A report released today ranks Maryland ninth in the nation for the percentage of its preschool-age population enrolled in pre-kindergarten programs.

The report is by the National Institute for Early Education Research, which looked at the extent of pre-kindergarten programs in U.S. schools since 2002. Nationally, the number of children enrolled in free public pre-kindergarten classes increased by more than 100,000 last year to 1.1 million, but the report warns that could decrease next year as states make cuts to their programs during the recession.

In Maryland, funding jumped this year, allowing more children to take advantage of pre-kindergarten classes. Research has shown that low-income children who have good preschool opportunities do better later in school.