What Are the Benefits of Head Start Program - Essay Example

HEAD START Head Start was created 38 years ago which is aimed at giving disadvantaged children a running start into kindergarten. The federally run program provides preschool reading and math instruction, as well as essential nutrition and health services to some 900,000 children. From then on, Head Start has been considered a worthwhile program among most members of Congress (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/congress/july-dec03/headstart_07-25.html, 2003). But on July of 2005, the House of Representatives reauthorized Head Start for five more years, but for the first time, voted to shift some control of the program from the federal government to the states. This then would create a Head Start pilot program for eight states, allowing them to design their own early childhood programs, funded with federal Head Start grants. The state programs would have to "meet or exceed" national quality standards, but would not have to follow the detailed federal regulations that apply to local Head Start centers. Democrats called the pilot program nothing more than a block grant, and said it signaled the eventual end of Head Start (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/congress/july-dec03/headstart_07-25.html, 2003). This debate has reached even the most ordinary citizen of most states. There is an ongoing argument whether this Head Start program is really beneficial to underprivileged children. Moreover, there are now series of arguments whether Head Start program of benefiting the younger children should be continually implemented. I strongly believe that this program should continue and that the congress would not, in anyway, implement a program that would result to its eventual halt. What are the benefits of head Start Program Head Start program was specifically established to provide assistance and financial aid to low-income families with infants and toddlers and pregnant women which is called Early Head Start. The Early Head Start program address needs such as physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development requirements; knowledge of parents to be better caregivers and teachers to their children; and need for economic independence. More specifically, this program aims to (http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb/programs/ehs/ehs.htm, 2002). Ensure quality by meeting the requirements in the Head Start Program Performance Standards and other applicable regulations; Provide early, individualized child development and parent education services to low-income infants and toddlers and their families according to a plan developed jointly by the parents and staff; Provide services through an appropriate mix of home visits, experiences at the Early Head Start center, and experiences in other settings such as family or center-based child care; Provide early opportunities for infants and toddlers with and without disabilities to grow and develop together in nurturing and inclusive settings; Ensure that the Early Head Start program is supportive and nurturing of families; Respond to the needs of families, including, where appropriate, the need for full-time child care for working families; Connect with other service providers at the local level to ensure that a comprehensive array of health, nutrition, and other services is provided to the program's pregnant women, very young children, and their families; Recruit, train, and supervise high quality staff to ensure the kind of warm and continuous relationships between caregivers and children that are crucial to learning and development for infants and toddlers; Ensure parent involvement in policy and decision making; and Coordinate with local Head Start and other child development programs in order to ensure continuity of services for these children and families. Why do we have to Continue Supporting Head Start Program Based on reports, Head Start has been a tremendous success. From the young children that have been subjected to the program, their level of I.Q. considerably developed, their reading, writing and math skills also improved. Moreover, the percentages of students graduated in high school graduation are significantly greater thereby the need for special education reduced. Added to this fact is that the crime reports also reduced, which can be attributed to the fact that more and more youngsters are becoming more involved in educational activities that in any crime-related acts (http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ed31_democrats/rel42105.html, 2005). So, many are asking, if this program is this good, why overhaul it Head Start has served the most vulnerable children and families so well for several decades already, because its standards have remained both high and comprehensive (http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ed31_democrats/rel42105.html, 2005). Then, many members of the congress are in doubt whether they would do those children and families a great disservice by moving away from the said standards. If there will be drastic changes that will be imposed on the program, is not a form of delimiting the number of young children to be benefited If this happens, then the Head Start's mail goal of servicing and benefiting underprivileged children will not be achieved anymore. Those suggesting for a change in Head Start's processes and procedures harping on doing it a lot better (if recent results is not better enough for some), probably the best course of action is to increase federal support for proven programs such as Head Start (http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ed31_democrats/rel42105.html, 2005). Conclusion It must be noted that education is very important. This not only alleviate the lives of the many, but also this is also one of the ways in making the people understand and appreciate the better side of life. But to gain the right education requires enough financial and other resources which not everybody can provide. This is where the best side of Head Start program comes in. Head start program is undeniably one of the good ways of reaching out to less privileged children. I strongly support the vision and mission of this program and for I know that many will be continuously benefit from this. Its process and methods can always be improved so as to attain more lists of success. But the intensity of change must also be given deeper consideration. Will it really benefit more children Can it surpass the success that the program has achieved before As long as the program will continuously adhere to benefiting more and in dire need children and families, that I will be always supporting the program. References: "Early Head Start". 2002. January 24, 2006. "Online Hour: Head Start". 2003. January 25, 2006. "Representative Woolsey Statement on Head Start". April 21, 2005. January 24, 2006. Read More