This brief examines kindergarten readiness and attendance in kindergarten for children enrolled in publicly provided early education programs as well as similar children who entered kindergarten without enrolling in these programs.

Researchers found that children who do not participate in publicly funded early education programs are less likely to be kindergarten ready and miss more school. Conversely, children enrolled in early childhood programs are more likely to be kindergarten ready and less likely to be chronically absent. Also, the most vulnerable populations benefit the most from publicly funded early education programs.

Read the full brief here.