House approves Head Start bill

The School Readiness Act (H.R.2123) also would strengthen the financial accountability of local Head Start programs.

The Senate is expected to consider its version of a Head Start bill this month.

During the debate on the House floor, a controversial amendment was passed to allow Head Start providers affiliated with religious organizations to consider an applicant’s religion when hiring Head Start personnel.

Opponents of the amendment, including the National Head Start Association, said it endorses religious discrimination.

NSBA does not have a position on the so-called faith-based amendment. NSBA does support provisions in the Head Start bill that call for Head Start agencies to align their curriculum with that of local school districts. Such coordination would ensure a smoother transition of Head Start children into public schools.

Under the House bill, Head Start agencies would be sorted into several categories. To receive a “priority” designation, an agency would have to align its objectives for school readiness with state K-12 content standards, use a curriculum based on proven scientific research, and form active partnerships with local school districts.

Agencies identified as “priority” would be able to continue to receive federal funding on a preferential basis. Head Start agencies identified as “deficient” would have to compete for grant money and would not be guaranteed funding.

The Senate’s Head Start bill, approved by the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in May, would require all Head Start grantees to reapply for funding every five years.

Both bills would require the establishment of local governance boards to oversee all program activities and ensure financial accountability. The boards also would have to work with local school districts to ensure that children entering kindergarten are adequately prepared and that the Head Start program is aligned with the school district’s curriculum.

The House bill would require at least half of Head Start teachers nationwide to have an associate’s degree. To be considered a “priority” grantee, half of a Head Start agency’s teaching staff must have an associate’s degree.

Neither the House nor Senate bill would increase funding to provide higher salaries for better-qualified teachers. The average salary of Head Start teachers is about $25,000.

During the debate on the House floor, amendments were approved to allow homeless children and foster children to be automatically eligible for Head Start and create a federal program to train African-American and Hispanic men to become Head Start teachers.

An amendment was offered to restore power to Head Start parent policy councils, but it did not pass. The House bill relegates these councils to an advisory role and removes their authority over budgeting and staffing decisions.