Oklahoma's pre-kindergarten praised

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The former governor of North Carolina spoke to the Oklahoma Legislature Monday and touted Oklahoma's commitment to early childhood education.<br/><br/>Former Governor James Hunt

Monday, May 17th 2004, 5:09 pm

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The former governor of North Carolina spoke to the Oklahoma Legislature Monday and touted Oklahoma's commitment to early childhood education.

Former Governor James Hunt says Oklahoma has one of the most accessible pre-kindergarten programs in the nation.

He says young children need pre-k programs because their brains go through major development before they turn four.

Hunt was also here Monday when American Electric Power's Public Service Company of Oklahoma donated $300,000 as seed money for an early childhood education program in the state. He appeared at the press conference with Governor Brad Henry and First Lady Kim Henry.

Henry wants the Legislature to give $2-million to the program. It would help start an early childhood education program in all 77 counties in the state.