COLUMBUS, Ohio-A recent study by the National Institute for Early Education Research reveals that while the percentage of preschoolers enrolled in state-funded programs has reached a record high, the actual enrollment numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels.
Concurrently, there’s a widening gap between states in access to quality early childhood education. Despite a peak in state spending on preschool, only nine states meet or surpass the minimum required expenditure for high-quality full-day programs for enrolled 4-year-olds. Nationally, an estimated $33 billion would be needed to elevate all states to this standard. Enrollment discrepancies persist, with only four states enrolling over 80% of four-year-olds and six states enrolling none at all. Quality assessment highlights significant disparities, with only five states meeting all ten quality criteria, and a notable deficit in educational qualifications for preschool teachers and aides across many states.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2024/05/12/the-state-pre-school-gap-continues-to-grow/
