Head Start Reauthorization - Problems & Patterns

At the same time that special education laws are being changed by the Bush administration, those patterns of deregulation and increased state control of funding and programs are seen in the proposed Head Start reauthorization. Both Head Start and special educationüs Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) will be before Congress for a vote during the summer of 2003.

Head Start, a 38 year-old program, serves approximately one million 3-4 year old children from low-income families. Under current law, state governments are bypassed, funding going directly into Head Start programs around the country that meet federal guidelines. Education, health services, nutrition, social services and parent support is provided to eligible families. Research over the last three decades has proven the effectiveness of this early intervention in preparing young children to successfully enter the public schools.

During June of 2003, the School Readiness Act of 2003, the name of the Head Start reauthorization bill, was introduced by Rep. Michael Castle (De.) and John Boehner (Oh.) Mr. Castle is also the key sponsor of the pending IDEA reauthorization. The Head Start House bill changes the historic funding for these early childhood programs, decreasing the current rigorous program standards and establishing an experimental block grant program for eight states so that they can decide how they chose to spend the Head Start funds. The Bush administration explains that this is an effort to align these preschool programs with existing state efforts in reading and literacy.

National concern is expressed by early childhood and Head Start advocates. They indicate that the House bill puts improper emphasis on reading, when the emphasis should be on child development, language, social needs and preventive care. They also point out that the Head Start revisions permit church-based programs to discriminate in their hiring, based on religion.

The National Head Start Association (NHSA) led a fight in June against these proposals, filing a federal lawsuit to intervene. The Bush administration attempted to curtail their federal funding, arguing that these funds could not be used for political activities. Though the proposed Head Start reauthorization upgrades teacher credentials for Head Start programs, no additional money is contained in the bill for additional salaries.

An editorial in The Record (June 22, 2003) concluded, úA nation that can afford hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts can surely afford a fully funded Head Start.î The fate of Head Start under the Bush administration remains to be seen, as does the future of IDEA.

References
Jacobson, L., Head Start Imbroglio a Struggle for Hearts, Minds, Votes, Education Week, June 18, 2003
Schemo, D.J., Republican Head Start Bill Turns Into Partisan Fodder, The New York Times, June 22, 2003
Save Head Start Editorial, The Record, June 21, 2003
Tinkering With Head Start Editorial, The New York Times, June 16, 2003