CLEVELAND, Ohio-Ohio ranks 36th in the nation for 4-year-old preschool enrollment and 26th for 3-year-olds, with only 11% and 2% respectively enrolled in state-funded programs. Despite an increase in enrollment, per-child spending decreased to $4,000. Governor Mike DeWine aims to expand access and increase funding for preschools.
Ohio plans to serve an additional 14,901 low-income students with a $122 million increase in funding, raising per-pupil allocation by $250. Nationally, preschool enrollment increased by 7% in the 2022-23 school year, but many states fell short of pre-pandemic levels. Six states allocated no funding for preschool programs. The report emphasizes the importance of states’ decisions in supporting high-quality preschool post-pandemic.
