Mississippi one of only five states to meet all research-based preschool benchmarks [Video]

NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey. (WDAM) – The National Institute for Early Education Research has released its annual State of Preschool Yearbook for the 2024 school year, which ranks states according to preschool access, funding, and quality. The Rutgers University research facility evaluates the access and quality gaps affecting preschool education.

Mississippi was one of only five states – Alabama, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Hawaii being the other four – to meet all ten quality standard benchmarks applied by the organization.

The benchmarks include:

• Early Learning & Development Standards
• Curriculum Supports
• Teacher Degree (BA)
• Teacher Specialized Training (specialized in pre-K)
• Assistant Teacher Degree
• Staff Professional Development for 15 hours per year
• Maximum Class Size of 20 or lower
• Staff to Child Ratio of 1:10
• Screening & Referral for vision, hearing, health, and more
• Continuous Quality Improvement System through structured classroom observation

Eight states met fewer than half, including the three states that serve the most children – California, Florida, and Texas.

Overall, Mississippi ranked 31st for preschool enrollment …