States With the Best and Worst Early Education

Source: Thinkstock

40. Maine
> Share of 3-4 yr. olds enrolled in pre-K: 40.7% (9th lowest)
> Total annual pre-K spending: $22.1 million (17th lowest)
> Pre-K spending per 3-4 yr. old: $780 (22nd highest)
> 4th graders proficient in reading: 36% (25th lowest)
> Child poverty rate: 17.0% (20th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

39. South Dakota
> Share of 3-4 yr. olds enrolled in pre-K: 41.7% (13th lowest)
> Total annual pre-K spending: $0 (the lowest)
> Pre-K spending per 3-4 yr. old: $0 (the lowest)
> 4th graders proficient in reading: 35% (21st lowest)
> Child poverty rate: 18.0% (22nd lowest)

24/7 Wall St.
States With the Longest and Shortest Life Expectancy

Source: Thinkstock

38. Arizona
> Share of 3-4 yr. olds enrolled in pre-K: 38.3% (7th lowest)
> Total annual pre-K spending: $41.4 million (21st lowest)
> Pre-K spending per 3-4 yr. old: $223 (14th lowest)
> 4th graders proficient in reading: 30% (11th lowest)
> Child poverty rate: 25.0% (7th highest)

Source: Thinkstock

37. North Carolina
> Share of 3-4 yr. olds enrolled in pre-K: 42.6% (17th lowest)> Total annual pre-K spending: $145.5 million (11th highest)
> Pre-K spending per 3-4 yr. old: $611 (25th lowest)
> 4th graders proficient in reading: 38% (18th highest)
> Child poverty rate: 23.0% (12th highest)

Source: Phillip Stewart / Flickr

36. Wyoming
> Share of 3-4 yr. olds enrolled in pre-K: 40.7% (9th lowest)
> Total annual pre-K spending: $0 (the lowest)
> Pre-K spending per 3-4 yr. old: $0 (the lowest)
> 4th graders proficient in reading: 41% (7th highest)
> Child poverty rate: 13.0% (7th lowest)