This Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) annual performance report for the year 2014 describes Georgia's accomplishments, lessons learned, challenges, and strategies Georgia will implement to address those challenges. In 2014, the first year of implementation, Georgia was able to use the Early Learning Challenge opportunity to strengthen and build on the state's already strong early education foundation. This is most evident in its successes, such as creating empowerment zones, increasing participation in the Georgia's Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System, and expanding opportunities for early education teachers to incorporate the use of Early Learning and Development standards. However, the successes are also evident in the way Georgia used the Early Learning Challenge opportunity to solidify the critical role of early learning in the state's educational pipeline. The successes were created through purposeful stakeholder engagement, appropriate and meaningful use of data, and a realignment of many of Georgia's early education programs. Beginning with the Georgia's Pre-K program, the state has historically used a system-building approach in developing and expanding early education opportunities for children and families. This includes the development of a distinct education department dedicated to early learning--Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) and the alignment of key health and safety and family engagement programs in the state's Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System--Quality Rated. The Year One implementation of Georgia's Early Learning Challenge initiative demonstrates the long commitment the state has made to its youngest learners and its eventual success in meeting all Early Learning Challenge targets. [For "At a Glance: The Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge Year 2014 Progress Report," see ED583096.]