Recently The Oregonian asked 50 of the best minds in Oregon to think about "success stories" they've seen around the state in the past 20 years or so. We probably shouldn't have been so surprised to see the Children's Institute on the list. After all, the case for investing in high-quality early education is rock solid, and we have some of Oregon's finest leaders carrying our message in Salem.

"Expansion of early learning in the state. Concerned citizens created the Children's Institute in Portland, hired smart staff, lobbied heavily and got the state to significantly expand pre-K services to poor children."