Idaho House OKs optional full-day kindergarten legislation
By KEITH RIDLER
Associated Press
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Lawmakers in the Idaho House have approved legislation to boost reading skills among young students with optional full-day kindergarten. The House voted 40-29 on Monday to give school districts the option of full-day kindergarten by using $73 million in state literacy intervention money. The legislation removes any ambiguity that the money can be used for full-day kindergarten. Half of the money will be based on enrollment of students in kindergarten to third grade. The other half will be based on students improving their reading skills, with districts with higher-improving students getting more. The bill now goes to the Senate.