Pre-K Now
State Profiles

States across the country are facing the challenge of making pre-kindergarten available for all children. The states profiled here are leaders in the pre-k movement. Their stories point out the exceptional features in each state and highlight the outstanding work of advocates.

No state has a perfect system, but each has features worth noting and an advocacy story worth telling. In each of these states, advocates, parents, educators, and business leaders have worked with the governor and other state leaders to do what's right for their state's children.

All of these states, furthermore, are at different stages of development. Some are already beginning to provide pre-k. Others are just laying the foundation. Currently, only three states - Florida, Georgia and Oklahoma - have a system that provides access to pre-k for virtually all children, yet even these states have work to do. Florida's relatively new program is underfunded and lacking in quality standards. In Georgia, several large school districts choose not to participate, as do a few in Oklahoma. None of these states offers pre-k for three year olds.

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Votes Count FY11
Redefining ESEA
Looking for resources on pre-k and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)? See our web page and PowerPoint presentation on the topic here.
Explore the Pre-K Evidence
Our collection of original reports and links to other studies will give you a deeper view into pre-k policy.
The Case for Pre-K in Education Reform
Fifty years of evidence shows that high-quality, voluntary pre-k is among the best strategies for education reform. Our brief highlights findings from the latest state pre-k program evaluations that continue to document gains in key measures of student learning, including early literacy, math and vocabulary; reduced need for special and remedial education; and lower incidences of grade retention.
Meeting the Challenge of Rural Pre-K
Families everywhere struggle to find high-quality pre-k programs for their children, but the problem is even more acute in rural areas. Pre-K Now has come out with recommendations for federal policymakers to help states meet the unique challenges of rural pre-k.
Find High-Quality Pre-K
With Our Checklist
Quality is key to unlocking pre-k's many benefits. Learn what to ask about and look for when choosing a pre-k program for your child.
Tour a Pre-K Classroom
Through our virtual classroom tour and our short video following real children through their pre-k year, we will help you recognize high quality, understand why it makes a difference, and show you how children benefit.
Providing voluntary, high-quality pre-k to all children is as much about economic development as it is a tool to improve educational outcomes.