State officials say a good breakfast is key to a good education. But lots of kids are still going to class with empty stomachs.

“It’s not rocket science; hungry kids are really challenged to learn the same way their well nourished counter parts can.”

Phyllis Bramson-Paul is with the California Department of Education. She says some schools are reluctant to get on board. Here’s why:

California schools have to spend a certain amount of time teaching kids every year – 54 thousand minutes to be exact. That makes some school administrators nervous about taking part in the federal program that gives free breakfasts to low-income kids.

But California Schools’ Superintendent Jack O’Connell and Controller John Chiang recently sent letters to school administrators urging them to participate. The duo says as long as there is educational activity going on, breakfast will count as instructional time.  

At the state capitol, I’m Ida Lieszkovszky.