We remember our past but look forward to our exciting future.
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR TIMELINES BELOW TO LEARN OUR HISTORY.

EARLY CHILDHOOD IN OKLAHOMA MOUSE OVER THE YEARS TO LEARN MORE.

  • 1975
    State law mandated public schools to provide half-day kindergarten for children who were age-eligible.
  • 1980
    State law funded a voluntary pre-k grant program for age-eligible four-year olds; 10 school districts participated.
  • 1990
    State law mandated attendance in half-day kindergarten for all age-eligible five-year olds.
  • 1998
    State law expanded voluntary pre-k to all age-eligible four-year olds regardless of income.
  • 1998
    Department of Human Services created Reaching for the Stars initiative, established for the purpose of improving the quality of child care.
  • 2005
    State law mandated public schools provide full-day kindergarten for all age-eligible children by the 2011-2012 school year. providing that families may choose half-day or full-day kindergarten.
  • 2006
    State law changed the Oklahoma State Department of Education in developing a high quality, state-funded pilot program for income-eligible infants and toddlers; program required matching private investments.
  • 2007
    Tulsa Educare Grand Opening.
  • 2009
    Oklahoma City Educare Grand Opening.

OKLAHOMA PARTNERSHIP FOR SCHOOL READINESS

  • 2000
    Governor's Task Force on Early Childhood formed by Executive Order of Governor Frank Keating.
  • 2001
    Exhaustive report published highlighting strengths, weaknesses and needs of Oklahoma's early childhood programs.
  • 2002
    Local grassroots efforts evolve through partnership with United Way, Bank of America and Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
  • 2003
    Governor Brad Henry signed into law the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Act, creating a council of state leaders who advise on the needs of the overall early childhood system.
  • 2008
    Governor Brad Henry designated the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness as the State's Early Childhood Advisory Council as established by Federal Law.
  • 2010
    Oklahoma legislation confirms that the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness will serve as the State's Early Childhood Advisory Council.

SMART START OKLAHOMA

Growing in numbers and in commitment, advocates continued their work and were joined by Oklahoma's newly elected Governor, Brad Henry. The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Act was passed in April 2003, during the 49th legislative session. The legislation created first public-private early childhood initiative and formed two entities, the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness and its supporting foundation, the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Foundation. The partnership board then named our school readiness effort Smart Start Oklahoma.