Rather than trotting out the "usual suspects" to show early learning's persistent impacts (e.g., Abecedarian, Perry Preschool)--none of which are cost-sustainable at scale--it is useful to look to the states, counties, and cities which have served as R&D labs for what works and what is cost-sustainable. Some programs have operated long enough to measure gains, see these gains resist fade-out, and prove to be either cost-sustainable or cost-sustainable with modifications. The majority of performance data and measurement referenced here is very recent: 2010-2013. There is also a significantly better understanding of the program elements that contribute to early learning that sticks and how to deliver these in a way that is cost-sustainable. A discussion of those program elements, costs, and a cost-sustainability evaluation appears later in this paper. (author abstract)