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Managing America: Education

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Week Ending May 4, 2006

H.R.1429 To reauthorize the Head Start Act, to improve program quality, to expand access, and for other purposes.

Head Start, the successful program that begins socializing and educating low income children prior to kindergarten is reauthorized and enhanced by this bill. Head Start Children gain in language skills, reading ability, math, science and social acumen and emotional functions, and physical skills. The bill aims to enhance cognitive, social and emotional development that supports growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, physical skills and approaches to learning by reaching out to homeless, migrant, seasonal, Native American, and Native Alaskan populations. Income qualifications are eased. The bill creates a panel to review grants to head Start agencies and to monitor and measure performance including under-performing agencies and requires improved training of Head Start teachers and personnel in early childhood development

The Panel would also improve coordination with State schools and K-12 programs and by 2013 50% of Head Start teachers must have a bachelor degree in early childhood development and new hires must at least have an associate degree in two years of hire.

Spending is allotted in some cases to provide 5% set aside for migrant and seasonal outreach, 3.5% is set aside for Native American outreach, 3% may go for training and technological assistance with 50% of that set aside for local grants and 30% of it for state training and technical assistance. 60% of funds in excess of last year’s funding would be put to collaborative grants and some funds can be shifted to Early Head Start enterprises.

Agencies are directed to accomplish 100% enrollment with a waiting list. Financial qualifications are expanded to include those within 130% of the federal poverty level. Military housing is not to be included in determining eligibility requirements. New efforts will include providing training in parenting skills and, unless the exam is intrusive, parents need not give permission for examining a sick child.

Faith-based organizations have participated in the program under recent law since about 2002. An amendment to the bill in committee failed to affirm that faith-based organizations may hire only those of the same faith for such endeavors. However, prior law from the Clinton administration and other considerations would appear to trump a 2004 Health and Human Services regulation that would not allow religious organizations to hire only within their faith when federal money is involved.

‘Religious organizations can compete on equal footing with public or private entities without requiring religious organizations to eliminate their religious character’ in order to participate is the wording that led to the committee’s conclusion on the defeated amendment and asserts: “(The amendment)  reflects the exact sentiment as did those four (Clinton)  laws: that the faith and values that motivate Americans to serve their neighbors should not be held against them. An intolerant attitude that forces faith-based groups to give up who they are because they want to assist their community has no place in this Congress or this country.”

Another amendment attempted to implement State Demonstration Projects authorized in 2003. An amendment to required the “Secretary to allow States to participate in a limited demonstration project by which no more than eight States--who are currently matching 50 percent of the federal commitment with State and local money in an early childhood education program--could voluntarily apply for and receive the option of coordinating Head Start programs with their own early childhood education programs. In order to participate, States would have been required to contribute an additional five percent match, and have standards for education and comprehensive services at least as extensive as those currently found in Head Start. The demonstration would be limited to States with a demonstrated investment in early childhood education and an established, pre-existing preschool system. Participating States would be barred from making funding cuts to early childhood education programs as a condition of their participation. In addition, a `hold harmless' provision was included guaranteeing funding for Head Start centers in participating States for at least the first three years of implementation of the demonstration project.”

The national reporting system is suspended and new measurements of success or failure are to be devised and implemented.

Amendments provid that teachers committed to teach in the program for three years and who have earned degrees in early childhood may have federal student loans forgiven. Fifty percent of training funds would go to technological training and emphasis of tech training is to be on infant and toddler trained teachers and extending programs to underserved rural areas. Progress in language learning by limited English students is to be studied and reported on.

Sponsor:  Rep. Dale E. Kildee (D-MI-5^th)

Vote: Passed House 365 to 48 May 2, 2007 (RC 285). A motion to recommit the bill with instructions failed 195 to 222 (RC 284)

Cost to the taxpayers: $7,370,000,000. “The bill would authorize the appropriation of $7.350 billion in 2008 (including the $1.389 billion advance already appropriated for fiscal year 2008), and such sums as may be necessary in 2009 through 2012. CBO estimates that the total authorizations of additional appropriations for the 2008-2012 period would be $36.8 billion, assuming adjustments for inflation from 2009 through 2012, with resulting additional outlays of $33.1 billion over those five years.”

Earmark Certification:   “H.R. 1429 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clauses 9(d), 9(e) or 9(f) of rule XXI of the House of Representatives”

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MORE INFORMATION

AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENTS

Amendment offered by Ms. Johnson, E. B..

An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 110-116 to instruct the Secretary of HHS to create partnerships between Head Start and the HBCUs. These partnerships would increase the number of associate, baccalaureate, and advanced degrees in early childhood education that are earned by Head Start staff and parents of Head Start students

Agreed to by voice vote May 2, 2007

Amendment offered by Mr. Price (GA).

Amendment offered by Mr. Sestak.

Passed 312 to 107 May 2, 2007 (RC 278)

Amendment offered by Ms. Hirono.

Amendment offered by Mr. Mica.

Amendment offered by Mr. Kennedy.

Agreed to by voice vote May 2, 2007

Amendment offered by Mr. Putnam.

Amendment offered by Mr. Porter.

Agreed to by voice vote May 2, 2007

Amendment offered by Mr. Carnahan.

Amendment offered by Mr. Cuellar.

Agreed to by voice vote May 2, 2007

Agreed to by voice vote May 2, 2007

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