Teaching Strategies Applauds Passage of New Head Start Legislation

Teaching Strategies Applauds Passage of New Head Start Legislation

Washington DC, November 14, 2007--Teaching Strategies President Diane Trister Dodge today released the following statement in support of the new Head Start legislation:

"Today, Congress voted overwhelmingly in favor of reauthorizing the Head Start program. I congratulate members of Congress and their staffs for passing legislation that significantly improves Head Start while preserving the spirit and core principles that for more than 40 years have improved the lives of young children and their families.

From its inception, Head Start has been a leader in the field of early childhood education. The roots of most current national trends--from the increased emphasis on early childhood education at the state and local level to the development of program performance standards--can be found in the Head Start program. Head Start has also been an innovator in taking a comprehensive approach to child development programs, understanding the importance of parental and community involvement, meeting the needs of English language learners, serving infants and toddlers, fully including children with disabilities, and recognizing the importance of teacher qualifications and professional development. The Head Start legislation passed today will help us build on these important accomplishments. 

It is amazing to think of the progress Head Start has made since I was an Education Coordinator in Mississippi in 1966. During the early years of Head Start, we dug wells to provide running water and worked to secure electricity for our programs. While the challenges programs face today are quite different, Head Start teachers continue to do more with less and consistently go above and beyond to meet the needs of young children. Through this legislation, Congress recognizes teachers as the foundation for the success of the educational component of the program. The legislation supports a clear career path for Head Start teachers, and targets new funding to provide professional development and improve teacher salaries.

Equally important, Congress relied on the most up-to-date research to support program enhancements. In response to advances in developmental neuroscience that have shown that critical brain development begins even before birth, the bill prioritizes expansion of Early Head Start, which serves pregnant mothers and children up to age three. Studies also indicate that children who receive quality early education like that offered by Head Start are significantly more likely to be productive, contributing members of society years later. The new bill enables more families to be eligible for Head Start services, and it expands the Migrant and Seasonal and Indian Head Start programs. This will increase not only the number of children who will benefit, but also the return on investment we will gain as a society. 

Teaching Strategies strongly supports this legislation. Our staff and trainers look forward to working with programs to continue to enhance the quality of Head Start classrooms and to support Head Start's work with children and families."