Combined enrollment in TK, CSPP, and Head Start raised California's coverage of all 4-year-olds from about 34% in 2019–20 to 50% in 2023–24¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2024 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? The overall uptake across TK, CSPP, and Head Start combined increased from about 34% of 4-year-olds in 2019–20 to 50% in 2023–24, driven by enrollment growth and a 13% decline in the 4-year-old population. → Melnick 2024

Evidence¶

Melnick 2024¶

Melnick, H., & García, E. (2024). Progressing toward universal prekindergarten in California [Brief]. Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/progressing-toward-universal-prekindergarten-california

q2 · i? · associational · r2

Analysis combining TK, CSPP, and Head Start enrollment data (with Head Start reduced 25% for estimated dual CSPP enrollment) against Census population estimates. Enrollment grew from about 166,100 to 217,200 while the 4-year-old population declined 13%, producing the uptake rise from 34% to 50% shown in Figure 2.

"Combined, the number of 4-year-olds enrolled grew from about 166,100 in 2019–20 to 217,200 in 2023–24 (a 31% increase). At the same time, the estimated number of 4-year-olds in the state (the total number represented by each year’s bar) has declined by 13%, from about 498,000 to 432,000."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Including subsidized child care, California enrolled about 37% of all 4-year-olds in publicly funded early childhood programs in 2019–20 and 55% in 2023–24 — related
• TK enrollment grew from 88,883 children in 2019–20 to 151,491 in 2023–24, while the share of eligible 4-year-olds enrolled declined to 59% — related
• TK enrollment in California grew substantially during expansion while the share of eligible 4-year-olds enrolled declined from 65% to 55% — related
• Transitional kindergarten enrollment in California doubled from about 75,465 in 2021–22 to 151,491 in 2023–24 as eligibility expanded toward all 4-year-olds — related
• The proportion of eligible 4-year-olds enrolled in TK declined from 64% in 2021–22 to 59% in 2023–24 because eligibility grew faster than enrollment — related
• Many U.S. children lack access to early learning programs: only 54% of 3- and 4-year-olds attend any preschool and 35% of eligible children participate in Head Start — related