Conference Report on H.R. 1429, Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1429, IMPROVING HEAD START FOR SCHOOL READINESS ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - November 14, 2007)
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Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report on H.R. 1429, the Head Start for School Readiness Act.
As a member of the Education and Workforce Committee for 6 years, I was pleased to have the opportunity to work on this important issue. While visiting Head Start centers in the Fourth District, I was able to see firsthand the difference Head Start makes to children and families. In addition, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis published a study in 2004 showing that investment in early education has a rate of return of 12 percent. Even with all the evidence showing the social, educational and economic value of this program, the Republican-controlled Congress was unable to pass an acceptable bill.
Thanks to the hard work of Chairman Miller and Speaker Pelosi, the bill before us today is a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that does what earlier reauthorization bills did not--it focuses on preparing children for school. This agreement includes an increased emphasis on teacher quality and compensation, maintains parent involvement in the governing structure of Head Start, and increases coordination with other early childhood programs. It also maintains Head Start's commitment to comprehensive services and places greater emphasis on identification of child and family mental health needs.
H.R. 1429 terminates the inappropriate high stakes testing system for Head Start students implemented by the Bush Administration and replaces it with best practices for early learning. It also strengthens monitoring of Head Start programs, allows quicker action against failing or fraudulent programs and rejects a proposal to allow discrimination in hiring with Head Start funds.
Congress still faces the critical issue of providing enough resources to Head Start to serve all the children who are eligible to participate. The Head Start for School Readiness Act authorizes increased funding, as well as some flexibility in funding, to allow more children to access this important education. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to work towards improving our investment in children, families and communities.
I am pleased to vote in support of H.R. 1429 because this bill will make a real difference in the lives of children and families, and for our economy. I urge all my colleagues to support this investment in our future.
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