Where preschool enrollment varies between racial and ethnic groupings the least is revealed by a U.S. News analysis.
Kindergarten parity
According to research, preschool attendance increases a child’s chances of finishing high school, enrolling in college, and making more money in the future. However, despite the fact that learning gains associated with preschool attendance are frequently more obvious for impoverished children, hurdles including fees and transportation concerns can keep these populations from enrolling.
About 58% of American children aged three to five who were enrolled in preschool between 2017 and 2021. However, this rate varied slightly amongst various racial and ethnic groups: Preschool enrollment rates for white and Asian children were over 60%, compared to less than 50% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander children.
The enrolment in preschool differs between racial and ethnic groupings at the state level, as shown by further data breakdown. U.S. News measured the average difference between the two categories by comparing the preschool enrollment rates of racial and ethnic groupings in a state to the rate of the state’s total population as part of the Racial Equality in America project.
According to the magnitude of the discrepancy, states were graded, with higher values indicating a worse ranking for racial equality in preschool enrollment rates. Differences between enrollment rates on average are expressed as percentage points.
For instance, Florida (61%) and Massachusetts (65%) both have preschool enrollment rates that are higher than the national average. Large disparities, however, such the one between Hispanic pupils (53.7%) and Asian students (70.3%) suggest a higher level of inequality in Massachusetts.
Among the assessable racial or ethnic groups in Florida, Black students (63.6%) have the highest preschool enrollment rate, while Hispanic students (59.3%) have the lowest, indicating that enrollment rates among groups in the Sunshine State vary far less than the national average.
These are the best states for racial equality in preschool enrollment rates
Disparity: 2.17 percentage points
Overall Preschool Enrollment Rate: 70.49%
White preschool enrollment rate: 73%
Black preschool enrollment rate: 71%
Asian preschool enrollment rate: 68%
Multiracial preschool enrollment rate: 68%
Hispanic preschool enrollment rate: 68%
AIAN preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
NHOPI preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
Other race preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
2. Ohio
Disparity: 2.09 percentage points
Overall Preschool Enrollment Rate: 54.82%
White preschool enrollment rate: 56%
Black preschool enrollment rate: 53%
Asian preschool enrollment rate: 56%
Multiracial preschool enrollment rate: 52%
Hispanic preschool enrollment rate: 51%
AIAN preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
NHOPI preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
Other race preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
3. Kentucky
Disparity: 2.06 percentage points
Overall Preschool Enrollment Rate: 52.27%
White preschool enrollment rate: 52%
Black preschool enrollment rate: 50%
Multiracial preschool enrollment rate: 56%
Hispanic preschool enrollment rate: 51%
AIAN preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
Asian preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
NHOPI preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
Other race preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
4. Pennsylvania
Disparity: 2.03 percentage points
Overall Preschool Enrollment Rate: 55.79%
White preschool enrollment rate: 56%
Black preschool enrollment rate: 57%
Asian preschool enrollment rate: 55%
Multiracial preschool enrollment rate: 58%
Hispanic preschool enrollment rate: 50%
AIAN preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
NHOPI preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
Other race preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
5. Missouri
Disparity: 2.01 percentage points
Overall Preschool Enrollment Rate: 56.55%
White preschool enrollment rate: 57%
Black preschool enrollment rate: 53%
Asian preschool enrollment rate: 60%
Multiracial preschool enrollment rate: 56%
Hispanic preschool enrollment rate: 55%
AIAN preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
NHOPI preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
Other race preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
6. Minnesota
Disparity: 1.92 percentage points
Overall Preschool Enrollment Rate: 58.90%
White preschool enrollment rate: 59%
Black preschool enrollment rate: 57%
AIAN preschool enrollment rate: 60%
Asian preschool enrollment rate: 56%
Multiracial preschool enrollment rate: 62%
Hispanic preschool enrollment rate: 57%
NHOPI preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
Other race preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
7. New York
Disparity: 1.64 percentage points
Overall Preschool Enrollment Rate: 67.70%
White preschool enrollment rate: 69%
Black preschool enrollment rate: 69%
Asian preschool enrollment rate: 65%
Other race preschool enrollment rate: 66%
Multiracial preschool enrollment rate: 68%
Hispanic preschool enrollment rate: 65%
AIAN preschool enrollment rate: N/A*
NHOPI preschool enrollment rate: N/A*