About 8 percent of low income children in Arizona are enrolled in federal Head Start early childhood education programs. That’s below the national average of 10 percent.

A new report released from the National Institute of Early Education Research looking at Head Start data from around the country also showed that among those enrolled only 3 percent attended the recommended 1,020 hours per year. That’s significantly lower than the national average of 42 percent.

Arizona did shine in two categories, however, exceeding national thresholds in average per child funding and the availability of emotional support.