Head Start Reauthorization
Passes Senate HELP Committee
from the
NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER, February 16, 2007
On Wednesday, February 14, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions (HELP) Committee unanimously approved S. 556, the Head Start for
School Readiness Act, which reauthorizes the Head Start program for five
years. It is expected that the full Senate will vote on the bill sometime
in the spring and that the House will begin work on its own version of a
Head Start bill in the near future. (Head Start has been out of
authorization since 2003)
The Senate bill takes a number of steps to improve the quality of Head
Start programs. In addition, the bill allows programs additional
flexibility around the ages and income of children served, as well as
scheduling, so that they can respond to the needs of their communities. It
also preserves the traditional structure of Head Start, with the federal
government continuing to provide grants directly to local agencies.
However, the bill authorizes relatively small increases for Head Start
over the next three years: $7.35 billion for FY 2008, $7.65 billion for FY
2009, $7.995 billion for FY 2010, and such sums as may be necessary for FY
2011 and 2012. Head Start is funded at $6.892 billion for FY 2007.
Specifically, S. 556:
HALTS THE HIGH-STAKES ASSESSMENT OF HEAD START CHILDREN * Suspends the implementation and terminates further development and
use of the National Reporting System (NRS) - the controversial test now
required for all four-year-olds enrolled in Head Start. The bill also
requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to incorporate the
results of a study on developmental outcomes and assessments for young
children currently underway by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) into
assessments and standards used by Head Start programs.
* Makes clear that the Secretary cannot use the results of a single
assessment as the sole method for evaluating program effectiveness or
determining grantee funding.
PROVIDES MORE FLEXIBILITY TO MEET FAMILIES' NEEDS * Increases eligibility for Head Start from the 100 percent of the
federal poverty level ($20,650 per year for a family of four in 2007) to
130 percent of the federal poverty level ($26,845 per year for a family of
four).
* Allows Head Start agencies to apply to convert part-day sessions into
full-day sessions if a community assessment demonstrates this would best
meet families' needs. (Endorsed by UWA)
* Allows Head Start agencies to apply to serve additional infants and
toddlers if a community assessment demonstrates that eligible Head Start
(preschool-age) children are being and will be served, and if the agency
meets the various requirements and standards related to Early Head Start.
(Endorsed by UWA)
TARGETS FUNDING AND ATTENTION TO SPECIAL POPULATIONS * Increases the percent of funds set aside for Early Head Start from
12 to 20 percent over the course of five years. (Endorsed by UWA)
* Increases the portion of funding set aside for Migrant and Seasonal and
Indian Head Start programs.
* Allocates a greater proportion of new funds to states that are serving a
lower percentage of children eligible for Head Start.
* Encourages programs to reach out to homeless children and children with
limited English proficiency to give them opportunities to participate in
Head Start and to meet their needs.
INCREASES TEACHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS * Sets a goal that by September 30, 2012, every Head Start teacher
will have an associate degree and that by September 30, 2013, 50 percent
of center-based teachers in each state will have a bachelor's degree in
early childhood education (or a related area). The bill also sets a goal
that, by September 30, 2010, all assistant teachers will have at least a
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. In addition, each Head Start
teacher will be required to attend at least 15 clock hours of professional
development per year. (Endorsed by UWA)
* Continues to require that at least 2 percent of funding be set aside for
training, half of which is reserved for Head Start grantees. A portion of
the remaining funds are used for State Training Offices.
ENHANCES QUALITY AND COORDINATION * Increases the set-aside for quality from 25 percent to 30 percent in
FY2008 and 40 percent in 2009 and subsequent years.
* Increases Head Start's responsibilities for ensuring children's
successful transition to school.
* Requires the governor of each state to establish an Early Care and
Education Council (or designate an existing council) to coordinate
resources and programs for children from birth to school entry and their
families. The billallocates $100 million of Head Start funds for one-time
incentives for states to support the development and implementation of the
recommendations and plans of the Council. A state match of 70 percent is
required for states to obtain these funds. (Endorsed by UWA)
* Authorizes a new program, Centers of Excellence, which provides grants
to high-performing Head Start agencies that can serve as models for other
agencies.
MAKES CHANGES TO GOVERNANCE AND MONITORING * Increases the focus of the Head Start Board of Directors on fiscal
and other accountability issues.
* Changes the responsibilities of Head Start Parent Policy Councils.
* Requires Head Start programs with systemic or substantial deficiencies
to recompete to receive continued funding.
* Adds unannounced site inspections to Head Start's extensive monitoring
process.
Please stay tuned for additional news as Head Start moves to the Senate
floor and is taken up in the House.
