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THANK YOU, MULTNOMAH COUNTY!

TOGETHER, WE PASSED MEASURE 26-214 — PRESCHOOL FOR ALL

Three happy, smiling kids with their heads together.

THANK YOU, MULTNOMAH COUNTY!

TOGETHER, WE PASSED MEASURE 26-214 — PRESCHOOL FOR ALL

Graphic image of an adult reading a book to 3 kids.

Universal preschool is the first step.

Universal Preschool NOW! is a coalition of parents, child care providers, preschool workers, unions, and community groups who understand that universal preschool is a fundamental part of the fight for social, racial, and economic justice. We helped pass Measure 26-214 (Preschool for All), a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Multnomah County families.

By making preschool free for every 3- and 4-year-old and guaranteeing preschool workers a living wage, Measure 26-214 gives Multnomah County families options, lets kids thrive, and addresses the deep inequities in our community.

NOW WHAT'S NEXT?
Graphic image of 3 kids and 1 adult eating sandwiches together.

What is the Preschool For All plan?

Universal preschool is one of the most profound ways a society can give its children a good start in life, and America is one of the only wealthy nations where this common-sense benefit is not guaranteed. Measure 26-214 (Preschool for All) provides free, high-quality, culturally responsive and inclusive preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds, funded by a progressive income tax on the estimated top 8% of county income earners.

View Plan
Graphic image of 3 kids and 1 adult eating sandwiches together.
An artistic illustration of a child holding up a giant clipboard, wearing a face mask and giving an arm hand sanitizer. The clipboard has about 20 enormous pens and pencils with long arms writing.

Our Story

This UP NOW Coalition began as a grassroots campaign. In a historic signature drive, hundreds of volunteers gathered thousands of signatures in five weeks during a pandemic, showing the profound need and enthusiasm for universal preschool in Multnomah County.

The UP NOW Coalition merged with a separate preschool effort to present Measure 26-214 (Preschool for All) to voters in November – and we won! This measure ensures all 3- and 4-year-olds in Multnomah County are able to attend free, high-quality, culturally relevant and inclusive preschool. This program will change lives in Multnomah County and set the standard for the nation. Join us for what comes next!

OUR COALITION



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I think that the system was already pretty broken, and that this whole COVID-19 thing has brought to light the weaknesses in the system. The fact that we depend on parents to pay, to maintain a child care industry, is not working. And it is really, really not working right now.”

– Savannah Turner, The Nest Playschool

Read Savannah’s Story
Featured Article
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Tax the Rich. School the Children. Pay the Teachers. The case for universal preschool has only become stronger since the pandemic.

– Robert P. Alvarez, Inequity.org

 

 

Read on Inequity.org
Featured Article
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High quality preschool is a net good — but making it open to all, not just low-income students, confers even greater benefits.

– Tyler Walicek, Truthout

 

 

Read on Truthout
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Creators of the Portland-area approach tried to avoid the pitfalls of similar policies elsewhere, and are giving teachers large raises.

– Claire Cain Miller, The New York Times

 

 

Read on New York Times
Featured Article
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A Universal Preschool Campaign in Oregon Galvanizes Broad Support and Rewrites All the Rules

– Elliot Haspel, Early Learning Nation

 

 

Read on Early Learning Nation
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It wasn’t easy, but after years of organizing, my county in Oregon will have universal early-childhood education.

– Lydia Kiesling, The Cut

 

 

Read on The Cut
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