Peach Tree Times

State Representative Robert Dickey (R-Musella), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, has announced a significant expansion of the Leader in Me program in Georgia’s schools. This follows a unanimous vote by the Georgia Board of Education to allocate an initial $3.4 million in funding, as directed by the Georgia General Assembly, to extend the program to 120 more schools statewide. The Leader in Me is an evidence-based PreK-12 model developed in partnership with educators, designed to build perseverance and leadership in students, create a high-trust culture and improve academic achievement.

“I am excited to see the positive impact of Leader in Me in Georgia schools,” said Chairman Dickey. “This program equips our students with essential leadership and life skills, setting them up for success in a dynamic world. It not only fosters academic growth but also cultivates a culture of responsibility, collaboration and resilience among our students, preparing them to navigate the challenges of today and become leaders of tomorrow.”

The Leader in Me program has gained traction worldwide, with over 7,000 schools adopting it. In Georgia during the 2023-2024 school year, more than 100 schools across 30 districts used the program. Those schools demonstrated improvements in school climate, student attendance, behavior, discipline and life skills. Notably, Bibb County schools have reported a 61 percent decrease in disciplinary referrals and a 15 percent increase in graduation rates since adopting Leader in Me. In May 2024, 120 schools across 40 districts were chosen to receive funding for implementation; over 70 percent of selected schools are Title I institutions.

More information about Leader in Me may be found here.