Rigorous Researcher:
According to Howard et al., 2009, low SES students typically come to school a full year and a half behind their middle-class peers. So, millions of kids start their lives with an educational deficit. Proponents of NCLB argue that the federal government has provided preschool opportunities for families in low SES neighborhoods, such as the Head Start Program. Howard et al., 2009, states that, “Yes, there is Head Start, but this is a program put into place without the muscle required to make it work. In 2001, only 12% of children nationwide were enrolled in Head Start. This represents only half of the children who were eligible” (p.13).
What is Head Start?: US program designed to help children from ages three to five, who come from families with incomes below or at the poverty level.
The goal of Head Start : To help these children become ready for kindergarten, and also to provide needed requirements like health care and food support.
Who is Early Head Start for?: Early Head Start is a federally funded community-based program for low-income families with infants and toddlers and pregnant women. Its mission is to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, to enhance the development of very young children, and to promote healthy family functioning.
In New York and nationally, Head Start programs (for children ages 3-5) and Early Head Start programs (for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers) promote school readiness for children in low-income families by providing comprehensive educational, health, nutritional, and social services. Parents play a large role in the programs, both as primary educators of their children and as participants in local programs. Both programs provide pre-literacy and literacy experiences in a multi-cultural environment.
Hauser, Mary (2010). New York State Head Start Association. Retrieved from: http://www.nyheadstart.org/contact-us/
“A national Head Start impact study by the Society for Research in Child Development for the Department of Health and Human Services found evidence of the program’s benefits on low-income families. The study found nationally, Head Start reduced the achievement gap by 45 percent in pre-reading skills between Head Start children and the national average for all 3- and 4-year-olds.”
Amos, Catherine (2009). Media General Communications Journal: Nationally, statistics show Head Start programs work. Retrieved from: http://www2.godanriver.com/news/2009/jun/03/nationally_statistics_show_head_start_programs_wor-ar-276476/
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteGreat research on Head Start. I was not aware of this program until a few years back. I have been told that some of these classes are difficult at times with students with special needs. I also think that funding is an issue with a programs like these. Did you read anything in regards to these programs being cut when funding in not available. Its programs like Head Start that really help to close the achievement gap for students from low SES areas.
Melissa
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteHead start does seem like a great program, it's unfortunate that more students aren't involved with the program, whether they would like to be or not. Even being a teaching within the Rochester City School District, this book is the first I've actually heard of it. Are you familiar with the Upward Bound program? It reminds me of the "older student" version of Head Start.
Brendan Ayers
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI read in our literature book that funding is a problem with this program, and because of this, teachers are underpaid and turnover rate is very high! It also said that because the salary is low, the programs are bringing in people to run the classroom that are less certified.