Preschool for All: Progress, Challenges, and SVP’s Role
This fall marks the fourth year of Preschool for All (PFA), and the program continues to expand in both reach and impact. Nearly 4,000 children are enrolled across more than 200 locations this school year - a 70% increase in seats from last year. The majority of these are full-day programs, meeting the needs of working families and strengthening our region by helping parents re-enter the workforce while educating our future workforce.
Equity remains at the heart of Preschool for All’s growth. Among recent applicants:
71% are from families with incomes at or below 350% of the Federal Poverty Level
65% of enrolled children identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color
30% of families speak a language other than English, representing 61 different languages
This work is moving us closer to universal coverage by 2030, with a strong focus on reaching historically underserved communities. It also requires sustained investment in workforce development, facilities, and the creation of new seats (in addition to converting existing).
At the same time, PFA is navigating complex questions about long-term funding and sustainability. In August, program leaders voted to postpone a proposal that would have indexed PFA’s income tax thresholds to inflation. Instead, this decision will be considered as part of a more comprehensive review, with recommendations expected in early 2026. The months ahead will involve deep economic analysis, community engagement, and careful consideration of equity impacts.
These debates are not without tension. Some community members and stakeholders have voiced concerns about the pace of implementation, fairness of funding structures, and the balance between urgency and stability. At SVP Portland, we see these challenges as opportunities to lean into our unique role: staying data-driven, pragmatic, outcomes-focused, community-centered, and solutions-oriented. That means advocating for continuity of implementation toward universal pre-K while also influencing key partners to collaboratively solve problems that will lead to a stronger program. SVP Portland Executive Director Lauren Johnson reflects: "We're encouraged by the program's remarkable growth and its dedication to children who face the greatest barriers to accessing preschool, but we also recognize the complexity of building a sustainable, universal system. These challenges require thoughtful, collaborative solutions. SVP’s role is to advocate for the use of accurate data along with community input, and stay outcomes focused, to ensure PFA is both sustainable, and achieves the goal of every child having access to the high-quality early learning they deserve.”
It’s heartening to see these discussions becoming more transparent, with community voices part of the conversation. Preschool for All was approved by voters with a two-to-one margin, and thoughtful dialogue is essential to ensuring the program delivers on its promise. SVP is committed to walking alongside community, partners, and policymakers as they work to build upon what’s been accomplished to date, as well as co-create solutions to early stage implementation challenges. Because every child deserves access to high-quality, culturally relevant early learning experiences.
