The Shortchanged Project examines public investments in early care and education across age groups, highlighting persistent funding gaps for the nation’s youngest children. Based on preliminary fiscal year 2024 data, the Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) found that for every public dollar spent on the education and care of a school-aged child, just 24 cents were spent on a preschooler and 13 cents on an infant or toddler.

The report also identifies more than $10.4 billion in state investments not captured in national reporting, underscoring the importance of comprehensive data for understanding how states fund early learning. Despite persistent funding gaps, spending on children from birth to kindergarten entry increased by 17% between 2023 and 2024, compared with a 3% increase in K–12 spending.

To learn more, read the full report.