Head Start in the States: Variation in a federal program May 25, 2017 Dr. W. Steven Barnett Dr. Allison Friedman-Krauss

What Varies by State and Locality? Who receives Head Start Who funds Head Start and how much Teacher qualifications & compensation Schedule and quality of services Early Head Start varies just as much

Early Head Start Enrollment

Enrollment in Head Start

Spending per Child Enrolled

Percent of Head Start Teachers with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher 99% of lead teachers in D.C. 36% of lead teachers in New Mexico 2007 Head Start Reauthorization required 50% of Head Start teachers to have at least a BA degree

Head Start Lead Teacher Salary $73,265 in DC $42,398 in Maryland $20,226 in Mississippi Average Salary for all lead teachers: $31,220 Average Salary for lead teachers with a BA or higher: $33,387 Average Salary for public elementary school teachers: $57,092

17% of lead teachers left their job during the school year Teacher Turnover: Percent of Head Start Teachers who Left During the Year Only 6% in West Virginia 31% in Nevada 17% of lead teachers left their job during the school year

Salary Difference: Early Head Start Lead Teacher with a BA or higher vs. Public Elementary School Teachers Gap is less than $10,000 in SD Gap is more than $40,000 in NJ, NY, and MA Large gaps between Early Head Start teachers with a BA and Elementary school teacher salary $27,323 on average

Percent Receiving a Full School-day

Add contact info and/or acknoweldgements? Working together we can improve early learning to enhance the well being and development of all children

Suggestions for Stories Local services, who benefits, who is left out? Effects of local, state, federal budgets? Partner with state & local schools and child care Staff working conditions—relate to issues of living wage and $15/hour minimum? Why programs vary: difficult choices, local needs

Thank you! For further information: nieer.org The authors wish to acknowledge the Office of Head Start in the Administration for Children and Families for their partnership, cooperation, and assistance. Opinions expressed are, of course, the authors’ alone.