State Pre-K Enrollment Reaches Record High Amid Quality Concerns
State-sponsored preschool programs in the U.S. have reached a record enrollment of nearly 1.8 million children for the 2024-25 school year, according to a report by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). This growth, however, is primarily concentrated in five states: California, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri, which collectively added 52,000 new seats. Despite this increase, 20 states have seen a decline in enrollment compared to the previous year. The report emphasizes the need to expand access without compromising the quality of education. Georgia's preschool program for 4-year-olds has become the sixth state program to meet all 10 of NIEER's quality benchmarks, joining Alabama, Hawaii, Michigan, Mississippi, and Rhode Island. These benchmarks include factors such as teacher training, class sizes, and continuous improvement plans. 
