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FOR several years, national accolades have poured in to Oklahoma for the state's pre-kindergarten program. This year is no different.

A report from the well-respected National Institute for Early Education Research ranked Oklahoma first in the nation in pre-K access for 4-year-olds. Nearly every Oklahoma school district offers pre-K and about 68 percent of 4-year-olds attended a state-funded program during the 2006-07 school year. That grows to 90 percent when including students in federal Head Start programs, according to the report.

As important, the study's authors reported the state met nine out of 10 quality standard benchmarks, ranging from the academic standards to class size to teacher training. The only one not met dealt with education requirements for assistant teachers.

Nationwide, only about 22 percent of 4-year-olds are in state-funded pre-K programs, and 12 states offer pre-K programs only to students with disabilities. Oklahoma also has higher education requirements for its pre-kindergarten teachers than many states.

A new issue many schools are facing is whether to expand traditionally half-day pre-K programs to full day. This school year, more pre-K students are in full-day programs than half-day, and state Superintendent Sandy Garrett said a growing number of parents want the longer day. More full-day pre-K programs could be particularly helpful in the state's urban districts, where students often start school well behind their peers. The logistics of finding quality, part-time child care and of parents with hourly wage jobs transporting their children to and from half-day programs are difficult and may turn some families away from pre-K.

Space is an issue for schools already facing a looming full-day kindergarten mandate. But we're hopeful that as more parents see the value in early childhood education and demand more from local school districts, school officials will be eager to get creative in meeting the demand.