WalletHub leaned on a number of education experts for the study, who also responded to key questions and issues facing early education.

Arthur Hochman, a professor of education at Butler University, said his top five indicators of best and worst early education systems include quality and training of educators, accreditation, connection to the community, equity and reach and buy-in locally, regionally and nationally.
Kristin Lyons, associate professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver, highlighted the need to “look at school assessment systems to ensure that we are measuring outcomes that matter. Currently, school performance ratings are primarily based on test scores. This system is routinely noted to be problematic because schools in wealthier neighborhoods almost always have higher test scores on average than schools in low-income neighborhoods.”
T. Kevin McGowan, Assistant Professor at the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice said the Covid-19 is having a profound impact. “Policymakers need to think about a differentiated approach to assist families and children during this crisis. In the case of hybrid models, a one-size-fits-all model may not be effective. Perhaps children with special needs should be the first group to have access to face-to-face instructions and the wrap-around services that schools in partnership with community agencies can provide. In addition, some families do not have access to reliable internet services. These children will benefit from having face-to-face instruction."

In the study, DC ranked No. 1 overall in the access category, which WalletHub and its experts defined as schools that offer state pre-K programs and their growth, the shares of 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in pre-K, special education and head start programs and waiting lists or frozen intake for child care assistance. DC has the highest share of 4-year-olds enrolled in pre-K, pre-K special education and head start programs.

Instant Insights /

These states, areas rank best for early childhood education

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