Why this red state made preschool free

Oklahoma’s universal pre-K program has become a role model for progressive states, despite being implemented in a conservative state in 1998. The program, which was the second of its kind in the United States after Georgia, has shown how early childhood education initiatives can enhance school readiness, economic prosperity, and community well-being. The success of Oklahoma’s universal pre-K is attributed to the dedication of educators in the 1990s who recognized the importance of high-quality pre-kindergarten and worked to establish the program. Visiting Tulsa, Oklahoma, we heard from those who initiated the program and those who continue to support it in pre-kindergarten classrooms today. You can find more about our coverage in Tulsa and other Vox videos on YouTube. The reporting was made possible by a grant from the Bainum Family Foundation, with Vox Media having full control over the content.