By Sarah Collier Villaume, Amy Auletto, & Kadir Bahar
This study examines how state-level investment in prekindergarten for four-year-olds (PreK4) relates to kindergarten math performance in a sample of 31 large school districts in nine U.S. states. Drawing on data from over 200,000 kindergarten students using Curriculum Associates’ i-Ready Diagnostic Assessment in the 2023–24 school year, the analysis explores how state-level PreK4 investment, enrollment patterns, and district-level characteristics are related to early academic outcomes.
Key findings from our analysis include:
- Kindergarten math growth was strongest in states with consistently high levels of PreK4 investment. Students in these “High investment” states were more likely to improve or maintain grade-level performance in math from fall to spring compared to peers in states where PK4 investments are considered growing or low.
- State-level characteristics beyond PreK4 enrollment, such as widespread access to state-funded PreK, adherence to high-quality standards, and required prekindergarten teacher training, were positively associated with math growth.
- Districts across all states in our analysis saw increases in PreK4 enrollment over time, including in states classified as Low investment, suggesting that district efforts may outpace state trends in some contexts.
- PreK4 participation and kindergarten offerings varied significantly within each category of state PreK4 investment. For example, half-day kindergarten was more common in Low investment states, while transitional kindergarten was more prevalent in states with Growing investment.
- Kindergarten math performance was stronger in smaller districts. Students in smaller districts performed better on the i-Ready assessment and showed a higher likelihood of growth over the school year.
- Overall district performance, especially pre-pandemic academic achievement and recovery from COVID-related learning disruptions, was the strongest predictor of kindergarten math success, more so than PreK4 enrollment alone.