The State of Preschool Curricula in State-Funded Preschool

In recent years, more attention has been paid to the implementation of curriculum in early childhood classrooms. A preschool curriculum is defined as a structured plan for supporting young children’s learning and development, typically including descriptions of activities, materials, and the role of teachers. Research has demonstrated that certain types of curricula, the fidelity with which they are implemented, and the teacher’s ability to individualize or differentiate instruction may positively impact children’s learning.

In this report, using data from NIEER’s 2023 State of Preschool Yearbook, we summarize how state-funded preschool systems support curriculum selection (such as providing a list of state approved and/or recommend curricula) and curriculum implementation (such as providing coaching, technical assistance, and/or professional development on the curriculum). We offer recommendations around providing support for selecting and implementing preschool curricula for state policymakers, such as state legislators or early childhood preschool administrators, as well as local program administrators and other curriculum decision-makers.