I just received additional information on the School Readiness Act of 2003, HR2210, which allows eight states (eight states too many) the option to oversee Head Start, which will begin to dismantle Head Start as we know it.
There are no assurances that programs will have to comply with federal performance standards. Any plan to allow any states to take over Head Start abdicates the responsibility of the federal government to provide quality early childhood programs for low-income families. This also allows cash-strapped states with no commitment to providing quality preschool services to run programs, a step backwards for low-income children. States will be tempted to divert resources or spread the funds thin by watering down the quality of service.
This bill also repeals civil rights protection for Head Start employees. They added a provision allowing programs to discriminate in hiring practices based on religion.
July 18 was the day this bill was to be voted on, however, the information I received was that the House leadership decided to postpone the floor vote because, in part, of the public outcry against the bill and the subsequent lack of votes to pass it.
The House Republican leadership will be working overtime to round up the votes they need to pass HR2210, and we need to keep the pressure on House Democrats, who have been very supportive, and moderate Republicans. Rep. Tom Allen’s message to Maine certainly said it all: “If it ain’t broke why fix it.”
Estelle Rubinstein, director, Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care
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