Informational hearings on the benefits of early childhood learning and preschool education will be held in the House and Senate Education committees on Wednesday, Idaho EdNews reports, but no bill is being considered. A bipartisan group of 18 speakers, including educators and politicians, are scheduled to speak, including Lt. Gov. Brad Little, Caldwell schools Superintendent Shalene French, Boise Superintendent Don Coberly, Basin Superintendent John McFarlane, Sen. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, and retired Third District Judge Gregory Culet, writes EdNews reporter Clark Corbin.

“The purpose of the hearing is to allow our legislators to hear from a variety of different voices and perspectives on the importance of investing in early learning,” said Beth Oppenheimer of the Idaho Association for the Education of Young People, who helped organize the hearing along with Rod Gramer of Idaho Business for Education and Rep. Hy Kloc, D-Boise.

Since winning a seat in the Legislature in 2012, Kloc has worked unsuccessfully to create a state pre-K program, Corbin writes. In attempts to gain support, he has crossed the aisle to work with Rep. Christy Perry, R-Nampa, and Rep. Patrick McDonald, R-Boise. But opponents have resisted, arguing the state needs to fix its existing K-12 public education system before adding preschool. Other reluctant lawmakers have also pointed out that recommendations Gov. Butch Otter’s Task Force for Improving Education issued in 2013 did not call for offering state-run pre-K. Still others believe the role of educating the state’s youngest children is best handled at home.

Kloc said, “When I started researching preschool back in 2012, we were one of 11 states not offering preschool. We are now one of four states not offering preschool. But I learned a long time ago in these hallowed halls that this is not a sprint. This is a marathon.” You can read Corbin’s full report here.