American Pre-K Teacher Survey reveals insights on teacher well-being and pay

The first American Pre-K Teacher Survey, conducted in March and April 2024, has unveiled new insights into the well-being, pay, and working conditions of public school-based pre-kindergarten teachers. This survey provides a comparison of responses between pre-K teachers and their counterparts in kindergarten through grade 12 (K–12), elementary grades, as well as other similar working adults.

The study also delves into variations among subgroups within the pre-K teaching community. These subgroups include teachers involved in part-day versus full-day classes, special education versus general education roles, and those employed in early childhood education-only facilities compared to those working within K–12 buildings. The report further examines differences across factors such as teaching experience, highest degrees earned, state collective bargaining status, and geographic locale.

The findings offer a comprehensive view of the challenges and circumstances faced by pre-K educators compared to their peers in other educational levels.