The State of Preschool 2017 is the 15th edition of NIEER's annual report tracking state-funded preschool access, resources, and quality. Since 2002, many states have made progress, a few have fallen behind, and a handful have emerged as leaders. As a result, disparities in access to high-quality state-funded preschool have grown over the intervening years. The 2016-2017 school year saw both progress and regression for state-funded preschool over the past year. Enrollment continued to increase, but growth slowed. And much of the growth that did occur can be attributed to federal Preschool Development Grants (PDG), a program with an uncertain future. States invested more money than ever before in preschool, but state spending per child fell for the first time since 2014 (adjusting for inflation). More programs met NIEER's new quality standards benchmarks than last year, with notable progress on the new staff professional development standards--although it remains the most challenging for states to meet. (author abstract)