Henry Proposes Voluntary 3-Year-Old Program

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov. Brad Henry announced Monday he wants to expand Oklahoma's early childhood development program to 3-year-olds on a voluntary, limited basis.<br/> <br/>Henry said Oklahoma leads

Sunday, January 28th 2007, 4:40 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov. Brad Henry announced Monday he wants to expand Oklahoma's early childhood development program to 3-year-olds on a voluntary, limited basis.

Henry said Oklahoma leads the nation with 70 percent of the state's children enrolled in its program for 4-year-olds.

He said that will pay dividends for the state in future years by reducing the high school dropout rate, reducing the welfare rolls and producing more college graduates.

Studies show expanding the program to 3-year-olds will have an even greater beneficial impact, he said.

He wants to spend $15 million in pilot projects for 3-year-old programs.

"This is about giving parents more choices when it comes to the education of their children," Henry said. "All of the research tells us that the early years are critical to a child's future success.

"Kids who take advantage of early education opportunities are more likely to graduate and get a good job and less likely to end up on welfare or in prison."

Also, he proposed another $15 million appropriation to begin a program for high-risk children under age 5 in Oklahoma City, similar to Tulsa's Educare program founded by Tulsa philanthropist George Kaiser and the Kaiser Foundation.

He said Kaiser has agreed to provide private funding to expand the Educare program.