Arkansas’s state funded pre-K program is falling behind other states who are increasing spending on pre-K. The Arkansas Better Chance program, or ABC, still ranks high in many categories in an update of an annual review of state pre-K programs. But other states are gaining ground.  The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) released, “The State of Preschool 2014 –State Preschool Yearbook” earlier this month.

Until a $3 million increase, set aside in the most recent legislative session, Arkansas pre-K funding has been standing still while other states are moving forward. The increase was the first time the state increased pre-K funding in eight years. The annual NIEER report ranks states on access, spending per child, and other measures. It also notes the number of quality standards measures that the state meets. The table that follows demonstrates the changes in Arkansas’s ranking since 2010 and shows Oklahoma data for comparison.

Arkansas has dropped from 8 to 21 when it comes to all spending on pre-K programs (including local, federal, and state spending). Arkansas’s rank in 3 of the 4 areas declined since 2010. The lack of increased investment since 2008 is reflected in these rankings because other states have been increasing their funding.  Arkansas’s one-time investment of $3 million in general improvement funding is a critical first step in reversing the ground we are losing. Continuing to increase this investment is essential to maintaining our status as a national leader in early childhood education.

Because our enrollment has peaked but our funding hasn’t changed our spending per child enrolled has declined since 2010.

One area where Arkansas remains in the top 10 is enrollment of three year olds. Many state programs that are now moving to universal access serve only four year olds.  Arkansas’s enrollment looks like this:

Arkansas meets 9 of the 10 quality standards measures. We don’t require all of our pre-K teachers to have a degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development. Five states and one of Louisiana’s three programs meet all 10 benchmarks. Those five states are Alabama, Alaska, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Rhode Island. Examples of other benchmarks include staff-child ratios of 1 to 10 or better, comprehensive early learning standards, and program monitoring.

For more information on how the rankings are computed and state specific details click here.