House Approves Head Start Reauthorization Bill

House Approves Head Start Reauthorization Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Head Start program, which provides early education and other comprehensive services to disadvantaged children, on May 2.

The bill, approved 365-48, authorizes a $500 million increase for the program, boosts teacher and staff salaries, and expands eligibility to children of families earning 130 percent of the federal poverty level.

Education Component In addition, the legislation would strengthen the educational component of Head Start by updating program quality standards, and would require grantees to better coordinate with local education agencies. Last month, the National School Boards Association sent a letter to all representatives indicating its support for the bill.

Head Start is a national program offers grants to local public and private non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families. The program has a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills to be successful in school, according to its Web site.