The message that the $7.2 billion dollar annual budget that U.S. Department of Health and Human services spends on Head Start is in jeopardy is being sent to local programs. Local programs are under warning that under performing grantees will be forced to "re-compete" for the funding against other programs in the area.
Head Start is known for its ability to boost at risk youth in categories such as literacy and language. This is preparing students to enter the public schools where students have shown deficiencies without the use of a pre-K program. I would worry that the "recompetition" process is looking so far out that the skills that were necessary for a healthy entry into the education system are not being assessed properly . A recent study of first graders that is cited in this article points to loss of gains by the end of the first grade. But, this may only be the natural process of a healthy integration into the education system by some of societies most needy. As the title of the program implies, this is a "Head Start" and expecting that the advantages that these students have going into the first grade will translate into continued accelerated growth might lead us to make cuts where the benefit is tangible and durable.
Great point. You raise an important question - when should the effects of Head Start be assessed? Is it a longitudinal program (check back after HS) or a temporal one (assess during and immediately afterward)? There two distinct views encompassed in each of these orientations, which may not align with each other.
ReplyDelete