While we continue to wonder about the State’s fiat regarding mandatory preschool for underprivileged three and four year olds while it hedges on the promised funding, here’s a remark from the Rutgers’ National Institute for Early Education Research:

New Jersey continued to lead the nation in preschool education funding, ranking first in per-child spending ($10,494). By enrolling 25 percent of its 4-year-olds it ranked 13th. For providing pre-K to 15 percent of its 3-year-olds, it ranked third, out of 38 states that fund preschool. Abbott district preschools met nine out of NIEER’s 10 quality standard benchmarks, with two other preschool programs meeting 8 and 6.

In other words, our Abbott district preschools are doing a fine job at an exorbitant price.