• Check out The Portal

    Welcome to our new website! Check out The Portal and become a member for free to access our collection of read alouds, resources, trainings, and impactful policy work!

  • We are Hiring!

    Do you want to contribute to a Georgia where everyone has the tools to support children on the path to literacy? Then check out our new Associate Director and Grants Administrator employment opportunities!

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  • 2024 Annual Governor's Summit

    For more information, to become a Sponsor, and to register for the Annual Governor's Summit and Dinner with the Deal Center Fundraising Gala, click below!

    Click Here

  • Visit Baldwin County's new Tale Trail

    GCSU unveils 'Tale Trail': A walkable path fostering family reading fun.

    Click Here

  • Results of District Survey on Progress toward Implementation of The Georgia Early Literacy Act (HB 538)

    The Deal Center partnered with the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, Georgia Council on Literacy, and Georgia Department of Education to create a district inventory to assess progress toward implementation of the Georgia Early Literacy Act (HB 538).

    Click Here

  • Congratulations to our 2024 Community Coalition Grant Initiative Awardees!

    This initiative funds projects that foster optimal conditions for educational, social, language, literacy, and/or cognitive development for Georgia’s children from birth through age five. Thirteen (13) grants of $10,000-$24,000 were awarded.

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  • The Big Deal Fall 2024 Newsletter is here!

    Read the Newsletter

  • Language as a Missing Link toolkit now available!

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  • A Psychometric Review of Universal Reading Screeners Approved by the State Board of Education

    The purpose of this review was to provide additional context to the list of screeners approved in response to HB538 in order to support districts in their screener selection process.

    Read Full Report

About Us

We are Georgia’s designated state research and training facility for the advancement of early language and literacy skills for children birth through age eight.

Mission and Vision

Statewide Impact

Letter from Former Georgia First Lady Sandra Dunagan Deal

Dear Friends of the Deal Center,

Governor Nathan Deal and I admire the innovative work of the Deal Center’s leadership, partners, supporters, and staff, especially in light of the many challenges presented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, the Deal Center provides professional learning along with novel research, guidance, and insight about best practices to improve reading and associated outcomes. We also are proud of the multitude of grants we have awarded and continue to offer our valuable partners.

Because we believe that Literacy Changes Lives, we strongly support the goals and work of the Deal Center. We are grateful for the labor and contributions — both time and in-kind donations — of those who believe that reading begins at home by talking to your babies and continues to preschool, grade school, and throughout life. Every child and adult should experience the joy and love of reading. Our thanks to all of you who seek to make that possible.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sandra Dunagan Deal
Former First Lady of Georgia