Free preschool: More kids than ever are attending state-funded pre-K

More kids than ever are attending state-funded preschool in the U.S., 1.8 million of them the last school year.

A report by the National Institute of Early Education Research finds that 37% of 4-year-olds and about 10% of 3-year-olds are enrolled.

However access to free preschool remains uneven across states.

California contributed significantly to the increase by making all 4-year-olds eligible for a program called “transitional kindergarten.” But the rapid rollout meant the state missed many quality benchmarks last school year.

Evidence shows that high-quality preschool can positively impact a child's future, but challenges such as uneven access and funding persist.