The Oregonian reports that Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski's budget request includes $39 million to expand Head Start programs to all eligible children. State Supe. Susan Castillo had argued for using state money to expand full-day kindergarten. Kulongoski, a Democrat, said schools may use the money for that purpose if they wish, and, according to the Oregonian "Castillo praised the governor's education spending plan, saying it's a strong step toward restoring the losses schools suffered during the recent recession."

Full-day kindergarten is getting a lot of attention around the country, parelleling the growing interest and spending on pre-k. Here's a place for reporters to go to get the most recent research on full-day kindergarten. Comes from WestEd in San Francisco, a good source of reliable, unbiased research.

Question I'd have is whether the Head Start programs that will be getting more money are geared up to prepare kids for kindergarten? What is the curriculum? Who is teaching in Head Start programs? Point is, there's plenty of follow-ups. Never a shortage of stories.