A Comparison of State-Funded Pre-K Programs: Lessons for Indiana

Abstract

Prepared for the Indiana State Board of Education, CEEP researchers compared data on 10 states that have implemented pilot pre-K programs and then expanded these programs beyond the pilot phase. CEEP's report and data visualization found that states with the highest total amounts of state funding allocated to pre-K serve the most students.

"Several states use lottery funding in addition to, or in lieu of, general revenue funds to support their pre-K programs. In most of the states, levels of funding and student enrollments have increased over time," said Colleen Chesnut, CEEP research associate and lead author on the study. “Based on our findings, we recommend that Indiana policymakers increase the level of funding for state-funded pre-K programs, and that funding options, in addition to the general revenue fund, be considered.”

The study's authors further recommend not only an expansion of Indiana’s state-funded pre-K programs, but also continued attention to the quality of these programs.