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

2. 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

3. Early Head Start Enrollment

4. Enrollment in Head Start

5. Spending per Child Enrolled

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Percent Receiving a Full School-day

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

12. 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

13. 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.