Category: Securing Atlanta’s Future

By Taylor Hall and Mikayla Johnson Atlanta has long been shaped by young people who refused to accept the conditions of their education and instead worked to transform them. In the 1960s, students across the Atlanta University Center formed what became known as the Atlanta Student Movement, organizing against segregation in schools and throughout the […]

By Libby Saylor Wright, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta In recent weeks, Atlanta has found itself at the center of a growing conversation around “teen takeovers,” large gatherings of young people that have raised concerns for public safety, community spaces, and youth engagement. It’s easy to focus on behavior. However, […]

With Sine Die in the rearview mirror, we at GEEARS are reflecting upon our state legislature’s 2026 session. An ongoing focus on early literacy and the introduction of the Families First Legislative Initiative by House leadership were indicators that the needs of families with young children were high on our elected officials’ priority lists as […]

By Elle Knott and Madison Potts-McAdoo, YWCA Greater Atlanta Each March, Women’s History Month reminds us that generations of women have advocated for greater opportunity for women, girls, and families across Georgia. Their perseverance has reshaped workplaces, schools, and communities throughout the state. That legacy is not only something to celebrate — it is a […]

While GEEARS has often emphasized the importance of highly engaged and well-trained teachers in an early childhood classroom, we also know that learning environments impact the quality of early childhood education. Children thrive when learning takes place in high-quality facilities with literacy-rich classrooms, safe playgrounds, kitchens that can churn out multiple meals each day, and […]

By Marsha Francis PhD, Executive Director, STE(A)M Truck Something encouraging is happening in metro Atlanta’s classrooms. After years of pandemic-related setbacks, our students are bouncing back—especially in mathematics. The 2024–25 Georgia Milestones showed math proficiency improved across most grade levels statewide, with students in grades four and eight exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Atlanta Public Schools saw […]

To prepare for one of our biggest events of the year—Strolling Thunder at the Georgia State Capitol—we at GEEARS put a lot of energy into defining what this day is all about.  But Strolling Thunder is also a very stimulating adventure for young children and their parents. As GEEARS’ Executive Director, Mindy Binderman, recently noted, […]

By Danita V. Knight, President & CEO, YWCA Greater Atlanta When we talk about infrastructure in Atlanta, we usually think about roads, transit, and utilities — the systems that keep our economy moving. Rarely do we talk about childcare. But the reality is this: childcare is foundational economic infrastructure — and without it, Atlanta’s workforce, […]

Georgia’s 2026 Legislative Session begins today. It’s a 40-day marathon for advocacy organizations like GEEARS—a chance to double down on our “asks” as bills that impact Georgia’s youngest children make their way through committees, debates, Crossover Day, and hopefully, to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.   We’ll approach this session, as we do […]

As we look back on 2025, we celebrate the wins that help advance our mission to ensure that Georgia’s youngest children thrive. At the same time, we acknowledge the challenges that show us there is still much work to be done. We spent this year convening, rallying, and working hand-in-hand with partners in the GEEARS-led […]

By Taylor Hall Metro Atlanta continues to make progress in some education outcomes, yet wide and persistent gaps remain. The 2025 State of Education in Metro Atlanta report outlines the most pressing obstacles facing students today—and elevates the strategies showing real promise in improving learning and opportunity across the region. Learn4Life released its ninth annual […]

Every year, GEEARS publishes the Early Childhood Checkup, an assessment of Georgia’s support for its youngest children and their families. With a quick scan of cute baby faces shaded green, red, or yellow, Georgians can see if certain indicators have shown improvement, declined, or remained static.   While we’re pleased by the green babyface that indicates […]

On October 18, YWCA Greater Atlanta hosted its second Pretty Empowered event, a nationwide initiative powered by the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation and YWCA USA. The program brought together more than 100 girls ages 9–14 for a day of learning, leadership, and self-expression — all centered on this year’s theme: “Beauty is Belonging.” The event […]

By Erica Stephens and Jessica Woltjen  I’m in college. It’s a simple statement that evokes images of football Saturdays and all-nighters for finals, pennants and parties, fun and freedom.  But nearly one in five (3.1 million) undergraduate students in the United States are also parents, and for them, post-secondary education looks different. In GEEARS’ latest […]

Kennesaw State University (KSU), the Atlanta Speech School, and Learn4Life are proud to announce the launch of the Impactful Read Alouds in Early Literacy Microcredential, a first-of-its-kind professional learning opportunity designed to strengthen early literacy in Georgia communities. This new microcredential empowers families, civic leaders, volunteers, and community members with practical tools to foster a […]

On September 4, YWCA Greater Atlanta hosted a powerful evening of reflection and celebration at its North Highland Avenue headquarters, unveiling Legacy in Full Color—a new mural honoring more than a century of women who have shaped both the association’s history and Atlanta’s civic life. Created by Atlanta muralist Lacey Longino, the artwork is a […]

GEEARS leads a movement—fueled by research and advocacy—to make our state the best place to raise a very young child. Yet in 2025, federal policy changes are weakening some supports for Georgia’s families, just when their needs are greater than ever.   That means it’s time for all of us to join this movement. One way […]

By ArtsNOW Literacy is a challenge across metro Atlanta, but progress is possible. Newly released Georgia Milestones data from the 2024-2025 school year shows that only 38 percent of third-grade students in the region are reading proficiently, a 3-point decrease from last year. While this reality underscores the urgency of the work ahead, it also […]

The passage of the reconciliation package known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” means that many Georgians—particularly those who rely on social safety nets like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid—could face hardship in the coming years.  To prepare for these challenges, an understanding of the contents of the bill is essential.   […]

By Dr. Rebecca Parshall This school year, Learn4Life is launching The Atlanta Vision Project — a bold effort to bring free eye exams and glasses to every elementary student in metro Atlanta who needs them. And there’s a simple, no-cost way for you to help: the PEACH Education Tax Credit. This isn’t a donation. It’s […]