This is astory that aired on OETA Public Television’s The Oklahoma News Report in Tulsa Oklahoma as reported by Cathy Tatom and photojournalist Edwin Wilson. For more information or to contact us, please go to the new and improved www.oeta.tv The verbatim script follows below… EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS THE PROVEN KEY TO PREPARING CHILDREN FROM DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL. IN OKLAHOMA, MOST PROGRAMS PREPARE FOUR YEAR OLDS FOR KINDERGARTEN. BUT AS OETA’S CATHY TATOM REPORTS, SOON THERE WILL BE A FIRST OF ITS KIND MODEL PROGRAM TARGETING THREE YEAR OLDS. nats…. “Wake up, it’s morning.” AS SOON AS NEXT FALL SOME THREE YEAR OLDS COULD BE WAKING UP TO GO TO SCHOOL JUST LIKE THE FOUR YEAR OLDS IN THE PRE-K PROGRAM AT KENDALL-WHITTIER ELEMENTARY. THE THREE YEAR OLDS WOULD BE PART OF A MODEL PROGRAM FOR THE STATE TO BE SET UP IN TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Keith Ballard/Supt., TPS: “One of the keys to success is ensuring that every child gets off to a good start and unfortunately we have some kids coming out of some very disadvantaged backgrounds where they’re really not nearly as prepared as other kids.” GOVERNOR HENRY ANNOUNCED TPS WILL GET -MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY. IT’S TO MATCH WITH ITS OWN RESOURCES AND A -MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION. THE MONEY WILL ALLOW THE DISTRICT TO OPEN THREE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTERS SPECIFICALLY FOR THREE YEAR OLDS. Keith Ballard/Supt., TPS: “We’re very appreciative of the …
