Dozens of parents, teachers and school officials from across the state disagreed, calling the $36 million proposal by Sen. Carol Williams, D-Missoula, a proven way to boost test scores, reduce behavior problems and level the playing field for poor and minority students.
“With a billion-dollar budget surplus, now is the time to make sure all of our students are achieving at the highest level they are capable of,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Linda McCulloch told the Senate Education Committee.
Currently, Montana's public schools are obligated only to provide half-day kindergarten, although attendance is not required. Sixty-three school districts offer all-day kindergarten, but pay for it themselves, McCulloch said.
The proposal carried by Williams would not, as some parents fear, require full-day kindergarten in all Montana schools, but would provide state funding for those that choose to do so, she said.
“Full-time kindergarten will continue to be optional, just as half-time kindergarten is today,” McCulloch said.
Opponents challenged the benefits outlined by McCulloch and other supporters and worried the option would be too much, too soon for many students.
“I think full-time kindergarten is detrimental to kids,” said Mary Thompson, a substitute teacher who recently moved to Helena. “Kids need to be 5. They need to play. Kids don't need to be sitting in school all day when they're 5.”
The bill is Senate Bill 123.
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