For more information, contact:
Kristina Gawrgy
202-350-8857
kgawrgy@naeyc.org
For Immediate Release:
November 15, 2007
Long-Awaited Passage of Head Start Advances Development and Learning for Young Children
Early Head Start Receives a Boost, Flawed National Reporting System Stamped Out
(Washington, DC) –- The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) expressed strong support for yesterday’s vote to support the Head Start Act which will increase funding nationwide.
Late yesterday, both the House and Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor of the Head Start reauthorization bill. The early childhood community welcomes many important new elements which strengthen the quality of Head Start and increases the number of young children who will benefit from Early Head Start.
“After five years, we are pleased that this bipartisan legislation terminates the flawed Head Start National Reporting System test, expands the comprehensive program for young children, creates new incentives for statewide coordination of early childhood education programs, and focuses on professional development while retaining Head Start’s signature comprehensive service approach to children’s development and family involvement, “ said Mark R. Ginsberg, Ph.D., Executive Director of NAEYC. “We urge President Bush to sign this long overdue bill, and for Congress to significantly increase its funding levels so more children can attend Head Start and local programs can begin meeting new federal requirements.”
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s largest organization of early childhood education professionals, has strongly supported the federal Head Start program since its inception more than 40 years ago. Head Start’s leadership in ensuring high program standards and improving children’s developmental and learning outcomes has served as a model both for the creation of state pre-kindergarten programs and international systems of early education.
Higher teacher qualifications, program performance standards, the provision of comprehensive services for children and families, federal oversight and technical assistance have been hallmarks of Head Start’s success for many years.
Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children has nearly 90,000 members worldwide. The association is the largest and most influential advocate for early care and education in the United States.
Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children is the largest and most influential advocate for high-quality early care and education in the United States.
