Report: 2021 marked first drop in US preschool enrollment in 20 years

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Preschool enrollment dropped in Wisconsin and in the US for the first time in 20 years.

That's according to the annual State of Preschool report by the National Institute for Early Education Research.

It says 9,800 fewer 4-year-olds were enrolled in pre-K in 2021 compared to 2020.

The report also shows state spending on early childhood education fell by about $1,000 per student.