Head Start Program Evaluation Essay

The research finds that participants with the lowest initial skills are the most beneficial from public Head Start programs. But this study also states that Head Start program has lots of limitation. At the beginning of this research paper, the author introduces the history and definition of Head Start program and its main purpose. He states, “The federal Head Start program is the largest early childhood education initiative in the United States, giving matching grants to preschool centers that provide parent training, early education, and health services to poor children and their families” (Healy, 2015, para. 1). As the author emphasis, the Head Start program is not suitable for all children but only offers to children from the low-income families. There are still many families left who need the public

As the longest running program to acknowledge systematic poverty in the U.S., Head Start is a family-centered program designed to promote school readiness, empower low-income families, and link community agencies and families. The objectives of Head Start are in agreement with the concept of social and economic justice. Based on the liberal viewpoint that the government should be involved with society to make sure that everyone has equal rights and opportunities, Head Start enables low-income families to have equal access to a wide range of services academically, socially, emotionally, and physically, that otherwise would not be accessible to

She declares which the chance of failure for these children is at high risk. Currie argues “those actually enrolled in Head Start are likely to face the most severe problems and are least likely to do well in the future” (683). In defending the needs of these children, it is crucial to provide a preschool program such as Head Start. This is not only an academic resource, but it focuses on the whole child; which means it provides these underprivileged children with opportunities such as: nutrition, health, education, and builds social skills that they otherwise do not have access to.

According to the Administration for Children and Families (2010), “Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families” (para. 3). Based on this mission subject, it is possible to subject Head Start to a program evaluation based on the following questions: (a) Is Head Start provisioning educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families? (b) Is the provisioning of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services leading to an enhancement of the social and cognitive development of children? (c) Is the social and cognitive development of children a social good for which taxpayers should pay $7 billion a year? These questions will be addressed, both directly and indirectly, later in this overview.

meeting educational, health, social service, and parental needs. “Head Start also wants to help bring about a greater degree of social competence in these children (Mallory and Goldsmith,

In a long time since its initiation, Head Start has enhanced the lives of more than 32 million youngsters and their families. Notwithstanding life and school readiness, Head Start is likewise the country's research center for early learning development. Head Start offers an exceptional children and family program configuration combined with a conveyance framework that incorporates nearby projects, national models, observing, proficient improvement, and family interactions. This has been the reason for some resulting statewide and group

The Head Start program offers children a fruitful education, in which they are given the opportunity to thrive. The children receive “free medical and

The classroom sites that were studies were state preschools, Head Start, Title 1, Tuition-based programs, full-day programs, and half-day programs. Eighty-one percent of the children were 4-year old, 19% were 5-year-olds. “The gender was balanced, and included 36% African American, 31% White, 20% Hispanic/Latino, 10% multi-race, and 3% Asian. Approximately 23% of the children were ELLs. The mean percentage of children eligible for early childhood special education (with IEPs) was 11%. This also varied across program types with 15% of children in Head Start programs having IEPs and 3% of children in Tuition-Based programs. Regarding parent/caregiver educational attainment in the overall sample, 22% of parents reported having less than high school, 23% had high school diplomas or general education development (GED),

In 1974, Congress enacts the Community Services Act of 1974 which formally recognizes Head Start’s transfer to Health and Human Services, it extended the program for 5 years and created a mandatory formula for the allocated amount given to the State. In 1982, Congress authorizes a $125 million increase in funding. Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1986 allows for children to receive Head Start services for multiple years and it reauthorizes Head Start until fiscal Year 1990. In 1990 Congress passes Head Start Expansion and Quality Improvement Act which allows Head Start to set-aside funding for training. In 1992, Congress passes the Head Start Improvement Act allowing head start to purchase building and give resources to younger sibling and parents. In 1998, The reauthorization revises the purpose of Head Start from the development of social competence to the promotion of school readiness. This reauthorization required at least one teacher in each classroom to have an associate degree. In 2003 Head Start implements Head Start National Reporting System in order to monitor all 4 and 5 years old skills in the program. In 2007, Congress passes The Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act. This Act terminated the National Reporting system, increases teachers qualifications and made overall improvements to the programs

Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs which serve children from birth to age five, pregnant woman and their extended families. They are child-focused programs that have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families. . These programs try to prepare young children intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically for their future educational and social endeavors. ( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002).. The programs prepare the parent(s) to be supportive in the endeavor. Head Start has the philosophy that parents are a child's first and most influential teacher. The Head Start program is beneficial to early learning.

The Head Start program I visited uses a more traditional comprehensive method. Students are all close to the same age. Since the program is federally funded there is much emphasis put on performance standards and teaching objectives.

Head Start is a federally funded, education development program that was created in 1965. The program provides education and services for eligible children from low-income families. Head Start 's philosophy focuses on the development of social-emotional, physical and mental health, nutrition, and working with families and the community and stated “low-income people should help plan and run their own programs” (p. 41-42). Head Start has truly expanded their resources over the years by providing a full school year for ages 3-6 years old and offering services such as health screenings, referrals, and social services (p. 42). Most importantly, each and every Head Start program must follow the federal Head Start Program Performace Standards that address all areas of development (p. 42). The program is truly committed to support low-income families and creating an education system that supports all aspects of the child.

After, reading Morrison’s chapter on implementing Early Childhood programs I have a better understanding of the many programs that are offered. All programs promote child development and learning and focus on effective approaches to connect with children and families. One of the programs that I have heard mostly about is Head Start. I would like to work in a Head start program because of the impact it has on children’s development, and after reading about it I know have more understanding on the program. Head start focuses on parent involvement because research has showed that the more parents become involve in their children’s early childhood education the better they will do in school.

What are the goals of Early Head Start? The goals or priorities of this is to provide safe and developmentally enriching caregiving. To support parent, mother and father, in the role as primary caregivers. The teaching of the children, and family in meeting personal goals. Being able to successfully achieve self sufficiency across a wide variety of domains. Communities being mobilized to provide proper resources and environment that is necessary. But also, to ensure the provision of high quality responsive services for the family. The idea of this topic, is to show the types of things that should be looked for when choosing a child care center. When choosing a child care center for whom it may involve it should be important to look for things like the quality of care, and the type of care and learning techniques that will be involved, while the child is there.

One common issue in early childhood education today is Head Start vs. Pre-K. Many feel that a child will excel better in a pre-K program rather than going to Head Start. Data from the Oklahoma pre-k study found that children attending Head Start at age 3 develop stronger pre-reading skills in a high-quality pre-kindergarten at age four compared with attending Head Start at age 4 (Jenkins, Farkas, Duncan, Burchinal & Vandell, 2014). Head Start’s primary goal is to promote school readiness for low-income families. Children that attend Head Start at age 3 or 4 displayed better pre-reading, pre-writing, and vocabulary skills. According to the HSIS study, children that attend HS for at least one year had a reduction of behavior problems and better social-emotional skills.