The 2023 State of Preschool Yearbook

 

The 2023 State of Preschool Yearbook provides critical insights into the current landscape of preschool education in America. Amidst the challenges of the past few years, state pre-K programs have shown remarkable resilience, with enrollment, spending, and quality standards reaching new highs in 2022-2023. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure equitable access to quality preschool education for every child.

Here are some key highlights from the report:

• Enrollment Increase: Enrollment in preschool increased in 2022-2023, reaching all-time highs for the percentage of both 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds enrolled. Despite this progress, the number of children enrolled in state-funded preschool remains lower than pre-pandemic levels.

• Increased Spending: State spending on preschool surpassed $11.73 billion, with per-child spending exceeding $7000. Spending increased more than $1 billion from the prior year but inadequate funding remains a nearly universal problem.

• Quality Progress: Progress was made in improving quality standards in four states but too many states still fall short of setting high standards for program quality. Quality matters, and continued efforts are needed to ensure that every child receives a high-quality preschool education.