Common Causes of Inequity

  • Insufficient funding: When overall funding levels are insufficient, inflexible, or not transparent, it can limit a districts’ capacity to provide enough preschool programs for students and families.
  • Inaccessible programs: Due to inaccessible application processes, inconvenient locations, or insufficient hours, districts may struggle to provide high-quality preschool to all families of 3- and 4-year-olds.
  • Lack of empowering, rigorous content: When the content students learn in preschool is not coordinated with elementary schools, is not culturally or linguistically relevant, or is not developmentally appropriate, students may not be set up for success in their later educational experiences.

Key Questions to Explore

  • What are the rates of pre-K enrollment and attendance in our district?
  • What are the evaluation scores for pre-K programs in our district, based on standards such as those from the National Association for the Education of Young Children or the National Institute for Early Education Research?
  • How do the rates of pre-K enrollment and attendance in highly rated pre-K programs vary across student groups in our district?

What Does the Data Say About High-Quality Early Learning?

Our interactive data resource will help deepen your understanding of how dimensions of resource equity like High-Quality Early Learning play out in schools and districts across the country. As you navigate these interactive stories, you’ll learn how system shifts can lead to more equitable and better student experiences and outcomes.

High-Quality Early Learning Resources

Guidebook

Explore the possible root cause of your district’s challenges and choose promising actions based on the distinct needs of your students.

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DIY Analysis Toolkit

This blueprint and DIY analysis tool are designed to help you conduct resource equity analyses and make meaning of their results.

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Advocating Across Government Guide

This resource outlines the roles of the federal, state, district, and school governments in advocating for resource equity.

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Casemaking Deck

This resource makes the case for improving resource equity and provides guidance on messaging its importance, urgency, and connection to your community.

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Related Dimensions

No single dimension of education resource equity can unlock every student’s potential—but when dimensions are combined to meet students’ distinct needs, they are a strong foundation for unlocking better, more equitable experiences in school.

While all other dimensions are closely related to early learning, one example to explore might be Teaching Quality and Diversity dimension because preschool programs need high-quality and diverse teachers to meet students’ individual needs.