Georgia’s State Preschool Program Ranks High on Enrollment; Per-Child Funding Drops

3/19/2008

The following news release from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) was issued today in conjunction with the release of its newly published report on national trends and state rankings in support of pre-K programs.  A copy of The State of Preschool 2007: State Preschool Yearbook can be downloaded here.

More information:

National Press Release         Georgia Press Release             Table: State Rankings

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ, March 19 – State-funded preschools served over one million children last year, yet public pre-K was unavailable for most 3- and 4-year-olds, according to The State of Preschool 2007:  State Preschool Yearbook released today by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). 
 
The report ranks all 50 states on the percentage of children served and spending per child.  It also compares the number of quality benchmarks each state meets.  The survey found nationally that enrollment, quality and state spending increased in the 2006-2007 school year.
 
Georgia remained a national leader in providing state-funded preschool education to 53 percent of its 4-year-olds, placing 3rd in the country.  It also met eight out of NIEER’s 10 quality standard benchmarks, only one of 15 states to do so.  However, Georgia’s funding per child dipped slightly to $4,111, ranking it 15^th on state resources.
 
At the national level, children from wealthy families can attend expensive private preschools while the federal Head Start program and most state-funded preschool education is targeted at lower income families. 
 
“The children left out are disproportionately from middle-income families that can’t afford private schools,” said W. Steven Barnett, NIEER’s executive director.  “Failing to provide high-quality early education opportunities for these children compromises their ability to succeed in school and in life and has grave consequences for our society and economy.”
 
“States must decide whether education of young children will continue to be a welfare program for the poor or an essential investment in all Americans,” he said. 
 
On a more positive note, the yearbook reported that in 2006-2007: 

• Average state spending per child was $3,642, halting a trend of declining per-child commitments that had persisted since at least the 2002-2003 school year.
• More than one million 3- and 4-year-old children attended state-funded preschool education programs.  
• Thirty states increased enrollment. Nationally, enrollment was up by 80,000.
• Eight states met higher quality standards. Yet, some states still require preschool education teachers to have little more than a high school diploma.
• Of the 26 states that served 3-year-olds, enrollment increased in all but five states. Overall enrollment of 3-year-olds was up 10 percent, mostly due to increases in Illinois, which became the first state to commit to serving all 3-year-olds.

Barnett hailed the increase in per-child funding as the end of “a troubling trend.” However, he expressed serious concern that “in the tough budget year ahead there will be more pressure to reduce enrollments and inadequately fund state preschool education.”  Barnett said taxpayers and children’s champions should ensure that investments in early education have priority over less productive spending that promises taxpayers no long-term benefits. 
  
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The National Institute for Early Education Research (www.nieer.org), a unit of the Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, supports early childhood education policy by providing objective, nonpartisan information based on research. NIEER is supported through grants from The Pew Charitable Trusts and others.
The Pew Charitable Trusts (www.pewtrusts.org) is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life.  Pew partners with a diverse range of donors, public and private organizations and concerned citizens who share its commitment to fact-based solutions and goal-driven investments to improve society.