In Focus: Head Start

Why are we struggling to recruit and retain teachers? What reforms do the candidates propose to solve the teacher shortage and improve their working conditions?

Overview

Candidate Perspectives

School-to-Work

With a struggling economy, should lawmakers place further emphasis on federally-funded school-to-work programs? Moreover, do they work?

Overview

Candidate Perspectives

Disruptive Innovators

Who are the key players changing education today?

Overview

Green Dot Public Schools

New Teacher Project

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Big Picture Company

Breakthrough Collaborative

Online Education

Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP)

YES (Youth Engaged In Service) Prep

One Laptop Per Child

Teachers To Watch


Home Who are we and what is this website all about? Charters and Choice How can we give students options when their public schools are failing them? Overview Candidate Perspectives College Access College: Can't afford not to go, can't afford to go... Overview Candidate Perspectives The Dropout Dilemma What are the real costs of dropping out? Overview Candidate Perspectives No Child Left Behind What exactly is NCLB and how is it effecting our education system? Overview Pros and Cons What's Next? Candidate Perspectives Early Childhood Education How do we ensure that all children are prepared to enter kindergarten? Overview In Focus: Head Start Candidate Perspectives Teachers Why are we struggling to recruit and retain teachers? What reforms do the candidates propose to solve the teacher shortage and improve their working conditions? Overview Candidate Perspectives School-to-Work With a struggling economy, should lawmakers place further emphasis on federally-funded school-to-work programs? Moreover, do they work? Overview Candidate Perspectives Disruptive Innovators Who are the key players changing education today? Overview Green Dot Public Schools New Teacher Project Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Big Picture Company Breakthrough Collaborative Online Education Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) YES (Youth Engaged In Service) Prep One Laptop Per Child Teachers To Watch		A Closer Look at One Program: Head Start “I believe what makes Head Start so effective is that it has a focus on the whole family. Its components are health, social services, parental involvement, mental health, disabilities, and education.” -Mike Thorsteinson Executive Director Three Rivers Community Action, Inc.


		History:
		In the 1960’s the Johnson administration began their infamous War on Poverty. It was intended to help meet the needs of disadvantaged preschool children and stop the cycle of poverty.
		Present:
		The current mission of Head Start is to “promote 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. They engage parents in their children's learning and help them in making progress toward their educational, literacy and employment goals. Significant emphasis is placed on the involvement of parents in the administration of local Head Start programs” (as stated by the Administration for Children and Families).
		Future:
		The future of Head Start is strongly dependent on who the next President will be. That is why it is so important to get out and vote for programs you think are important and worth investing in. The good news is that either way there is strong bipartisan support for Head Start right now so, hopefully in the future it will continue to serve families in need by preparing our children.

		Return to Early Childhood Education Overview. See Candidate Perspectives on this issue.