50 Years of Innovation, Continuous Improvement, and High Quality August, 2014

1. 50 Years of Innovation, Continuous Improvement, and High Quality August, 2014

2. 50 Years of Innovation, Continuous Improvement, and High Quality August, 2014

3. War On Poverty • In January 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a “War On Poverty” • Goal was to eradicate the causes of poverty by creating job opportunities, increasing productivity, and enhancing the quality of life • Led to Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and included programs such as: Job Corps, Urban/Rural Community Action, VISTA, Project Head Start and many more.

4. Head Start: The Origins • New research on causes of poverty and impacts of education gave way to a new project…Project Head Start • Culturally responsive to the communities, and communities had to be invested (maximum feasible participation). • Focused on providing preschool children of low-income families with a comprehensive program to meet their emotional, social, health, nutritional and psychological needs. • Federal to Local due to civil rights issues

5. Cooke Report (1964) • Improving the child’s physical health • Helping the social and emotional health of the child • Improving the child’s mental processes and skills • Establishing expectations of success for the child that will create a climate of confidence for successful future learning efforts • Increasing the child’s capacity to relate positively to family members and strengthening the family’s ability to relate positively to the child • Developing in the child and family a responsible attitude toward society • Increasing the sense of dignity and self worth in the child and the child’s family.

6. Head Start: The Early Years 1966 (Johnson) • Funded as a primarily part day 9 month program • Design began with four basic component requirements as outlined in program “guidance” (aka no standards) • No legislated “standards” were in place. 1967 (Johnson) • GAO declares Project Head Start a success in child development…but not in parent engagement • The Parent and Child Centers were established, first providing birth to three services (replaced by EHS in 1995) 1969 (Nixon) • Office of Child Development established – HS moved here 1970 (Nixon) • Policy groups were defined

7. Head Start: The Early Years 1972 (Nixon) • Services to children with disabilities was first required – “at least 10%” of national enrollment would be set aside for these children. • T/TA system first established (RAP)for services to children with disabilities. • Home Based services model was approved • Nixon vetoes Comprehensive Child Development bill citing communism 1973 (Nixon) • First CDA program established. CDA’s in every classroom proposed for 1976. • National Head Start Association was established 1975 (Ford) • First Performance Standards were published and the review process was begun.

8. Head Start: Through the Years 1977 (Carter) • First expansion approved (expansion occurred the following year) • First bicultural and bilingual programs begin in 21 states 1986 (Reagan) • Quality versus Quantity debate flares up with proposal to serve more children for only one year. Proposal is defeated. 1990 (George H Bush) • Largest single increase approved for Head Start in its history. President and Congress promised “full funding” • Head Start Expansion and Quality Improvement Act passed. • Head Start/State Collaboration Projects begun. • Child Care Block Grant passed.

9. Head Start: Reauthorizations 1994 (Clinton) • Reauthorization and Standards revision occurs with major focus on quality improvement • Early Head Start created • HS/EHS – CC collaborations heavily pushed and discussed 1995 (Clinton) • First Early Head Start programs were funded. • CDA requirement – a CDA in every classroom – to be in place in 1996. • Head Start Performance Standards begun to be developed • Head Start/Child Care partnership initiative underway. • Required on-site peer reviews every three years enforced. • Programs shut-down if deficiencies are not corrected within one year 1996 (Clinton) • Welfare reform – significantly alters social service provision • Performance standards and CDA requirement Instituted.

10. Head Start: Reauthorizations 1998 (Clinton) • Reauthorization occurs with most significant changes made to HS: • Purpose of Head Start changed from the development of social competence to the promotion of school readiness • For profit organizations may compete for Head Start grants • major focus on child and family literacy goals • Establishes expectations for competitive salaries for teachers and other Staff • Requires outcomes assessment processes for children (Performance Measures) • Adds significant work requirements in the social services area • Requires transition activities • Requires enhancement of HS/CC partnership agreements • Requires AA Degrees for at least one teacher in each Head Start classroom • Requires focus on full day-full year services for families • Creates major shifts and new requirements in management systems

11. Head Start: The 2000’s • Focus on accountability and results increases significantly • Assessment Program (National Reporting System) created…and discarded • Attempt to block grant and move HS to Dept. of Ed proposed and fought off. • Impact Study conducted • 2007 Reauthorization passes includes sweeping changes to accountability, quality, and focus on cognitive development

12. Head Start: The Obama Administration • Obama campaigns on quadrupling infant-toddler services • Doubles funding for EHS in ARRA • Implementation of many 2007 requirements (degree requirements, DRS, etc) • Impact study results released • Creation of EHS-CC Partnership program • Introduces largest Pre-K proposal since 1972

13. Wrapping up • Head Start was the first system of early learning • Head Start has had significant support from Republicans as well as Democrats from 1964 • Innovative demonstration projects have been vital to the development and success of Head Start (Project Head Start, Follow Through, Parent & Child Centers, Disabilities, bilingual services, Home Start, CDA, Child and Family Resource Program) • Continuous improvement of Head Start crucial to success • Parents are the reason HS still exists today • Head Start still seen more as an educational program than a social service or two generation program