For the past five years, researchers led by Collaborative Research Council member Urban Institute have been undertaking the first independent look at DC Public Prekindergarten. The District leads the nation in preschool access, and programs enroll a diverse group of 3- and 4-year-old students in public schools, public charter schools, and community-based organizations. The research team, led by Principal Investigator Erica Greenberg, has measured preschool effectiveness and is now studying how families choose, enroll, and participate in public prekindergarten.

Findings include significant gains among children enrolled in public pre-K for 3-year-olds, particularly in public school persistence and school stability. These effects are strongest for residents of low-income neighborhoods and communities of color and for students enrolled in dual language programs. This early advantage extends beyond kindergarten, with participants continuing to demonstrate stronger enrollment outcomes in later grades. Overall, public pre-K for 3-year-olds appears to stabilize children’s early educational experiences, especially those starting furthest from opportunity, and provide a strong foundation for later learning. Greenberg’s work reinforces the case for universal, accessible early education initiatives as a means to build a more inclusive educational system.

Further details on the study’s outcomes and their implications for future pre-K policy are available on the Urban Institute’s website here.