Analysis: Who will pay for all day kindergarten? And how many kids will ge tto go?

A lawsuit over kindergarten fees only illustrates the need for state funding, state superintendent Sherri Ybarra says.

The Idaho Supreme Court punted on the big question last week: Is it unconstitutional to expect parents to fork over fees to pay for a full day of kindergarten?

The non-ruling at least puts the matter into focus, at an opportune time. When legislators return to the Statehouse in barely a month, state-funded, all-day kindergarten could be one of the hottest topics in education.

To a big extent, Idaho has moved past debating the merits of all-day kindergarten. Many parents of young kids are firmly on board with the idea — right alongside education stakeholders and business groups. Responding to popular demand, most school districts offer all-day kindergarten to some or all of their students, building on the half-day session covered by state funding.

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