State lawmakers say the earlier you educate kids, the better their future will be.

That's why they're proposing a state-funded pre-kindergarten program.

The house bill calls for a 4-year-old education program in the state one that's separate from the federally-funded Head Start program.

Head Start is a similar program offered to children of families that fall within a certain income bracket.

But Representative Phil Mueller says this new program would offer pre-kindergarten classes for kids who can't get into Head Start because it's too full and for kids who don't fall into the financial category.

Mueller says the program would be strictly voluntary...

(Rep. Phil Mueller, (D) Valley City) "All kids that age... they're just total little sponges. I mean, this is the right time to get them involved in cognitive and and motor kind of skills and activities to direct them in the right direction for a little later in life. They're ready. They're ready, willing and able to learn at that stage, and we think it would be advantageous for our educational system in the state to have them exposed to that."


The House has already approved the bill.

If the Senate passes it on Monday, it will give the go-ahead for the state to set up a two year trial phase to test the program.

39 states already have similar pre-kindergarten programs. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list