Head Start Program Performance Standards Archives

In early August, early childhood education advocates sounded the alarm that Head Start was facing its greatest threat in decades.

The federal government proposed significant changes to Head Start that would affect class sizes, staffing standards, support for children with disabilities, and more. These changes would impact approximately 700,000 children and families who benefit from this program and make access to Head Start more challenging.

In a little over two months since these proposed changes were announced, an incredible 40,087 public comments were posted in response. This sends a message loud and clear: our communities depend on Head Start. Backed by more than 60 years of proven success, Head Start provides quality, comprehensive care and education that has lasting impact for children, families, and communities.

Thank you to every educator, parent, and concerned community member who took the time to share their story and speak up on behalf of Head Start. Your voice matters!

Trying Together submitted a public comment in strong opposition to the proposed changes, encouraging the Department of Health and Human Services to withdraw the proposal in its entirety and preserve the Head Start Program Performance Standards.

Our Response

We invite you to read our full comments. Here are some highlights that demonstrate why we are opposed to the proposed changes:

The proposed changes diminish the quality and safety of the programs and wither the trust and security of families.
Making such sweeping changes to the Head Start program without adequately consulting with Head Start families, program leaders, local governments, or experts, demonstrates an alarming lack of concern for people who will be most impacted by the Proposed Rule.
Larger class sizes would:
- Result in fewer adult-child interactions and less individualized attention.
- Increase safety risks
- Worsen working conditions for early educators.
Children with disabilities would have fewer federal protections.
Some families would experience new barriers to access.
Fewer consistent comprehensive health requirements means delays in health and developmental screenings, health disparities, and inconsistent information and support for families.
The health of pregnant women would be undermined and existing inequities exacerbated
Early Head Start home visiting services would be reduced in quality and scope.
Dual language learners would lose multilingual support with English-only requirements.
There would be less consistency from community to community.

Before any action is taken, all substantive comments must be reviewed. Check back for more information.

Head Start is facing its greatest threat in decades. We need your help.

In early August, the federal government proposed significant changes to Head Start. For over 60 years, Head Start has provided high-quality early learning alongside health, developmental, nutrition, mental health, and family supports. These proposed changes would affect what families children and families experience.

One of the most concerning changes impacts class sizes, staffing standards, and teacher qualifications that would result in more children with fewer educators including:

Changes to classroom sizes and child-to-adult ratios
Less guidance causing confusion for local program operations
Curriculum implementation and requirements to English-only instruction
Weakened staff qualifications

With this new proposal, approximately 700,000 children and families who benefit from this program are at risk of reduced services. Moreover, it makes access to Head Start more challenging and impacts the quality of the program.

These changes are not final and as of now, this is a proposal – not law. However, in order to influence this decision, we need your help! Contacting your federal lawmakers makes more than a difference. It creates impact. Whether you call or submit a public comment, every action counts. The public has until October 6 to weigh in.

Your Voice Makes a Difference

How does calling your Congress members move the needle? Here are a few reasons:

When you call your federal lawmaker, staff members are required to track constituent opinion. Imagine a sudden surge of calls; it signals immediate urgency.
Phone calls are also harder to ignore; they gather attention.
Lastly, it shows we are actively watching and care about the decisions made. The more phone calls they receive about Head Start, the more pressure they feel to take a stand to protect it.

Your voices are what make a difference; they’re what allow those who do not understand what it’s like in a program to see the true stakes.

Start Taking Action

Over the next few weeks, we will dive deeper into some of the proposed changes and ways to take action – but there are actions you can take immediately.

On Tuesday, September 15, advocates will be on the ground in Washington, D.C., meeting with members of Congress to defend Head Start. But you don’t have to be there in person to make your voice heard. Wherever you are, your voice matters.

How you can participate:

Find your members of Congress. Look up your Representative and Senators using the online tool. It only takes a minute.
Call their D.C. offices. Use the simple script below to urge them to protect Head Start.
Spread the word. Share this email with three family members or friends and ask them to make the call.

Talking points for your call:

Head Start is a lifeline for more than 30,000 children in Pennsylvania, providing not just early education, but also nutritious meals, health screenings, and vital family support.
HHS’s proposed rule would strip away the quality standards that make Head Start the gold standard:
- eliminating critical mental health services and supports for children and families;
- increasing class sizes and reduce a teacher’s ability to provide individualized care and education by allowing 33% more children per teacher; and
- reducing the number of teachers, home visitors, and support staff, creating a more stressful and less effective environment for learning.
It’s essential that Congress protect Head Start. Families depend on this program to keep their children safe and to be able to work.

Call-In Script

For Your U.S. House Representative

“Hello, my name is [Your Full Name] and I’m a constituent from [Your address].

I’m calling to urge Representative [Last Name] to protect Head Start from proposed cuts and rollbacks to its quality standards.

Head Start is a lifeline for children right here in our community. It provides safe, nurturing early learning environments, nutritious meals, and access to health and family support. These proposed changes would weaken the mental health services and support systems that help children and their families thrive.

I’m asking Representative [Last Name] to stand with working families and oppose any effort to weaken this essential program. Can we count on their support?

Thank you for your time.”

For Your U.S. Senators

“Hello, my name is [Your Full Name] and I’m a constituent from [Your address].

I’m calling to urge Senator [Last Name] to protect Head Start from proposed cuts and rollbacks to its quality standards.

This program is a vital support system for over 30,000 families and children across the state. These standards are what make Head Start the gold standard for early learning and comprehensive family support and weakening them would harm children and their families for years to come.

I urge Senator [Last Name] to protect Head Start and ensure its high standards remain in place.

Thank you for your consideration.”

Tag: Head Start Program Performance Standards

More than 40,000 Speak Up for Head Start!