In October 2021, about 50 percent of 3- to 4-year-olds and 86 percent of 5-year-olds were enrolled in school. For both age groups, enrollment rates were lower than they had been in October 2019, prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
Formal schooling, such as kindergarten and preschool programs, is an important component of early childhood education. This indicator looks at the school enrollment rates of 3- to 5-year-olds using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS), October Supplement. This indicator also compares enrollment rates by various child and family characteristics within the 3- to 4-year-old and 5-year-old age groups.
Select a subgroup characteristic from the drop-down menu below to view relevant text and figures.
NOTE: To estimate the margin of error, the standard error is scaled based on the desired level of confidence in the estimate. Throughout the Condition of Education, margins of error are produced based on a 95 percent level of confidence. Margin of error is calculated as 1.96*standard error. Data exclude children living in institutions (e.g., prisons or nursing facilities).
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Current Population Survey (CPS), October, 2010 through 2021. See Digest of Education Statistics 2022, table 202.20.
† Not applicable.
‡Reporting standards not met. Either there are too few cases for a reliable estimate or the coefficient of variation (CV) is 50 percent or greater.
NOTE: To estimate the margin of error, the standard error is scaled based on the desired level of confidence in the estimate. Throughout the Condition of Education, margins of error are produced based on a 95 percent level of confidence. Margin of error is calculated as 1.96*standard error. Data exclude children living in institutions (e.g., prisons or nursing facilities). Race categories exclude persons of Hispanic ethnicity. Although rounded numbers are displayed, the figures are based on unrounded data.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Current Population Survey (CPS), October, 2021. See Digest of Education Statistics 2022, table 202.20.
1 Includes parents who completed high school through equivalency programs, such as a GED program.
NOTE: To estimate the margin of error, the standard error is scaled based on the desired level of confidence in the estimate. Throughout the Condition of Education, margins of error are produced based on a 95 percent level of confidence. Margin of error is calculated as 1.96*standard error. Data exclude children living in institutions (e.g., prisons or nursing facilities). This figure includes only children who resided with at least one of their parents (including an adoptive or stepparent; excluding a foster parent). Parents’ educational attainment refers to the highest education level of any parent residing with the child. Although rounded numbers are displayed, the figures are based on unrounded data.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Current Population Survey (CPS), October, 2021. See Digest of Education Statistics 2022, table 202.20.
NOTE: To estimate the margin of error, the standard error is scaled based on the desired level of confidence in the estimate. Throughout the Condition of Education, margins of error are produced based on a 95 percent level of confidence. Margin of error is calculated as 1.96*standard error. Data exclude children living in institutions (e.g., prisons or nursing facilities). Mother includes a biological, adoptive, or stepmother and excludes a foster mother. Children living with foster mothers are included in the “Not applicable (no mother in household)” category. Although rounded numbers are displayed, the figures are based on unrounded data.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Current Population Survey (CPS), October, 2021. See Digest of Education Statistics 2022, table 202.20.
NOTE: To estimate the margin of error, the standard error is scaled based on the desired level of confidence in the estimate. Throughout the Condition of Education, margins of error are produced based on a 95 percent level of confidence. Margin of error is calculated as 1.96*standard error. Data exclude children living in institutions (e.g., prisons or nursing facilities). Although rounded numbers are displayed, the figures are based on unrounded data.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Current Population Survey (CPS), October 2021. See Digest of Education Statistics 2022, table 202.20.
1 As of 2020, there were 47 states—plus the District of Columbia—that required that free education be offered by age 5; however, schooling was only compulsory for 5-year-olds in 11 states and the District of Columbia (see 50-State Comparison: Free and Compulsory School Age Requirements).
2 For historical data on enrollment rates for 3- to 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds (i.e., data prior to 2010), see Digest of Education Statistics 2019, table 202.10.
3 Enrollment drops during the coronavirus pandemic were also observed in data collected by NCES (see indicators Public School Enrollment and Racial/Ethnic Enrollment in Public Schools).
4 For both 3- to 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds, the October 2021 enrollment rates for American Indian/Alaska Native and Pacific Islander children did not meet reporting standards and were thus excluded from the analyses.
5 Refers to the highest level of education attained by any parent residing with the child.