DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -- A national study puts Ohio last among 39 states with state-funded preschool education programs.

The nonpartisan National Institute for Early Education Research found Ohio met only two of 10 benchmarks evaluated. Those were for specialized teacher training and screenings/support services.

An author of the report tells the Dayton Daily News that decreased state funding hurt preschool programs. The report shows Oho spent an average $3,932 per student last school year, compared to a national average of $4,151 per student in the state-funded preschool programs.

Ohio early learning programs will get a boost from a four-year, $70 million federal grant through the Barack Obama administration's "Race to the Top" initiative.