Pre-kindergarten Correlates: A Study of Early, Middle, and Late Applicants and Actual Enrollment Status

This quantitative study explores variables associated with applications and enrollment in a prekindergarten program in one Texas public school district. Administrative data used in the study includes responses from caregivers expressing interest in their child attending prekindergarten by accessing an online application for the program. The purpose of the study was to determine how demographic characteristics, programmatic offerings, and timing of application were related to enrollment. The study includes descriptive statistics, while employing Pearson Product-Moment correlations and a logistic regression formula to analyze the available administrative data. Seven study variables were found to be statistically significant in relation to enrollment, including timing of application. However, programmatic offerings were not found to be statistically significant predictors of enrollment. The study analyzed program data from the implementation year of a new program.