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Report shows Montana is one of six states without a preschool program
According to the National Institute for Early Education Research, Montana has not established a traditional preschool system despite increasing investment in early childhood education. This structural gap places it among a small group of states lacking universal preschool funding.
Instead, Montana lawmakers have approved targeted programs aimed at improving basic reading and math skills for four-year-olds, although these initiatives are not considered full preschool offerings by NIEER. Nationwide, just over a third of four-year-olds attend preschool, while about 17 percent of Montana’s children participate in literacy programs. The absence of a comprehensive program highlights a distinctive approach to early education funding and policy within the state.
Though no timeline for further changes is provided, this situation invites close scrutiny as early childhood education continues to gain importance.
Report shows Montana is one of six states without a preschool program
By Austin Amestoy, MTPR Montana Public Radio
“Starting at Zero,” an important new film about early education
Starting at Zero examines the latest developmental brain science to demonstrate how essential the earliest years of learning are to maximize human potential. Key features of high-quality early childhood learning environments and experiences are outlined and then brought to life as the film delves into the evolution of Alabama’s #1 nationally ranked state Pre-K program.
Bill to expand early education in Montana dies on party-line vote
“Today Republican legislators again told Montanans that our kids’ education and futures are not a priority,” Bullock, a Democrat, said in a statement. “As a father and someone who wants all of Montana’s kids to succeed, I find it beyond disappointing that Republicans refuse to make a responsible economic investment that will benefit Montana families for generations to come.”
High-quality early education packs a powerful financial punch.
“You can think of having a better kindergarten teacher as being worth something like $300,000 for a classroom of students.” Harvard economist Raj Chetty
