What does this measure?
The number of children ages 3 or 4 enrolled in public pre-kindergarten education programs, expressed as a percentage of all children ages 3 or 4.
Why is this important?
Early emphasis on reading, numeracy and social skills prepares children to succeed in kindergarten and lays the foundation for success throughout their educational careers.
How does our county compare?
In 2019, 14% of Lancaster County 3- and 4-year-olds were enrolled in a pre-kindergarten program, lower than the Pennsylvania rate of 23%. Participation in Lancaster has increased 5 percentage points since 2007, similar to the increase at the state level.
Enrollment in Lancaster County in 2019 was higher than Chester (9%), York (11%), and Cumberland (12%) counties, but less than Dauphin (27%), Lebanon (23%) and Berks (20%). Of surrounding counties, Berks has seen the largest increase in enrollment (10 percentage points) since 2007.
Notes about the data
Data are from KidsCount. Includes the unduplicated count of PA Pre-K Counts, Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program and Child Care Works enrollments in Keystone STARS 3 and 4; Head Start; public school pre-k. The Pennsylvania increase in enrollment in 2016-17 is in part driven by the creation and launch of the public PHLpreK program in Philadelphia.
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 16% | 17% | 18% | 18% | 18% | 17% | 16% | 19% | 19% | 20% | 23% | 23% |
| Lancaster County | 9% | 12% | 11% | 11% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 12% | 15% | 14% |
| Dauphin County | 19% | 26% | 22% | 18% | 18% | 18% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 25% | 29% | 27% |
| Lebanon County | 22% | 29% | 25% | 24% | 22% | 22% | 23% | 25% | 25% | 27% | 24% | 23% |
| York County | 5% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 9% | 9% | 12% | 12% | 11% |
| Cumberland County | 3% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 7% | 7% | 12% |
| Chester County | 3% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 7% | 7% | 7% | 8% | 9% |
| Berks County | 10% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 13% | 12% | 15% | 14% | 16% | 18% | 20% |
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 46,566 | 50,701 | 52,064 | 51,615 | 52,137 | 49,633 | 47,158 | 56,206 | 55,242 | 59,729 | 68,972 | 68,410 |
| Lancaster County | 1,215 | 1,538 | 1,513 | 1,484 | 1,463 | 1,422 | 1,377 | 1,605 | 1,546 | 1,736 | 2,111 | 2,001 |
| Dauphin County | 1,202 | 1,587 | 1,399 | 1,217 | 1,195 | 1,184 | 1,189 | 1,297 | 1,263 | 1,704 | 2,044 | 1,815 |
| Lebanon County | 666 | 848 | 749 | 739 | 760 | 751 | 788 | 871 | 865 | 924 | 872 | 785 |
| York County | 565 | 799 | 844 | 833 | 922 | 920 | 823 | 1,023 | 1,011 | 1,291 | 1,179 | 1,231 |
| Cumberland County | 167 | 217 | 213 | 197 | 207 | 231 | 207 | 213 | 254 | 369 | 380 | 607 |
| Chester County | 451 | 515 | 550 | 508 | 501 | 512 | 527 | 944 | 901 | 929 | 1,031 | 1,186 |
| Berks County | 1,142 | 1,292 | 1,310 | 1,361 | 1,291 | 1,312 | 1,278 | 1,570 | 1,509 | 1,709 | 1,859 | 2,117 |
| INDICATORS | TREND |
|---|---|
| Prekindergarten Participation | Increasing |
| Student Performance on Grade 3 English | Not Applicable |
| Student Performance on Grade 3 Math | Not Applicable |
| Student Performance on Grade 8 English | Not Applicable |
| Student Performance on Grade 8 Math | Not Applicable |
| Student Performance in Grade 11 Math | Not Applicable |
| Student Performance in Grade 11 English | Decreasing |
| Per-Student Spending | Maintaining |
| Students Receiving Special Education Services | Increasing |
| Rate of Foster Care Admissions | Decreasing |
| Single-Parent Families by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
| Disengaged Youth | Maintaining |
| Plans of High School Graduates | Not Applicable |
| Enrollment in Local Colleges | Decreasing |
| College Graduation Rates | Decreasing |
| Brain Drain/Gain | Increasing |
| Education Levels of Adults by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
