#Preschoolforall

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s recent proposal to end or entirely overhaul Multnomah County’s flagship Preschool for All program has ignited fierce debate across the United States, drawing attention from education policymakers far beyond the Pacific Northwest. Citing what she described as the program’s failure to deliver on its promises despite hundreds of millions of dollars in funding, Governor Kotek declared, “The program as it stands cannot keep its promise” — a statement that has sharply divided public officials, early education advocates, and the families the initiative was designed to serve (OregonLive).

A bold proposal from Oregon Governor Tina Kotek to overhaul or end Multnomah County’s universal Preschool for All program has sparked a national debate on early education. The governor argues that, despite hundreds of millions of dollars, the program has failed to deliver on its promises, signaling a need for major changes. The remarks have divided officials, educators, and families who rely on the service.

Launched in 2020, the county’s universal, tuition-free preschool was praised as a model for expanding opportunity and narrowing achievement gaps. For Thai readers, the discussion of universal preschool resonates with ongoing debates about how early education can address inequality and prepare children for a rapidly changing economy. As Thailand considers expanding its own early childhood programs, Oregon’s experience offers both inspiration and caution.