Contact: Will Potter (202) 822-7823

November  16, 2007

Congress Updates and Improves Head Start

NEA applauds bipartisan cooperation on early childhood education

WASHINGTON —Congress has updated and improved the nation's primary early childhood development program, eliminating standardized testing for four- and five-year-old children and increasing government funding. The changes are the first time in a decade Congress has overhauled Head Start, which was created as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "war on poverty."

The House adopted the legislation, HR 1429, on Wednesday, on a 381-36 vote. Later that day, the Senate did the same, 95-0. The legislation reauthorizes Head Start for five years, and it will positively affect millions of students. In 2006, more than 909,000 children were enrolled in the program.

The following can be attributed to NEA President Reg Weaver:

"Lawmakers should be applauded for moving beyond party politics and putting the youngest, neediest children first," Weaver said. "Head Start is so vital because it helps ensure the neediest students aren't left behind at an early age and have a solid foundation on which to grow and succeed. The president must sign this bill, and lawmakers must override the presidential veto of an education spending bill, so that Head Start receives the resources it needs."

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.