WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the Obama Administration released long-anticipated new Head Start Program Performance Standards that will streamline program efficiencies, strengthening Head Start’s commitment to helping children and families succeed. The new Performance Standards improve the delivery of high-quality, comprehensive, early learning by Head Start programs and increase providers’ flexibility to best meet the unique needs of the communities they serve.
“Head Start has positively impacted children and families for the past 50 years. These new Performance Standards build upon the growing body of research showing what ensures quality early learning, effectively providing children and families the best possible early education and care programs,” said Kris Perry, Executive Director of the First Five Years Fund. “The Administration’s new Head Start Program Performance Standards build on the bipartisan reauthorization of the Head Start Act in 2007 and reflect the Department of Health and Human Services’ commitment to providing Head Start children and families the resources they need to succeed, no matter their circumstances.”
The First Five Years Fund looks forward to reviewing the new Performance Standards in depth, and to seeing their implementation strengthen Head Start’s ability to provide local communities with access to high-quality early learning and care.
The First Five Years Fund helps America achieve better results in education, health and economic productivity through investments in quality early childhood education programs for disadvantaged children. FFYF provides knowledge, data, and advocacy – persuading federal policymakers to make investments in the first five years of a child’s life that create greater returns for all. http://www.ffyf.org