Over the past few years, the Oregon Legislature has responded to industry-wide labor shortages in manufacturing, tech and health care by directing millions of dollars to workforce development programs. Now, education advocates say it should do the same for child care and preschool teachers.
State Rep. Courtney Neron, D-Wilsonville, introduced House Bill 3011 to direct $20 million over the next two years to growing the number and size of early childhood education degree programs at Oregon’s seven public universities and 17 community colleges. Early childhood education entails child care and preschool programs for kids under the age of 5.
