Head Start

Head Start
Name	Head Start
Established	1965
Administering agency	HHS, OHS
Annual budget	$10 billion (2020)

Head Start is a federally funded program in the United States that provides comprehensive early childhood education and services to low-income children. The program was established in 1965 as part of President Johnson's Great Society initiatives, with the goal of preparing disadvantaged children for success in school and beyond. Head Start serves children from birth to age 5, and their families, with a focus on promoting social, emotional, and cognitive development. The program is administered by the Office of Head Start (OHS) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

History

Head Start was launched in 1965, as part of the Economic Opportunity Act, with an initial funding of $96 million. The program was designed to provide a comprehensive range of services, including education, health, and nutrition, to low-income children and their families. The first Head Start programs were established in 1965, with over 1 million children enrolled by the end of the first year. In 1967, the National Head Start Association (NHSA) was established to support and advocate for the program.

Over the years, Head Start has undergone several changes and reauthorizations, including the Head Start Act of 1985, which established the Office of Head Start (OHS) to oversee the program. In 2007, the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act was passed, which increased funding for the program and introduced new performance standards.

Program structure

Head Start programs are designed to provide a comprehensive range of services, including education, health, nutrition, and family support. The program is delivered through a network of local agencies, including non-profit organizations, community action agencies, and school districts. Head Start programs are required to meet federal performance standards, which include requirements for teacher qualifications, curriculum, and services.

Head Start programs serve children from birth to age 5, with a focus on promoting social, emotional, and cognitive development. The program provides a range of services, including:

* Education: Head Start programs provide early childhood education, including literacy, numeracy, and social skills. * Health: Head Start programs provide health services, including medical and dental care, and health education. * Nutrition: Head Start programs provide nutrition services, including meals and snacks. * Family support: Head Start programs provide family support services, including parent education, job training, and social services.

Effectiveness and impact

Research has shown that Head Start has a positive impact on children's cognitive, social, and emotional development. Studies have found that Head Start children perform better in school, have better social skills, and are more likely to graduate from high school. A 2010 study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that Head Start children had better cognitive and socio-emotional outcomes than children in other early childhood programs.

However, the effectiveness of Head Start has been subject to debate, with some studies finding that the program has limited long-term impacts. A 2013 study by the What Works Clearinghouse found that Head Start had no significant impacts on children's cognitive or socio-emotional outcomes in the long term.

Funding and administration

Head Start is funded by the federal government, with an annual budget of over $10 billion. The program is administered by the Office of Head Start (OHS) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Head Start programs are required to meet federal performance standards, which include requirements for teacher qualifications, curriculum, and services.

Criticism and controversy

Head Start has been subject to criticism and controversy over the years, with some critics arguing that the program is too expensive and has limited impacts. Others have argued that the program is not adequately funded, and that it does not provide sufficient support for children with special needs.

In 2019, the Trump administration proposed changes to the Head Start program, including a new funding formula and changes to the program's performance standards. The proposed changes were met with opposition from Head Start advocates and Congressional Democrats, who argued that they would undermine the program's effectiveness.

Category:Early childhood education Category:Federal education programs Category:Social programs in the United States