by T.A. DeFeo
South Carolina ranked seventh in a report assessing 2024’s States with the Best and Worst Early Education Systems.
In developing its ranking, personal finance site WalletHub looked at 12 key metrics across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
“A better early education system hinges on several key factors: accessibility, quality, and efficient resource allocation,” WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe told The Center Square via email. “South Carolina’s early education system, which ranks higher than neighboring states Georgia and North Carolina, exemplifies the effect of targeted policies and investments that drive better outcomes for young learners.”
The WalletHub review ranked Arkansas as the state with the best early education system, topping the District of Columbia, Nebraska and Maryland. Neighboring Georgia ranked No. 34, while North Carolina ranked No. 40.
“One of South Carolina’s significant advantages is its universal access to state pre-K programs, with 100% of school districts offering these programs,” Happe added. “This broad accessibility ensures that more children can benefit from early education, a critical factor in preparing them for academic success and long-term economic stability. In contrast, Georgia and North Carolina, while also offering wide access to pre-K programs, lag in enrollment rates and face issues like waiting lists for child care assistance, which limit their effectiveness.
“Quality is another critical factor. South Carolina meets seven out of ten pre-K quality benchmarks, placing it in a solid position compared to its neighbors,” Happe added. “The state’s focus on maintaining high standards for early learning and development, curriculum supports, and teacher qualifications underscores its commitment to offering a robust early education system.
“North Carolina, while scoring higher on quality benchmarks, faces challenges in resource allocation and economic support, which hinder the overall effectiveness of its early education system.”
State lawmakers included more than $93.2 million in the fiscal 2025 budget for early childhood education.
“Resource allocation is where South Carolina shows room for improvement, as it ranks lower in spending per child enrolled in preschool,” Happe said. “However, the state’s strategic focus on accessibility and quality, when combined with policies like zero co-payments for child care, help mitigate some of the financial barriers families face. This approach contrasts with Georgia and North Carolina, where financial hurdles such as high child care co-payments and limited spending growth per child can restrict access and diminish program quality.
“In essence, South Carolina’s approach to early education highlights the importance of balancing access, quality, and economic support to create a system that not only enrolls children but also equips them with the tools for future success,” Happe added. “By focusing on these elements, South Carolina officials have crafted a more effective early education system than their counterparts in neighboring states.”
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T.A. DeFeo is a contributor to The Center Square.
