New Jersey Leads Nation in Preschool Funding, Ranks High in Quality, Number of Children Served

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 Wednesday by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) at Rutgers.

The national 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.

New Jersey continued to lead the nation in preschool education funding, ranking first in per-child spending ($10,494).  By enrolling 25 percent of its 4-year-olds it ranked 13th. For providing pre-K to 15 percent of its 3-year-olds, it ranked third, out of 38 states that fund preschool. Abbott district preschools met nine out of NIEER’s 10 quality standard benchmarks, with two other preschool programs meeting 8 and 6.

 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.