Media Release: Head Start California Announces Opposition to Federal Program Changes

Head Start California Announces Opposition to Federal Program Changes; Warns that Proposed Changes Undermine Program Quality 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACRAMENTO, CA – Head Start California is urging all Californians to join them in opposing rule changes to Head Start Program Performance Standards that were announced by the Trump Administration today. (see: Federal Register: Public Inspection: Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs) The proposed changes would strip foundational and evidence-backed standards that all Head Start programs offer high-quality and comprehensive services. Public comment on the proposed rule changes will be open for 60 days, after which HHS must review and respond to comments before issuing a final rule–a process that may take several months.

The proposed rule would replace the current 120-page Head Start Program Performance Standards with a significantly shorter, 10-page version. If finalized as proposed, the rule would, among other changes:

• Impose new administrative cost caps on local programs that, when combined with years of funding challenges, could force many programs to reduce staffing or services.

• Eliminate evidence-based teacher-child ratio and group size requirements that support classroom quality, safety, and individualized learning.

• Remove key requirements related to serving children with disabilities, raising concerns about equitable access to the services and supports that help children fully participate and thrive alongside their peers.

• Require all classroom instruction be delivered in English. 

Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director of Head Start California, said, “Head Start works because of its high standards. Six decades of evidence show that Head Start improves school readiness, increases high school graduation and college enrollment, reduces the need for costly special education services in K-12 school years, connects children to health and dental care, and produces lasting gains in adult earnings and family stability. Head Start’s results are possible because the standards ensure that all programs offer high-quality and comprehensive services. We believe eliminating the quality standards will negatively impact the children and families that Head Start is designed to serve.” 

Head Start is a federally-funded program authorized by Congress, providing quality child care, early education, health, and dental check-ups. The program supports communities' most vulnerable kids, including children with disabilities, children experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care. It also provides intensive, comprehensive child development and family support services to babies from low-income families and pregnant women. In some communities across the country, and in many rural areas, Head Start is the only early learning program available. It is often the only place a family can get a developmental screening, a hearing and vision check, or a dental exam.

The proposed changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards appear to be a part of a broader effort by the Trump Administration to advance goals listed in Project 2025, which outlined a plan for reducing quality standards and then eliminating Head Start. By eliminating quality standards, the proposed rule changes would create inconsistency and confusion about what services and standards are required in Head Start. Ultimately, even programs that want to maintain quality will be squeezed. Once a service is no longer required, it would become optional, and every program would be left to defend its services and budget line by line without the backing of a federal standard. The predictable result would be a program that costs less, does less, falling short of Head Start’s promise to children and families.

“Head Start was authorized by Congress,” Melanee Cottrill added. “Many of the provisions in the proposed rule contradict the statute governing Head Start and the Head Start program Congress envisioned. These changes would weaken one of America's most successful investments in young children and families while making it harder for local programs to provide the high-quality services children deserve. We should be building on the success of Head Start, not dismantling the standards that make it possible. We urge all Californians to join us in strongly opposing the elimination of Head Start quality standards.”

The public comment period on the proposed rule change will be open Aug. 7 through Oct. 6. Visit Federal Register: Public Inspection: Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs to learn more, submit a comment, and help protect the future of Head Start.

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Melanee Cottrill, Head Start California Executive Director, melanee@headstartca.org  

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