HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii is one of 11 states that don't offer pre-kindergarten, but the state funds several initiatives that provide early-learning services to some.
The National Institute for Early Education Research's annual report released Tuesday focuses on plummeting funding for state pre-K programs nationwide.
Pre-K funding has dropped by more than $700 per child nationwide over the past decade.
The report says that while Hawaii doesn't fund preschool, there are various programs that provide pre-K help for certain low-income families.
The report also notes that the state Department of Education is piloting preschool programs at two elementary schools, where enrollment is determined through lottery instead of income.
Federal Race to the Top funds have allowed Hawaii to subsidize preschool for eligible families within zones targeted for educational reforms.
