Head Start Programs

Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence, Apr 06, 2001 by A. Woodward

Head Start began in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty program launched by the administration of president Lyndon B. Johnson. Nearly half the nation's poor people were children under age 12, and Head Start was developed to respond to the needs of poor children as early as possible. A few privately funded pre-school programs for poor children in inner cities and rural areas had shown marked success in raising children's intellectual skills. Many low-income children also had unrecognized health problems and had not been immunized. Head Start was envisioned as a comprehensive program that would provide health and nutritional services to poor children, while also developing their cognitive skills. The program aimed to involve parents as well. Many parents of children in the program were employed as teacher's aides, so that they would understand what their children were learning, and help carry on that learning at home.

The program was political from its inception. Head Start was launched with much fanfare by Lady Bird Johnson, Lyndon Johnson's wife, and presidents from Lyndon Johnson to Bill Clinton have praised the program and taken credit for its successes. Measuring the program's actual success is not a simple matter, however. Head Start is said to save taxpayers' money, because children who attend Head Start are more likely to graduate high school and get a job than their peers who do not attend Head Start. However, the precise long-term benefits of Head Start are difficult to gauge, and researchers disagree even about the short-term benefits. Nevertheless, one government publication states that, in the long term, $6 are saved for every $1 invested in the Head Start program. Other studies merely suggest that Head Start graduates are more likely than their peers to stay in the proper grade level for their age in elementary school.

Head Start presently serves approximately 700,000 children across the nation. Most programs are half-day, and include lunch. The curriculum is not the same in every program, but in most cases school readiness is stressed. Children may be taught the alphabet and numbers, and to recognize colors and shapes. Health care is an important aspect of the program, and children in Head Start are monitored to keep them up to date on their immunizations; testing is also available for hearing and vision. Many programs are integrated to include children with special needs such as a physical or mental handicap. Class size is limited to between 17 and 20 children, with two teachers. Parents are encouraged to volunteer their time in the classroom, or to work as teacher aides. Most programs are aimed at four-year-olds, who attend Head Start for one year, before starting kindergarten. Some programs are for two years, and others are for infants and toddlers, who participate with their parents. Eligibility in Head Start is limited to families at or below the federal poverty level.