Two factors account for this underestimation. Therefore, much private education financing simply remains uncounted. Second, some countries do not collect education finance data even from regular private elementary and secondary schools. In the United States, for example, one measure of the independence private elementary and secondary schools enjoy is the relative freedom from state data collection requirements. Youth apprenticeship programs like these, where students spend part of each school week in school and the other part at a worksite, are gaining in popularity in the United States, but remain uncommon.
Countries vary widely in their public support of early childhood education, too.
Some, such as France and the Scandinavian countries, provide it largely through public programs, while others, such as the United States, Germany, Spain, and Canada, mostly leave its provision to the private sector. It is very likely that the private share of education is generally underestimated, however. Two factors account for this underestimation. Therefore, much private education financing simply remains uncounted. Second, some countries do not collect education finance data even from regular private elementary and secondary schools.