empire

Awardees received training and technical assistance from Emily Rubin, MA, CCC-SLP, Director of Communication Crossroads Inc. Ms. Rubin provided community-based professional learning, including strategic sessions on implementing the Language as a Missing Link Toolkit. Evaluation of year one of this three-year project indicated a statistically significant improvement in participants’ self-efficacy across 17 topics, including the ability to increase children’s confidence in their reading skills.

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85% of the brain is developed by age three. — LEBEL, ET AL. 2008

RESEARCH

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING VIRTUAL LEARNING SERIES FOR EARLY LANGUAGE AND LITERACY: PREPARING CHILDREN FOR LANGUAGE, LITERACY, AND LIFE The Preparing Children for Language, Literacy, and Life virtual learning series was designed to help build successful pathways for children from birth through age five. This was accomplished by transforming early language training provided to the infant, toddler, and early childhood workforce as well as to parents and caregivers. The goal of this series was to broaden participants’ understanding of the foundations of brain development and strategies to support the brain growth of infants and young children.

Language as a Missing Link Toolkit, Emily Rubin, MA, CCC-SLP This three-part series presented by Emily Rubin introduced a novel, proactive approach for all adults with a role in children's paths to literacy. This tooklit framework works to embed supportive strategies to pave the way to positive outcomes throughout school and life. It provides guidance to NOTICE the development of language from infancy through adulthood, MONITOR engagement as a gauge of language development, SCREEN for potential language difficulties if indicated, and use information to ENHANCE opportunities for engagement in universal settings.

Connecting Language and Literacy in the Preschool Years, Dede Addy, PhD This two-part series, presented by Dede Addy, PhD., concluded the Preparing Children for Language, Literacy, and Life Virtual Series. Session 1, Laying the Language Foundation, focused on establishing the groundwork upon which literacy learning builds. Session 2, Building Early Literacy Skills, reviewed the language foundation necessary to optimize literacy learning.

2023 Virtual Learning Series - Professional Learning Community: Emergent Literacy, A Virtual Professional Development Series for Early Childhood Educators, Marcia Kosanovich, Ph.D. and Amy Reddick, Ed.S This workshop series, presented by Marcia Kosanovich, Ph.D. and Amy Reddick, Ed.S, was designed for preschool teachers to engage in collaborative learning experiences to support the implementation of evidence-based language and literacy strategies in their instruction. The goal of the series was to support early childhood educators in teaching the building blocks that will provide children with the foundation needed to become good readers.

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VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS OFFERED

740

ATTENDEES

365

CONTINUING ED. UNITS AWARDED

316

DECAL GEORGIA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM CREDIT 9 HOURS EARNED

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Every year, the Deal Center invests in communities that use a collective impact framework to address at least three of the four pillars of the Get Georgia Reading Campaign: Language Nutrition, Access, Positive Learning Climate, and Teacher Preparation and Effectiveness by using The Basics principles and strategies to support children's social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Each recipient of the 2023 Empowering Communities through Collective Impact Grant Initiative: Bringing the Basics to Communities in Georgia received up to $25,000 to support implementation of The Basics principles and strategies and engage with The Basics Learning Network.

Bringing the Basics to Communities in Georgia: •

The Housing Authority of the City of Dalton

•

Lanier County Family Connection

•

Atlanta Fulton Family Connection, Inc.

AWARDED

•

Moultrie-Colquitt County Library System

GRANTS

•

United Way of Northwest Georgia

•

Baldwin County Board of Education

The Basics Community-Based Strategy to Support Vibrant Learning and Brain Development Among Infants and Toddlers

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WORKED WITH

52

COUNTIES TO IMPROVE EARLY LITERACY SKILLS

REACHED

5,000

GA FAMILIES/PARENTS/ CAREGIVERS

$334,000

INVESTED IN THE BASICS IN COMMUNITIES IN GA

Recipients of the Sustaining the Basics in Georgia received up to $10,000 each to continue support of The Basics principles and strategies.

Sustaining the Basics in Georgia:

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•

Advocates for Bartow's Children, Inc.

•

Unified Government of GeorgetownQuitman County

•

Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Georgia

•

Cobb Collaborative, Inc.

•

Troup Family Connection Authority

•

Cobb & Douglas Public Health

•

United Way of Central Georgia

•

Cook County Family Connection

•

United Way of Hall County

•

Early County Literacy Task Force

•

Richmond County CSRA RESA

•

Marshes of Glynn Libraries

•

Meriwether County School System (MCSS)

IMPACT GRANT RECIPIENTS

Grant Initiative

Description of Work

Grant Funds

Impact

Baldwin BOE SEE-KS

Baldwin County Board of Education implemented SEE-KS to measure student engagement, enhance evidence-based literacy instruction, and facilitate teacher to teacher mentorship

$48,700

Baldwin County All teachers in 2 schools

Baldwin Ferst Readers

The Ferst Foundation will supply 12 books and parent resources to 220 children/year Baldwin County

$30,460

220 Baldwin County families

Communication Crossroads: Language as a Missing Link and Missed Opportunity Toolkit

Professional learning, mentorship and strategic planning using the Language as a Missing Link & Missed Opportunity Toolkit

$67,500

United Way of Chattahoochee Valley and United Way of Coastal Empire

CSRA RESA

Continuing support of the Implementation of the Social-Emotional Engagement – Knowledge and Skills (SEE-KS) program in the CSRA RESA

$265,000

CSRA RESA, First District RESA, Chatt-Flint RESA, Middle GA RESA, and Oconee RESA

DECAL

Support the Quality Rated Language and Literacy Endorsement program, LITTLE program, and LENA Grow program

$225,000

90 educators and 400 children in 19 counties

Georgia College Montessori Academy at the Early Learning Center

Literacy materials and professional development for teachers and classroom engagement

$16,957

Baldwin County

Get GA Reading

Train ~150 people through learning events, direct technical assistance, and other meetings and forums, including partner events

$275,000

95 counties

GA Public Library Service Summer Literacy Programs

Support to the library systems in Georgia enabling them to enhance their summer literacy programs

$90,000

60 library systems throughout GA in 156 counties

GA Public Library Service PRIME TIME

Engage parents/guardians and their children in reading and discussion during sessions at individual libraries in Georgia

$38,000

12 counties

Middle Georgia Library

Creation and circulation of early literacy kits including a book, manipulatives and activities

$4,800

7 counties and 16 libraries

Systematic change requires collective impact with cross-sector collaboration.

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2023 GOVERNOR’S SUMMIT Each year, we honor former Governor and Mrs. Deal’s commitment to advancing early education in Georgia during the two-day Governor’s Summit on Early Language and Literacy.

The Deal Center proudly sponsors this event at Georgia College & State University, bringing together content experts, educators, and other professionals. This forum allows Georgia’s practitioners to share evidence-based research, best practices, collaborations, and outcomes in all communities across the state.

This year’s summit, Supporting Emergent Literacy Development With Evidence-Based Practices For Young Children, was held on July 12 and July 13, 2023. We would like to thank our Choice Curator sponsors, the Georgia Lottery Corporation and the Rollins Center for Language and Literacy and its free online Cox Campus, for their significant support. Attendees collaboratively engaged to form shared understandings around practices for building strong pathways to early language and literacy development for children and families.

Several guest speakers presented on a variety of topics across 14 different breakout presentations, including the science of reading, unique collaborations, exploring connections in communities, leveraging partnerships, and several other evidence-based practices. This year's summit attendees heard from six featured speakers, consisting of Malcolm Mitchell, Dr. Ryan Lee-James, Dr. Caitlin Dooley, Dr. April Aldridge, Senator Billy Hickman, and Senator Chuck Payne. The summit also hosted its first panel discussion, during which professionals from across the state discussed and shared insight about literacy in Georgia today and the needs for the future. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in the Read-Aloud station by choosing a book to read and recording it for the Deal Center website.

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REMEMBERING MRS. DEAL

Former Governor Deal alongside portrait of Mrs. Deal.

The Deal Center hosted its second annual Fundraising Dinner for the summit this year, marking the first since the passing of Mrs. Deal. The evening hosted many special guests, including Governor Deal and the Deal family.

A portrait of Mrs. Deal, painted by GCSU art student Damara Sochacki, was unveiled at the dinner, honoring her legacy. The Deal Center also had the honor of announcing its newest board member, Carrie Deal, the daughter of former Governor Deal and Mrs. Deal.

The Sandra Dunagan Deal Award for Community Impact in Early Language and Literacy was created and codified in FY22. This year’s recipients were Leslie Hale and Dale Ricketts (MENTOR Georgia), Erin Lee and Sheena Summerset (Early County Family Connection), and Justin Bray, Colleen Craven, and Fenwick Broyard (Books For Keeps). These recipients were chosen based on their sustained community impact and unique partnerships within their communities to obtain a common goal. We congratulate these winners and will continue to honor the legacy of Mrs. Sandra Dunagan Deal through this award.

Each awardee received a $500 award to support community-based work and activities. The Award for Community Impact will continue as a memoriam honoring Mrs. Deal as an educator and advocate for our state’s children and families.

A special thanks to our Annual Governor’s Summit Choice Curator Sponsors:

“Education is the key to unlocking a child’s potential and ensuring their future success.” — FORMER GOV. NATHAN DEAL

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LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

AS WE LOOK TO 2024 AND BEYOND, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CRAFTING A FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 2024 THROUGH 2029.

This approach will update the Deal Center’s scope of work, identify key priorities, and lay the foundation for our action plan to be conducted in tandem with other statewide initiatives.

As such, we continue to investigate ways to leverage recent state policy changes, including the passage of House Bill (HB) 538, known as the Georgia Early Literacy Act. This legislation represents sweeping reform efforts to improve the quality of early reading instruction throughout the state. To support these efforts, the Deal Center has conducted an independent review of the list of universal literacy screeners approved by the Georgia State Board of Education. The purpose of this review was to support school systems in choosing appropriate screeners for the populations they serve.

As part of our plan to expand our reach and strengthen our partnerships, the Deal Center is embarking on initiatives to engage Georgia College & State University faculty in a variety of collaborative efforts. These activities include collaborative faculty and graduate-level research, Deal Center-funded grant opportunities, student practicum and internships, professional development opportunities, and faculty service projects.

This initiative will begin in January 2024 with a faculty event to showcase our work and propose new mechanisms for engagement.

Finally, as we turn our attention to implementing our new strategic plan, we will update our grant-making protocol. This revision will clarify the types of proposals we seek to fund and improve the rigor of both the application and review processes. These changes will include an update to the request for proposals (RFP), targeted marketing to make the grants more accessible to USG higher education faculty, and improvements to the external review process.

We look forward to sharing highlights from the new strategic plan and other updates on the Deal Center as we and our partners committed to Georgia’s children continue this important work. Thanks again to each of you for your dedication to Mrs. Deal’s vision and we look forward to working with you in the future.

“Knowledge is power, and we want to give them the confidence to acquire that power.” — MRS. DEAL 14

Malcolm Mitchell & Thunder

Sandra Deal at Summit 2018

Deal Center Team

President Cox Mr. Eames reading at Montessori

Governor Deal with Mrs. Deal's Portrait

Dr. Dandy & Thunder

Sandra Deal & Jamie 2018

President Cox reading at Lakeview Primary

GCSU Gives Day

President Cox & Governor Deal

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OUR PARTNERS

Many thanks to those of you who have donated to the Deal Center in FY23; we appreciate your generosity. To continue the legacy of Mrs. Deal, please consider making a tax-deductible donation by returning the attached envelope along with your check or by visiting our website.

Scan QR code or visit alumni.gcsu.edu/supportthedealcenter

Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy Georgia College & State University, 202 North Clarke Street Campus Box 130, Milledgeville, GA 31061 478.445.8500 | www.galiteracycenter.org | galiteracy@gcsu.edu

Visit our website to learn more about the Deal Center’s mission