State-supported pre-K enrollment has reached a record high, according to the NIEER’s State of Preschool report. However, only six states met all 10 of the organization’s quality benchmarks in 2025. The report was released on Wednesday, highlighting ongoing challenges in program quality despite increased participation.
Key Points
- Pre-K enrollment at all-time high in state-supported programs
- Only six states achieved all 10 NIEER quality benchmarks in 2025
- Report underscores disparities in pre-K quality across states
Implications for Educational Freedom
This surge in state-supported pre-K enrollment could represent government overreach in early education, potentially limiting parental rights and choices. It underscores the need for school choice mechanisms like ESAs and vouchers to empower parents in selecting high-quality, personalized pre-K options outside of state monopolies.