1. Why Head Start? Started in 1965 as part of the “war on poverty.”
Obtained from www2.acf.dhhs.gov

2. Prepare children so that they’d start at a level
Objective:
Prepare children so that
they’d start at a level
playing field with their
more socially advanced
counterparts.

3. Language Skills
They include rhyme detection which leads to success in reading.
Children show a range of early literacy & language abilities.
Children do better with cognitive skills, language skills & social-economic development.

4. How Serious is Language Richness to Those who Enter School not Ready to Learn?
Delaware 67%
Massachusetts 41%
Nebraska 49%
Pennsylvania 54%
Rhode Island 66%
Obtained from

5. Grades & Graduation Rates
Head Start children have higher test scores
By 19, those previously enrolled had higher graduation rates than those not enrolled

6. Parental Involvement & Improvement
Head Start influences:
Parenting behavior
Parents’ knowledge of infant-toddler development
Parents’ school attendance
Parents’ job training
Lessens parenting stress
Decreases family conflict

7. “The family may be a more imperiled institution than the school.”
-Ready To Learn
Obtained from

8. Funding for Head Start
Of the families that make $30,000-, only 40% are in daycare
In affluent families, 75% in daycare
Daycare costs 23% of daily income
Programs receiving public funding gave greater quality care

9. Making Head Start available to more children could alleviate some of the costs for the family.
2/3 of eligible children aren’t served

10. Head Start is Effective:
Furthers “war on poverty”
Broadens language skills
Translates to better grades
& graduation rates
Brings family cohesivenss
Obtained from