BUDGET AND POLICY
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Toward Head Start Reauthorization
Head Start Reauthorization
and School Readiness Act of 2003 H.R.
2210 is passed in the House of Representatives and
referred to the Senate.
Head Start Improvements for
School Readiness Act S. 1940
is reported in the Senate and placed on the Calendar for discussion.
FY 2005 Federal Budget Plans for Head Start
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2005/hhs.html
Improving Head Start
“As we raise educational standards, which we must do, each of our children needs an equal opportunity to meet those standards. And creating that opportunity must begin early, even before school starts. On the first day of school, children need to know letters and numbers. They need a strong vocabulary. And they need to love books. These are the building blocks of learning, and this nation must provide them.”
President George W. Bush April 2002
In April 2002, building on his Administration’s emphasis on preschool programs, President Bush announced the Good Start, Grow Smart preschool education initiative with three goals:
- Strengthening Head Start;
- Partnering with States to improve early childhood education; and
- Providing information on child development and early learning to teachers, caregivers, parents, and grandparents and closing the gap between research and practice in early childhood education.
The initiative recognizes that for Head Start, achieving program goals means not only improving children’s health and nutrition, but preparing them to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Research shows that Head Start can achieve better school-readiness for its children by specifying particular skills and abilities to be taught in pre-reading, language, mathematics, cognitive skills, and social/emotional competencies.
The Budget increases Head Start by $169 million, including $45 million to support State implementation of a demonstration authority to promote better coordination of existing programs, to improve services for families and children, and to achieve better results with the resources already being used.
New Parent-Mentor Early Education Initiative.
Head Start has a long history of parent involvement. This initiative would build on that legacy by offering training for between 2,000 and 3,000 Head Start parents in a science-based curriculum designed to improve early language and literacy skill outcomes. This cadre of parent-mentors would then train tens of thousands of Head Start parents throughout the country. The initiative would support the goal of increasing school readiness, at a cost of at least $3 million, which would be financed from existing Head Start funding.
Head Start Act As Amended October
27, 1998:
The scope of the act, in effect through 2003, incorporates:
(636) Purpose, (637) Definitions,
(638) Financial Assistance,
(639) Authorization of
Appropriations, (640) Allotment
of Funds; Limitations of Assistance, (641) Designation
of Agencies, (641A) Quality
Standards, Results-Based Performance Standards, (642) Powers
and Functions of Head Start Agencies, (642A) Head
Start Transition, (643) Submission
of Plans to Governors, (644) Administrative
Requirements and Standards ,( 645) Participation
in Head Start Programs, ( 645A) Early
Head Start, ( 646) Appeals,
Notice, and Hearing, ( 647) Records
and Audits, ( 648) Technical
Assistance and Training, ( 648A) Staff
Qualifications and Development, (649) Research,
Demonstrations, and Evaluation, (650)
Reports, ( 653) Comparability
of Wages, (654)
Nondiscrimination Provisions, (655) Limitation
with Respect to Certain Unlawful Activities, (656) Political
Activities, ( 657) Advance
Funding.
Program
Performance Standards and Other Regulations:
Head Start Programs operate under detailed regulations and program
performance standards. Topics addressed include:
Grants Administration; Policies and Procedures for Selection, Initial
Funding and Refunding of Head Start Grantees and for Selection of
Replacement Grantees; Appeal Procedures; Program Performance Standards;
Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance;
Staffing Requirements and Program Options; Performance Standards
on Services for Children with Disabilities; Facilities Purchase;
Transportation; Head Start Fellows Program.
Funding
Opportunities/Program Announcements:
Grant awards, program announcements and changes in deadlines are
presented here.
Head Start Statistical Fact Sheets:
The most recent budget, enrollment, demographic and program figures
are presented.
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Information
Memorandums/Program Instructions: (HSIPC)
IMs provide program tools, models and techniques for program development.
PIs provide procedures and methods for implementing program policies;
add details to program regulations or policy guide requirements
and/or convey guidance for actions Head Start programs are expected
or required to make.
Last Modified: 02/03/2004
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