Dive Brief:

• A new report co-authored by Rutgers' National Institute for Early Education Research and the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics finds that the number of open pre-K spots varies drastically from state to state. 
• For example, 94% of 4-years olds in D.C. attend a government funded pre-K program, while 10 states don't provide any pre-K programs at all.  
• Additionally, the report found that the overall number of children enrolled in a state pre-K program nationwide has declined despite increased funding and attention.   

Dive Insight:

The results of this report were surprising to its lead researchers given the amount of attention universal pre-K programs have received from lawmakers in recent years. The number of students receiving these services is not matching the high level of discussion surrounding the topic. Despite more funding being devoted to the issue, states seem to be making cuts — for example, California slashed 15,000 pre-K slots in the 2012-2013 school year.  

According to Rutgers Early Education Research Institute Director Steven Barnett, about 50% of U.S. 3-and-4-year-olds attend a pre-K program, and only about a third of them are enrolled in a publicly funded program.  

The results, according to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, are a "reminder of how much work we still have to do to ensure that every child gets a running start.”