COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 16, 2005

Strengthen the Head Start Early Childhood Program

VOTE YES ON THE SCHOOL READINESS ACT (H.R. 2123)

Dear Colleague:

Next week, the House is scheduled to consider the School Readiness Act (H.R. 2123) a bill to reform and strengthen the Head Start early childhood program.  The bill was approved unanimously by the Education & the Workforce Committee on May 18, 2005.  Since 1965, Head Start has provided comprehensive early childhood services to low-income preschool children and their families.  These services are intended to prepare children to enter kindergarten and to improve the conditions necessary for their success in school and life.  Head Start today provides these services to nearly one million children across the United States.

There have been many questions as to whether the program is as effective and efficient as it could be.  Alarming reports have surfaced in numerous U.S. cities showing that taxpayer dollars being spent on Head Start aren’t always being used to serve disadvantaged children and families.  We must demand more in exchange for the money we’re investing.  In addition, despite some gains, Head Start children still enter school lagging behind their more affluent peers.  As a result of the “readiness gap,” Head Start children are not being adequately prepared for school in key areas of cognitive development shown to be critical for later school success. 

That’s why we introduced the School Readiness Act, a bill that will protect children and taxpayers against the abuse of federal Head Start funds, boost school readiness among Head Start children as well as inject greater competition into the Head Start early childhood program and use it to increase the role of all 50 states and local communities in Head Start.

To strengthen the Head Start program and protect children and taxpayers, the School Readiness Act will:

• Create more competition in the Head Start system;

• Emphasize “what works” in preparing disadvantaged children for school;

• Better safeguard against financial abuse;

• Improve disclosure and transparency of Head Start;

• Create a great role for states in Head Start;

• Increase Head Start integration with local school districts;

• Improve teacher quality in Head Start;

• Address the unique needs of children in migrant and seasonal and Indian Head Start;

• Ensure that local Head Start centers are fairly evaluated on their performance;

• Preserve all current health and nutrition services for Head Start children; and

• Require no new testing.

Investing in early childhood education is important.  Head Start is a good program that is capable of achieving even greater results.  The School Readiness Act will strengthen and improve the Head Start program and the valuable services it provides for nearly one million children.  Please join us in creating a better Head Start program – one that will be better for disadvantaged children and better for American taxpayers.

A bill summary with more detailed information on the School Readiness Act is available on the Education & the Workforce Committee website at http://edworkforce.house.gov/issues/109th/education/headstart/2123billsummary.htm.  For more information, please contact the Education & the Workforce Committee majority staff at x5-4527.

Sincerely,