On the Improving Head Start Act of 2007

Floor Speech

ON THE IMPROVING HEAD START ACT OF 2007 -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 11, 2007)

* Ms. DELAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the The Improving Head Start Act of 2007. For 40 years, Head Start has provided comprehensive child development, literacy, and family services to more than 20 million pre-schoolers from low-income and working poor families. It is unquestionably the most effective early childhood development program ever developed.

* Head Start graduates are less likely to need special education services, to be left back a grade or to get into trouble with the law. They are more likely to go on to college and to have professional careers.

* At a time when there is an overwhelming need in our country for quality, affordable early childhood education, we can all understand how powerful this legislation could be. I hope we can all understand our shared obligation today--not only to maintain this incredibly effective program, but to help it reach more children in need.

* As time goes by, we continue to learn more and more about the development of young children--their language development, their social-emotional development, even their brain development--and it all points to the fact that quality education and early engagement, from both parents and teachers, are essential for our kids' success.

* That is why this legislation is so important. It will increase funding for Head Start teacher and staff salaries and professional development, strengthening training and technical assistance. And it will re-evaluate and update Head Start's current standards and assessments based on the best science.

* We are going to increase accountability by devising a new system of application review that assesses program quality and leads to re-competition of low-quality centers. We are going to boost cooperation between Head Start and state and local child care programs to increase full-day and full-year services. And we are going to allow programs to convert portions of their grant for use for Early Head Start, which serves children under three years old.

* Ultimately, though, this legislation is about expanding access to Head Start for more than 10,000 additional children. Ten thousand more children who will be given the tools to perform significantly better on a range of cognitive, language, and social-emotional development measures. Ten thousand children for whom, studies show, there will be a higher degree of parental involvement in the home and at school. Ten thousand children with a real opportunity to thrive and succeed over the course of their entire lives.

* I want to commend and thank Congressmen Kildee, Castle, and Chairman Miller for their leadership on this critical legislation.

* Head Start is a strong and effective program. The growth and success of millions of American children and families is living proof. We have a responsibility to embrace their success, support it, and strengthen it for years to come.

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