As we work here in Pennsylvania to ensure that all children have access to quality early childhood education (ECE), it can sometimes help to turn to other states for inspiration. Oklahoma, for one, stands out for its work in the ECE arena.
For the past seven years, Oklahoma has ranked first in the nation in access to preschool programs. Indeed, according to the “State of Preschool 2010″ report, an annual survey of preschool programs funded by the Pew Charitable Trust, 71 percent of Oklahoma’s 4-year-olds – or more than 37,000 kids – participate in pre-K programs, and 98 percent of school district in the state offers them. According to the report, program quality standards are also high, meeting nine out of 10 benchmarks.
Reading this made me want to learn more about just what they are doing in Oklahoma in terms of early childhood education, and here’s what I found.
The above statistics reference the Early Childhood Four-Year-Old Program, which began as a pilot program in 1980 with the goal of eventually serving all 4-year-olds in the state. Until 1990, the program received statewide funding but was limited to 4-year-olds eligible for the federal Head Start program. Districts could, however, choose to use local funds or tuition to extend the program to more students. In 1998, Oklahoma began offering free, voluntary access to preschool programs for all 4-year-olds, becoming the second state in the nation to do so.
Oklahoma does not provide specific funds for 3-year-olds. Then-Governor Brad Henry called for a 3-year-old pilot program in 2007, but the measure failed. Nonetheless, some Oklahoma school districts have elected to offer programs for these younger students, using funding sources such as Title I, special education, Head Start, and general funds.
In 2006, Oklahoma continued its advances in early childhood education, launching the Pilot Early Childhood Program. This second program, available year-round to at-risk children from birth through age 3, is perhaps most notable for its innovative financing structures.
By establishing a public-private partnership fund, Oklahoma has been able to use private dollars to encourage state action and leverage public investment. “Private dollars are not intended to supplant public support but rather to build upon it,” reads a report by ZERO TO THREE and the Ounce of Prevention Fund highlighting Oklahoma’s work to support services for at-risk infants and toddlers. Currently, the state contributes $10 million in state education funds to the Oklahoma Pilot Early Childhood Program and the private sector contributes $15 million.
The ZERO TO THREE/Ounce of Prevention Fund report called particular attention to two strategies employed by Oklahoma as part of this pilot program – strategies that other states looking to replicate Oklahoma’s success would do well to remember. First, draw a varied group of advisors to the public-private partnership fund. Specifically, look for advisors from each the public, private, early childhood, and philanthropic arenas. This mixed range of resources and perspectives can help enhance the partnership. Second, protect the fund and ensure long-term sustainability with the help of state legislation or an executive order. “Protecting the sustainability of a public-private partnership fund is critical,” the report notes.
Beyond creative approaches to funding, ongoing professional development for care providers has also been critical to the success of the Oklahoma Pilot Early Childhood Program. According to the BIRTH TO THREE/Ounce of Prevention Fund report, the state has partnered since the program’s inception with a range of organizations to provide concentrated training opportunities for grantees that are focused on the unique needs of infants, toddlers, and their families.
As always, we are inspired by and indebted to other states and districts that have led the charge for early childhood education. Go Oklahoma! Do you have information to share about other states or programs that have been particularly successful? Please chime in so we can keep the conversation going and continue to work together to learn from other victories.
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