On Wednesday, Dr. Morgan Crossman and Dora Levinson testified before the House Committee on Human Services, sharing the latest data and analysis on Vermont’s Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) system and how it fits into the state’s broader early childhood landscape.
The presentation highlighted new data on access, enrollment patterns, regional differences, and early learning outcomes. This new analysis was made possible through collaboration among the Child Development Division (CDD), the Agency of Education (AOE), and Building Bright Futures, bringing together partners across agencies to better understand how Vermont’s prekindergarten system is functioning.
Vermont continues to lead the country in access to prekindergarten, with 58% of 3-year-olds and 76% of 4-year-olds enrolled in UPK. The data underscores how families rely on both community-based programs and public schools to meet demand, reflecting Vermont’s mixed-delivery model and the importance of all types of settings to ensure access across the state.
You can explore the materials and data here:
Testimony materials
New interactive data tools
- Percent of UPK students enrolled in school-based programs
- Percent of 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in UPK compared to projected population
These interactive maps allow partners and policymakers to explore regional variations in enrollment and access across Vermont, and we’ll continue adding additional charts and data to Vermont’s Early Childhood Data & Policy Center.
As lawmakers continue to consider early childhood and education policy this session, a few themes emerged clearly from the data and from the testimony:
- Vermont’s current approach to Universal Pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds is working—the state is leading the country in participation and strong outcomes for children.
- Families rely on Vermont’s mixed-delivery system, which includes both community-based programs and public schools.
- Enrollment and access vary significantly across supervisory unions, highlighting the importance of prioritizing equitable access and ensuring that policies support communities with fewer options.
- Any policy or funding changes considered in the context of Act 73 and broader education transformation should maintain this mixed-delivery model and preserve access for both 3- and 4-year-olds.
- Making major changes without careful planning could create unintended consequences that put access at risk for Vermont’s youngest children and their families.
What’s next
The Legislature will continue its conversations about prekindergarten and early childhood in the coming weeks. Next week, CDD and AOE are expected to provide additional testimony as the House Human Services committee continues exploring policy considerations related to UPK.
