Head Start Improvements for School Readiness Act

Summary

(NOTE - S.1940 & S.1483, unlike H.R.2210, do not provide for State demonstration programs that allow States to administer their allotment of Federal Head Start funds.) Head Start Improvements for School Readiness Act - Amends the Head Start Act (the Act) to reauthorize appropriations and revise Head Start programs. Includes educational instruction in prereading skills, premathematics skills, and language among the services to be provided through Head Start programs. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to provide financial assistance to Head Start agencies for five-year periods. Changes from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary's authority to award grants to assist collaboration among State early childhood education activities under Head Start and other activities carried out in and by the State to benefit low-income children and families, and by Head Start agencies with other State and local planning, resource, and referral agencies. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to require Head Start agencies to implement policies and procedures to ensure that eligible homeless children are identified and prioritized for enrollment. Requires all curricula and instructional materials funded under the Act to be: (1) scientifically based and age appropriate; and (2) available for parental inspection, upon request. Requires each Head Start agency to establish procedures for: (1) evaluating delegate agencies; (2) defunding delegate agencies; and (3) appeals of such defunding decisions. Establishes a program of Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood. Requires Head Start agencies to have a program meeting all quality standards, and other specified features. Requires (currently simply authorizes) Head Start agencies to coordinate activities with LEAs and schools in which participating children will enroll following the Head Start program. Requires each Head Start agency to: (1) enroll 100 percent of its funded enrollment; and (2) maintain an active waiting list at all times, with ongoing outreach to the community and activities to identify underserved populations. Changes the Head Start family income eligibility requirement from below the poverty line to below 130 percent of the poverty line. Requires certain minimum qualifications for teachers providing direct services to Early Head Start children and families in Early Head Start centers. Directs the Secretary to assist Head Start agencies and programs in: (1) assessing the needs of homeless children and their families; and (2) increasing their program participation. Requires each Head Start agency to ensure that all of its teachers receive ongoing training in language and emergent literacy. Requires individuals, if they receive financial assistance under the Act to pursue a degree to qualify as Head Start staff, to: (1) teach or work in a Head Start program for a minimum of three years after receiving the degree; or (2) repay the total or a prorated amount of the financial assistance received based on the length of service completed after receiving the degree. Requires every Head Start agency and center to create a professional development plan for employees who provide direct services to children. Establishes a Tribal Colleges and Universities Head Start Partnership program. Directs the Secretary to contract with specified entities to establish an independent panel of experts to review and synthesize research and theories in the social, behavioral, and biological sciences regarding early childhood. Repeals a prohibition against paying less than the Federal minimum wage rate to a person employed in carrying out programs under the Head Start Act. Requires Head Start agencies to obtain written parental consent before administering to a child, or referring the child for, a non-emergency intrusive physical examination.

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Documents

4 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 24 November 2003

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• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 24 November 2003

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• Reported to Senate without amendment

  summary · EN · 24 November 2003

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 24 November 2003

  Open at official source

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