[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1483 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1483

  To amend the Head Start Act to reauthorize that Act, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                July 29 (legislative day, July 21), 2003

   Mr. Dodd (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Harkin, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. 
   Jeffords, Mr. Bingaman, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Reed, Mr. Edwards, Mrs. 
  Clinton, Mr. Rockefeller, and Mr. Daschle) introduced the following 
  bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, 
                    Education, Labor, and Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To amend the Head Start Act to reauthorize that Act, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Head Start Coordination and School 
Readiness Act''.

                        TITLE I--HEAD START ACT

SEC. 101. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

    Section 636 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831) is amended by 
inserting ``(including enhancing their preliteracy skills, 
premathematics skills, and language skills)'' after ``of low-income 
children''.

SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (17)--
                    (A) by striking ``the Term'' and inserting ``The 
                term''; and
                    (B) by striking ``and the Commonwealth of the 
                Northern Mariana Islands, but for fiscal years ending 
                before October 1, 2001 (and fiscal year 2002, if the 
                legislation described in section 640(a)(2)(B)(iii) has 
                not been enacted before September 30, 2001), also 
                means'' and inserting ``the Commonwealth of the 
                Northern Mariana Islands,''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(18) The term `eligible entity' means an institution of 
        higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), or another agency 
        (including libraries or museums), with demonstrated expertise 
        in providing training in early childhood development, family 
        support, or other assistance designed to improve the quality of 
        early childhood programs.
            ``(19) The term `homeless child' means a child described in 
        section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)).''.

SEC. 103. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HEAD START PROGRAMS AND HEAD START 
              PROGRAM COORDINATION.

    Section 638 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9833) is amended--
            (1) by striking the following:

            ``financial assistance for head start programs''

        and inserting the following:

 ``financial assistance for head start programs and head start program 
                            coordination'';

            (2) by striking ``The'' and inserting ``(a) The''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following;
    ``(b) In order to promote school readiness, each Head Start agency 
in a State shall--
            ``(1) coordinate and collaborate on activities with the 
        State Head Start Quality Improvement and Collaboration Office, 
        the State lead agency administering the financial assistance 
        received under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act 
        of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), the head of the State library 
        administrative agency, entities that carry out State 
        prekindergarten programs, entities that carry out Early Reading 
        First and Even Start programs under subparts 2 and 3 of part B 
        of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 6371 et seq., 6381 et seq.), entities that 
        carry out other early childhood education programs under title 
        I of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), entities that carry out 
        programs under section 619 and part C of the Individuals with 
        Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.), 
        entities such as public and school libraries that carry out 
        library reading readiness programs, entities that carry out 
        local educational programs that children enrolled in Head Start 
        programs will enter at the age of compulsory school attendance, 
        and entities that carry out the Ready to Learn television 
        program under subpart 3 of part D of title II of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C. 6775);
            ``(2) coordinate and collaborate on conducting community-
        wide strategic planning and needs assessments for Head Start 
        services;
            ``(3) coordinate and collaborate on the provision of full-
        working-day, full calendar year services, with other community 
        providers of child care or preschool services;
            ``(4) with local elementary schools, coordinate and 
        collaborate on--
                    ``(A) ensuring that the curriculum and classroom 
                experiences for Head Start programs support the 
                development of the cognitive, social, emotional, and 
                physical competencies that children entering 
                kindergarten are expected to demonstrate; and
                    ``(B) ensuring the continuity of curricula and 
                services between Head Start programs and kindergarten;
            ``(5) coordinate and collaborate on the transition of 
        children enrolled in Head Start programs to kindergarten; and
            ``(6) coordinate and collaborate on activities with local 
        providers of health care, mental health, nutrition services, 
        and other supportive services that families may need, based on 
        individual family needs assessments of children enrolled in 
        Head Start programs, and of their families.''.

SEC. 104. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 639 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9834) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``such sums as may be 
        necessary for fiscal years 1999 through 2003.'' and inserting 
        ``(other than section 648B) $8,570,000,000 for fiscal year 
        2004, $10,445,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, $12,384,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2006, $14,334,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and 
$16,332,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``for each of fiscal years 
                        1999 through 2003'' and inserting ``not less 
                        than $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 
                        through 2008''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``, not more than'' and 
                        all that follows and inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$5,000,000 for 
                each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003'' and inserting 
                ``$7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 
                2008''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``not more than 
                $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and such sums as may 
                be necessary for each of fiscal years 2000 through 
                2003,'' and inserting ``not more than $13,000,000 for 
                fiscal year 2004, and such sums as may be necessary for 
                each of fiscal years 2005 through 2008,''.

SEC. 105. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS.

    (a) Indians; Territories; Training and Technical Assistance.--
Section 640(a)(2) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)(2)) is 
amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
        ``13 percent'' and inserting ``16 percent'';
            (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``except'' and all 
        that follows and inserting the following: ``except that there 
        shall be made available for each fiscal year for use--
                    ``(i) by Indian Head Start programs, on a 
                nationwide basis, a portion that is not less than 4 
                percent of such appropriated funds and is not less than 
                the amount that was obligated for use for Indian Head 
                Start programs for fiscal year 2003; and
                    ``(ii) by migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, 
                on a nationwide basis, a portion that is not less than 
                5 percent of such appropriated funds and not less than 
                the amount that was obligated for use for migrant and 
                seasonal Head Start programs for fiscal year 2003;'';
            (3) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(7)--'' and all that 
        follows through ``according'' and inserting ``(7), to Guam, 
        American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
        Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United States, the Federated 
        States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and 
        the Republic of Palau, according'';
            (4) in subparagraph (C)--
                    (A) by striking ``2 percent'' and inserting ``3 
                percent''; and
                    (B) by striking ``of which'' and all that follows 
                and inserting the following: ``, of which--
                    ``(i) not less than 50 percent shall be made 
                available to Head Start agencies to assist the agencies 
                to comply with the standards described in section 
                641A(a)(1), of which not less than 50 percent shall be 
                used to assist the agencies to comply with the 
                education performance standards described in section 
                641A(a)(1)(B);
                    ``(ii) not more than 25 percent shall be made 
                available to provide technical assistance and training 
                in accordance with subsections (b), (c), and (d) of 
                section 648, including supporting State systems of 
                training and technical assistance established in 
                accordance with section 648(b) (in collaboration with 
                the Secretary and offices described in that section);
                    ``(iii) not less than 10 percent shall be made 
                available to support training, and other activities to 
                promote literacy, described in section 648C; and
                    ``(iv) not more than 15 percent shall be made 
                available to the Secretary of which--
                            ``(I) not more than 67 percent shall be 
                        used to assist Head Start agencies to comply 
                        with the standards described in section 
                        641A(a)(1) and to provide assistance to comply 
                        with the transportation regulations issued 
                        pursuant to section 640(i) and section 
                        645A(b)(9), to provide technical assistance and 
                        training with respect to family literacy 
                        services under section 648(d)(4), to provide 
                        assistance under section 648B(c), to provide 
                        assistance under section 648B(e), and to 
                        provide funding under section 649(j), of which 
                        not less than $3,000,000 shall be used to 
                        provide the technical assistance and training 
                        with respect to family literacy services; and
                            ``(II) not less than 33 percent shall be 
                        used in collaboration with State Head Start 
                        Quality Improvement and Collaboration offices 
                        to conduct distance learning initiatives in 
                        coordination with institutions of higher 
                        education, including Tribal Colleges and 
                        Universities, to expand the availability of 
                        postsecondary programs in early childhood 
                        education in rural communities and on 
                        reservations.'';
            (5) in subparagraph (D)--
                    (A) by striking ``section 641A(c)'' and inserting 
                ``section 641A(c)(2)''; and
                    (B) by striking ``agencies;'' and inserting 
                ``agencies);''; and
            (6) by striking the last sentence.
    (b) Quality Improvement.--Section 640(a)(3) of the Head Start Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9835(a)(3)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking subclause (I) and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(I) 60 percent of such excess amount for fiscal year 
        2004, 50 percent of such excess amount for fiscal year 2005, 40 
        percent of such excess amount for fiscal year 2006, 30 percent 
        of such excess amount for fiscal year 2007, and 25 percent of 
        such excess amount for fiscal year 2008; and'';
            (2) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``performance 
                standards pursuant to section 641A(a)(1)(A)'' and 
                inserting ``performance standards pursuant to 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 641A(a)(1)'';
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``including 
                developing skills'' and inserting ``including training 
                to promote the development of language skills, 
                mathematics skills, and literacy in young children, and 
                training'';
                    (C) in clause (iii), by striking ``Ensuring that 
                salary levels and benefits are'' and inserting 
                ``Developing the salary and benefit standards and 
                salary scales described in sections 644(a) and 653, and 
                financing salaries and benefits in accordance with the 
                standards and scales, in order to ensure that the 
                salary levels and benefits are'';
                    (D) in clause (iv), by striking ``of career 
                development programs,'' and inserting ``of programs 
                specifically designed to enable classroom instructors 
                to become more effective educators, to provide 
                programs'';
                    (E) in clause (v), by inserting before the period 
                the following: ``, including collaboration to increase 
                participation in Head Start programs by underserved 
                populations of eligible children'';
                    (F) in clause (vii)--
                            (i) by striking ``provide children'' and 
                        insert ``provide children (including children 
                        who are limited English proficient)''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``, through scientifically 
                        based'' and all that follows and inserting 
                        ``through scientifically based reading 
                        research.'';
                    (G) by redesignating clause (viii) as clause (x); 
                and
                    (H) by inserting after clause (vii) the following:
            ``(viii) Providing assistance to enable staff of Head Start 
        agencies to carry out and complete postsecondary coursework 
        toward attaining baccalaureate degrees in early childhood 
        education.
            ``(ix) Promoting regular attendance at Head Start programs 
        and stability of highly mobile children, including children of 
        migrant and seasonal farmworker families and homeless 
        children.''; and
            (3) in subparagraph (C)--
                    (A) in clause (i)(II), by striking ``to improve 
                wages'';
                    (B) in clause (i)(III), by striking ``clauses (ii) 
                through (vii)'' and inserting ``clauses (ii) through 
                (viii)'';
                    (C) in clause (ii)(IV)--
                            (i) by inserting ``provide education and'' 
                        before ``training necessary''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``, particularly 
                        education and training to enable more 
                        instructors to meet the degree requirements 
                        described in section 648A(a)(2)(A),'' after 
                        ``staff of the Head Start agencies'';
                    (D) in clause (v), by inserting ``children in 
                foster care, children referred to Head Start programs 
                by child welfare agencies'' after ``dysfunctional 
                families'';
                    (E) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (viii); 
                and
                    (F) by inserting after clause (v) the following:
                            ``(vi) To conduct outreach to homeless 
                        families in an effort to increase the 
                        participation in Head Start programs of 
                        eligible homeless children.
                            ``(vii) To conduct outreach to migrant and 
                        seasonal farmworker families and families with 
                        children with limited English proficiency.''.
    (c) State Allotments.--Section 640(a)(4)(A) of the Head Start Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9835(a)(4)(A)) is amended by striking ``1998'' and inserting 
``2003''.
    (d) Head Start Quality Improvement and Collaboration Grants.--
Section 640(a)(5) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)(5)) is 
amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by striking ``such sums as may be necessary to 
                award the collaboration grants'' and inserting ``not 
                less than $24,000,000 to award the quality improvement 
                and collaboration grants''; and
                    (B) by striking ``subparagraphs (B) and (D)'' and 
                inserting ``subparagraph (B)'';
            (2) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) by striking ``(B)'' and inserting ``(B)(i)'';
                    (B) by striking ``may award a collaboration grant'' 
                and inserting ``shall award a quality improvement and 
                collaboration grant'';
                    (C) by striking ``facilitate collaboration 
                regarding activities carried out in the State under 
                this subchapter, and other activities carried out in, 
                and by, the State that are designed'' and inserting 
                ``improve the quality of Head Start programs in the 
                State and to facilitate collaboration between Head 
                Start agencies throughout the State and entities 
                (including the State) that carry out other activities 
                in the State that are designed'';
                    (D) by striking ``children and families'' the first 
                place it appears and all that follows and inserting the 
                following: ``children from birth to school entry and 
                families.''; and
                    (E) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(ii) Grants described in clause (i) shall be used to--
            ``(I) encourage Head Start agencies to collaborate with 
        entities involved in State and local planning processes to 
        better meet the needs of low-income children from birth to 
        school entry and families;
            ``(II) encourage Head Start agencies to coordinate 
        activities with the State lead agency administering the 
        financial assistance received under the Child Care and 
        Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), 
and entities providing resource and referral services in the State, to 
make full-working-day and full calendar year services available to 
children;
            ``(III) promote alignment of Head Start services with State 
        early learning and school readiness standards;
            ``(IV) promote better linkages between Head Start agencies 
        and other child and family agencies, including agencies that 
        provide health, mental health, or family services, including 
        family literacy services, or other child or family supportive 
        services.'';
            (3) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(C) In order to improve results for children, a State that 
receives a grant under subparagraph (B) shall--
            ``(i) establish a State Head Start Quality Improvement and 
        Collaboration Office by expanding the functions of a State Head 
        Start Collaboration Office;
            ``(ii) appoint an individual to serve as the Director of 
        the State Head Start Quality Improvement and Collaboration 
        Office;
            ``(iii) involve the State Head Start Association in the 
        selection of the Director of the State Head Start Quality 
        Improvement and Collaboration Office under clause (ii), and 
        involve the association in determinations relating to the 
        ongoing direction of the office; and
            ``(iv) ensure that the Director of the State Head Start 
        Quality Improvement and Collaboration Office holds a position 
        with sufficient authority and access to ensure that the 
        collaboration described in subparagraph (B) is effective and 
        involves a range of State agencies.'';
            (4) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(D) The Director of the State Head Start Quality Improvement and 
Collaboration Office, after consulting with the State advisory council 
described in subparagraph (F), shall--
            ``(i) conduct an assessment of the needs of Head Start 
        agencies in the State with respect to collaborating on and 
        coordinating services and implementing State early learning and 
        school readiness standards to better serve children enrolled in 
        Head Start programs in the State;
            ``(ii) develop, and submit to the advisory council for 
        approval, a strategic plan that is based on the assessment 
        described in clause (i) and designed to provide technical 
        assistance and resources to Head Start agencies in the State, 
        to--
                    ``(I) enable agencies in the State to better 
                coordinate Head Start services with services for 
                children from birth to school entry including health 
                care, mental health, welfare, child care, and other 
                early childhood education programs (such as those 
                offered by museums or science-technology centers), 
                community service activities, family literacy services, 
                library reading readiness programs, services for 
                children with disabilities, and services for homeless 
                children in their communities;
                    ``(II) assist Head Start agencies to develop a plan 
                for the provision of full-working-day, full calendar 
                year services, for children enrolled in Head Start 
                programs who need such care;
                    ``(III) assist Head Start agencies to align 
                services with State early learning and school readiness 
                standards;
                    ``(IV) enable the State Head Start agencies to 
                better coordinate outreach to eligible families;
                    ``(V) enable agencies in the State to better 
                coordinate professional development opportunities for 
                Head Start staff and other staff working in early 
                childhood education programs in the State and to 
                provide assistance under section 648B(d);
                    ``(VI) promote partnerships between Head Start 
                agencies, schools, and law enforcement, substance 
                abuse, and mental health treatment agencies (such as 
                the partnerships involved with Free to Grow 
                initiatives) to strengthen family and community 
                environments, and to reduce the impact on child 
                development of substance abuse, child abuse, domestic 
                violence, and other high risk behaviors that compromise 
                that development;
                    ``(VII) promote partnerships between Head Start 
                agencies and other organizations (such as museums and 
                science-technology centers) to promote multi-sensory 
                approaches to learning that enhance the Head Start 
                curriculum; and
                    ``(VIII) identify other resources and 
                organizations, public and private, for the provision of 
                in-kind services to Head Start agencies in the State;
            ``(iii) assist each Head Start agency in developing a plan 
        to improve coordination of services and improve services and 
        outcomes for children and families; and
            ``(iv) develop a plan for and, at the election of the 
        State, administer a State system of training and technical 
        assistance in accordance with section 648(b) (established in 
        collaboration with the Secretary and offices described in that 
        section), that improves the capacity of Head Start agencies in 
        the State to deliver services in accordance with the 
        performance standards established under subparagraphs (A) and 
        (B) of section 641A(a)(1).'';
            (5) in subparagraph (E)(i)(II), by striking ``to the 
        collaboration'' and inserting ``to the improvement of Head 
        Start services and outcomes for children enrolled in Head Start 
        programs'';
            (6) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (G); 
        and
            (7) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:
    ``(F)(i) The Governor of the State shall designate or establish a 
council to serve as the advisory council for the State on collaboration 
on early care and education activities for children from birth to 
school entry.
    ``(ii) The Governor may designate an existing entity to serve as 
the advisory council, if the entity includes representatives described 
in clause (iii).
    ``(iii) If the Governor appoints the advisory council, the Governor 
shall appoint a council with representatives from--
            ``(I) the appropriate regional office of the Administration 
        for Children and Families;
            ``(II) the State educational agency;
            ``(III) the State agency with responsibility for overseeing 
        human services or social services;
            ``(IV) the State agency with responsibility for health 
        care;
            ``(V) the State agency with responsibility for mental 
        health care;
            ``(VI) the State agency with responsibility for child care;
            ``(VII) the State agency with responsibility for children 
        with developmental disabilities;
            ``(VIII) the State agency with responsibility for juvenile 
        justice;
            ``(IX) the State agency with responsibility for programs 
        under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
        (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.);
            ``(X) the State agency with responsibility for maternal and 
        child health care;
            ``(XI) the Director of the State Head Start Quality 
        Improvement and Collaboration Office;
            ``(XII) the head of the State library administrative 
        agency;
            ``(XIII) the State agency responsible for teacher 
        professional standards, certification, and licensing;
            ``(XIV) the State Head Start Association;
            ``(XV) specialists in infant and toddler development;
            ``(XVI) the State network of child care resource and 
        referral agencies;
            ``(XVII) local educational agencies;
            ``(XVIII) community-based and faith-based organizations;
            ``(XIX) State migrant and seasonal Head Start associations;
            ``(XX) State Indian Head Start associations;
            ``(XXI) representatives of State and local organizations of 
        early care and education providers;
            ``(XXII) the State agency for higher education;
            ``(XXIII) a representative of family literacy services 
        organizations;
            ``(XXIV) representatives of State and local organizations 
        and other entities providing professional development to early 
        care and education providers; and
            ``(XXV) other entities carrying out programs serving low-
        income children and families in the State.
    ``(iv) To the extent feasible, the membership of the advisory 
council shall be geographically representative of the State and reflect 
the diversity of the population of the State with regard to race, 
ethnicity, gender, and disability characteristics.
    ``(v)(I) The advisory council shall be responsible for--
            ``(aa) conducting a periodic statewide needs assessment 
        concerning early care and education programs for children from 
        birth to school entry in the State, including the 
        identification of barriers to, and opportunities for, 
        collaboration and coordination between Federal and State child 
        development, child care, and early childhood education 
        programs;
            ``(bb) conducting a statewide needs assessment concerning 
        programs in the State for children from birth to entry into 
        kindergarten;
            ``(cc) developing a statewide professional development and 
        career ladder plan that ties education and credential 
        attainment to compensation increases for the early care and 
        education workforce in the State;
            ``(dd) reviewing and approving the strategic plan to 
        provide technical assistance and resources to Head Start 
        agencies, developed by the Director of the State Head Start 
        Quality Improvement and Collaboration Office under subparagraph 
        (D)(ii); and
            ``(ee) developing recommendations regarding means of 
        establishing a unified data collection system for early care 
        and education programs throughout the State;
    ``(II) The advisory council shall hold public hearings and provide 
an opportunity for public comment on the needs assessments and 
recommendations described in subclause (I).
    ``(III) The advisory council shall submit a statewide strategic 
report containing the needs assessments and recommendations described 
in subclause (I) to the Director of the State Office of Head Start 
Quality Improvement and Collaboration and the chief executive officer 
of the State. All members of the advisory council must provide written 
assurance that they are in agreement with the needs assessments and 
recommendations contained in the report prior to submission.
    ``(IV) After submission of a statewide strategic report under 
subclause (III), the advisory council shall meet periodically to review 
any implementation of the recommendations in such report and any 
changes in State and local needs, to appropriately revise additional 
statewide strategic reports. Such additional reports shall be prepared 
and submitted in accordance with subclauses (I) through (III). ''.
    (e) Funding.--Section 640(a)(6) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9835(a)(6)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``7.5 percent for 
        fiscal year 1999'' and all that follows, and inserting ``12 
        percent for fiscal year 2004, 14 percent for fiscal year 2005, 
        16 percent for fiscal year 2006, 18 percent for fiscal year 
        2007 and 20 percent for fiscal year 2008, of the amount 
        appropriated pursuant to section 639(a).'';
            (2) by striking subparagraph (B); and
            (3) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B).
    (f) Programs for Children With Disabilities.--Section 640(d) of the 
Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(d)) is amended by striking ``20 U.S.C 
1431-1435'' and inserting ``20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.''.
    (g) Allocation of Funds.--Section 640(g)(2) of the Head Start Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9835(g)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and public entities 
        serving children with disabilities'' and inserting ``, public 
        entities, and individuals serving children with disabilities 
        and homeless children (including local educational agency 
        liaisons designated under section 722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the 
        McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
        11432(g)(1)(J)(ii)))''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (H), by inserting ``, including the 
        local educational agency liaison designated under section 
        722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii)),'' after ``agency serving the 
        community involved''.
    (h) Enrollment of Homeless Children.--Section 640 of the Head Start 
Act (42 U.S.C. 9835) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(m) The Secretary shall issue regulations to remove barriers to 
the enrollment and participation of eligible homeless children in Head 
Start programs. Such regulations shall require Head Start agencies to--
            ``(1) implement policies and procedures to ensure that 
        eligible homeless children are identified and prioritized for 
        enrollment;
            ``(2) allow homeless children to apply to, enroll in, and 
        attend Head Start programs while required documents, such as 
        proof of residency, immunization and other medical records, 
        birth certificates, and other documents, are obtained within a 
        reasonable timeframe; and
            ``(3) coordinate individual Head Start programs with the 
        programs for homeless children (including coordination of 
        programs in individual Head Start centers with efforts to 
        implement subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento 
        Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.)).''.

SEC. 106. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES.

    Section 641 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) Each agency desiring a designation as a Head Start agency 
under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary goals, determined by 
the agency, for improving the school readiness of children 
participating in the proposed program, including goals for--
            ``(A) educational instruction in preliteracy, 
        premathematical, and language skills, including oral 
        expression;
            ``(B) social and emotional development; and
            ``(C) the provision of health, educational, nutritional, 
        social, and other services.
    ``(3) Each agency receiving a grant under this subchapter shall 
demonstrate progress toward the goals described in paragraph (2). Such 
demonstration shall not be based solely or primarily on the results of 
child assessments. If for any year such agency fails to make progress 
toward the goals, the agency shall file an improvement plan to describe 
steps to be taken to make progress toward the goals in subsequent 
years, as part of a self-assessment conducted under section 641A(c).'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(subject to 
                paragraph (2))'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2); and
                    (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (2);
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by inserting ``, after 
                consultation with the State involved through the State 
                Head Start Quality Improvement and Collaboration 
                Office,'' after ``then the Secretary'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``needed to aid 
                participating children in attaining their full 
                potential'' and inserting ``, and to attain the 
                performance standards described in subparagraphs (A) 
                and (B) of section 641A(a)(1), to prepare children to 
                succeed in school'';
                    (C) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(3) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the Head 
        Start program it proposes to carry out with other programs and 
        resources to improve services and outcomes for low-income 
        children and families, including--
                    ``(A) the Early Reading First and Even Start 
                programs under subparts 2 and 3 of part B of title I of 
                the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 6371 et seq., 6381 et seq.) and other preschool 
                programs carried out under title I of that Act (20 
                U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);
                    ``(B) programs under part C and section 619 of the 
                Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
                1431 et seq., 1419);
                    ``(C) State prekindergarten programs;
                    ``(D) the educational programs such children will 
                enter at the age of compulsory school attendance;
                    ``(E) reading readiness programs conducted by 
                school and public libraries; and
                    ``(F) the Ready to Learn television program under 
                subpart 3 of part D of title II of the Elementary and 
                Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C. 6775);'';
                    (D) in paragraph (7), by inserting ``and children 
                in emerging limited English proficient communities'' 
                before the semicolon;
                    (E) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'';
                    (F) in paragraph (10) by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (G) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of 
        homeless children and children in foster care.''; and
            (4) in subsection (e), by inserting ``, after consultation 
        with the State involved,'' after ``the Secretary''.

SEC. 107. QUALITY STANDARDS; MONITORING OF HEAD START AGENCIES AND 
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) Quality Standards.--Section 641A(a) of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9836a(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(B)(ii) by striking ``at a minimum--'' 
        and all that follows and inserting the following: ``at a 
        minimum, develop and demonstrate--
                            ``(I) language skills, including an 
                        expanded use of vocabulary;
                            ``(II) interest in and appreciation of 
                        books, reading, and writing, either alone or 
                        with others, phonological and phonemic 
                        awareness, and varied modes of expression and 
                        communication;
                            ``(III) premathematics knowledge and 
                        skills, including knowledge and skills relating 
                        to aspects of classification, seriation, 
                        numbers, spatial relations, and time;
                            ``(IV) cognitive abilities related to 
                        academic achievement;
                            ``(V) social and emotional development;
                            ``(VI) gross and fine motor skills; and
                            ``(VII) in the case of children with 
                        limited English proficiency, progress toward 
                        acquisition of the English language;'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking ``on the 
                        date of enactment of this section'' and 
                        inserting ``on October 27, 1998'';
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``since 
                        the date of enactment of this Act'' and 
                        inserting ``since October 27, 1998'';
                            (iii) in clause (vi), by striking ``; and'' 
                        and inserting a semicolon; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(viii) the unique challenges faced by 
                        individual programs, including programs that 
                        are seasonal or short-term and programs that 
                        serve rural populations; and''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking ``the date 
                of enactment of the Coats Human Services 
                Reauthorization Act of 1998'' and inserting ``the date 
                of enactment of the Head Start Coordination and School 
                Readiness Act''; and
            (3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``(c)(1)(A)'' and 
        inserting ``(c)(2)(A)''.
    (b) Results-Based Performance Measures.--Section 641A(b) of the 
Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``, not later 
                than July 1, 1999; and'' and inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as 
                subparagraph (F); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the 
                following:
                    ``(C) be appropriate for the population served;
                    ``(D) be reviewed not less than every 4 years, 
                based on advances in the science of early childhood 
                development;
                    ``(E) require Head Start agencies to show evidence 
                that they are meeting local needs for early childhood 
                programs and are working in collaboration with entities 
                carrying out other local early childhood programs 
                serving similar populations, including prekindergarten 
                programs, child care programs, library-based programs, 
                and Even Start programs under subpart 3 of part B of 
                title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6381 et seq.); and''; and
                    (D) in the flush matter at the end, by striking 
                ``subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii)'' and inserting 
                ``subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1)''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
            ``(4) Educational performance measures.--Such results-based 
        performance measures shall be designed for the purpose of 
        promoting the competencies described in subsection 
        (a)(1)(B)(ii) of children participating in Head Start programs, 
        with an emphasis on the cognitive, social, emotional, and 
        physical development of children to ensure school readiness.''.
    (c) Monitoring of Local Agencies and Programs.--Section 641A(c) of 
the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a(c)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs 
        (2) and (3), respectively;
            (2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated, 
        the following:
            ``(1) Head start program self-assessments.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In order to monitor and improve 
                Head Start and Early Head Start program performance 
                with respect to program, administrative, financial 
                management, and other requirements, at least once each 
                program year, after consultation with, and with the 
                participation of, policy groups, an appropriate 
                representative from the State Head Start Quality 
                Improvement and Collaboration Office, a representative 
                from the regional office of Health and Human Services, 
                and other community members (including a representative 
                of the local school district to review program 
                compliance with performance measures and goals related 
                to school readiness) each Head Start agency, Early Head 
                Start agency, and delegate agency shall conduct a self-
                assessment of the effectiveness of the program involved 
                and progress toward--
                            ``(i) meeting program goals and objectives;
                            ``(ii) meeting performance standards 
                        described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
                        subsection (a)(1); and
                            ``(iii) sustaining an effective management 
                        system for overall program consistency.
                    ``(B) Use of program self-assessments.--The self-
                assessments conducted under subparagraph (A) shall be 
                used to assist the agencies described in subparagraph 
                (A) in continuous improvement of program plans and 
                service delivery methods, and for the enhancement of 
                program quality and timely responses to issues that 
                arise in the community, the program, and among enrolled 
                families.
                    ``(C) Training and assistance.--The Secretary and 
                the Director of the relevant State Head Start Quality 
                Improvement and Collaboration Office shall assist the 
                agencies described in subparagraph (A) in conducting 
                effective self-assessments under subparagraph (A) by 
                providing training and technical assistance through--
                            ``(i) funds set aside in clauses (ii) and 
                        (iv) of section 640(a)(2)(C); and
                            ``(ii) regional or State staff or by other 
                        means (such as the use of onsite embedded 
                        technical assistance through a network of 
                        specialists from the region or the State).
                    ``(D) Report and improvement plans.--
                            ``(i) Report.--An agency conducting a self-
                        assessment under subparagraph (A) shall report 
                        the findings of the self-assessment to the 
                        relevant policy council, policy committee (as 
                        defined by regulation), Head Start Parent 
                        Policy Council, State Head Start Quality 
                        Improvement and Collaboration Office, and 
                        regional office of the Department of Health and 
                        Human Services.
                            ``(ii) Improvement plans.--The agency shall 
                        develop an improvement plan in coordination 
                        with the entities described in clause (i) to 
                        strengthen the Head Start program involved in 
                        any areas identified as weaknesses or in need 
                        of improvement in the self-assessment conducted 
                        under subparagraph (A).
                    ``(E) Implementation of federal regulations.--Each 
                Head Start agency, Early Head Start agency, and 
                delegate agency shall establish and implement 
                procedures for the ongoing monitoring of their Head 
                Start and Early Head Start programs, to ensure that 
                those operations effectively work toward meeting 
                program goals and objectives and performance standards 
                described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection 
                (a)(1).'';
            (3) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, in the paragraph 
        heading, by striking ``In general'' and inserting ``Performance 
        reviews'';
            (4) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading, by inserting 
                ``performance'' after ``Conduct of'';
                    (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``paragraph 
                (2)'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (C)--
                            (i) by inserting ``and children with 
                        limited English proficiency'' after 
                        ``disabilities''; and
                            (ii) by inserting before the semicolon the 
                        following: ``, in coordination with the State 
                        Head Start Quality Improvement and 
                        Collaboration Offices'';
                    (D) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (E) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``community.'' 
                and inserting ``community;''; and
                    (F) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) seek information from the communities where 
                Head Start programs exist about innovative or effective 
                collaborative efforts, barriers to collaboration, and 
                the efforts of the Head Start agencies and programs in 
                the communities to collaborate with other entities 
                carrying out early childhood education and child care 
                programs in the communities;
                    ``(G) include a review and assessment of whether 
                Head Start agencies comply with the income eligibility 
                requirements of the regulations promulgated pursuant to 
                section 645;
                    ``(H) include a review and assessment of whether 
                programs have adequately addressed the needs of the 
                populations and communities served (including 
                populations of children with limited English 
                proficiency and children of migrant and seasonal 
                farmworker families); and
                    ``(I) include a review of the extent to which 
                programs undertake strategic planning and address 
                community needs as identified in the needs assessments 
                described in section 640(g)(2)(C).''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Ongoing monitoring of local programs.--For the 
        purpose of monitoring a Head Start program, the Secretary may 
        conduct periodic monitoring visits without prior notice to a 
        Head Start agency. The Secretary may use the results of the 
        monitoring to work with the Head Start agency to strengthen the 
        program in any areas identified as weaknesses or in need of 
        improvement.''.
    (d) Corrective Action; Termination.--Section 641A(d) of the Head 
Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
        (A)--
                    (A) by striking ``pursuant to subsection (c)'' and 
                inserting ``pursuant to subsection (c)(2)''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``or fails to adequately undertake 
                strategic planning and address community needs as 
                identified in a needs assessment described in section 
                640(g)(2)(C),'' after ``under subsection (b),''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)(A)--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``, obtain the 
                approval of the Secretary regarding, and implement a 
                quality improvement plan that specifies--'' and 
                inserting ``a quality improvement plan, which shall be 
                subject to the approval of the Secretary and shall 
                specify--''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``agency received 
                notice of the determination and of the specific 
                deficiency to be corrected'' and inserting ``Secretary 
                approved the quality improvement plan''.
    (e) Summaries.--Section 641A(e) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9836a(e)) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence--
                    (A) by striking ``Not later'' and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) In general.--Not later''; and
                    (B) by striking ``under subsection (c)'' and 
                inserting ``under subsection (c)(2)''; and
            (2) by striking the second sentence and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(2) Availability.--The information contained in the 
        report shall be made available--
                    ``(A) to all parents with children receiving 
                assistance under this subchapter--
                            ``(i) in an understandable and uniform 
                        format;
                            ``(ii) to the extent practicable, in a 
                        language that parents can understand; and
                    ``(B) through public means such as distribution 
                through public agencies.''.

SEC. 108. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGENCIES.

    Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9637) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) and 
                paragraphs (5) through (11) as paragraphs (3) through 
                (6) and paragraphs (8) through (14), respectively;
                    (B) by inserting before paragraph (3), as so 
                redesignated, the following:
            ``(1) establish a program that provides Head Start services 
        in accordance with the standards set forth in section 
        641A(a)(1), with particular attention to the performance 
        standards set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such 
        section;
            ``(2) demonstrate the capacity to serve eligible children 
        with effective, research-based curricula and other 
        interventions and support services that help promote the school 
        readiness of children participating in the program;'';
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (6), as so 
                redesignated, the following:
            ``(7) conduct outreach to schools in which participating 
        children enroll, local educational agencies, the local business 
        community, community-based organizations, faith-based 
        organizations, museums, and libraries to generate support for 
        the program and leverage the resources of the entire community 
        in order to improve school readiness;''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (11), as so redesignated, by 
                striking ``paragraphs (4) through (7)'' and inserting 
                ``paragraphs (6) through (10)'';
            (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``Even Start programs 
        under part B of chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2741 et seq.)'' and 
        inserting ``programs under subtitle B of title VII of the 
        McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et 
        seq.), Even Start programs under subpart 3 of part B of title I 
        of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 6381 et seq.),''; and
            (3) in subsection (d)(2)--
                    (A) by striking the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A) and inserting the following:
    ``(2) A Head Start agency shall take steps to coordinate activities 
with, and to conduct an annual needs assessment to identify potential 
areas for collaboration and coordination with the local educational 
agency serving the community involved, to improve services for children 
including--'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (C) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
                subparagraph (C); and
                    (D) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
                following:
                    ``(B) collaborating on ways to increase the program 
                participation of underserved populations; and''.

SEC. 109. HEAD START ALIGNMENT AND HEAD START TRANSITION.

    Section 642A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9637a) is amended--
            (1) by striking the section heading and inserting the 
        following:

``SEC. 642A. HEAD START ALIGNMENT AND HEAD START TRANSITION.'';

            (2) by striking paragraph (7);
            (3) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2), and paragraphs 
        (3) though (6) as paragraphs (2) and (3), and paragraphs (5) 
        through (8), respectively;
            (4) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated, 
        the following:
            ``(1) coordinating and collaborating in the development of 
        the Head Start curriculum to ensure that it is aligned with the 
        cognitive, social, emotional, and physical competencies that 
        children entering kindergarten are expected to demonstrate;'';
            (5) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated, by inserting 
        ``local educational agency liaisons designated under section 
        722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii)),'' after ``social workers,'';
            (6) by inserting after paragraph (3), as so redesignated, 
        the following:
            ``(4) developing a continuum of developmentally appropriate 
        curricula -and practice between the Head Start agency and the 
        local educational agency to ensure an effective transition and 
        appropriate shared expectations for children's learning and 
        development as they make the transition to school;''
            (7) in paragraph (7), as so redesignated, by inserting 
        ``and family outreach and support efforts under subtitle B of 
        title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 
        U.S.C. 11431 et seq.)'' before the semicolon;
            (8) in paragraph (8), as so redesignated--
                    (A) by inserting ``continuity, including enhancing 
                continuity in language, literacy, and numeracy 
                activities and encouraging the continuity of parental 
                involvement in activities'' after ``school classes''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking ``and'' at the end; and
            (9) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(9) helping parents to understand the importance of 
        parental involvement in a child's academic success while 
        teaching them strategies for maintaining parental involvement 
        as their child moves from a Head Start program to elementary 
        school; and
            ``(10) developing and implementing a system to increase 
        program participation of underserved populations of eligible 
        children, including children with disabilities and children 
        with limited English proficiency.''.

SEC. 110. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS.

    Section 644 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9839) is amended--
            (1) by striking the following:

             ``administrative requirements and standards''

        and inserting the following:

  ``administrative requirements, standards, and local coordination'';

            (2) in subsection (c), in the second sentence, by striking 
        ``may'' and inserting ``shall''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(i)(1) A Head Start agency may provide Head Start services to 
children who are enrolled in another Federal or State child care 
program operated by the agency if--
            ``(A) the agency receives funds other than those provided 
        pursuant to this subchapter sufficient to pay the incremental 
        cost of providing those services;
            ``(B) the family income of children served in such program 
        does not exceed the income eligibility threshold established 
        for the State involved under section 658P(4)(B) of the Child 
        Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
        9858n(4)(B)) and the children meet the age eligibility 
        requirements under section 645 or 645A; and
            ``(C) the children receive the full range of Head Start 
        services.
    ``(2) Funds appropriated pursuant to the authority of this 
subchapter, including assistance made available under this subsection, 
shall be used to supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and 
local public funds expended to provide services for eligible 
individuals.''.

SEC. 111. PARTICIPATION IN HEAD START PROGRAMS.

    Section 645 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
    ``(3)(A) In this paragraph:
            ``(i) The term `dependent' has the meaning given the term 
        in paragraphs (2)(A) and (4)(A)(i) of section 401(a) of title 
        37, United States Code.
            ``(ii) The terms `member' and `uniformed services' have the 
        meanings given the terms in paragraphs (23) and (3), 
        respectively, of section 101 of title 37, United States Code.
    ``(B) The amount of basic allowance provided under section 403 of 
title 37, United States Code, on behalf of an individual who is a 
member of the uniformed services for housing that is acquired or 
constructed under the alternative authority for the acquisition and 
improvement of military housing under subchapter IV of chapter 169 of 
title 10, United States Code, or any other related provision of law, 
shall not be considered to be income for purposes of determining the 
eligibility of a dependent of such individual for programs funded under 
this subchapter.
    ``(4) Pursuant to a need demonstrated through a community needs 
assessment, a Head Start agency may apply to a regional office to--
            ``(A) convert part-day sessions, particularly consecutive 
        part-day sessions, into full-day sessions;
            ``(B) serve children whose families do not meet the income 
        criteria for eligibility if--
                    ``(i) a local community assessment documents the 
                need to serve low-income children from those families;
                    ``(ii) family income does not exceed the level 
                established (including a level established by a State, 
                if any) under section 658P(4)(B) of the Child Care and 
                Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
                9858n(4)(B)) and the number of children from those 
                families does not exceed 25 percent of the total 
                population served by the program; and
                    ``(iii) the program first demonstrates that it has 
                conducted sufficient outreach and recruitment 
                activities for all families with eligible children; or
            ``(C) serve persons described in section 645A(c) in 
        accordance with subsection (e).'';
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) No Head Start agency may use funds received for a program 
under this section to serve persons described in section 645A(c), 
unless such agency--
            ``(1) includes, in the application submitted under section 
        645(a)(4), evidence of community need for such services;
            ``(2) includes, in that application, a written request that 
        addresses how the needs of pregnant women, infants, and 
        toddlers will be addressed in accordance with section 645A(b), 
        in areas prescribed by the Secretary, including--
                    ``(A) childhood development and health services;
                    ``(B) family and community partnerships; and
                    ``(C) program design and management;
            ``(3) participates in technical assistance activities for 
        newly funded and existing grantees under section 645A; and
            ``(4) meets the same eligibility and selection criteria as 
        grantees under section 645A.
    ``(f) A migrant and seasonal Head Start program that provides 
services to infants and toddlers may also provide services to pregnant 
women.''.

SEC. 112. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES WITH INFANTS AND 
              TODDLERS.

    Section 645A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``intellectual'' 
                and inserting ``cognitive''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``and homeless 
                children who are infants and toddlers'' after 
                ``toddlers with disabilities'';
            (2) in subsection (d)(1), by inserting ``, including 
        migrant and seasonal Head Start programs,'' after ``programs'';
            (3) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) award grants to applicants located in communities 
        which have experienced a large percentage increase in limited 
        English proficient children and families compared to other 
        communities within the State.''; and
            (4) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``including 
                continuing the Early Head Start impact study (conducted 
                by the Secretary as of the date of enactment of the 
                Head Start Act Amendments of 1998)'' after 
                ``effectiveness''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(B)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                        striking ``may'' and inserting ``shall'';
                            (ii) in clause (i)--
                                    (I) by inserting ``demonstrated'' 
                                after ``and families and the''; and
                                    (II) by inserting ``(including 
                                support for regional and program staff 
                                under clause (ii)) and to coordinate 
                                the provision of training and technical 
                                assistance to existing recipients of 
                                grants under subsection (a) and the 
                                provision of planning and 
                                implementation assistance to new 
                                recipients of grants under subsection 
                                (a)'' before the semicolon;
                            (iii) in clause (iii), by inserting ``and 
                        to coordinate the provision of training and 
                        technical assistance to existing recipients of 
                        such grants and the provision of planning and 
                        implementation assistance to new recipients of 
                        such grants'' after ``such grants'';
                            (iv) in clause (iv) by striking the period 
                        and inserting ''; and''; and
                            (v) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(v) providing professional development 
                        designed to increase program participation for 
                        underserved populations of eligible 
                        children.''.

SEC. 113. APPEALS, NOTICE AND HEARING.

    Section 646(a)(3) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9841(a)(3)) is 
amended by striking ``unless'' and all that follows and inserting 
``unless--
                    ``(A) the recipient has been afforded reasonable 
                notice and an opportunity for a full and fair hearing;
                    ``(B) a hearing has been held on the record or the 
                recipient has waived the right to such a hearing; and
                    ``(C) the presiding officer at the hearing has 
                issued a decision in favor of such termination, 
                reduction, denial of refunding, or suspension; and''.

SEC. 114. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.

    Section 648 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by inserting ``the system,'' before ``the 
                process''; and
                    (B) by striking ``(b) and (c)'' and inserting 
                ``(b), (c), and (d)'';
            (2) by redesignating subsections (b) through (e) as 
        subsections (c) through (f), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
    ``(b)(1) The Secretary shall make available funds set aside in 
section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) to the States described in paragraph (2)(A) to 
enable the States to establish systems of training and technical 
assistance or to designate existing State training systems to be 
expanded to specifically address the training and technical assistance 
needs of Head Start agencies (in collaboration with the Secretary and 
regional offices, and in collaboration with the State Head Start 
Quality Improvement and Collaboration Offices if those offices are not 
otherwise involved in the establishment or designation). The States 
shall establish or designate the systems to improve the capacity of 
Head Start agencies in the States to deliver services in accordance 
with the performance standards established under subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) of section 641A(a)(1).
    ``(2)(A) To be eligible to receive funds under paragraph (1), a 
State shall be a State--
            ``(i) that has met the requirements of section 
        640(a)(5)(C);
            ``(ii) in which the Director of the State Head Start 
        Quality Improvement and Collaboration Office is meeting the 
        requirements of section 640(a)(5)(D);
            ``(iii) that has established or designated the advisory 
        council described in section 640(a)(5)(F), in accordance with 
        that section; and
            ``(iv) in which the advisory council is meeting the 
        requirements of section 640(a)(5)(F)(iv).
    ``(B) In establishing or designating such a system , each State 
shall--
            ``(i) through a competitive bidding process, select 
        eligible entities for participation in such system;
            ``(ii) ensure that agencies with demonstrated expertise in 
        providing high quality training and technical assistance to 
        improve the delivery of Head Start services, including the 
        State Head Start Association, State agencies, migrant and 
        seasonal Head Start programs operating in the State, and other 
        entities providing training and technical assistance in early 
        education, are included in the planning and coordination of the 
        system; and
            ``(iii) supplement the funds set aside in section 
        640(a)(2)(C)(ii) with Federal, State, or local funds other than 
        funds made available under this subchapter, to provide 
        activities through such a system for providers other than Head 
        Start program staff, including providers of other early 
        childhood services within a State.
    ``(3) The State Head Start Quality Improvement and Collaboration 
Office or another entity designated by the State (in coordination with 
that Office) shall administer, in coordination with the appropriate 
Head Start regional office, each training agency that provides training 
under this subsection.
    ``(4) Funds authorized under this subchapter for training and 
technical assistance shall not be used for any purpose other than those 
specifically stated in this subchapter.'';
            (4) in subsection (d), as so redesignated--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by striking ``section 641A(c)'' 
                                and inserting ``section 641A(c)(2)''; 
                                and
                                    (II) by striking ``; and'' and 
                                inserting a semicolon;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)(ii) by adding 
                        ``and'' at the end; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) assisting Head Start agencies in--
                            ``(i) implementing systemic procedures for 
                        identifying limited English proficient students 
                        through home language surveys and parent 
                        interviews; and
                            ``(ii) establishing age and linguistically 
                        appropriate programs to serve limited English 
                        proficient students and their families;''
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``, including 
                assessing the needs of homeless children and their 
                families'' after ``needs assessment'';
                    (C) in paragraph (10), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (D) in paragraph (11)--
                            (i) by striking ``section 641A(c)'' and 
                        inserting ``section 641A(c)(2)''; and
                            (ii) by striking the period and inserting 
                        ``; and''; and
                    (E) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(12) assist Head Start agencies to increase the program 
        participation of eligible homeless children.''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) The Secretary shall provide, either directly or through 
grants or other arrangements, funds for the training of Head Start 
program staff in addressing the unique needs of migrant and seasonal 
farmworker families and families with limited English proficiency. If 
such a grant is awarded for the provision of technical assistance for a 
migrant and seasonal Head Start program, the Secretary shall continue 
the administrative arrangement in place for fiscal years 1998 through 
2003 for such programs.
    ``(h) The majority of funds expended under this section shall be 
used to provide high-quality, sustained, intensive, and classroom-
focused training and technical assistance in order to have a positive 
and lasting impact on classroom instruction. The funds shall be used to 
carry out activities related to 1 or more of the following:
            ``(1) Education and early childhood development, including 
        social and emotional development.
            ``(2) Child health, nutrition, and safety.
            ``(3) Family and community partnerships.
            ``(4) Other areas that impact the quality or overall 
        effectiveness of Head Start programs.''.

SEC. 115. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 648A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting ``to ensure 
                school readiness'' after ``development of children'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding clause 
                                (i), by striking ``not later than 
                                September 30, 2003'' and all that 
                                follows through ``programs have--'' and 
                                inserting ``not later than the date 
                                determined under subparagraph (B), all 
                                classrooms nationwide in center-based 
                                Head Start programs shall have at least 
                                1 teacher who has--'';
                                    (II) in clause (i), by striking 
                                ``an associate, baccalaureate,'' and 
                                inserting ``a baccalaureate''; and
                                    (III) in clause (ii), by striking 
                                ``an associate, baccalaureate,'' and 
                                inserting ``a baccalaureate''; and
                            (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Date appropriate.--The Secretary shall 
                determine an appropriate date for Head Start agencies 
                in each Head Start region to reach the result described 
                in subparagraph (A), but in no case shall the date be 
                later than 8 years after the date of enactment of the 
                Head Start Coordination and School Readiness Act.
                    ``(C) Progress.--Each State shall establish a plan 
                for the Head Start agencies in the State to meet the 
                requirements of this paragraph. Each Head Start agency 
                shall provide to the Secretary and the chief executive 
                officer of the State a report indicating the number and 
                percentage of its classroom instructors with child 
                development associate credentials or associate, 
                baccalaureate, or advanced degrees in early childhood 
                education. The Secretary shall compile all such reports 
                and make the compiled reports available to the 
                Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House 
                of Representatives and the Committee on Health, 
                Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate. The 
                Secretary shall require Head Start agencies to 
                demonstrate continuing and consistent progress each 
                year to reach the result described in subparagraph (A).
                    ``(D) Requirement for new head start teachers.--Not 
                later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the 
                Head Start Coordination and School Readiness Act, the 
                Secretary shall require that all Head Start teachers 
                hired nationwide in center-based programs following the 
                date of the requirement--
                            ``(i) have an associate, baccalaureate, or 
                        advanced degree in early childhood education;
                            ``(ii) have an associate, baccalaureate, or 
                        advanced degree in a field related to early 
                        childhood education, with experience in 
                        teaching preschool children; or
                            ``(iii) be currently enrolled, or enroll 
                        not later than 1 year after the date of hire, 
                        in a program of study leading to an associate 
                        degree in early childhood education.
                    ``(E) Service requirements.--The Secretary shall 
                establish requirements to ensure that, in order to 
                enable Head Start agencies to comply with the 
                requirements of subparagraph (A), individuals who 
                receive financial assistance under this subchapter to 
                pursue a degree described in subparagraph (A) shall--
                            ``(i) teach in a Head Start program for a 
                        minimum of 3 years after obtaining a degree; or
                            ``(ii) repay the amount of the financial 
                        assistance received.''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (3), in the paragraph heading, by 
                striking ``Alternative'' and inserting ``Interim''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Professional Development Plans.--Every Head Start agency and 
program shall create, in consultation with an employee, a professional 
development plan for all full-time employees who provide direct 
services to children, including a plan for at least 1 teacher in every 
classroom to obtain a baccalaureate degree.
    ``(g) Training and Certification Study.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into an 
        agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a 
        study on the training and certification of early childhood care 
        providers and educators (referred to in this subsection as 
        `early childhood providers').
            ``(2) Contents.--In conducting the study, the academy shall 
        review and synthesize research, theory, and practice in the 
        training, certification, and degree granting of early childhood 
        providers with regard to--
                    ``(A) describing the variation in the training, 
                certification and degree granting program requirements 
                (such as requirements concerning program content and 
                coursework, minimum requirements for entrance and 
                graduation, and standards for assessment of early 
                childhood providers in training) for early childhood 
                providers across institutions of higher education and 
                other institutions in the United States, and reviewing 
                the adequacy of the practices of the institutions 
                described in this subparagraph for producing high 
                quality early childhood providers;
                    ``(B) identifying models for preparation of early 
                childhood providers that result in high quality 
                teaching and educational environments for children in 
                early child care and early education settings, 
                including the subgroups of children served by Head 
                Start programs, provided by early childhood providers 
                who come from the variety of backgrounds found within 
                Head Start programs;
                    ``(C) describing the elements of the training, 
                certification, and degree granting programs that 
                produce highly qualified and successful early childhood 
                providers;
                    ``(D) describing the availability of such programs 
                within and across all States, and within rural regions; 
                and
                    ``(E) developing research plans for subsequent 
                scientific research necessary to adequately carry out 
                the activities described in subparagraphs (A), (B), 
                (C), and (D).
            ``(3) Timing.--The study shall commence not later than 90 
        days after the date of enactment of the Head Start Coordination 
        and School Readiness Act.
            ``(4) Report.--The National Academy of Sciences shall 
        submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Education and the 
        Workforce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
        Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate--
                    ``(A) an interim report of the findings and 
                recommendations resulting from the study not later than 
                1 year after the commencement of the study; and
                    ``(B) a final report of the findings and 
                recommendations resulting from the study not later than 
                2 years after the commencement of the study.''.

SEC. 116. ATTRACTING AND RETAINING HIGH QUALITY HEAD START CLASSROOM 
              TEACHERS.

    The Head Start Act is amended by inserting after section 648A (42 
U.S.C. 9843a) the following:

``SEC. 648B. ATTRACTING AND RETAINING HIGH QUALITY HEAD START CLASSROOM 
              TEACHERS.

    ``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--In order to enable Head 
Start agencies to comply with the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and 
(D) of section 648A(a)(2), there are authorized to be appropriated 
$387,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, $496,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, 
$608,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $723,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, 
and $841,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 to carry out activities described 
in this section.
    ``(b) Allotments.--From the funds made available under subsection 
(a) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each Head Start 
agency an amount that bears the same relationship to such funds as the 
amount received by the agency under section 640 for that fiscal year 
bears to the amount received by all Head Start agencies under those 
sections for that fiscal year.
    ``(c) Salary Plan.--Each Head Start agency shall develop a plan to 
raise the average salaries of classroom teachers in the agency's Head 
Start program, taking into consideration training, level of education, 
and experience, and the average salaries of prekindergarten and 
kindergarten teachers employed by the local educational agency for the 
school district in which the Head Start agency is located, with similar 
training, levels of education, and experience. The Secretary may use 
funds available under section 640(a)(2)(C)(iv) to assist Head Start 
agencies located in high-cost areas to help reduce the discrepancy 
between the average salaries that the Head Start agencies provide to 
such classroom teachers and the average salaries of the prekindergarten 
and kindergarten teachers.
    ``(d) Early Childhood Education Programs.--
            ``(1) In general.--Of the amounts made available under 
        section 640(a)(5)(A), a portion shall be made available for the 
        State Head Start Quality Improvement and Collaboration Office, 
        to work in coordination with the State educational agency, the 
        State agency responsible for teacher professional standards, 
        certification, and licensing, the State agency for higher 
        education, and a representative of the State Head Start 
        Association, to establish a program under which an increasing 
        number of Head Start program teachers will work toward 
        associate degrees, and an increasing number of such teachers 
        with associate degrees will work toward bachelor's degrees, 
        each year.
            ``(2) Use of funds.--The State Head Start Quality 
        Improvement and Collaboration Office may use the portion to--
                    ``(A) assist 2-year and 4-year public and private 
                institutions of higher education to develop 
                articulation agreements;
                    ``(B) award grants to institutions of higher 
                education to develop model early childhood education 
                programs, including practica or internships for 
                students to spend time in a Head Start or 
                prekindergarten classroom;
                    ``(C) enter into contracts with institutions of 
                higher education to pay the cost of attendance, 
                determined in accordance with section 472 of the Higher 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll), for qualified 
                Head Start program staff to enroll in courses leading 
                to a degree in early childhood education, for such 
                period of enrollment; and
                    ``(D) provide grants to Head Start agencies to 
                enable qualified staff of such entities to pay for 
                courses, books, fees, and release time leading to a 
                degree in early childhood education.
            ``(3) Qualified staff.--To be eligible to receive 
        assistance under subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (2), an 
        individual shall be a staff member who--
                    ``(A) has been employed by a Head Start agency for 
                more than 1 program year; and
                    ``(B) agrees to continue teaching for the Head 
                Start agency for a minimum of 3 years after attainment 
                of a degree in early childhood education.
            ``(4) Repayment.--If the staff member receives assistance 
        under subparagraph (C) or (D) of paragraph (2) and terminates 
        employment with the Head Start agency, the staff member shall 
        repay the assistance to the State Head Start Quality 
        Improvement and Collaboration Office or the Head Start agency, 
        respectively.
    ``(e) Activities of the Secretary.--Of the amounts made available 
under section 640(a)(2)(C)(iv), the Secretary shall use a portion to 
work, in coordination with the Secretary of Education, to--
            ``(1) encourage institutions of higher education to use 
        Federal work-study assistance available under part C of title 
        IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) 
        to encourage students to participate as assistant teachers in 
Head Start or prekindergarten classrooms or to participate in practica 
or internships described in paragraph (3);
            ``(2) expand the beneficiaries of Federal student loan 
        forgiveness programs to include Head Start program and 
        prekindergarten teachers, employed in low-income areas;
            ``(3) award grants to institutions of higher education to 
        develop model early childhood education programs, which include 
        a practicum or internship for students in a Head Start or 
        prekindergarten classroom; and
            ``(4) disseminate best practices relating to early 
        childhood education degree programs to States.
    ``(f) Compliance Date.--No Head Start agency shall be required to 
comply with the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (D) of section 
648A(a)(2) until the first year for which appropriations are made 
available under subsection (a). If appropriations under subsection (a) 
fail to match the levels authorized under subsection (a), then the 
Secretary shall waive the requirements under section 648A(a)(2)(A) for 
a Head Start agency as long as the Head Start agency has demonstrated 
progress in meeting the goals established by the State plan under 
section 648A(a)(2)(C) until every Head Start classroom is led by a 
teacher with a bachelor's degree.''.

SEC. 117. IMPROVING LITERACY IN HEAD START PROGRAMS.

    The Head Start Act, as amended by section 116, is further amended 
by inserting after section 648B the following:

``SEC. 648C. IMPROVING LITERACY IN HEAD START PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Training.--To support local efforts to enhance early 
        language and preliteracy development of children in Head Start 
        programs, and to provide the children with high quality oral 
        language skills, and environments that are rich in literature, 
        in which to acquire language and preliteracy skills, each Head 
        Start agency, in coordination with the appropriate State office 
        and the relevant State Head Start Quality Improvement and 
        Collaboration Office, shall ensure that all of the agency's 
        Head Start teachers receive ongoing training in language and 
        emergent literacy (referred to in this section as `literacy 
        training'), including appropriate curricula and assessments to 
        improve instruction and learning. Such training shall include 
        training in methods to promote phonological and phonemic 
        awareness and vocabulary development in an age-appropriate and 
        culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
            ``(2) Local level.--The literacy training shall be provided 
        at the local level in order--
                    ``(A) to be provided, to the extent feasible, in 
                the context of the Head Start programs of the State 
                involved and the children the program serves; and
                    ``(B) to be tailored to the early childhood 
                literacy background and experience of the teachers 
                involved.
            ``(3) Culturally and linguistically appropriate training.--
        The literacy training shall be culturally and linguistically 
        appropriate and support children's development in their home 
        language.
            ``(4) Training to work with parents.--The literacy training 
        shall include training in how to work with parents to enhance 
        positive language and early literacy development at home, 
        including the use of family literacy services.
            ``(5) Training to work with children with supplemental 
        needs.--The literacy training shall include specific methods to 
        best address the needs of children who are English language 
        learners, have speech and language delays, including problems 
        with articulation, or have other disabilities.
            ``(6) Training in developmentally appropriate practices.--
        The literacy training shall be designed to ensure that Head 
        Start programs use language and literacy activities, based on 
        scientifically based reading research, that support the age-
        appropriate development of--
                    ``(A) recognition, leading to automatic 
                recognition, of letters of the alphabet;
                    ``(B) knowledge of letter sounds, the blending of 
                sounds, and the use of increasingly complex 
                vocabularies;
                    ``(C) an understanding that written language is 
                composed of phonemes and letters each representing 1 or 
                more speech sounds that in combination make up 
                syllables, words, and sentences;
                    ``(D) spoken language, including vocabulary, oral 
                comprehension, oral presentation, and expression 
                abilities; and
                    ``(E) knowledge of the purposes and conventions of 
                print.
    ``(b) Books in the Head Start Classroom.--
            ``(1) Books for classrooms.--The Secretary shall issue a 
        guideline that recommends a minimum book-child ratio to ensure 
        that every Head Start classroom contains sufficient children's 
        books to promote an environment that is rich in literature, 
        meeting the needs of children in a multicultural and age-
        appropriate manner.
            ``(2) Library partnerships.--Each Head Start agency shall 
        collaborate with a local library, where available, that is 
        interested in that collaboration, to develop innovative 
        programs to excite children about the world of books, such as 
        programs that involve--
                    ``(A) taking children to the library for a story 
                hour;
                    ``(B) promoting use of library cards for families 
                so that children can bring books home;
                    ``(C) developing a lending library or using a 
                mobile library van;
                    ``(D) entering into a financial agreement with the 
                library to provide the Head Start classroom book 
                collection described in paragraph (1) or to supplement 
                the collection with books on various themes of the 
                week, to provide fresh books in the classroom on a 
regular basis; and
                    ``(E) carrying out other activities through 
                partnerships, which shall include the library and may 
                include other entities, to promote literacy and 
                excitement about the world of print.
    ``(c) Books in the Home.--To promote parents as their children's 
first teachers and to promote parental reading to children, the 
Secretary shall work with State Head Start Quality Improvement and 
Collaboration Offices to provide children in Head Start programs with 
books to take home. Such books shall be made available through the 
programs in English and Spanish and may be offered to children in the 
programs several times a year, to parents who attend parenting classes 
or otherwise receive services through a Head Start program, or through 
other means as determined by the Head Start agencies involved.''.

SEC. 118. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EVALUATION.

    Section 649 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9844) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) shall obtain the consent of parents for the 
        involvement of their children in such research, demonstration, 
        or evaluation activities.'';
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (8), by adding ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) by striking paragraph (9);
                    (C) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), and (8) 
                as paragraphs (7), (8), and (9), respectively;
                    (D) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
            ``(6) compare and differentiate the effectiveness of 
        various program participation models as they relate to child 
        outcomes including examining the effect of factors such as 
        program type, length, variety, and intensity of services;'';
                    (E) in paragraph (10)(B), by inserting ``nationally 
                representative data sets, including'' after ``using''; 
                and
                    (F) by striking the flush matter after subparagraph 
                (E);
            (3) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
                            (i) by striking clause (i); and
                            (ii) by redesignating clauses (ii) and 
                        (iii) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;
                    (B) in paragraph (5)(A)(i) by striking ``the social 
                competence'' and inserting ``the cognitive, social, 
                emotional, and physical competence''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (7)(C)--
                            (i) in clause (i)--
                                    (I) by striking ``September 30, 
                                1999'' and inserting ``September 30, 
                                2003'';
                                    (II) by striking ``September 30, 
                                2001'' and inserting ``September 30, 
                                2005''; and
                                    (III) by striking ``September 30, 
                                2003'' and inserting ``September 30, 
                                2006''; and
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``Labor 
                        and Human Resources'' and inserting ``Health, 
                        Education, Labor, and Pensions'';
            (4) in subsection (h)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``a study regarding the use 
                        and effects of'' and inserting ``an annual 
                        study regarding the use and effects of the''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``since fiscal year 
                        1991''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``September 2000 
                a report'' and inserting ``December 31 of each year, a 
                report for the fiscal year ending on the preceding 
                September 30''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(i) Panel on the Assessment of School Readiness in Young 
Children.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall contract with the 
        Board on Children, Youth, and Families and the Board on Testing 
        and Assessment of the National Academy of Sciences to establish 
        an independent panel of experts. The panel shall be known as 
        the Panel on the Assessment of School Readiness in Young 
        Children (referred to in this subsection as the `Panel'). The 
        Panel shall review and synthesize--
                    ``(A) research, theory, and applications regarding 
                early childhood development in the social, behavioral, 
                and biological sciences; and
                    ``(B) research on early childhood pedagogy.
            ``(2) Composition.--
                    ``(A) Required members.--The Panel shall include 
                experts in--
                            ``(i) child development and education, 
                        including cognitive, social, emotional, and 
                        physical development;
                            ``(ii) assessment of young children, 
                        including screening, diagnostic assessment, 
                        classroom-based instructional assessment, and 
                        assessment of child outcomes;
                            ``(iii) education of children with special 
                        needs, including children with disabilities, 
                        children with limited English proficiency, and 
                        homeless children; and
                            ``(iv) relevant methodologies and 
                        statistics.
                    ``(B) Permissible consultation.--The panel may seek 
                input from the Centers for Disease Control and 
                Prevention, the National Institute of Mental Health, 
                the National Institute of Child Health and Human 
                Development, the National Association for the Education 
                of Young Children, the National Center for Learning 
                Disabilities, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the 
                Office of Educational Research and Improvement of the 
                Department of Education, and the General Accounting 
                Office, and other noted experts in the field of early 
                care and education.
            ``(3) Recommendations.--The Panel shall make 
        recommendations to the Secretary with regard to--
                    ``(A) science-based indicators and benchmarks of 
                age-appropriate competencies related to school 
                readiness for young children, including cognitive, 
                social, emotional, and physical development;
                    ``(B) the identification of--
                            ``(i) existing valid and reliable measures 
                        for those indicators, including, measures based 
                        on direct assessments, systematic observational 
                        measures, and measures from parent and provider 
                        interviews and input; and
                            ``(ii) domains of child development related 
                        to school readiness that lack valid and 
                        reliable measures; and
                    ``(C) appropriate assessments of young children for 
                the purposes of improving instruction, services, and 
                program quality, and shall give consideration to--
                            ``(i) methodology, including direct 
                        assessments, systematic observational 
                        assessments, and parent and provider interviews 
                        and input; and
                            ``(ii) evaluating issues of validity, 
                        reliability, and fairness in light of subgroup 
                        differences, such as the differences relating 
                        to culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, 
                        disability and special needs, limited English 
                        proficiency, and homelessness.
            ``(4) Coordination.--The panel shall coordinate activities, 
        including the dissemination of the reports, with the Panel on 
        the Head Start National Reporting System described in 
        subsection (j).
            ``(5) Timing.--
                    ``(A) Establishment.--The Boards described in 
                paragraph (1) shall establish the Panel not later than 
                90 days after the date of enactment of the Head Start 
                Coordination and School Readiness Act.
                    ``(B) Report.--The Panel shall submit to the 
                Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
                the Senate and the Committee on Education and the 
                Workforce of the House of Representatives a report 
                containing its findings and recommendations not later 
                than 24 months after the first meeting of the Panel.
    ``(j) Head Start National Reporting System.--
            ``(1) Panel.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall use funds 
                allocated in section 640(a)(2)(C)(iv) to contract with 
                the Board on Children, Youth, and Families and the 
                Board on Testing and Assessment of the National Academy 
                of Sciences to establish an independent panel of 
                experts to examine the purposes, proposed uses, and 
                development of the Head Start National Reporting 
                System. The panel shall be known as the Panel on the 
                Head Start National Reporting System (referred to in 
                this subsection as the `Panel').
                    ``(B) Composition.--The Panel shall consist of 
                experts in--
                            ``(i) child development and education, 
                        including cognitive, social, emotional, and 
                        physical development;
                            ``(ii) assessment of young children, 
                        including screening, diagnostic assessment, 
                        classroom-based instructional assessment, and 
                        assessment of child outcomes;
                            ``(iii) relevant methodologies and 
                        statistics; and
                            ``(iv) Head Start programs and populations 
                        served through the programs, especially low-
                        income children and children with special 
                        needs, including children with disabilities and 
                        children with limited English proficiency.
                    ``(C) Reviews and first annual report.--
                            ``(i) Research, theory, and applications.--
                        The Panel shall review and synthesize research, 
                        theory, and applications, regarding early 
                        childhood development, in the social, 
                        behavioral, and biological sciences with regard 
                        to--
                                    ``(I) developmentally appropriate 
                                school readiness benchmarks, outcomes, 
                                and indicators for Head Start programs, 
                                including benchmarks, outcomes, and 
                                indicators for the abilities, 
                                interests, and knowledge described in 
                                subclauses (I) through (VII) of section 
                                641A(a)(1)(B)(ii);
                                    ``(II) developmentally and 
                                culturally appropriate assessments for 
                                children in Head Start programs, with 
                                sensitivity to subgroup differences in 
                                child development, for the purposes of 
                                improving instruction, services, and 
                                program quality;
                                    ``(III) appropriate methodologies 
                                and sampling techniques for the 
                                assessment of children in Head Start 
                                programs; and
                                    ``(IV) the identification of 
                                variables likely related to child 
                                outcomes in Head Start programs, 
                                including--
                                            ``(aa) program and 
                                        classroom variables;
                                            ``(bb) type, length, 
                                        variety, and intensity of 
                                        services; and
                                            ``(cc) child and family 
                                        characteristics.
                            ``(ii) National reporting system.--The 
                        Panel shall review the development and 
                        implementation of the Head Start National 
                        Reporting System and make recommendations in 
                        light of its findings from the review conducted 
                        under clause (i), the requirements specified in 
                        subparagraphs (B)(ii) and (C) of paragraph (2), 
                        and findings from the Panel described in 
                        subsection (i).
                            ``(iii) Report.--Not later than 1 year 
                        after the first meeting of the Panel, the Panel 
                        shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on 
                        Education and the Workforce of the House of 
                        Representatives, and the Committee on Health, 
                        Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a 
                        report, in the form of a letter, containing its 
                        findings and recommendations resulting from the 
                        reviews conducted under clauses (i) and (ii).
                    ``(D) Annual reviews.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Panel shall annually 
                        review the development and implementation of 
                        the Head Start National Reporting System and 
                        make recommendations in light of its findings 
                        from the review conducted under subparagraph 
                        (C)(i) and requirements specified in 
                        subparagraphs (B)(ii) and (C) of paragraph (2) 
                        until at least 1 year after full implementation 
                        of the system.
                            ``(ii) Duration.--The Panel may continue 
                        the reviews described in clause (i) after the 
                        date specified in such clause if the Panel 
                        deems such continuation necessary.
                            ``(iii) Report.--The Panel shall annually 
                        submit to the Secretary, the Committee on 
                        Education and the Workforce of the House of 
                        Representatives, and the Committee on Health, 
                        Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, a 
                        report, containing its recommendations 
                        resulting from the review conducted under 
                        clause (i).
                    ``(E) Coordination.--The Panel shall coordinate 
                activities with the Panel on the Assessment of School 
                Readiness in Young Children described in subsection 
                (i). The coordination mechanisms for such coordination 
                shall be described by the National Academy of Sciences 
                in its statement of task. The Panel on the Head Start 
                National Reporting System shall strive to ensure that 
                its reviews, and recommendations resulting from the 
                reviews, do not contradict and are in accordance with 
                the review, and recommendations resulting from the 
                review, conducted by the Panel on the Assessment of 
                School Readiness in Young Children.
                    ``(F) Establishment.--The Boards described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall establish the Panel on the Head 
                Start National Reporting System not later than 90 days 
                after the date of enactment of the Head Start 
                Coordination and School Readiness Act.
            ``(2) Development and implementation.--
                    ``(A) Suspension.--The Secretary shall suspend 
                development, and plans for implementation of, a 
                standardized assessment of children in Head Start 
                programs for the Head Start National Reporting System 
                and shall not recommence development of such assessment 
                until the Secretary receives the Panel's first annual 
report under paragraph (1)(C).
                    ``(B) Development.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The assessment shall be 
                        developed on the basis of the recommendations 
                        of the Panel resulting from the reviews 
                        conducted by the Panel under paragraph (1).
                            ``(ii) Requirements.--The assessment 
                        shall--
                                    ``(I) be aimed at improving 
                                instruction, services, and program 
                                quality across Head Start programs;
                                    ``(II) be standardized and aligned 
                                with the performance standards 
                                described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
                                of section 641A(a)(1);
                                    ``(III) adopt multiple methods, 
                                such as direct assessments, systematic 
                                observations, and parent and provider 
                                interviews and inputs;
                                    ``(IV) validly assess children's 
                                change over time by repeating 
                                measurements;
                                    ``(V) comprehensively assess child 
                                outcomes, including language, literacy, 
                                mathematics, science, and creative arts 
                                outcomes, social and emotional 
                                development, approaches to learning, 
                                and physical and health development;
                                    ``(VI) make accommodations for 
                                children with disabilities;
                                    ``(VII) include a version that is 
                                culturally and linguistically 
                                appropriate for children with limited 
                                English proficiency; and
                                    ``(VIII) include parental consent.
                            ``(iii) Easing burdens.--In developing the 
                        recommendations, the Panel shall be sensitive 
                        to assessment burdens put on children, classes, 
                        and programs, and ease such burdens by 
                        promoting consideration of scientifically valid 
                        sampling strategies and compensation to the 
                        individual programs for expenses incurred.
                    ``(C) Implementation study.--Based on reports and 
                recommendations from the Panel, the Secretary shall 
                conduct an implementation study to ensure that--
                            ``(i) the assessment is feasible;
                            ``(ii) the items of the assessment and the 
                        assessment as a whole are valid, reliable, and 
                        fair;
                            ``(iii) the items of the assessment are 
                        free from racial, cultural, or gender bias;
                            ``(iv) the assessment is designed to 
                        measure change over time;
                            ``(v) the assessment addresses the needs of 
                        children with special needs, including children 
                        with disabilities and children with limited 
                        English proficiency;
                            ``(vi) testing conditions, including the 
                        physical environment, familiarity with the 
                        assessor, and child well-being, are considered; 
                        and
                            ``(vii) plans for data analysis and 
                        reporting are appropriately designed and 
                        aligned with data collection.
                    ``(D) Transparency.--In all phases of the 
                development, implementation, and uses of the Head Start 
                National Reporting System, the Secretary shall create 
                opportunities for and be responsive to public hearings 
                and comment.
                    ``(E) Timing.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
                assessment is fully implemented not later than 3 years 
                after receipt of the Panel's first annual report under 
                paragraph (1)(C).
            ``(3) Funding.--The Secretary shall provide adequate 
        funding for the development and implementation of the Head 
        Start National Reporting System from funds set aside in section 
        640(a)(2)(C)(iv).''.

SEC. 119. REPORTS.

    Section 650(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9846(a)) is 
amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``Labor and Human 
        Resources'' and inserting ``Health, Education, Labor, and 
        Pensions'';
            (2) in paragraph (10), by striking ``section 641A(c)'' and 
        inserting ``section 641A(c)(2)''; and
            (3) in the flush matter following paragraph (14), by 
        striking ``Labor and Human Resources'' and inserting ``Health, 
        Education, Labor, and Pensions''.
                                 <all>