Oregon Governor Launches Roundtable to Create Universal Pre-K Blueprint

New group of early learning experts to offer recommendations for expanding affordable preschool access statewide.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has announced the creation of an Early Childhood Care and Learning System Roundtable, a group of state and national early learning leaders tasked with developing a plan to provide affordable, universal preschool access for 3- and 4-year-olds in every Oregon county. The move comes in response to the high costs of child care in the state and the economic impact on families and the state's economy.

Why it matters

Oregon currently faces a shortage of affordable child care and pre-K options, with six counties considered 'severe' child care deserts. This has led to significant economic losses for the state, with parents forced to choose between work and child care costs projected to lose over $3 billion in wages over the next decade. The new roundtable aims to address these gaps and create a sustainable, statewide early learning system.

The details

The roundtable will be chaired by Kali Thorne Ladd, CEO of the Children's Institute, and Sara Mickelson, a former leader of Oregon's Early Learning Division. It will start by assessing current state-funded early learning programs to identify gaps and recommend improvements. Mickelson previously helped manage the rollout of an expanded Pre-K program in New Mexico, which recently became the first state to guarantee no-cost, universal child care.

  • Governor Kotek announced the roundtable on February 25, 2026.
  • The roundtable will begin its work immediately to develop recommendations.

The players

Tina Kotek

The Governor of Oregon who announced the creation of the Early Childhood Care and Learning System Roundtable.

Kali Thorne Ladd

The CEO of the Portland-based nonprofit Children's Institute and chair of the roundtable.

Sara Mickelson

A former leader of Oregon's Early Learning Division and most recently a leader at the New Mexico Early Childhood Education & Care Department, who will chair the roundtable.

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What they’re saying

“Scaling an early learning system that truly works for every family, regardless of where they live in the state, is a critical undertaking. This starts with getting the plan right, creating a roadmap that is not just ambitious but sustainable and grounded in the reality of what Oregon parents need.”

— Sara Mickelson (salemreporter.com)

“This is a conversation we need to have in the state. How do we support our working families? How do we support our economy by making sure parents have affordable early learning care so they can go to work and support their kids? And, at the end of day, also, what's best for our children is when they have high quality care.”

— Tina Kotek, Governor of Oregon (salemreporter.com)

What’s next

The roundtable will begin its work immediately to develop recommendations for expanding affordable, universal preschool access across Oregon.

The takeaway

This initiative aims to address the significant economic impact of Oregon's child care crisis, which has forced many parents to choose between work and affording child care. By creating a comprehensive plan for universal pre-K, the state hopes to support working families, boost the economy, and ensure all children have access to high-quality early learning opportunities.