Head Start “Head Start is a celebration of human diversity and creativity” Head Start Parent Involvement Coordinator California By Nicole King,Stephanie Cullen, and Emily Gaska

Thesis Statement Head Start is a comprehensive program that has provided millions of disadvantaged children with pre- kindergarten education, medical services, and family support services throughout the years.

Head Start Overview Created by a group of child development experts in 1964 Funding is through Federal and State dollars and is sponsored by a variety of community-based agencies Families that are eligible must: * fall below the federal poverty line, which is $18, 400 for a family of four * have children that are between the ages of 3 and 5 years old

Head Start Overview cont. * Children with Special Needs also make up a percentage of the program Head Start agencies provide a range of individualized services in the areas of: * Education and early childhood development * Medical * Dental * Mental health * Nutrition * Parent involvement

Benefits of Head Start Increases children’s cognitive skills, self- esteem, and motivation Improves social behavior, language development, and sense of self- empowerment Children develop behavior patterns that prepare them for future successes, for example learning to pay attention and how to engage in tasks Children show signs of less aggression

Benefits Because children are able to choose their own activities, they learn to initiate their own learning * This in turn encourages children to solve their own daily problems and gives them a sense of control in their unstable home environments

Benefits Long term studies comparing Head Start students to disadvantaged, non-Head Start students show that Head Start students: * Are less apt to be held back in school (Gotts, 1989; Irvine, 1982; Palmer, 1983) * Are less likely to be placed in Special Ed classes (Gray et al., 1982; Irvine, 1982; Levenstien et al., 1983) * Are more likely to graduate from high school (Fuerst & Fuerst, 1993; Gotts, 1989; Schweinhart et al., 1993)

Benefits * Have less criminal activity * Earn a higher salary (Schweinhart et al., 1993) Parent involvement in their child’s development increases with the knowledge they gain through the program

Good Start, Grow Smart In 2002, The Bush Administration outlined the new educational reform to prepare children to read and succeed in school with improved Head Start and early childhood development programs.

Proposed Changes Mandatory standardized tests in literacy, language, and numeracy skills New education requirements for head start teachers Head Start funds will be delegated to State Governments

Opponents to Good Start, Grow Smart States will be capable of cutting the Head Start Program altogether The program will become a one- dimensional literacy program According to current qualitative research, Head Start is adequately preparing young children for kindergarten

Conclusion The philosophy of Head Start is, “A child can benefit most from a comprehensive disciplinary program to foster development and remedy problems as expressed in a broad range of services. The child’s entire family, as well as community, must be involved. The Head Start program is a family focused program. The Head Start program will provide children the opportunity to develop to their maximum potential.” (National Head Start Association)