Parents, teachers and school officials from across the state call all-day kindergarten a proven way to boost test scores, reduce behavior problems and level the playing field for poor and minority students.

Critics say all-day kindergarten is too much.

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.

All-day kindergarten puts young children under too much stress and should not be a state-funded option for Montana schools, a handful of opponents to such a program told lawmakers Wednesday.

By SARAH COOKE Associated Press

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2007/01/11/news/mtregional/news07.txt