---
title: How State-Funded Ohio Preschool Programs Compare Nationally
description: The National Institute of Early Education Research recently released its annual report on the state of preschool education
---

[Child Care Blog | Horizon Education Centers ](https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/blog)

# [How State-Funded Ohio Preschool Programs Compare Nationally](https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/blog/bid/132798/How-State-Funded-Ohio-Preschool-Programs-Compare-Nationally)

 Written by [David Smith](https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/blog/author/david-smith) | Wed, Apr 18, 2012 @ 12:40 PM

The National Institute of Early Education Research recently released its annual report on the state of [preschool education](http://nieer.org/node/660) in America (see our previous post). The institute’s annual report card rates each state’s commitment to providing its youngest residents with quality, accessible, well-funded [preschool education](https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/upk/) by evaluating state-funded [pre-kindergarten](https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/head-start/) programs against 10 standards of excellence. Ohio did not fair well in the 2011 report card, meeting only 2 of the institute’s 10 benchmarks.

Here’s how Ohio’s state-funded preschool program stacks up against what other states are doing (click here to read Ohio’s complete [report card](http://nieer.org/sites/nieer/files/Ohio.pdf)):

- During the 2010-2011 school year Ohio’s state-funded Early Childhood Education program served 5,700 children -- just 1% of 3-year-olds and 2% of 4-year-olds -- from families with incomes up to 200% above the federal poverty level, reflecting massive state budget cuts in 2009 and 2010. An additional 31,092 Ohio children were served by the federally-funded Head Start program and 14,523 by special education programs. Only a third of Ohio school districts offer the state program. In access to early childhood, Ohio ranked 36 nationwide for 4-year-olds; 19 for 3-year-olds.
- Since 2008 state spending per child has been halved, dropping to $3,942 in 2011. Ohio ranked 20th in state spending on preschool education; 26 with the inclusion of federal funds.
- Ohio has no comprehensive early learning standards.
- Teachers are required to have a 2-year AA degree in early childhood education rather than the benchmark 4-year BA, although Ohio did reach the benchmark for specialized teacher training.
- Ohio met the national benchmark for providing screening, referral and support services.

Next time: Class sizes and teach/student ratios

<https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/summer-camp-registration>

[View full post](https://www.horizoneducationcenters.org/blog/bid/132798/How-State-Funded-Ohio-Preschool-Programs-Compare-Nationally)

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