Program funding will add an additional 10,000 students and improve quality and accountability  

May 3, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand voted to reauthorize the Head Start program, the highly successful early childhood education program for low-income children. The Improving Head Start Act of 2007 [H.R. 1429] reauthorizes Head Start through Fiscal Year 2012 and will fund the nearly 20,000 Head Start and Early Head Start centers, serving over one million children.

"This bill adds the necessary resources to promote teacher training and recruitment and enhance classroom quality for our Head Start programs. I am thrilled to expand access to Head Start for Upstate New York’s children," said Congresswoman Gillibrand. "Early childhood education is essential for young children to ensure readiness for kindergarten."

The bill increases funding for teacher salaries and professional development, in addition to requiring that 50% of Head Start teachers have a baccalaureate degree in early childhood education or a related field by 2013.

Head Start has proven results. Children who attend Head Start are more likely to enter Kindergarten with the necessary, age-appropriate social and educational skills. In addition, they are less likely to need special education services, repeat a grade, or commit crimes in adolescence.  Finally, they are more likely to graduate from high school.

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