Three-category state PreK4 investment classification (High, Growing, Low)¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The report develops a classification scheme that sorts states into three PreK4 investment categories using NIEER Yearbook participation rates for four-year-olds at two time points (AY2011-12 and AY2022-23). High states had "relatively stable, high PreK4 participation rates over time" (at least 28% in both years, increase under 12 points); Growing states increased participation by at least 12 percentage points; Low states had rates of 22% or less in both years with increases under 12 points. The report calls this "a novel strategy for classifying states based on their PreK4 investment."

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• State PreK4 participation data at two time points (NIEER Yearbook) to assign categories

Constraints¶

• Categories reflect state-funded prekindergarten for four-year-olds only; district-level NCES rates may include non-state-funded programs

Target Learners¶

• four-year-old children in state-funded prekindergarten

Target Learning Objectives¶

• early literacy and numeracy readiness for kindergarten

Claims¶

Related Theories¶

• Bloom's Taxonomy as a six-level scheme for classifying the cognitive level of multiple-choice questions

Examples¶

• Sort And Classify
• Little and McDaniel category learning paradigm distinguishing memorization from rule learning

Key Sources¶

• Sarah Collier Villaume, Amy Auletto, & Kadir Bahar. (2025). Investing Early: The Impact of State Prekindergarten Funding on Kindergarten Academic Outcomes. E4 Center. https://e4.northwestern.edu/2025/06/30/investing-early-the-impact-of-state-prekindergarten-funding-on-kindergarten-academic-outcomes/