Head Start

Head Start is a federally funded program in the United States that provides early childhood education and comprehensive services to low-income children from birth to age five, with a focus on promoting school readiness and social competence. The program was established in 1965 as part of Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society initiative, with the goal of reducing the effects of poverty on young children and providing them with a strong foundation for future success. Sargent Shriver, the first director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, played a key role in developing the program, which was influenced by the work of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. The program has been supported by numerous United States Presidents, including Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama.

History of Head Start

The history of Head Start is closely tied to the War on Poverty, a comprehensive effort launched by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 to address the root causes of poverty in the United States. The program was inspired by the work of Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy, and other civil rights leaders who recognized the importance of early childhood education in promoting social mobility and reducing inequality. In the early years, Head Start was influenced by the Perry Preschool Project, a pioneering study on the effects of early childhood education on low-income children, led by David Weikart and Lawrence Schweinhart. The program has undergone several changes and expansions over the years, including the addition of Early Head Start in 1994, which provides services to infants and toddlers, and the introduction of the Head Start Act in 2007, which reauthorized the program and made significant changes to its funding and governance structure, with input from Ted Kennedy and George Miller (California politician).

Program Overview

Head Start is a comprehensive program that provides a range of services to low-income children and their families, including early childhood education, health and nutrition services, and family support. The program is administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, with funding provided by Congress. Head Start programs are delivered through a network of local agencies, including non-profit organizations, community action agencies, and school districts, such as the New York City Department of Education and the Los Angeles Unified School District. The program serves over a million children each year, with a focus on promoting school readiness, social competence, and family engagement, in partnership with organizations like the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Head Start Association.

Eligibility and Enrollment

To be eligible for Head Start, children must be from low-income families, with incomes at or below the federal poverty level, as defined by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Children with disabilities, including those with autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome, are also eligible for the program, as are children who are homeless or in foster care. The enrollment process typically begins with an application, which is reviewed by local program staff, such as those at the Boston Public Schools and the Chicago Public Schools. Once enrolled, children participate in a comprehensive assessment, which includes evaluations of their cognitive, social, and emotional development, using tools like the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development and the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities.

Curriculum and Services

The Head Start curriculum is designed to promote school readiness and social competence, with a focus on language and literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies, using approaches like the HighScope Educational Research Foundation and the Creative Curriculum. The program also provides a range of services, including health and nutrition services, such as vaccinations and dental care, and family support services, such as parenting classes and counseling, in partnership with organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of Social Workers. Head Start programs also provide opportunities for children to engage in physical activity, such as outdoor play and sports, and to develop their creative skills, through art and music activities, with support from PBS Kids and the Sesame Workshop.

Evaluation and Outcomes

The effectiveness of Head Start has been evaluated through numerous studies, including the Head Start Impact Study, which was conducted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and published in 2010. The study found that Head Start had a positive impact on children's cognitive and social development, particularly in the areas of language and literacy, with benefits lasting into elementary school and beyond, as reported by Education Week and the Brookings Institution. Other studies have found that Head Start participants are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, and are less likely to be involved in crime and substance abuse, according to research by Harvard University and the University of Chicago.

Criticisms and Controversies

Despite its many successes, Head Start has faced criticisms and controversies over the years, including concerns about its effectiveness, funding, and governance structure, as reported by The New York Times and The Washington Post. Some critics, including Ronald Reagan and Newt Gingrich, have argued that the program is too expensive and ineffective, and that its services could be provided more efficiently by private organizations, such as the Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute. Others, including Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi, have argued that the program is underfunded and that its services should be expanded to reach more children, with support from ACLU and the NAACP.