Support for Administration's Head Start Proposal Urged -- California Capitol Hill Bulletin -- Volume 10, Bulletin 5 -- March 6, 2003

The House Subcommittee on Education Reform, chaired by Rep. Mike Castle (DE), heard testimony on Thursday, March 6, on the impact of the Head Start Program in preparing disadvantaged children for school, and in support of the Bush Administration's proposal to improve program results and to promote school readiness in early childhood education. After introducing Rep. Lynn C. Woolsey (Petaluma) as the new ranking member of the subcommittee, Rep. Castle remarked: "research shows that children who participated in Head Start are better prepared to enter school than similar children who do not participate in this program." Echoing this sentiment, Congress included a provision proposed by the Senate that exempts Head Start from an across-the-board reduction in funding for FY 2003 in its Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

The subcommittee heard from two panels of witnesses, among them Dr. Wayne F. Horn, Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families, Gov. John G. Rowland, State of Connecticut, Ms. Nell Carvell, Senior Advisor, Southern Methodist University Learning Therapy Program, Mr. Ron Herndon, Chairman, National Head Start Association, and Mr. Dwayne Crompton, Executive Director, KCMC Child Development Corporation.

Dr. Horn outlined the Administration's proposal to improve the Head Start Program. According to Dr. Horn, "the bottom line for the President is school readiness - improving learning experiences and accountability for outcomes of those experiences." When questioned by Rep. Woolsey about the source of funding for proposed improvements to the program, Dr. Horn responded that there are dollars available for technical assistance to the states in the previous funding appropriated for Head Start.

Connecticut Governor Rowland also testified in support of the President's proposal. According to Gov. Rowland, the proposal will create greater accountability, flexibility, and higher skills, and would encourage a partnership among stakeholders. Under such a proposal, the state can combine federal, state, and local funds and utilize them in the most beneficial way.

Though all panelists emphasized the success of Head Start as a program, they also expressed the view that the program could be improved. Ron Herndon and Nell Carvell suggested that there are several areas where the program could use improvement, like incorporating a language-rich curriculum into Head Start programs, and instituting reforms with respect to early care and education.

For more information on this hearing please visit the subcommittee's homepage at: http://edworkforce.house.gov.

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