"This is the one thing we can do in this session that has the ability to make a difference not only for children and parents but also for those who are affected by the so-called achievement gap," said Rep. Brad King, D-Price.

HB107, sponsored by Rep. Kory Holdaway, R-Taylorsville, aims to bridge the achievement gap between disadvantaged children and their peers through early intervention. Funds to create all-day programs would go to schools where most students qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch.

"We are helping students who most need it," Holdaway said. "Numerous studies have shown that early intervention is effective."

Salt Lake City School District, for example, opened five full-day kindergarten classes last year and district officials hope to open more in the future, Charles Hausman, assistant district superintendent, said earlier.

Full-day kindergarten students in the district started with lower test scores than their half-day counterparts, but caught up or surpassed them by the end of the year.

Though funding all-day kindergarten is among Huntsman's priorities, the bill met with opposition on the House floor.

Reps. Curtis Oda, R-Clearfield, and Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, unsuccessfully tried to amend the bill to require that 3- or 4-year-olds start kindergarten.

Their point is that starting all-day kindergarten encroaches on time children should spend with their parents in the same way requiring children to start school younger would.

"At what point are we making a vote of no confidence in parents by putting students in full-day kindergarten?" Dayton asked.

Rep. John Mathis, R-Vernal, said full-day kindergarten would soon become a mandatory program by practice, much like kindergarten is today. He also worried that it would shorten childhood and put undue stress on families.

"It seems to me we need to slow life down and let kids be kids," Mathis said.

Their views failed to sway the majority of their colleagues, however.

HB107 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

What HB107 would do

HB107 would provide $7 million to begin all-day kindergarten programs in schools that serve a large number of disadvantaged students as a way to bridge the achievement gap between those students and their peers.

Pro: Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and others argue early intervention such as that provided in all-day kindergarten is the best way to ensure student success.

Con: Opponents say children should be at home learning from their parents at this time in their lives.