Related Experiment Videos
Head Start. Only the best for America's children
1U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
The American Psychologist
|February 1, 1994
Summary
The Head Start Quality Improvement Act of 1993 aimed to enhance early childhood education by increasing funding and implementing quality improvement measures. This legislation focused on performance, accountability, and smoother transitions for children entering elementary school.
Area of Science:
- Early Childhood Education Policy
- Public Health Initiatives
- Socioeconomic Program Development
Background:
- The Head Start program, established in 1965, has a long history of providing comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.
- Prior to 1993, the Head Start program faced challenges in consistently measuring and ensuring program quality across diverse grantees.
- The need for enhanced quality and accountability within federally funded early childhood programs was recognized as crucial for maximizing positive child outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the legislative framework and objectives of the Head Start Quality Improvement Act of 1993.
- To understand the proposed mechanisms for enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the Head Start program.
- To evaluate the intended impact of the Act on program grantees, children, and families.
Main Methods:
- Legislative analysis of the Head Start Quality Improvement Act of 1993.
- Examination of the five-part approach outlined in the legislation: performance measures, accountability, policy enforcement, transition services, and workforce assistance.
- Review of the mandated roles and resources provided to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Main Results:
- The Act mandated the establishment of general performance measures for all Head Start grantees.
- It aimed to strengthen accountability, training, and technical assistance systems within the program.
- The legislation included provisions for enhanced policy enforcement, increased competition, and expanded transition services for children entering elementary school.
Conclusions:
- The Head Start Quality Improvement Act of 1993 represented a significant legislative effort to build upon the existing success of Head Start.
- The Act's comprehensive approach sought to systematically upgrade program quality through improved performance standards, accountability, and support systems.
- Successful implementation of the Act was intended to lead to better outcomes for children transitioning to elementary school and support for families in the workforce.