Head Start was launched under the Office of Economic Opportunities Community Action Program, providing educational programming to to low-income children.
A Head Start pilot program started in the Summer of 1965, over half a million children were provided with educational programs through Head Start Development Centers. Based on success of the summer program, Congress authorizes Head Start as a primarily part day, nine-month program. Local Head start services are provided through all types of agencies, both public and private, profit and non-profit which receive federal grants. The early years of the program showed some positive outcomes for participants. 1
Eligibility Requirements include:
An applicant’s family income must fall below the federal poverty line
Children in foster care, children that are homeless, and children in families receiving SSI or TANF are automatically eligible for Head Start
10% of Head Start enrollees must be children with disabilities
10% of enrollees may have incomes above the federal poverty line
Individuals apply directly to a local Head Start program and may be placed on a waiting list if there are no openings
Program changes over time: 1
Half day programming (funding could be full day starting in 1998).
Under the Carter administration, bilingual programming was added to the curriculum (21 states added programs).
Over the decades, they have implemented programs to increase parental involvement.
In 1994, Early Head Start was added as a program for infants and toddlers.
Head Start programs do not have sufficient funds to support all eligible participants, with less than ½ of eligible children are enrolled in Head Start. Early Head Start reaches fewer than 5% of eligible children. The quality of Head Start programs is sometimes called into question as teacher pay and teacher qualifications vary greatly from state to state. Some studies have shown the cognitive advantage of the Head Start programs fades away by third grade. In general, results vary widely depending on the program and quality of education after children leave the head start program.
For more information, see here.
Endnotes
1. https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/about-us/article/head-start-timeline