[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1107 Reported in Senate (RS)]


                                                       Calendar No. 200
109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1107

                          [Report No. 109-131]

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 23, 2005

   Mr. Enzi (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Alexander, and Mr. Dodd) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
          Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

                            August 31, 2005

 Reported under authority of the order of the Senate of July 29, 2005, 
                     by Mr. Enzi, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


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

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

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Head Start Improvements for 
School Readiness Act''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 636 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831) is 
amended by inserting ``educational instruction in prereading skills, 
premathematics skills, and language and through'' after ``low-income 
children through''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(including a 
        community-based organization)'' after ``nonprofit'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``, 
        including financial literacy,'' after ``Parent 
        literacy'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in paragraph (17), by striking ``Mariana 
        Islands,'' and all that follows and inserting ``Mariana 
        Islands.''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(18) 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)).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(19) The term `limited English proficient', used 
        with respect to a child, means a child--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) who is enrolled or preparing to 
                enroll in a Head Start program, Early Head Start 
                program, or other early care and education 
                program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B)(i) who was not born in the United 
                States or whose native language is a language other 
                than English;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii)(I) who is a Native American, Alaska 
                Native, or a native resident of a United States 
                territory; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(II) who comes from an environment where 
                a language other than English has had a significant 
                impact on the child's level of English language 
                proficiency; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(iii) who is migratory, whose native 
                language is a language other than English, and who 
                comes from an environment where a language other than 
                English is dominant; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) whose difficulty in speaking or 
                understanding the English language may be sufficient to 
                deny such child--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the ability to successfully 
                        achieve in a classroom in which the language of 
                        instruction is English; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the opportunity to 
                        participate fully in society.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(20) The term `deficiency' means--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) a systemic or substantial failure of 
                an agency in an area of performance that the Secretary 
                determines involves--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) a threat to the health, 
                        safety, or civil rights of children or 
                        staff;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) a denial to parents of the 
                        exercise of their full roles and 
                        responsibilities related to program 
                        operations;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) a failure to comply with 
                        standards related to early childhood 
                        development and health services, family and 
                        community partnerships, or program design and 
                        management;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) the misuse of funds under 
                        this subchapter;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) loss of legal status or 
                        financial viability, loss of permits, debarment 
                        from receiving Federal grants or contracts, or 
                        the improper use of Federal funds; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) failure to meet any other 
                        Federal or State requirement that the agency 
                        has shown an unwillingness or inability to 
                        correct, after notice from the Secretary, 
                        within the period specified;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) systemic failure of the board of 
                directors of an agency to fully exercise its legal and 
                fiduciary responsibilities;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) substantial failure of an agency to 
                meet the administrative requirements of section 
                644(b);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) failure of an agency to demonstrate 
                that the agency attempted to meet the coordination and 
                collaboration requirements with entities described in 
                section 640(a)(5)(D)(iii)(I); or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) having an unresolved area of 
                noncompliance.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(21) The term `unresolved area of noncompliance' 
        means failure to correct a noncompliance item within 120 days, 
        or within such additional time (if any) authorized by the 
        Secretary, after receiving from the Secretary notice of such 
        noncompliance item, pursuant to section 641A(d).''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HEAD START 
              PROGRAMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 638 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9833) is 
amended by inserting ``for a period of 5 years'' after ``provide 
financial assistance to such agency''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 639 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9834) is 
amended to read as follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 639. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
for carrying out the provisions of this subchapter $7,215,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2006, $7,515,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $7,815,000,000 
for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of 
fiscal years 2009 and 2010.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Specific Programs.--From the amount appropriated 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall make available to carry out 
research, demonstration, and evaluation activities, including 
longitudinal studies under section 649, not more than $20,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2006, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal 
years 2007 through 2010, of which not more than $7,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2006 through 2010 shall be available to carry out impact 
studies under section 649(g).''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Allotment.--Section 640(a) of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9835(a)) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking subparagraph (A) and 
                inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(A) Indian Head Start programs, services for 
        children with disabilities, and migrant and seasonal Head Start 
        programs, except that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) subject to the availability of 
                appropriations, the Secretary shall reserve for each 
                fiscal year for use by Indian Head Start and migrant 
                and seasonal Head Start programs (referred to in this 
                subparagraph as `covered programs'), on a nationwide 
                basis, a sum that is the total of not less than 4 
                percent of the amount appropriated under section 639 
                for that fiscal year (for Indian Head Start programs), 
                and not less than 5 percent of that appropriated amount 
                (for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs), except 
                that--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(I) if reserving the specified 
                        percentages for Indian Head Start programs and 
                        migrant and seasonal Head Start programs would 
                        reduce the number of children served by Head 
                        Start programs, relative to the number of 
                        children served on the date of enactment of the 
                        Head Start Improvements for School Readiness 
                        Act, taking into consideration an appropriate 
                        adjustment for inflation, the Secretary shall 
                        reserve percentages that approach, as closely 
                        as practicable, the specified percentages and 
                        that do not cause such a reduction; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(II) notwithstanding any other 
                        provision of this subparagraph, the Secretary 
                        shall reserve for each fiscal year for use by 
                        Indian Head Start programs and by migrant and 
                        seasonal Head Start programs, on a nationwide 
                        basis, not less than the amount that was 
                        obligated for use by Indian Head Start programs 
                        and by migrant and seasonal Head Start programs 
                        for the previous fiscal year;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) after ensuring that each grant 
                recipient for a covered program has received an amount 
                sufficient to enable the grant recipient to serve the 
                same number of children in Head Start programs as were 
                served by such grant recipient on the date of enactment 
                of the Head Start Improvements for School Readiness 
                Act, taking into consideration an appropriate 
                adjustment for inflation, and after allotting the funds 
                reserved under paragraph (3)(A) as specified in 
                paragraph (3)(D), the Secretary shall distribute the 
                remaining funds available under this subparagraph for 
                covered programs, by--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(I) distributing 65 percent of 
                        the remainder by giving priority to grant 
                        recipients in the States serving the smallest 
                        percentages of eligible children (as determined 
                        by the Secretary); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(II) distributing 35 percent of 
                        the remainder on a competitive 
                        basis;'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking subparagraph (C) and 
                inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(C) training and technical assistance activities 
        that are sufficient to meet the needs associated with program 
        expansion and to foster program and management improvement 
        activities as described in section 648, in an amount for each 
        fiscal year that is equal to 2 percent of the amount 
        appropriated under section 639 for such fiscal year, of which--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) 50 percent shall be made available 
                to Head Start agencies to use directly, or by 
                establishing local or regional agreements with 
                community experts, colleges and universities, or 
                private consultants, for any of the following training 
                and technical assistance activities, including--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(I) activities that ensure that 
                        Head Start programs meet or exceed the program 
                        performance standards described in section 
                        641A(a)(1);</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(II) activities that ensure that 
                        Head Start programs have adequate numbers of 
                        trained, qualified staff who have skills in 
                        working with children and families, including 
                        children and families who are limited English 
                        proficient and children with 
                        disabilities;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(III) activities to pay 
                        expenses, including direct training for expert 
                        consultants working with any staff, to improve 
                        the management and implementation of Head Start 
                        services and systems;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(IV) activities that help ensure 
                        that Head Start programs have qualified staff 
                        who can promote language skills and literacy 
                        growth of children and who can provide children 
                        with a variety of skills that have been 
                        identified as predictive of later reading 
                        achievement, school success, and other 
                        educational skills described in section 
                        641A;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(V) activities to improve staff 
                        qualifications and to assist with the 
                        implementation of career development programs 
                        and to encourage the staff to continually 
                        improve their skills and expertise, including 
                        developing partnerships with programs that 
                        recruit, train, place, and support college 
                        students in Head Start centers to deliver an 
                        innovative early learning program to preschool 
                        children;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(VI) activities that help local 
                        programs ensure that the arrangement, 
                        condition, and implementation of the learning 
                        environments in Head Start programs are 
                        conducive to providing effective program 
                        services to children and families;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(VII) activities to provide 
                        training necessary to improve the 
                        qualifications of Head Start staff and to 
                        support staff training, child counseling, 
                        health services, and other services necessary 
                        to address the needs of children enrolled in 
                        Head Start programs, including children from 
                        families in crises, children who experience 
                        chronic violence or homelessness, and children 
                        who experience substance abuse in their 
                        families, and children under 3 years of age, 
                        where applicable;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(VIII) activities to provide 
                        classes or in-service-type programs to improve 
                        or enhance parenting skills, job skills, adult 
                        and family literacy, including financial 
                        literacy, or training to become a classroom 
                        aide or bus driver in a Head Start 
                        program;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(IX) additional activities 
                        deemed appropriate to the improvement of Head 
                        Start agencies' programs, as determined by the 
                        agencies' technical assistance and training 
                        plans; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(X) any other activities 
                        regarding the use of funds as determined by the 
                        Secretary;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) 50 percent shall be made available 
                to the Secretary to support a regional or State system 
                of early childhood education training and technical 
                assistance, and to assist local programs (including 
                Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal 
                Head Start programs) in meeting the standards described 
                in section 641A(a)(1); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(iii) not less than $3,000,000 of the 
                amount in clause (ii) appropriated for such fiscal year 
                shall be made available to carry out activities 
                described in section 648(d)(4);'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
                ``agencies;'' and inserting ``agencies);''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) by adding at the end of the flush 
                matter at the end the following: ``The Secretary shall 
                require each Head Start agency to report at the end of 
                each budget year on how funds provided to carry out 
                subparagraph (C)(i) were used.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (3)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subparagraph (A)(i)(I)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking ``60 percent of 
                        such excess amount for fiscal year 1999'' and 
                        all that follows through ``2002, and''; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by inserting before the 
                        semicolon the following: ``, 30 percent of such 
                        excess amount for fiscal year 2006, and 40 
                        percent of such excess amount for each of 
                        fiscal years 2007 through 2010'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subparagraph (B)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in clause (i), by striking 
                        ``performance standards'' and all that follows 
                        and inserting ``standards and measures pursuant 
                        to section 641A.'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking clause (ii) and 
                        inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Ensuring that such programs have adequate 
        numbers of qualified staff, and that such staff is furnished 
        adequate training, including training to promote the 
        development of language skills, premathematics skills, and 
        prereading in young children and in working with limited 
        English proficient children, children in foster care, children 
        referred by child welfare services, and children with 
        disabilities, when appropriate.'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) by striking clause (iii) and 
                        inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(iii) Developing and financing the salary scales 
        and benefits standards under section 644(a) and section 653, in 
        order to ensure that salary levels and benefits are adequate to 
        attract and retain qualified staff for such 
        programs.'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) by striking clause (iv) and 
                        inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(iv) Using salary increases to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(I) assist with the implementation of 
                quality programs and improve staff 
                qualifications;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(II) ensure that staff can promote the 
                language skills and literacy growth of children and can 
                provide children with a variety of skills that have 
                been identified, through scientifically based early 
                reading research, as predictive of later reading 
                achievement, as well as additional skills identified in 
                section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(III) encourage the staff to continually 
                improve their skills and expertise by informing the 
                staff of the availability of Federal and State 
                incentive and loan forgiveness programs for 
                professional development.'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) in clause (v), by inserting 
                        ``, including collaborations to increase 
                        program participation by underserved 
                        populations of eligible children'' before the 
                        period; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vi) by striking clauses (vii) and 
                        (viii) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(vii) Providing assistance to complete 
        postsecondary coursework including scholarships or other 
        financial incentives, such as differential and merit pay, to 
        enable Head Start teachers to improve competencies and the 
        resulting child outcomes.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(viii) Promoting the regular attendance and 
        stability of all Head Start children with particular attention 
        to highly mobile children, including children from migrant and 
        seasonal farmworking families (where appropriate), homeless 
        children, and children in foster care.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(ix) Making such other improvements in the 
        quality of such programs as the Secretary may designate.''; 
        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subparagraph (C)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in clause (i)(I), by striking 
                        the last sentence and inserting ``Salary 
                        increases, in excess of cost-of-living 
                        allowances, provided with such funds shall be 
                        subject to the specific standards governing 
                        salaries and salary increases established 
                        pursuant to section 644(a).'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in clause (ii)--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) in the matter 
                                preceding subclause (I), by striking 
                                ``education performance'' and inserting 
                                ``additional educational'';</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) in subclause (I), by 
                                inserting ``, prereading,'' after 
                                ``language'';</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) by striking 
                                subclause (II) and inserting the 
                                following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(II) to help limited English proficient 
                children attain the knowledge, skills, and development 
                specified in section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) and to promote 
                the acquisition of the English language by such 
                children and families;''; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (IV) by striking subclause 
                                (IV) and inserting the 
                                following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(IV) to provide education and training 
                necessary to improve the qualifications of Head Start 
                staff, particularly assistance to enable more 
                instructors to be fully competent and to meet the 
                degree requirements under section 648A(a)(2)(A), and to 
                support staff training, child counseling, and other 
                services necessary to address the challenges of 
                children participating in Head Start programs, 
                including children from immigrant, refugee, and asylee 
                families, children from families in crisis, homeless 
                children, children in foster care, children referred to 
                Head Start programs by child welfare agencies, and 
                children who are exposed to chronic violence or 
                substance abuse.'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) in clause (iii), by 
                        inserting ``, educational staff who have the 
                        qualifications described in section 648A(a),'' 
                        after ``ratio'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) in clause (v), by striking 
                        ``programs, including'' and all that follows 
                        and inserting ``programs.'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) by redesignating clause (vi) 
                        as clause (x); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vi) by inserting after clause (v) 
                        the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(vi) To conduct outreach to homeless families in 
        an effort to increase the program participation of eligible 
        homeless children.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(vii) To conduct outreach to migrant and 
        seasonal farmworking families and families with limited English 
        proficient children.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(viii) To partner with institutions of higher 
        education and nonprofit organizations, including community-
        based organizations, that recruit, train, place, and support 
        college students to serve as mentors and reading coaches to 
        preschool children in Head Start programs.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(ix) To upgrade the qualifications and skills of 
        educational personnel to meet the professional standards 
        described in section 648A(a)(1), including certification and 
        licensure as bilingual education teachers and for other 
        educational personnel who serve limited English proficient 
        students.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in paragraph (4)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                ``1998'' and inserting ``2005''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking subparagraph (B) and 
                inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) any amount available after all allotments 
        are made under subparagraph (A) for such fiscal year shall be 
        distributed as follows:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(i) Each State shall receive an amount 
                sufficient to serve the same number of children in Head 
                Start programs in each State as were served on the date 
                of enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School 
                Readiness Act, taking into consideration an appropriate 
                adjustment for inflation.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) After ensuring that each State has 
                received the amount described in clause (i) and after 
                allotting the funds reserved under paragraph (3)(A) as 
                specified in paragraph (3)(D), the Secretary shall 
                distribute the remaining balance, by--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(I) distributing 65 percent of 
                        the balance by giving priority to States 
                        serving the smallest percentages of eligible 
                        children (as determined by the Secretary); 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(II) distributing 35 percent of 
                        the balance on a competitive 
                        basis.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in paragraph (5)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and 
                (F) as subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking subparagraphs (B), (C), 
                and (D) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(B)(i) From the reserved sums, the Secretary shall award 
a collaboration grant to each State to facilitate collaboration between 
Head Start agencies and entities (including the State) that carry out 
other activities designed to benefit low-income families and children 
from birth to school entry.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(ii) Grants described in clause (i) shall be used to--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(I) encourage Head Start agencies to collaborate 
        with entities involved in State and local planning processes to 
        better meet the needs of low-income families and children from 
        birth to school entry;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(II) encourage Head Start agencies to coordinate 
        activities with the State agency responsible for administering 
        the State program carried out under the Child Care and 
        Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) 
        and entities providing resources and referral services in the 
        State to make full-working-day and full calendar year services 
        available to children;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(III) promote alignment of Head Start services 
        with State early learning and school readiness goals and 
        standards, including the Head Start child outcome 
        framework;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(IV) promote better linkages between Head Start 
        agencies and other child and family agencies, including 
        agencies that provide health, mental health, or family 
        services, or other child or family supportive services; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(V) carry out the activities of the State 
        Director of Head Start Collaboration authorized in subparagraph 
        (D).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(C) In order to improve coordination and delivery of 
early education services to children in the State, a State that 
receives a grant under subparagraph (B) shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(i) appoint an individual to serve as the State 
        Director of Head Start Collaboration;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(ii) ensure that the State Director of Head 
        Start Collaboration 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; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(iii) involve the State Head Start Association 
        in the selection of the Director and involve the Association in 
        determinations relating to the ongoing direction of the 
        collaboration office.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(D) The State Director of Head Start Collaboration, 
after consultation with the State Advisory Council described in 
subparagraph (E), shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(i) not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School Readiness 
        Act, conduct an assessment that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(I) addresses the needs of Head Start 
                agencies in the State with respect to collaborating, 
                coordinating services, and implementing State early 
                learning and school readiness goals and standards to 
                better serve children enrolled in Head Start programs 
                in the State;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(II) shall be updated on an annual 
                basis; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(III) shall be made available to the 
                general public within the State;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(ii) assess the availability of high quality 
        prekindergarten services for low-income children in the 
        State;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(iii) develop a strategic plan that is based on 
        the assessment described in clause (i) that will--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(I) enhance collaboration and 
                coordination of Head Start services with other entities 
                providing early childhood programs and services (such 
                as child care and services offered by museums), health 
                care, mental health care, welfare, child protective 
                services, education and community service activities, 
                family literacy services, reading readiness programs 
                (including such programs offered by public and school 
                libraries), services relating to children with 
                disabilities, other early childhood programs and 
                services for limited English proficient children and 
                homeless children, and services provided for children 
                in foster care and children referred to Head Start 
                programs by child welfare agencies, including agencies 
                and State officials responsible for such 
                services;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(III) assist Head Start agencies to 
                align services with State early learning and school 
                readiness goals and standards and to facilitate 
                collaborative efforts to develop local school readiness 
                standards; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(IV) enable agencies in the State to 
                better coordinate professional development 
                opportunities for Head Start staff, such as by--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(aa) assisting 2- and 4-year 
                        public and private institutions of higher 
                        education to develop articulation 
                        agreements;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(bb) awarding 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 program;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(cc) working with local Head 
                        Start agencies to meet the degree requirements 
                        described in section 648A(a)(2)(A), including 
                        providing distance learning opportunities for 
                        Head Start staff, where needed to make higher 
                        education more accessible to Head Start staff; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(dd) enabling the State Head 
                        Start agencies to better coordinate outreach to 
                        eligible families;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(iv) promote partnerships between Head Start 
        agencies, State governments, and the private sector to help 
        ensure that preschool children from low-income families are 
        receiving comprehensive services to prepare the children to 
        enter school ready to learn;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(v) consult with the chief State school officer, 
        local educational agencies, and providers of early childhood 
        education and care to conduct unified planning regarding early 
        care and education services at both the State and local levels, 
        including undertaking collaborative efforts to develop and make 
        improvements in school readiness standards;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(vi) promote partnerships (such as the 
        partnerships involved with the Free to Grow initiative) between 
        Head Start agencies, schools, law enforcement, and substance 
        abuse and mental health treatment agencies 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 healthy 
        development;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(vii) promote partnerships between Head Start 
        agencies and other organizations in order to enhance the Head 
        Start curriculum, including partnerships to promote inclusion 
        of more books in Head Start classrooms and partnerships to 
        promote coordination of activities with the Ready-to-Learn 
        Television program carried out under subpart 3 of part D of 
        title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
        (20 U.S.C. 6775 et seq.); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(viii) identify other resources and 
        organizations (both public and private) for the provision of 
        in-kind services to Head Start agencies in the State.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(E)(i) The Governor of the State shall designate or 
establish a council to serve as the State advisory council on 
collaboration on early care and education activities for children from 
birth to school entry (in this subchapter referred to as the `State 
Advisory Council').</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(ii) The Governor may designate an existing entity to 
serve as the State Advisory Council, if the entity includes 
representatives described in subclauses (I) through (XXIV) of clause 
(iii).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(iii) Members of the State Advisory Council shall 
include, to the maximum extent possible--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(I) the State Director of Head Start 
        Collaboration;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(II) a representative of the appropriate 
        regional office of the Administration for Children and 
        Families;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(III) a representative of the State educational 
        agency and local educational agencies;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(IV) a representative of institutions of higher 
        education;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(V) a representative (or representatives) of the 
        State agency (or agencies) responsible for health or mental 
        health care;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(VI) a representative of the State agency 
        responsible for teacher professional standards, certification, 
        and licensing, including prekindergarten teacher professional 
        standards, certification standards, certification, and 
        licensing, where applicable;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(VII) a representative of the State agency 
        responsible for child care;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(VIII) early childhood education professionals, 
        including professionals with expertise in second language 
        acquisition and instructional strategies in teaching limited 
        English proficient children;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(IX) kindergarten teachers and teachers in 
        grades 1 through 3;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(X) health care professionals;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XI) child development specialists, including 
        specialists in prenatal, infant, and toddler 
        development;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XII) a representative of the State agency 
        responsible for assisting children with developmental 
        disabilities;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XIII) a representative of the State agency 
        responsible for programs under part C of the Individuals with 
        Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XIV) a representative of the State interagency 
        coordinating councils established under section 641 of the 
        Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
        1441);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XV) a representative of the State Head Start 
        Association (where appropriate), and other representatives of 
        Head Start programs in the State;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XVI) a representative of the State network of 
        child care resource and referral agencies;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XVII) a representative of community-based 
        organizations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XVIII) a representative of State and local 
        providers of early childhood education and child 
        care;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XIX) a representative of migrant and seasonal 
        Head Start programs and Indian Head Start programs (where 
        appropriate);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XX) parents;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XXI) religious and business leaders;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XXII) the head of the State library 
        administrative agency;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XXIII) representatives of State and local 
        organizations and other entities providing professional 
        development to early care and education providers; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(XXIV) a representative of other entities 
        determined to be relevant by the chief executive officer of the 
        State.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(iv)(I) The State Advisory Council shall be responsible 
for, in addition to responsibilities assigned to the council by the 
chief executive officer of the State--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(aa) conducting a periodic statewide needs 
        assessment concerning early care and education programs for 
        children from birth to school entry;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(bb) identifying barriers to, and opportunities 
        for, collaboration and coordination between entities carrying 
        out Federal and State child development, child care, and early 
        childhood education programs;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(cc) developing recommendations regarding means 
        of establishing a unified data collection system for early care 
        and education programs throughout the State;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(dd) developing a statewide professional 
        development and career ladder plan for early care and education 
        in the State; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(ee) reviewing and approving the strategic plan, 
        regarding collaborating and coordinating services to better 
        serve children enrolled in Head Start programs, developed by 
        the State Director of Head Start Collaboration under 
        subparagraph (D)(iii).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(II) The State Advisory Council shall hold public 
hearings and provide an opportunity for public comment on the needs 
assessment and recommendations described in subclause (I). The State 
Advisory Council shall submit a statewide strategic report containing 
the needs assessment and recommendations described in subclause (I) to 
the State Director of Head Start Collaboration and the chief executive 
officer of the State.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(III) After submission of a statewide strategic report 
under subclause (II), the State Advisory Council shall meet 
periodically to review any implementation of the recommendations in 
such report and any changes in State and local needs.''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) in paragraph (6)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``7.5 
                percent'' and all that follows and inserting ``11 
                percent for fiscal year 2006, 13 percent for fiscal 
                year 2007, 15 percent for fiscal year 2008, 17 percent 
                for fiscal year 2009, and 18 percent for fiscal year 
                2010, of the amount appropriated pursuant to section 
                639(a).'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking subparagraph 
                (B);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking 
                ``required to be''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as 
                subparagraph (B).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Service Delivery Models.--Section 640(f) of the Head 
Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(f)) is amended by striking ``needs.'' and 
inserting ``needs, including--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) models that leverage the capacity and 
        capabilities of the delivery system of early childhood 
        education and child care; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) procedures to provide for the conversion of 
        part-day programs to full-day programs or part-day slots to 
        full-day slots.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Additional Funds.--Section 640(g)(2) of the Head Start 
Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(g)(2)) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the 
        following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(C) the extent to which the applicant has 
        undertaken communitywide strategic planning and needs 
        assessments involving other community organizations and 
        Federal, State, and local public agencies serving children and 
        families (including organizations and agencies providing family 
        support services and protective services to children and 
        families and organizations serving families in whose homes 
        English is not the language customarily spoken), and 
        individuals, organizations, and public entities serving 
        children with disabilities, children in foster care, and 
        homeless children 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));'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``other 
        local'' and inserting ``the State and local'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``would like 
        to participate but'' after ``community who'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in subparagraph (G), by inserting ``leverage 
        the existing delivery systems of such services and'' after 
        ``manner that will''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) 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 
        ``community involved''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Regulations.--Section 640(i) of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9835(i)) is amended by inserting ``and requirements to ensure 
the appropriate supervision and background checks of individuals with 
whom the agencies contract to transport those children'' before the 
period.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs.--Section 
640(l) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(l)) is amended by striking 
paragraph (3) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3) In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall 
continue the administrative arrangement at the national or regional 
level for meeting the needs of Indian children and children of migrant 
and seasonal farmworkers and shall ensure that appropriate funding is 
provided to meet such needs, including training and technical 
assistance and the appointment of a national migrant and seasonal Head 
Start collaboration director and a national Indian Head Start 
collaboration director.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(4)(A) For the purposes of paragraph (3), the Secretary 
shall conduct an annual consultation in each affected Head Start 
region, with tribal governments operating Head Start and Early Head 
Start programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(B) The consultations shall be for the purpose of better 
meeting the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native children and 
families pertinent to subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 641, 
taking into consideration funding allocations, distribution formulas, 
and other issues affecting the delivery of Head Start services within 
tribal communities.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(C) The Secretary shall publish a notification of the 
consultations in the Federal Register prior to conducting the 
consultations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(D) A detailed report of each consultation shall be 
prepared and made available, on a timely basis, to all tribal 
governments receiving funds under this subchapter.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Homeless Children.--Section 640 of the Head Start Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9835) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(m) Enrollment of Homeless Children.--The Secretary 
shall issue regulations to remove barriers to the enrollment and 
participation of homeless children in Head Start programs. Such 
regulations shall require Head Start agencies to--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) implement policies and procedures to ensure 
        that homeless children are identified and receive appropriate 
        priority for enrollment;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) allow homeless children to apply to, enroll 
        in, and attend Head Start programs while required documents, 
        such as proof of residency, proof of immunization, and other 
        medical records, birth certificates, and other documents, are 
        obtained within a reasonable timeframe (consistent with State 
        law); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) coordinate individual Head Start programs 
        with efforts to implement subtitle B of title VII of the 
        McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et 
        seq.).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(n) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this subchapter 
shall be construed to require a State to establish a program of early 
education for children in the State, to require any child to 
participate in a program of early education in order to attend 
preschool, or to participate in any initial screening prior to 
participation in such program, except as provided under section 
612(a)(3) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
1412(a)(3)) and consistent with section 614(a)(1)(C) of such Act (20 
U.S.C. 1414(a)(1)(C)).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(o) Materials.--All curricula funded under this 
subchapter shall be scientifically based and age appropriate. Parents 
shall have the opportunity to examine any such curricula or 
instructional materials funded under this subchapter.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 641 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836) is 
amended to read as follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 641. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Designation.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to 
        designate as a Head Start agency any local public or private 
        nonprofit or for-profit agency, within a community, including a 
        community-based organization that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) has power and authority to carry out 
                the purpose of this subchapter and perform the 
                functions set forth in section 642 within a community; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) is determined to be capable of 
                planning, conducting, administering, and evaluating, 
                either directly or by other arrangements, a Head Start 
                program.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Required goals for designation.--In order to 
        be designated as a Head Start agency, an entity described in 
        paragraph (1) shall establish program goals for improving the 
        school readiness of children participating in a program under 
        this subchapter, including goals for meeting the performance 
        standards and additional educational standards described in 
        section 641A and shall establish results-based school readiness 
        goals that are aligned with State early learning standards, if 
        applicable, and requirements and expectations for local public 
        schools.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Eligibility for subsequent grants.--In order 
        to receive a grant under this subchapter subsequent to the 
        initial grant provided following the date of enactment of the 
        Head Start Improvements for School Readiness Act, an entity 
        described in paragraph (1) shall demonstrate that the entity 
        has met or is making progress toward meeting the goals 
        described in paragraph (2).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Governing body.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) Ensuring high quality 
                        programs.--In order to be designated as a Head 
                        Start agency, an entity described in paragraph 
                        (1) shall have a governing body--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) with legal and 
                                fiscal responsibility for administering 
                                and overseeing programs under this 
                                subchapter; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) that fully 
                                participates in the development, 
                                planning, implementation, and 
                                evaluation of the programs to ensure 
                                the operation of programs of high 
                                quality.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Ensuring compliance with 
                        laws.--The governing body shall be responsible 
                        for ensuring compliance with Federal laws and 
                        regulations, including the performance 
                        standards described in section 641A, as well as 
                        applicable State, Tribal, and local laws and 
                        regulations, including laws defining the nature 
                        and operations of the governing body.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Composition of governing body.--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The governing 
                        body shall be composed as follows:</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) Not less than 1 
                                member of the governing body shall have 
                                a background in fiscal 
                                management.</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) Not less than 1 
                                member of the governing body shall have 
                                a background in early childhood 
                                development.</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) Not less than 1 
                                member of the governing body shall live 
                                in the local community to be served by 
                                the entity.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Conflict of interest.--
                        Members of the governing body shall--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) not have a conflict 
                                of interest with the Head Start agency 
                                or delegate agencies; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) not receive 
                                compensation for service to the Head 
                                Start agency.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Responsibilities.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The governing 
                        body shall be responsible, in consultation with 
                        the policy council or the policy committee of 
                        the Head Start agency, for--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the selection of 
                                delegate agencies and such agencies' 
                                service areas;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) establishing 
                                criteria for defining recruitment, 
                                selection, and enrollment 
                                priorities;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) all funding 
                                applications and amendments to funding 
                                applications for programs under this 
                                subchapter;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) the annual self-
                                assessment of the Head Start agency or 
                                delegate agency's progress in carrying 
                                out the programmatic and fiscal intent 
                                of such agency's grant application, 
                                including planning or other actions 
                                that may result from the review of the 
                                annual audit, self-assessment, and 
                                findings from the Federal monitoring 
                                review;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(V) the composition of 
                                the policy council or the policy 
                                committee of the Head Start agency and 
                                the procedures by which group members 
                                are chosen;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VI) audits, accounting, 
                                and reporting;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VII) personnel policies 
                                and procedures including decisions with 
                                regard to salary scales (and changes 
                                made to the scale), salaries of the 
                                Executive Director, Head Start 
                                Director, the Director of Human 
                                Resources, and the Chief Fiscal 
                                Officer, and decisions to hire and 
                                terminate program staff; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VIII) the community 
                                assessment, including any updates to 
                                such assessment.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Conduct of 
                        responsibilities.--The governing body shall 
                        develop an internal control structure to 
                        facilitate these responsibilities in order to--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) safeguard Federal 
                                funds;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) comply with laws 
                                and regulations that have an impact on 
                                financial statements;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) detect or prevent 
                                noncompliance with this subchapter; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) receive audit 
                                reports and direct and monitor staff 
                                implementation of corrective 
                                actions.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Receipt of information.--To 
                facilitate oversight and Head Start agency 
                accountability, the governing body shall receive 
                regular and accurate information about program 
                planning, policies, and Head Start agency operations, 
                including--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) monthly financial statements 
                        (including detailed credit card account 
                        expenditures for any employee with a Head Start 
                        agency credit card or who seeks reimbursement 
                        for charged expenses);</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) monthly program information 
                        summaries;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) program enrollment 
                        reports, including attendance reports for 
                        children whose care is partially subsidized by 
                        another public agency;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) monthly report of meals and 
                        snacks through programs of the Department of 
                        Agriculture;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) the annual financial 
                        audit;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) the annual self-assessment, 
                        including any findings related to the annual 
                        self-assessment;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) the community assessment 
                        of the Head Start agency's service area and any 
                        applicable updates; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(viii) the program information 
                        reports.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) Training and technical assistance.--
                Appropriate training and technical assistance shall be 
                provided to the members of the governing body to ensure 
                that the members understand the information the members 
                receive and can effectively oversee and participate in 
                the programs of the Head Start agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Communities.--For purposes of this subchapter, a 
community may be a city, county, or multicity or multicounty unit 
within a State, an Indian reservation (including Indians in any off-
reservation area designated by an appropriate tribal government in 
consultation with the Secretary), or a neighborhood or other area 
(irrespective of boundaries or political subdivisions) that provides a 
suitable organizational base and possesses the commonality of interest 
needed to operate a Head Start program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Priority in Designation.--In administering the 
provisions of this section, the Secretary shall, in consultation with 
the chief executive officer of the State involved, give priority in the 
designation (including redesignation) of Head Start agencies to any 
high-performing Head Start agency or delegate agency that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) is receiving assistance under this 
        subchapter;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) meets or exceeds program and financial 
        management requirements or standards described in section 
        641A(a)(1);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) has no unresolved deficiencies and has not 
        had findings of deficiencies during the last triennial review 
        under section 641A(c); and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) can demonstrate, through agreements such as 
        memoranda of understanding, active collaboration with the State 
        or local community in the provision of services for children 
        (such as the provision of extended day services, education, 
        professional development and training for staff, and other 
        types of cooperative endeavors).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Designation When Entity Has Priority.--If no entity 
in a community is entitled to the priority specified in subsection (c), 
the Secretary shall, after conducting an open competition, designate a 
Head Start agency from among qualified applicants in such 
community.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Rule of Construction.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, under no condition may a non-Indian Head Start agency 
receive a grant to carry out an Indian Head Start program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Effectiveness.--In selecting from among qualified 
applicants for designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall 
consider the effectiveness of each such applicant to provide Head Start 
services, based on--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) any past performance of such applicant in 
        providing services comparable to Head Start services, including 
        how effectively such applicant provided such comparable 
        services;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the plan of such applicant to provide 
        comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, social, and 
        other services needed to aid participating children in 
        attaining their full potential, and to prepare children to 
        succeed in school;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) the capacity of such applicant to serve 
        eligible children with programs that use scientifically based 
        research that promote school readiness of children 
        participating in the program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) the plan of such applicant to meet standards 
        set forth in section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to 
        the standards set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such 
        section;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the 
        Head Start program the applicant proposes to carry out with 
        other preschool programs, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(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.);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) programs under section 619 and part 
                C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
                (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) State prekindergarten 
                programs;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) child care programs;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) the educational programs that the 
                children in the Head Start program involved will enter 
                at the age of compulsory school attendance; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) reading readiness programs such as 
                those conducted by public and school 
                libraries;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the 
        Head Start program that the applicant proposes to carry out 
        with public and private entities who are willing to commit 
        resources to assist the Head Start program in meeting its 
        program needs;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) the plan of such applicant to collaborate 
        with a local library, where available, that is interested in 
        that collaboration, to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) develop innovative programs to 
                excite children about the world of books, such as 
                programs that involve--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) taking children to the 
                        library for a story hour;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) promoting the use of 
                        library cards;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) developing a lending 
                        library or using a mobile library van; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) providing fresh books in 
                        the Head Start classroom on a regular 
                        basis;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) assist in literacy training for Head 
                Start teachers; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) support parents and other caregivers 
                in literacy efforts;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) the plan of such applicant--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) to seek the involvement of parents 
                of participating children in activities (at home and in 
                the center involved where practicable) designed to help 
                such parents become full partners in the education of 
                their children;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) to afford such parents the 
                opportunity to participate in the development and 
                overall conduct of the program at the local level, 
                including through providing transportation 
                costs;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) to offer (directly or through 
                referral to local entities, such as entities carrying 
                out 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.), public and school 
                libraries, and entities carrying out family support 
                programs) to such parents--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) family literacy services; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) parenting skills 
                        training;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) to offer to parents of participating 
                children substance abuse counseling (either directly or 
                through referral to local entities), including 
                information on the effect of drug exposure on infants 
                and fetal alcohol syndrome;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) at the option of such applicant, to 
                offer (directly or through referral to local entities) 
                to such parents--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) training in basic child 
                        development (including cognitive 
                        development);</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) assistance in developing 
                        literacy and communication skills;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) opportunities to share 
                        experiences with other parents (including 
                        parent mentor relationships);</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) regular in-home visitation; 
                        or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) any other activity designed 
                        to help such parents become full partners in 
                        the education of their children;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) to provide, with respect to each 
                participating family, a family needs assessment that 
                includes consultation with such parents about the 
                benefits of parent involvement and about the activities 
                described in subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) in which 
                such parents may choose to become involved (taking into 
                consideration their specific family needs, work 
                schedules, and other responsibilities); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) to extend outreach to fathers, in 
                appropriate cases, in order to strengthen the role of 
                fathers in families, in the education of their young 
                children, and in the Head Start program, by working 
                directly with fathers and father figures through 
                activities such as--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) in appropriate cases, 
                        including fathers in home visits and providing 
                        opportunities for direct father-child 
                        interactions; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) targeting increased male 
                        participation in the conduct of the 
                        program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(9) the ability of such applicant to carry out 
        the plans described in paragraphs (2), (4), and (5);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(10) other factors related to the requirements 
        of this subchapter;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(11) the plan of such applicant to meet the 
        needs of limited English proficient children and their 
        families, including procedures to identify such children, plans 
        to provide trained personnel, and plans to provide services to 
        assist the children in making progress toward the acquisition 
        of the English language;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(12) the plan of such applicant to meet the 
        needs of children with disabilities;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(13) the plan of such applicant who chooses to 
        assist younger siblings of children who will participate in the 
        Head Start program, to obtain health services from other 
        sources;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(14) the plan of such applicant to collaborate 
        with other entities carrying out early childhood education and 
        child care programs in the community;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(15) the plan of such applicant to meet the 
        needs of homeless children and children in foster care, 
        including the transportation needs of such children; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(16) the plan of such applicant to recruit and 
        retain qualified staff.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Interim Basis.--If there is not a qualified 
applicant in a community for designation as a Head Start agency, the 
Secretary shall designate a qualified agency to carry out the Head 
Start program in the community on an interim basis until a qualified 
applicant from the community is so designated.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Involvement of Parents and Area Residents.--The 
Secretary shall continue the practice of involving parents and area 
residents who are affected by programs under this subchapter in the 
selection of qualified applicants for designation as Head Start 
agencies.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(i) Priority.--In selecting from among qualified 
applicants for designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall 
give priority to applicants that have demonstrated capacity in 
providing effective, comprehensive, and well-coordinated early 
childhood services to children and their families.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 8. QUALITY STANDARDS; MONITORING OF HEAD START AGENCIES 
              AND PROGRAMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 641A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking 
                ``642(d)'' and inserting ``642(c)'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (1)(B)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in clause (i), by striking 
                        ``education performance standards'' and 
                        inserting ``educational performance 
                        standards''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking clause (ii) and 
                        inserting the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) additional educational standards 
                based on the recommendations of the National Academy of 
                Sciences panel described in section 649(h) and other 
                experts in the field, to ensure that the curriculum 
                involved addresses, and that the children participating 
                in the program show appropriate progress toward 
                developing and applying, the recommended educational 
                outcomes, after the panel considers the appropriateness 
                of additional educational standards relating to--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(I) language skills related to 
                        listening, understanding, speaking, and 
                        communicating, including--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(aa) understanding and 
                                use of a diverse vocabulary (including 
                                knowing the names of colors) and 
                                knowledge of how to use oral language 
                                to communicate for various 
                                purposes;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(bb) narrative abilities 
                                used, for example, to comprehend, tell, 
                                and respond to a story, or to 
                                comprehend instructions;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(cc) ability to detect 
                                and produce sounds of the language the 
                                child speaks or is learning; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(dd) clarity of 
                                pronunciation and speaking in 
                                syntactically and grammatically correct 
                                sentences;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(II) prereading knowledge and 
                        skills, including--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(aa) alphabet knowledge 
                                including knowing the letter names and 
                                associating letters with their shapes 
                                and sounds in the language the child 
                                speaks or is learning;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(bb) phonological 
                                awareness and processes that support 
                                reading, for example, rhyming, 
                                recognizing speech sounds and separate 
                                syllables in spoken words, and putting 
                                speech sounds together to make 
                                words;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(cc) knowledge, interest 
                                in, and appreciation of books, reading, 
                                and writing (either alone or with 
                                others), and knowledge that books have 
                                parts such as the front, back, and 
                                title page;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(dd) early writing, 
                                including the ability to write one's 
                                own name and other words and phrases; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(ee) print awareness and 
                                concepts, including recognizing 
                                different forms of print and 
                                understanding the association between 
                                spoken and written words;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(III) premathematics knowledge 
                        and skills, including--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(aa) number 
                                recognition;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(bb) use of early number 
                                concepts and operations, including 
                                counting, simple adding and 
                                subtracting, and knowledge of 
                                quantitative relationships, such as 
                                part versus whole and comparison of 
                                numbers of objects;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(cc) use of early space 
                                and location concepts, including 
                                recognizing shapes, classification, 
                                striation, and understanding 
                                directionality; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(dd) early pattern 
                                skills and measurement, including 
                                recognizing and extending simple 
                                patterns and measuring length, weight, 
                                and time;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(IV) scientific abilities, 
                        including--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(aa) building awareness 
                                about scientific skills and methods, 
                                such as gathering, describing, and 
                                recording information, making 
                                observations, and making explanations 
                                and predictions; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(bb) expanding 
                                scientific knowledge of the 
                                environment, time, temperature, and 
                                cause-and-effect 
                                relationships;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(V) general cognitive abilities 
                        related to academic achievement and child 
                        development, including--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(aa) reasoning, 
                                planning, and problem-solving 
                                skills;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(bb) ability to engage, 
                                sustain attention, and persist on 
                                challenging tasks;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(cc) intellectual 
                                curiosity, initiative, and task 
                                engagement; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(dd) motivation to 
                                achieve and master concepts and 
                                skills;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(VI) social and emotional 
                        development related to early learning and 
                        school success, including developing--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(aa) the ability to 
                                develop social relationships, 
                                demonstrate cooperative behaviors, and 
                                relate to teachers and peers in 
                                positive and respectful ways;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(bb) an understanding of 
                                the consequences of actions, following 
                                rules, and appropriately expressing 
                                feelings;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(cc) a sense of self, 
                                such as self-awareness, independence, 
                                and confidence;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(dd) the ability to 
                                control negative behaviors with 
                                teachers and peers that include 
                                impulsiveness, aggression, and 
                                noncompliance; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(ee) knowledge of civic 
                                society and surrounding 
                                communities;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(VII) physical development, 
                        including developing--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(aa) fine motor skills, 
                                such as strength, manual dexterity, and 
                                hand-eye coordination; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(bb) gross motor skills, 
                                such as balance and coordinated 
                                movements; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(VIII) in the case of limited 
                        English proficient children, progress toward 
                        acquisition of the English language while 
                        making meaningful progress in attaining the 
                        knowledge, skills, abilities, and development 
                        described in subclauses (I) through 
                        (VII);'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in paragraph (1)(D), by striking 
                ``projects; and'' and inserting ``projects, including 
                regulations that require that the facilities used by 
                Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start 
                agencies) and delegate agencies for regularly scheduled 
                center-based and combination program option classroom 
                activities--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) shall be in compliance with 
                        State and local requirements concerning 
                        licensing for such facilities; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) shall be accessible by 
                        State and local authorities for purposes of 
                        monitoring and ensuring 
                        compliance.'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in subparagraph (B)--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) in clause (i), by 
                                striking ``the date of enactment of 
                                this section'' and inserting ``the date 
                                of enactment of the Head Start 
                                Improvements for School Readiness 
                                Act'';</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) in clause (ii), by 
                                striking ``the date of enactment of 
                                this Act'' and inserting ``the date of 
                                enactment of the Head Start 
                                Improvements for School Readiness 
                                Act'';</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) in clause (vi), by 
                                striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
                                semicolon;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (IV) in clause (vii), by 
                                striking ``public schools'' and 
                                inserting ``the schools that the 
                                children will be attending''; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (V) by adding at the end 
                                the following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(viii) the unique challenges 
                        faced by individual programs, including those 
                        programs that are seasonal or short term and 
                        those programs that serve rural populations; 
                        and'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) 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 Improvements for School Readiness 
                        Act''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) consult with Indian tribes, American 
                Indian and Alaska Native experts in early childhood 
                development, linguists, and the National Indian Head 
                Start Directors Association on the review and 
                promulgation of program standards and measures 
                (including standards and measures for language 
                acquisition and school readiness).'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) by adding at the end the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Evaluations and corrective actions for 
        delegate agencies.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Procedures.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--Subject to 
                        clause (ii), the Head Start agency shall 
                        establish procedures relating to its delegate 
                        agencies, including--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) procedures for 
                                evaluating delegate agencies;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) procedures for 
                                defunding delegate agencies; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) procedures for 
                                appealing a defunding decision relating 
                                to a delegate agency.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Termination.--The Head 
                        Start agency may not terminate a delegate 
                        agency's contract or reduce a delegate agency's 
                        service area without showing cause or 
                        demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of such a 
                        decision.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Evaluations.--Each Head Start 
                agency--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) shall evaluate its delegate 
                        agencies using the procedures established 
                        pursuant to this section, including 
                        subparagraph (A); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) shall inform the delegate 
                        agencies of the deficiencies identified through 
                        the evaluation that shall be 
                        corrected.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Remedies to ensure corrective 
                actions.--In the event that the Head Start agency 
                identifies a deficiency for a delegate agency through 
                the evaluation, the Head Start agency may--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) initiate procedures to 
                        terminate the designation of the agency unless 
                        the agency corrects the deficiency;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) conduct monthly monitoring 
                        visits to such delegate agency until all 
                        deficiencies are corrected or the Head Start 
                        agency decides to defund such delegate agency; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) release funds to such 
                        delegate agency only as reimbursements until 
                        all deficiencies are corrected or the Head 
                        Start agency decides to defund such delegate 
                        agency.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Rule of construction.--Nothing in 
                this paragraph shall be construed to impact or obviate 
                the responsibilities of the Secretary with respect to 
                Head Start agencies or delegate agencies receiving 
                funding under this subchapter.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking the paragraph 
                        heading and inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Characteristics and use of measures.--
        '';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in subparagraph (B), by 
                        striking ``, not later than July 1, 1999; and'' 
                        and inserting a semicolon;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) in subparagraph (C), by 
                        striking the period and inserting a 
                        semicolon;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) by striking the flush matter 
                        following subparagraph (C); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) by adding at the end the 
                        following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) measure characteristics that are 
                strongly predictive (as determined on a scientific 
                basis) of a child's school readiness and later 
                performance in school;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) be appropriate for the population 
                served; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) be reviewed not less than every 4 
                years, based on advances in the science of early 
                childhood development.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>The performance measures shall include the performance 
        standards and additional educational standards described in 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1).'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (3)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in subparagraph (A), by 
                        striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
                        semicolon;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in subparagraph (B), by 
                        striking the period and inserting ``; and''; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) to enable Head Start agencies to 
                individualize programs of instruction to better meet 
                the needs of the child involved.'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by striking paragraph (4) and 
                inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Results-based outcome measures.--Results-
        based outcome measures shall be designed for the purpose of 
        promoting the knowledge, skills, abilities, and development, 
        described in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii), of children 
        participating in Head Start programs that are strongly 
        predictive (as determined on a scientific basis) of a child's 
        school readiness and later performance in school.''; 
        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) by striking paragraph (5) and 
                inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Additional local results-based educational 
        measures and goals.--Head Start agencies may establish and 
        implement additional local results-based educational measures 
        and goals.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and Head Start 
                        centers'' after ``Head Start 
                        programs'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in subparagraph (A), by 
                        striking ``such agency'' and inserting ``Head 
                        Start center'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) by striking subparagraph (C) 
                        and inserting the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Unannounced site inspections of Head 
                Start centers for health and safety reasons, as 
                appropriate.'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) by redesignating subparagraph 
                        (D) as subparagraph (E); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) by inserting after 
                        subparagraph (C) the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Notwithstanding subparagraph (C), 
                followup reviews, including--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) prompt return visits to 
                        agencies, programs, and centers that fail to 
                        meet 1 or more of the performance measures 
                        developed by the Secretary under subsection 
                        (b); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) a review of programs with 
                        citations that include findings of deficiencies 
                        not later than 6 months after the date of such 
                        citation.''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking paragraph (2) and 
                inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Conduct of reviews.--The Secretary shall 
        ensure that reviews described in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) that incorporate a monitoring visit, 
                may incorporate the visit without prior notice of the 
                visit to the agency involved or with such limited prior 
                notice as is necessary to ensure the participation of 
                parents and key staff members;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) are conducted by review teams that 
                shall include individuals who are knowledgeable about 
                Head Start and other early childhood education programs 
                and, to the maximum extent practicable, the diverse 
                (including linguistic and cultural) needs of eligible 
                children (including children with disabilities, 
                homeless children, and children in foster care) and 
                limited English proficient children and their 
                families;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) include as part of the reviews of 
                the programs, a review and assessment of program 
                effectiveness, as measured in accordance with the 
                results-based performance measures developed by the 
                Secretary pursuant to subsection (b) and with the 
                standards established pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and 
                (B) of subsection (a)(1);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) seek information from the 
                communities and States where Head Start programs exist 
                about innovative or effective collaborative efforts, 
                barriers to collaboration, and the efforts of the Head 
                Start agencies to collaborate with the entities 
                carrying out early childhood education and child care 
                programs in the community;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) include as part of the reviews of 
                the programs, a review and assessment of whether the 
                programs are in conformity with the income eligibility 
                requirements under section 645 and regulations 
                promulgated under such section;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) include as part of the reviews of 
                the programs, a review and assessment of whether 
                programs have adequately addressed the population and 
                community needs (including needs of populations of 
                limited English proficient children and children of 
                migrant and seasonal farmworking families); 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) include as part of the reviews of 
                the programs, data from the results of periodic child 
                assessments, and a review and assessment of child 
                outcomes and performance as they relate to State, 
                local, and agency-determined school readiness 
                goals.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in subsection (d)(1)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A), by inserting ``or fails to address the community 
                needs and strategic plan identified in section 
                640(g)(2)(C),'' after ``subsection (b),''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subparagraph (A), by inserting 
                ``and identify the technical assistance to be provided 
                consistent with paragraph (3)'' after 
                ``corrected'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) in subsection (e), by striking the last 
        sentence and inserting ``The information contained in such 
        report shall be made available to all parents with children 
        receiving assistance under this subchapter in an understandable 
        and uniform format, and to the extent practicable, provided in 
        a language that the parents can understand. Such information 
        shall be made widely available through public means such as 
        distribution through public agencies, and, at a minimum, by 
        posting such information on the Internet immediately upon 
        publication.''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Self-Assessments.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Not less frequently than once 
        each program year, with the consultation and participation of 
        policy groups and, as appropriate, other community members, 
        each agency receiving funds under this subchapter shall conduct 
        a self-assessment of the effectiveness and progress in meeting 
        programs goals and objectives and in implementing and complying 
        with Head Start program performance standards.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Report and improvement plans.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Report.--An agency conducting a 
                self-assessment shall report the findings of the self-
                assessment to the relevant policy council, policy 
                committee, governing body, and regional office of the 
                Department of Health and Human Services. Each self-
                assessment shall identify areas of strength and 
                weakness.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Improvement plan.--The agency shall 
                develop an improvement plan approved by the governing 
                body of the agency to strengthen any areas identified 
                in the self-assessment as weaknesses or in need of 
                improvement.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Ongoing monitoring.--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 the 
        operations of the programs work toward meeting program goals 
        and objectives and Head Start performance standards.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Training and technical assistance.--Funds 
        may be made available, through section 648(d)(13), for training 
        and technical assistance to assist agencies in conducting self-
        assessments.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Reduction of Grants and Redistribution of Funds in 
Cases of Under-Enrollment.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Actual enrollment.--The term `actual 
                enrollment' means, with respect to the program of a 
                Head Start agency, the actual number of children 
                enrolled in such program and reported by the agency (as 
                required in paragraph (2)) in a given month.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Base grant.--The term `base grant' 
                means, with respect to a Head Start agency for a fiscal 
                year, that portion of the grant derived--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) from amounts reserved for 
                        use in accordance with section 640(a)(2)(A), 
                        for a Head Start agency administering an Indian 
                        Head Start program or migrant and seasonal Head 
                        Start program;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) from amounts reserved for 
                        payments under section 640(a)(2)(B); 
                        or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) from amounts available 
                        under section 640(a)(2)(D) or allotted among 
                        States under section 640(a)(4).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Funded enrollment.--The term `funded 
                enrollment' means, with respect to the program of a 
                Head Start agency in a fiscal year, the number of 
                children that the agency is funded to serve through a 
                grant for the program during such fiscal year, as 
                indicated in the grant agreement.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Enrollment reporting requirement for current 
        fiscal year.--Each entity carrying out a Head Start program 
        shall report on a monthly basis to the Secretary and the 
        relevant Head Start agency--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the actual enrollment in such 
                program; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) if such actual enrollment is less 
                than the funded enrollment, any apparent reason for 
                such enrollment shortfall.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Secretarial review and plan.--The Secretary 
        shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) on a semiannual basis, determine 
                which Head Start agencies are operating with an actual 
                enrollment that is less than the funded enrollment 
                based on not less than 4 consecutive months of 
                data;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) for each such Head Start agency 
                operating a program with an actual enrollment that is 
                less than 95 percent of its funded enrollment, as 
                determined under subparagraph (A), develop, in 
                collaboration with such agency, a plan and timetable 
                for reducing or eliminating under-enrollment taking 
                into consideration--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the quality and extent of 
                        the outreach, recruitment, and community needs 
                        assessment conducted by such agency;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) changing demographics, 
                        mobility of populations, and the identification 
                        of new underserved low-income 
                        populations;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) facilities-related issues 
                        that may impact enrollment;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) the ability to provide 
                        full-day programs, where needed, through Head 
                        Start funds or through collaboration with 
                        entities carrying out other preschool or child 
                        care programs, or programs with other funding 
                        sources (where available);</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) the availability and use by 
                        families of other preschool and child care 
                        options (including parental care) in the local 
                        catchment area; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) agency management 
                        procedures that may impact enrollment; 
                        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) provide timely and ongoing technical 
                assistance to each agency described in subparagraph (B) 
                for the purpose of implementing the plan described in 
                such subparagraph.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Implementation.--Upon receipt of the 
        technical assistance described in paragraph (3)(C), a Head 
        Start agency shall immediately implement the plan described in 
        paragraph (3)(B).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Secretarial action for continued under-
        enrollment.--If, 1 year after the date of implementation of the 
        plan described in paragraph (3)(B), the Head Start agency 
        continues to operate a program at less than full enrollment, 
        the Secretary shall, where determined appropriate, continue to 
        provide technical assistance to such agency.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Secretarial review and adjustment for 
        chronic under-enrollment.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--If, after receiving 
                technical assistance and developing and implementing a 
                plan to the extent described in paragraphs (3), (4), 
                and (5) for 9 months, a Head Start agency is still 
                operating a program with an actual enrollment that is 
                less than 95 percent of its funded enrollment, the 
                Secretary may--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) designate such agency as 
                        chronically under-enrolled; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) recapture, withhold, or 
                        reduce the base grant for the program by a 
                        percentage equal to the percentage difference 
                        between funded enrollment and actual enrollment 
                        for the program for the most recent year in 
                        which the agency is determined to be under-
                        enrolled under paragraph (2)(B).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Waiver or limitation of 
                reductions.--If the Secretary, after the implementation 
                of the plan described in paragraph (3)(B), finds that--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the causes of the enrollment 
                        shortfall, or a portion of the shortfall, are 
                        beyond the agency's control (such as serving 
                        significant numbers of migrant or seasonal 
                        farmworker, homeless, foster, or other highly 
                        mobile children);</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the shortfall can 
                        reasonably be expected to be temporary; 
                        or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the number of slots 
                        allotted to the agency is small enough that 
                        under-enrollment does not constitute a 
                        significant shortfall, the Secretary may, as 
                        appropriate, waive or reduce the percentage 
                        recapturing, withholding, or reduction 
                        otherwise required by subparagraph 
                        (A).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Procedural requirements; effective 
                date.--The actions taken by the Secretary under this 
                paragraph with respect to a Head Start agency shall 
                take effect 1 day after the date on which--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the time allowed for appeal 
                        under section 646(a) expires without an appeal 
                        by the agency; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the action is upheld in an 
                        administrative hearing under section 
                        646.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) Redistribution of funds.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall use 
                amounts recovered from a Head Start agency through 
                recapturing, withholding, or reduction under paragraph 
                (6) in a fiscal year--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) in the case of a Head Start 
                        agency administering an Indian Head Start 
                        program or a migrant and seasonal Head Start 
                        program, whose base grant is derived from 
                        amounts specified in paragraph (1)(C)(i), to 
                        redirect funds to 1 or more agencies that--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) are administering 
                                Head Start programs serving the same 
                                special population; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) demonstrate that 
                                the agencies will use such redirected 
                                funds to increase enrollment in their 
                                Head Start programs in such fiscal 
                                year; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) in the case of a Head Start 
                        agency in a State, whose base grant is derived 
                        from amounts specified in clause (ii) or (iii) 
                        of paragraph (1)(C), to redirect funds to 1 or 
                        more agencies that--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) are administering 
                                Head Start programs in the same State; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) make the 
                                demonstration described in clause 
                                (i)(II).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Special rule.--If there is no agency 
                located in a State that meets the requirements of 
                subclauses (I) and (II) of subparagraph (A)(ii), the 
                Secretary shall use amounts described in subparagraph 
                (A) to redirect funds to Head Start agencies located in 
                other States that make the demonstration described in 
                subparagraph (A)(i)(II).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Adjustment to funded enrollment.--
                The Secretary shall adjust as necessary the 
                requirements relating to funded enrollment indicated in 
                the grant agreement of a Head Start agency receiving 
                redistributed amounts under this 
                paragraph.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 9. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Head Start Act is amended by inserting after section 
641A (42 U.S.C. 9836a) the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 641B. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN EARLY 
              CHILDHOOD.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `center of 
excellence' means a Center of Excellence in Early Childhood designated 
under subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Designation and Bonus Grants.--The Secretary shall, 
subject to the availability of funds under this subchapter, including 
under subsection (f), establish a program under which the Secretary 
shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) designate not more than 200 exemplary Head 
        Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies, Indian 
        Head Start agencies, and migrant and seasonal Head Start 
        agencies) as Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) make bonus grants to the centers of 
        excellence to carry out the activities described in subsection 
        (d).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Application and Designation.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Application.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Nomination and submission.--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--To be eligible 
                        to receive a designation as a center of 
                        excellence under subsection (b), except as 
                        provided in clause (ii), a Head Start agency in 
                        a State shall be nominated by the Governor of 
                        the State and shall submit an application to 
                        the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
                        containing such information as the Secretary 
                        may require.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Indian and migrant and 
                        seasonal head start programs.--In the case of 
                        an Indian Head Start agency or a migrant or 
                        seasonal Head Start agency, to be eligible to 
                        receive a designation as a center of excellence 
                        under subsection (b), such an agency shall be 
                        nominated by the head of the appropriate 
                        regional office of the Department and Health 
                        and Human Services and shall submit an 
                        application to the Secretary in accordance with 
                        clause (i).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Contents.--At a minimum, the 
                application shall include--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) evidence that the Head Start 
                        program carried out by the agency has 
                        significantly improved the school readiness of, 
                        and enhanced academic outcomes for, children 
                        who have participated in the program;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) evidence that the program 
                        meets or exceeds standards and performance 
                        measures described in subsections (a) and (b) 
                        of section 641A, as evidenced by successful 
                        completion of programmatic and monitoring 
                        reviews, and has no findings of deficiencies 
                        with respect to the standards and 
                        measures;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) evidence that the program 
                        is making progress toward meeting the 
                        requirements described in section 
                        648A;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) evidence demonstrating the 
                        existence of a collaborative partnership among 
                        the Head Start agency, the State (or a State 
                        agency), and other early care and education 
                        providers in the local community 
                        involved;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) a nomination letter from the 
                        Governor, or appropriate regional office, 
                        demonstrating the agency's ability to carry out 
                        the coordination, transition, and training 
                        services of the program to be carried out under 
                        the bonus grant involved, including 
                        coordination of activities with State and local 
                        agencies that provide early childhood services 
                        to children and families in the community 
                        served by the agency;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) information demonstrating 
                        the existence of a local council for excellence 
                        in early childhood, which shall include 
                        representatives of all the institutions, 
                        agencies, and groups involved in the work of 
                        the center for, and the local provision of 
                        services to, eligible children and other at-
                        risk children, and their families; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) a description of how the 
                        Center, in order to expand accessibility and 
                        continuity of quality early care and education, 
                        will coordinate the early care and education 
                        activities assisted under this section with--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) programs carried out 
                                under the Child Care and Development 
                                Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 
                                et seq.);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) other programs 
                                carried out under this subchapter, 
                                including the Early Head Start programs 
                                carried out under section 
                                645A;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III)(aa) Early Reading 
                                First and Even Start programs carried 
                                out 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.);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(bb) other preschool 
                                programs carried out under title I of 
                                that Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(cc) the Ready-to-Learn 
                                Television program carried out under 
                                subpart 3 of part D of title II of that 
                                Act (20 U.S.C. 6775 et seq.);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) programs carried 
                                out under part C of the Individuals 
                                with Disabilities Education Act (20 
                                U.S.C. 1431 et seq.);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(V) State 
                                prekindergarten programs; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VI) other early care 
                                and education programs.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Selection.--In selecting agencies to 
        designate as centers of excellence under subsection (b), the 
        Secretary shall designate not less than 1 from each of the 50 
        States, the District of Columbia, an Indian Head Start program, 
        a migrant and seasonal Head Start program, and the Commonwealth 
        of Puerto Rico.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Term of designation.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), the Secretary shall designate a Head Start agency 
                as a center of excellence for a 5-year term. During the 
                period of that designation, subject to the availability 
                of appropriations, the agency shall be eligible to 
                receive a bonus grant under subsection (b).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Revocation.--The Secretary may 
                revoke an agency's designation under subsection (b) if 
                the Secretary determines that the agency is not 
                demonstrating adequate performance or has had findings 
                of deficiencies described in paragraph 
                (1)(B)(ii).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Amount of bonus grant.--The Secretary shall 
        base the amount of funding provided through a bonus grant made 
        under subsection (b) to a center of excellence on the number of 
        children eligible for Head Start services in the community 
        involved. The Secretary shall, subject to the availability of 
        funding, make such a bonus grant in an amount of not less than 
        $200,000 per year.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Use of Funds.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Activities.--A center of excellence that 
        receives a bonus grant under subsection (b) may use the funds 
        made available through the bonus grant--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) to provide Head Start services to 
                additional eligible children;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) to better meet the needs of working 
                families in the community served by the center by 
                serving more children in existing Early Head Start 
                programs (existing as of the date the center is 
                designated under this section) or in full-working-day, 
                full calendar year Head Start programs;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) to model and disseminate best 
                practices for achieving early academic success, 
                including achieving school readiness and developing 
                prereading and premathematics skills for at-risk 
                children and achieving the acquisition of the English 
                language for limited English proficient children, and 
                to provide seamless service delivery for eligible 
                children and their families;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) to further coordinate early 
                childhood and social services available in the 
                community served by the center for at-risk children 
                (birth through age 8), their families, and pregnant 
                women;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) to provide training and cross 
                training for Head Start teachers and staff, child care 
                providers, public and private preschool and elementary 
                school teachers, and other providers of early childhood 
                services, and training and cross training to develop 
                agency leaders;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) to provide effective transitions 
                between Head Start programs and elementary school, to 
                facilitate ongoing communication between Head Start and 
                elementary school teachers concerning children 
                receiving Head Start services, and to provide training 
                and technical assistance to providers who are public 
                elementary school teachers and other staff of local 
                educational agencies, child care providers, family 
                service providers, and other providers of early 
                childhood services, to help the providers described in 
                this subparagraph increase their ability to work with 
                low-income, at-risk children and their 
                families;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) to develop or maintain partnerships 
                with institutions of higher education and nonprofit 
                organizations, including community-based organizations, 
                that recruit, train, place, and support college 
                students to serve as mentors and reading coaches to 
                preschool children in Head Start programs; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(H) to carry out other activities 
                determined by the center to improve the overall quality 
                of the Head Start program carried out by the agency and 
                the program carried out under the bonus grant 
                involved.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Involvement of other head start agencies and 
        providers.--A center that receives a bonus grant under 
        subsection (b), in carrying out activities under this 
        subsection, shall work with the center's delegate agencies, 
        several additional Head Start agencies, and other providers of 
        early childhood services in the community involved, to 
        encourage the agencies and providers described in this sentence 
        to carry out model programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Research and Reports.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Research.--The Secretary shall, subject to 
        the availability of funds to carry out this subsection, make a 
        grant to an independent organization to conduct research on the 
        ability of the centers of excellence to improve the school 
        readiness of children receiving Head Start services, and to 
        positively impact school results in the earliest grades. The 
        organization shall also conduct research to measure the success 
        of the centers of excellence at encouraging the center's 
        delegate agencies, additional Head Start agencies, and other 
        providers of early childhood services in the communities 
        involved to meet measurable improvement goals, particularly in 
        the area of school readiness.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Report.--Not later than 48 months after the 
        date of enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School 
        Readiness Act, the organization shall prepare and submit to the 
        Secretary and Congress a report containing the results of the 
        research described in paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2006 and each subsequent 
fiscal year--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) $90,000,000 to make bonus grants to centers 
        of excellence under subsection (b) to carry out activities 
        described in subsection (d);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) $2,500,000 to pay for the administrative 
        costs of the Secretary in carrying out this section, including 
        the cost of a conference of centers of excellence; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) $2,000,000 for research activities described 
        in subsection (e).''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 10. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START 
              AGENCIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837) is 
amended to read as follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 642. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START 
              AGENCIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--In order to be designated as a Head 
Start agency under this subchapter, an agency shall have authority 
under its charter or applicable law to receive and administer funds 
provided under this subchapter, funds and contributions from private or 
local public sources that may be used in support of a Head Start 
program, and funds provided under any Federal or State assistance 
program pursuant to which a public or private nonprofit or for-profit 
agency (as the case may be) organized in accordance with this 
subchapter, could act as a grantee, contractor, or sponsor of projects 
appropriate for inclusion in a Head Start program. Such an agency shall 
also be empowered to transfer funds so received, and to delegate powers 
to other agencies, subject to the powers of its governing board and its 
overall program responsibilities. The power to transfer funds and 
delegate powers shall include the power to make transfers and 
delegations covering component projects in all cases in which that 
power will contribute to efficiency and effectiveness or otherwise 
further program objectives.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Additional Requirements.--In order to be designated 
as a Head Start agency under this subchapter, a Head Start agency shall 
also--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) establish a program with all standards set 
        forth in section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to the 
        standards set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such 
        section;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) demonstrate the capacity to serve eligible 
        children with scientifically based curricula and other 
        interventions and support services that help promote the school 
        readiness of children participating in the program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) establish effective procedures and provide 
        for the regular assessment of Head Start children, including 
        observational and direct formal assessment, where 
        appropriate;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) seek the involvement of parents, area 
        residents, and local business in the design and implementation 
        of the program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) provide for the regular participation of 
        parents and area residents in the implementation of the 
        program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) provide technical and other support needed 
        to enable such parents and area residents to secure, on their 
        own behalf, available assistance from public and private 
        sources;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) establish effective procedures to facilitate 
        the involvement of parents of participating children in 
        activities designed to help such parents become full partners 
        in the education of their children, and to afford such parents 
        the opportunity to participate in the development and overall 
        conduct of the program at the local level;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) conduct outreach to schools in which Head 
        Start children will enroll, local educational agencies, the 
        local business community, community-based organizations, faith-
        based organizations, museums, and libraries to generate support 
        and leverage the resources of the entire local community in 
        order to improve school readiness;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(9) offer (directly or through referral to local 
        entities, such as entities carrying out 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.)), to 
        parents of participating children, family literacy services, 
        and parenting skills training;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(10) offer to parents of participating children 
        substance abuse and other counseling (either directly or 
        through referral to local entities), if needed, including 
        information on the effect of drug exposure on infants and fetal 
        alcohol syndrome;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(11) at the option of such agency, offer 
        (directly or through referral to local entities), to such 
        parents--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) training in basic child development 
                (including cognitive development);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) assistance in developing literacy 
                and communication skills;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) opportunities to share experiences 
                with other parents (including parent mentor 
                relationships);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) regular in-home visitation; 
                or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) any other activity designed to help 
                such parents become full partners in the education of 
                their children;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(12) provide, with respect to each participating 
        family, a family needs assessment that includes consultation 
        with such parents (including foster parents and grandparents, 
        where applicable) about the benefits of parent involvement and 
        about the activities described in this subsection in which such 
        parents may choose to be involved (taking into consideration 
        their specific family needs, work schedules, and other 
        responsibilities);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(13) consider providing services to assist 
        younger siblings of children participating in its Head Start 
        program, to obtain health services from other 
        sources;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(14) perform community outreach to encourage 
        individuals previously unaffiliated with Head Start programs to 
        participate in its Head Start program as volunteers;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(15)(A) inform custodial parents in single-
        parent families that participate in programs, activities, or 
        services carried out or provided under this subchapter about 
        the availability of child support services for purposes of 
        establishing paternity and acquiring child support; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) refer eligible parents to the child support 
        offices of State and local governments;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(16) provide parents of limited English 
        proficient children outreach and information in an 
        understandable and uniform format and, to the extent 
        practicable, in a language that the parents can understand; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(17) at the option of such agency, partner with 
        an institution of higher education and a nonprofit organization 
        to provide college students with the opportunity to serve as 
        mentors or reading coaches to Head Start 
        participants.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Progress.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Each Head Start agency shall 
        take steps to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that 
        children maintain the developmental and educational gains 
        achieved in Head Start programs and build upon such gains in 
        further schooling.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Coordination.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Local educational agency.--In 
                communities where both public prekindergarten programs 
                and Head Start programs operate, a Head Start agency 
                shall collaborate and coordinate activities with the 
                local educational agency or other public agency 
                responsible for the operation of the prekindergarten 
                program and providers of prekindergarten, including 
                outreach activities to identify eligible 
                children.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Elementary schools.--Head Start 
                staff shall, with the permission of the parents of 
                children enrolled in Head Start programs, regularly 
                communicate with the elementary schools such children 
                will be attending to--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) share information about such 
                        children;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) get advice and support from 
                        the teachers in such elementary schools 
                        regarding teaching strategies and options; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) ensure a smooth transition 
                        to elementary school for such 
                        children.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Other programs.--The head of each 
                Head Start agency shall coordinate activities and 
                collaborate with the State agency responsible for 
                administering the State program carried out under the 
                Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 
                U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), other entities carrying out early 
                childhood education and development programs, and the 
                agencies responsible for administering section 106 of 
                the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 
                5106a), parts B and E of title IV of the Social 
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 620 et seq. and 670 et seq.), 
                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 programs under 
                section 619 and part C of the Individuals with 
                Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et 
                seq.), serving the children and families served by the 
                Head Start agency.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Collaboration.--A Head Start agency shall 
        take steps to coordinate activities with the local educational 
        agency serving the community involved and with schools in which 
        children participating in a Head Start program operated by such 
        agency will enroll following such program, including--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) collaborating on the shared use of 
                transportation and facilities;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) collaborating to reduce the 
                duplication of services while increasing the program 
                participation of underserved populations of eligible 
                children; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) exchanging information on the 
                provision of noneducational services to such 
                children.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Parental involvement.--In order to promote 
        the continued involvement of the parents of children that 
        participate in Head Start programs in the education of their 
        children upon transition to school, the Head Start agency 
        shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) provide training to the parents--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) to inform the parents about 
                        their rights and responsibilities concerning 
                        the education of their children; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) to enable the parents--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) to understand and 
                                work with schools in order to 
                                communicate with teachers and other 
                                school personnel;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) to support the 
                                schoolwork of their children; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) to participate as 
                                appropriate in decisions relating to 
                                the education of their children; 
                                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) take other actions, as appropriate 
                and feasible, to support the active involvement of the 
                parents with schools, school personnel, and school-
                related organizations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Assessment.--Each Head Start agency shall adopt, in 
consultation with experts in child development and with classroom 
teachers, an assessment to be used when hiring or evaluating any 
classroom teacher in a center-based Head Start program. Such assessment 
shall measure whether such teacher has mastered the functions described 
in section 648A(a)(1) and attained a level of literacy appropriate to 
implement Head Start curricula.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Funded Enrollment; Waiting List.--Each Head Start 
agency shall enroll 100 percent of its funded enrollment and maintain 
an active waiting list at all times with ongoing outreach to the 
community and activities to identify underserved populations.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Technical Assistance and Training Plan.--In order to 
receive funds under this subchapter, a Head Start agency shall develop 
an annual technical assistance and training plan. Such plan shall be 
based on the agency's self-assessment, the community needs assessment, 
and the needs of parents to be served by such agency.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 11. HEAD START TRANSITION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 642A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837a) is 
amended to read as follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 642A. HEAD START TRANSITION AND ALIGNMENT WITH K-12 
              EDUCATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``Each Head Start agency shall take steps to coordinate 
activities with the local educational agency serving the community 
involved and with schools in which children participating in a Head 
Start program operated by such agency will enroll following such 
program, including--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) developing and implementing a systematic 
        procedure for transferring, with parental consent, Head Start 
        program records for each participating child to the school in 
        which such child will enroll;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) establishing ongoing channels of 
        communication between Head Start staff and their counterparts 
        in the schools (including teachers, social workers, health 
        staff, and 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))) to facilitate 
        coordination of programs;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) developing continuity of developmentally 
        appropriate curricula and practice between the Head Start 
        agency and local educational agency to ensure an effective 
        transition and appropriate shared expectations for children's 
        learning and development as the children make the transition to 
        school;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) conducting meetings involving parents, 
        kindergarten or elementary school teachers, and Head Start 
        teachers to discuss the educational, developmental, and other 
        needs of individual children;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) organizing and participating in joint 
        training, including transition-related training of school staff 
        and Head Start staff;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) developing and implementing a family 
        outreach and support program, in cooperation with entities 
        carrying out parental involvement efforts under title I of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 
        et seq.), 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.), taking into 
        consideration the language needs of limited English proficient 
        parents;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) assisting families, administrators, and 
        teachers in enhancing educational and developmental continuity 
        and continuity of parental involvement in activities between 
        Head Start services and elementary school classes;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) linking the services provided in such Head 
        Start program with the education services, including services 
        relating to language, literacy, and numeracy, provided by such 
        local educational agency;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(9) helping parents understand the importance of 
        parental involvement in a child's academic success while 
        teaching the parents strategies for maintaining parental 
        involvement as their child moves from the Head Start program to 
        elementary school;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(10) developing and implementing a system to 
        increase program participation of underserved populations of 
        eligible children, including children with disabilities, 
        homeless children, children in foster care, and limited English 
        proficient children; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(11) coordinating activities and collaborating 
        to ensure that curricula used in the Head Start program is 
        aligned with State early learning standards with regard to 
        cognitive, social, emotional, and physical competencies that 
        children entering kindergarten are expected to 
        demonstrate.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 12. SUBMISSION OF PLANS TO GOVERNORS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 643 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9838) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in the first sentence--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by inserting ``for approval'' after 
                ``submitted to the chief executive officer of the 
                State''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking ``45'' and inserting 
                ``30''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in the last sentence, by inserting ``to Indian 
        and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs in existence on 
        the date of enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School 
        Readiness Act, or'' after ``other assistance''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 13. PARTICIPATION IN HEAD START PROGRAMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 645(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840(a)) 
is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``130 
        percent of'' after ``below''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3)(A) In this paragraph:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(B) The following amounts of pay and allowance of a 
member of the uniformed services shall not be considered to be income 
for purposes of determining the eligibility of a dependent of such 
member for programs funded under this subchapter:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(i) The amount of any special pay payable under 
        section 310 if title 37, United States Code, relating to duty 
        subject to hostile fire or imminent danger.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(ii) The amount of basic allowance payable under 
        section 403 of such title, including any such amount that is 
        provided on behalf of the member 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(4) After demonstrating a need through a community needs 
assessment, a Head Start agency may apply to the Secretary to convert 
part-day sessions, particularly consecutive part-day sessions, into 
full-day sessions.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 14. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 645A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking the section heading and inserting 
        the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 645A. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.'';</DELETED>

        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (4), by striking 
                ``provide services to parents to support their role as 
                parents'' and inserting ``provide additional services 
                to parents to support their role as parents (including 
                parenting skills training and training in basic child 
                development)'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), 
                (7), (8), and (9) as paragraphs (6), (7), (10), (11), 
                and (12), respectively;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) where appropriate and in conjunction with 
        services provided under this section to the children's 
        immediate families (or as approved by the Secretary), provide 
        home-based services to family child care homes and kin 
        caregivers caring for infants and toddlers who also participate 
        in Early Head Start programs, to provide continuity in 
        supporting the children's physical, social, emotional, and 
        intellectual development;'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) in paragraph (6), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (B)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by inserting ``(including 
                        home-based services)'' after ``with services''; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by inserting ``, and family 
                        support services'' after ``health 
                        services'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) by inserting after paragraph (7), as 
                redesignated by subparagraph (B), the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) develop and implement a systematic procedure 
        for transitioning children and parents from an Early Head Start 
        program into a Head Start program or another local early 
        childhood education program;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(9) establish channels of communication between 
        staff of Early Head Start programs and staff of Head Start 
        programs or other local early childhood education programs, to 
        facilitate the coordination of programs;''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (B)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking ``and providers'' 
                        and inserting ``, providers''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by inserting ``, and the 
                        agencies responsible for administering section 
                        106 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment 
                        Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a) and parts B and E of 
                        title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
                        620 et seq. and 670 et seq.)'' after ``(20 
                        U.S.C. 1400 et seq.)'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subsection (d)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, 
                including tribal governments and entities operating 
                migrant and seasonal Head Start programs'' after 
                ``subchapter''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, 
                including community-based organizations'' after 
                ``private entities'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking clause 
        (iv) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) providing professional 
                        development and personnel enhancement 
                        activities, including the provision of funds to 
                        recipients of grants under subsection (a), 
                        relating to--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) effective methods of 
                                conducting parent education, home 
                                visiting, and promoting quality early 
                                childhood development;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) recruiting and 
                                retaining qualified staff; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) increasing program 
                                participation for underserved 
                                populations of eligible 
                                children.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Staff Qualifications and Development.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Center-based staff.--The Secretary shall 
        ensure that, not later than September 30, 2010, all teachers 
        providing direct services to Early Head Start children and 
        families in Early Head Start centers have a minimum of a child 
        development associate credential or an associate degree, and 
        have been trained (or have equivalent course work) in early 
        childhood development.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Home visitor staff.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Standards.--In order to further 
                enhance the quality of home visiting services provided 
                to families of children participating in home-based, 
                center-based, or combination program options under this 
                subchapter, the Secretary shall establish standards for 
                training, qualifications, and the conduct of home 
                visits for home visitor staff in Early Head Start 
                programs.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Contents.--The standards for 
                training, qualifications, and the conduct of home 
                visits shall include content related to--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) structured child-focused 
                        home visiting that promotes parents' ability to 
                        support the child's cognitive, social, 
                        emotional, and physical development;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) effective strengths-based 
                        parent education, including methods to 
                        encourage parents as their child's first 
                        teachers;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) early childhood 
                        development with respect to children from birth 
                        through age 3;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) methods to help parents 
                        promote emergent literacy in their children 
                        from birth through age 3, including use of 
                        research-based strategies to support the 
                        development of literacy and language skills for 
                        children who are limited English 
                        proficient;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) health, vision, hearing, and 
                        developmental screenings;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) strategies for helping 
                        families coping with crisis; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) the relationship of health 
                        and well-being of pregnant women to prenatal 
                        and early child development.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 15. APPEALS, NOTICE, AND HEARING AND RECORDS AND 
              AUDITS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Appeals.--Section 646(a) of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9841(a)) is amended by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and 
inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) financial assistance under this subchapter 
        may be terminated or reduced, and an application for funding 
        may be denied, after the recipient has been afforded reasonable 
        notice and opportunity for a full and fair hearing, including--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) a right to file a notice of appeal 
                of a decision within 30 days of notice of the decision 
                from the Secretary; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) access to a full and fair hearing of 
                the appeal, not later than 120 days from receipt by the 
                Secretary of the notice of appeal;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) the Secretary shall develop and publish 
        procedures (including mediation procedures) to be used in order 
        to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) resolve in a timely manner conflicts 
                potentially leading to an adverse action between--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) recipients of financial 
                        assistance under this subchapter; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) delegate agencies or Head 
                        Start Parent Policy Councils;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) avoid the need for an administrative 
                hearing on an adverse action; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) prohibit a Head Start agency from 
                expending financial assistance awarded under this 
                subchapter for the purpose of paying legal fees 
                pursuant to an appeal under paragraph (3), except that 
                such fees shall be reimbursed by the Secretary if the 
                agency prevails in such decision; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) the Secretary may suspend funds to a grantee 
        for not more than 30 days.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Recipients.--Section 647(a) of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9842(a)) is amended by striking ``Each recipient of'' and 
inserting ``Each Head Start agency, Head Start center, or Early Head 
Start center receiving''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Accounting.--Section 647 of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9842) is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Each Head Start agency, Head Start center, or Early 
Head Start center receiving financial assistance under this subchapter 
shall maintain, and annually submit to the Secretary, a complete 
accounting of its administrative expenses, including expenses for 
salaries and compensation funded under this subchapter and provide such 
additional documentation as the Secretary may require.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 16. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 648 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``(b) and 
        (c)'' and inserting ``(b), (c), and (d)'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by redesignating subsections (b) through (e) 
        as subsections (c) through (f), respectively;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) The Secretary shall make available funds set aside 
in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) to support a regional or State system of 
early childhood education training and technical assistance that 
improves the capacity of Head Start programs to deliver services in 
accordance with the standards described in section 641A(a)(1), with 
particular attention to the standards described in subparagraphs (A) 
and (B) of such section. The Secretary shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) 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 Associations, State agencies, 
        migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, and other entities 
        providing training and technical assistance in early education, 
        for the region or State are included in the planning and 
        coordination of the system; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) encourage States to supplement the funds 
        authorized in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) with Federal, State, or 
        local funds other than Head Start funds, to expand training and 
        technical assistance activities beyond Head Start agencies to 
        include other providers of other early childhood services 
        within a region or State.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in subsection (d), as so redesignated--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), by striking 
                ``educational performance measures'' and inserting 
                ``measures'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and 
                for activities described in section 1221(b)(3) of the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 6371(b)(3))'' after ``children with 
                disabilities'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``, 
                including assessing the needs of homeless children and 
                their families'' after ``needs assessment'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) in paragraph (10), by striking ``; 
                and'' and inserting a semicolon;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) in paragraph (11), by striking the 
                period and inserting a semicolon; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) by adding at the end the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(12) assist Head Start agencies and programs in 
        increasing the program participation of homeless 
        children;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(13) provide training and technical assistance 
        to members of governing bodies to ensure that the members can 
        fulfill the functions described in section 641(a)(4);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(14) provide training and technical assistance 
        to Head Start agencies to assist such agencies in conducting 
        self-assessments; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(15) assist Head Start agencies and Head Start 
        programs in improving outreach to, and quality of services 
        available to, limited English proficient children and their 
        families, including such services to help such families learn 
        English, particularly in communities that have experienced a 
        large percentage increase in the population of limited English 
        proficient individuals, as measured by the Bureau of the 
        Census.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) in subsection (e), as so redesignated, by 
        inserting ``including community-based organizations,'' after 
        ``nonprofit entities'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) in subsection (f), as so redesignated, by 
        inserting ``or providing services to children determined to be 
        abused or neglected, training for personnel providing services 
        to children referred by entities providing child welfare 
        services or receiving child welfare services,'' after ``English 
        language),''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) The Secretary shall provide, either directly or 
through grants or other arrangements, funds for training of Head Start 
personnel in addressing the unique needs of migrant and seasonal 
farmworking families, families with limited English proficiency, and 
homeless families.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Funds used under this section shall be used to 
provide high quality, sustained, and intensive, training and technical 
assistance in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom 
instruction. Funds shall be used to carry out activities related to 1 
or more of the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Education and early childhood 
        development.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Child health, nutrition, and 
        safety.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Family and community partnerships.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Other areas that impact the quality or 
        overall effectiveness of Head Start programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(i) Funds used under this section for training shall be 
used for needs identified annually by a grant applicant or delegate 
agency in its program improvement plan, except that funds shall not be 
used for long-distance travel expenses for training activities--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) available locally or regionally; 
        or</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) substantially similar to locally or 
        regionally available training activities.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(j)(1) 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 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 subsection 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(2) The literacy training shall be provided at the local 
level in order--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(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</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(B) to be tailored to the early childhood 
        literacy background and experience of the teachers 
        involved.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(3) The literacy training shall be culturally and 
linguistically appropriate and support children's development in their 
home language.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(4) The literacy training shall include training in how 
to work with parents to enhance positive language and early literacy 
development at home.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(5) The literacy training shall include specific methods 
to best address the needs of children who are English language learners 
or are limited English proficient.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(6) The literacy training shall include specific methods 
to best address the needs of children who have speech and language 
delays, including problems with articulation, or have other 
disabilities.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 17. STAFF QUALIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 648A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking paragraph (2) and 
                inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Degree requirements.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                ensure that--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) not later than September 30, 
                        2010, all Head Start teachers in center-based 
                        programs have at least--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I)(aa) an associate 
                                degree (or equivalent coursework) 
                                relating to early childhood; 
                                or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(bb) an associate degree 
                                in a related educational area and, to 
                                the extent practicable, coursework 
                                relating to early childhood; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) demonstrated 
                                teaching competencies, as determined by 
                                the program director involved 
                                (including, at a minimum, an 
                                appropriate level of literacy, a 
                                demonstrated capacity to be highly 
                                engaged with children, and a 
                                demonstrated ability to effectively 
                                implement an early childhood 
                                curriculum); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) not later than September 
                        30, 2008, all Head Start curriculum specialists 
                        and education coordinators in center-based 
                        programs have--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the capacity to 
                                offer assistance to other teachers in 
                                the implementation and adaptation of 
                                curricula to the group and individual 
                                needs of a class; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II)(aa) a baccalaureate 
                                or advanced degree relating to early 
                                childhood; or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(bb) a baccalaureate or 
                                advanced degree and coursework 
                                equivalent to a major relating to early 
                                childhood;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) not later than September 
                        30, 2008, all Head Start teaching assistants in 
                        center-based programs have--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) at least a child 
                                development associate 
                                credential;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) enrolled in a 
                                program leading to an associate or 
                                baccalaureate degree; or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) enrolled in a 
                                child development associate credential 
                                program to be completed within 2 years; 
                                and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) not later than September 
                        30, 2011--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) in States that have 
                                established teacher requirements for 
                                State prekindergarten programs, all 
                                Head Start teachers in center-based 
                                programs--</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(aa) if such 
                                        requirements are not less than 
                                        those requirements described in 
                                        subclause (II), meet such 
                                        teacher requirements for State 
                                        prekindergarten programs; 
                                        and</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(bb) if such 
                                        requirements are less than 
                                        those requirements described in 
                                        subclause (II), meet the 
                                        requirements described in 
                                        subclause (II); and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) in States that do 
                                not have teacher requirements for their 
                                State prekindergarten programs, 50 
                                percent of all Head Start teachers in 
                                each center-based program have a 
                                baccalaureate degree relating to early 
                                childhood (or a related educational 
                                area or a baccalaureate degree that 
                                meets State specialized training 
                                requirements for prekindergarten 
                                teachers, such as State licensure, 
                                endorsement, or certification for 
                                prekindergarten or other early 
                                childhood area), and demonstrated 
                                teaching competencies, as determined by 
                                the program director involved 
                                (including, at a minimum, an 
                                appropriate level of literacy, a 
                                demonstrated capacity to be highly 
                                engaged with children, and a 
                                demonstrated ability to effectively 
                                implement an early childhood 
                                curriculum).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Teacher in-service requirement.--
                Each Head Start teacher shall attend an average of not 
                less than 15 clock hours of professional development 
                per year. Such professional development shall be high 
                quality, sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused in 
                order to have a positive and lasting impact on 
                classroom instruction and the teacher's performance in 
                the classroom, and regularly evaluated for 
                effectiveness.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Progress.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) Report.--The Secretary 
                        shall--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) require Head Start 
                                agencies to--</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(aa) demonstrate 
                                        continuing progress each year 
                                        to reach the result described 
                                        in subparagraph (A); 
                                        and</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(bb) submit to 
                                        the Secretary a report 
                                        indicating the number and 
                                        percentage of classroom 
                                        instructors in center-based 
                                        programs with child development 
                                        associate credentials or 
                                        associate, baccalaureate, or 
                                        graduate degrees; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) compile and submit 
                                a summary of all program reports 
                                described in subclause (I)(bb) 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.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Demonstrate progress.--A 
                        Head Start agency may demonstrate progress by 
                        partnering with institutions of higher 
                        education or other programs that recruit, 
                        train, place, and support college students to 
                        deliver an innovative early learning program to 
                        preschool children.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) 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--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) teach or work in a Head 
                        Start program for a minimum of 3 years after 
                        receiving the degree; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) repay the total or a 
                        prorated amount of the financial assistance 
                        received based on the length of service 
                        completed after receiving the degree.''; 
                        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and 
                inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Waiver.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--On request, the 
                Secretary may grant a waiver of the postsecondary 
                degree requirements of paragraph (2) for 1 or more Head 
                Start agencies, either individually, statewide, or 
                throughout a region, that can demonstrate--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) that continuing aggressive 
                        statewide and national efforts have been 
                        unsuccessful at recruiting an individual to 
                        serve as a Head Start teacher or curriculum 
                        specialist or education coordinator who meets 
                        the requirements of paragraph (2)(A);</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) limited access to degree 
                        programs (including quality distance learning 
                        programs), due to the remote location of the 
                        program involved; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) that Head Start staff 
                        members are, as of the day the waiver is 
                        granted, enrolled in a program that--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) grants the required 
                                degree; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) will be completed 
                                within 1 year.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Limitation.--An agency that receives 
                a waiver under subparagraph (A) shall ensure that Head 
                Start teachers for the agency, as of the day the waiver 
                is granted, who have not met the postsecondary degree 
                requirements of paragraph (2) but are otherwise highly 
                qualified and competent shall be directly and 
                appropriately supervised by a teacher who has met or 
                exceeded the requirements of this subchapter.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Duration.--The Secretary may not 
                grant a waiver under subparagraph (A) for a period that 
                exceeds 1 year.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' 
                at the end;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the 
                period and inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by adding at the end the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) promote the use of appropriate strategies to 
        meet the needs of special populations (including limited 
        English proficient populations).'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subsection (d)(3)(C) by inserting ``, 
        including a center,'' after ``any agency''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Professional Development Plans.--Every Head Start 
agency and center shall create, in consultation with employees of the 
agency or center (including family service workers), a professional 
development plan for employees who provide direct services to children, 
including a plan for classroom teachers, curriculum specialists, and 
education coordinators to meet the requirements set forth in subsection 
(a).''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 18. TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HEAD START 
              PARTNERSHIP.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by 
inserting after section 648A the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 648B. TRIBAL COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY HEAD START 
              PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to promote 
social competencies and school readiness in Indian children.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Tribal College or University Head Start Partnership 
Program.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Grants.--The Secretary is authorized to 
        award grants, for periods of not less than 5 years, to Tribal 
        Colleges and Universities to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) implement education programs that 
                include education concerning tribal culture and 
                language and increase the number of associate, 
                baccalaureate, and graduate degrees in early childhood 
                education and related fields that are earned by Indian 
                Head Start agency staff members, parents of children 
                served by such an agency, and members of the tribal 
                community involved;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) develop and implement the programs 
                under subparagraph (A) in technology-mediated formats, 
                including providing the programs through such means as 
                distance learning and use of advanced technology, as 
                appropriate; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) provide technology literacy programs 
                for Indian Head Start agency staff members and children 
                and families of children served by such an 
                agency.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Staffing.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
        the American Indian Programs Branch of the Head Start Bureau of 
        the Department of Health and Human Services shall have staffing 
        sufficient to administer the programs under this section and to 
        provide appropriate technical assistance to Tribal Colleges and 
        Universities receiving grants under this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Application.--Each Tribal College or University 
desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the 
Secretary, at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require, including a certification 
that the Tribal College or University has established a partnership 
with 1 or more Indian Head Start agencies for the purpose of conducting 
the activities described in subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000 
for fiscal year 2006 and such sums as may be necessary for each of 
fiscal years 2007 through 2010.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        `institution of higher education' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Tribal college or university.--The term 
        `Tribal College or University'--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) has the meaning given such term in 
                section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1059c); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) means an institution determined to 
                be accredited or a candidate for accreditation by a 
                nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
                association.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 19. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EVALUATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 649 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9844) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)(1)(B), by inserting ``and 
        children determined to be abused or neglected'' after 
        ``children with disabilities'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (d)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (8), by adding ``and'' 
                after the semicolon;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking paragraph (9);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by redesignating paragraph (10) as 
                paragraph (9); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) by striking the last 
                sentence;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subsection (g)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (1)(A)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking clause (i); 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by redesignating clauses (ii) 
                        and (iii) as clauses (i) and (ii), 
                        respectively; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (7)(C)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) in clause (i)(I), by striking 
                        ``2003'' and inserting ``2007''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) in clause (ii), by striking 
                        ``Labor and Human Resources'' and inserting 
                        ``Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions''; 
                        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) National Academy of Sciences Study.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into 
        a contract with the Board on Children, Youth, and Families of 
        the National Research Council, the Board on Testing and 
        Assessments, and the Institute of Medicine, of the National 
        Academy of Sciences to establish an independent panel of 
        experts to review and synthesize research and theories in the 
        social, behavioral, and biological sciences regarding early 
        childhood, and make recommendations with regard to each of the 
        following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Age- and developmentally appropriate 
                Head Start academic requirements and outcomes, 
                including the standards described in section 
                641A(a)(1)(B)(ii).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Differences in the type, length, 
                mix, and intensity of services that are necessary to 
                ensure that children from challenging family or social 
                backgrounds (including low-income children, children 
                with disabilities, and limited English proficient 
                children) enter kindergarten ready to 
                succeed.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Appropriate assessments of young 
                children for the purposes of improving instruction, 
                services, and program quality, including--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) formal and systematic 
                        observational assessments in a child's natural 
                        environment;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) assessments of children's 
                        development through parent and provider 
                        interviews;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) appropriate accommodations 
                        for children with disabilities and limited 
                        English proficient children;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) appropriate assessments for 
                        children with disabilities, limited English 
                        proficient children, and children from 
                        different cultural backgrounds; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) other assessments used in 
                        Head Start programs.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Identification of existing, or 
                recommendations for the development of, scientifically 
                based, valid and reliable assessments that are capable 
                of measuring child outcomes in the domains important to 
                school readiness, including language skills, prereading 
                ability, premathematics ability, cognitive ability, 
                scientific ability, social and emotional development, 
                and physical development;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) Appropriate use and application of 
                valid and reliable assessments for Head Start programs 
                identified in accordance with subparagraph 
                (D).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Composition.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The panel described in 
                paragraph (1) shall consist of multiple experts in each 
                of the following areas:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) Child development (including 
                        cognitive, social, emotional, and physical 
                        development) and child education (including 
                        approaches to learning).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Professional development, 
                        including preparation of individuals who teach 
                        young children.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) Assessment of young 
                        children (including children with disabilities 
                        and limited English proficient children), 
                        including screening, diagnostic, and classroom-
                        based instructional assessment.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Representatives.--The panel 
                described in paragraph (1) shall be selected and 
                appointed by the National Academy of Sciences, after 
                consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Timing.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Establishment.--Not later than 90 
                days after the date of enactment of the Head Start 
                Improvements for School Readiness Act, the Board on 
                Children, Youth, and Families of the National Research 
                Council, the Board on Testing and Assessments, and the 
                Institute of Medicine, of the National Academy of 
                Sciences shall establish the panel described in 
                paragraph (1), including selecting and appointing the 
                members of the panel. Representatives described in 
                paragraph (2) shall be selected and appointed after 
                consultation with the Secretary.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Recommendations.--Not later than 1 
                year after the panel described in paragraph (1) is 
                established, the panel shall complete, and submit to 
                the Secretary a report containing, the recommendations 
                described in paragraph (1). The Secretary shall not 
                implement the amendments made to section 
                641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) by the Head Start Improvements for 
                School Readiness Act until the panel submits the 
                report.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Application of panel report.--The Secretary 
        shall use the results of the review and recommendations 
        described in paragraph (1) to (where appropriate) develop, 
        inform, and revise--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the educational standards, and the 
                performance measures, described in section 641A; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the assessments utilized in the Head 
                Start programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(i) Services to Limited English Proficient Children and 
Families.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study 
        on the status of limited English proficient children and their 
        families in Head Start or Early Head Start programs.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and 
        submit to Congress, not later than September 2009, a report 
        containing the results of the study, including information on--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the demographics of limited English 
                proficient children from birth through age 5, including 
                the number of such children receiving Head Start or 
                Early Head Start services and the geographic 
                distribution of children described in this 
                subparagraph;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the nature of Head Start or Early 
                Head Start services provided to limited English 
                proficient children and their families, including the 
                types, content, duration, intensity, and costs of 
                family services, language assistance, and educational 
                services;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) procedures in Head Start programs 
                for the assessment of language needs and the transition 
                of limited English proficient children to kindergarten, 
                including the extent to which Head Start programs meet 
                the requirements of section 642A for limited English 
                proficient children;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) the qualifications and training 
                provided to Head Start and Early Head Start teachers 
                serving limited English proficient children and their 
                families;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) the rate of progress made by limited 
                English proficient children and their families in Head 
                Start programs and Early Head Start programs, 
                including--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the rate of progress of the 
                        limited English proficient children toward 
                        meeting the additional educational standards 
                        described in section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) while 
                        enrolled in Head Start programs, measured 
                        between 1990 and 2004;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the correlation between 
                        such progress and the type of instruction and 
                        educational program provided to the limited 
                        English proficient children; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the correlation between 
                        such progress and the health and family 
                        services provided by Head Start programs to 
                        limited English proficient children and their 
                        families; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) the extent to which Head Start 
                programs make use of funds under section 640(a)(3) to 
                improve the quality of Head Start services provided to 
                limited English proficient children and their 
                families.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 20. REPORTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 650 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9846) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by striking ``Labor and Human Resources'' and inserting 
                ``Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (8), by inserting 
                ``homelessness, children in foster care, children who 
                are abused or neglected,'' after ``ethnic 
                background,''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in the flush matter at the end by 
                striking ``Labor and Human Resources'' and inserting 
                ``Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions''; 
                and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``Labor and 
        Human Resources'' and inserting ``Health, Education, Labor, and 
        Pensions''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 21. COMPARABILITY OF WAGES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 653 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9848) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``The Secretary shall take'' and 
        inserting ``(a) The Secretary shall take'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in the first sentence of subsection (a), by 
        striking ``or (2)'' and inserting ``(2) in excess of the salary 
        of the Secretary, in the case of an individual compensated with 
        funds awarded under this subchapter or the Community Services 
        Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.); or (3)''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) If in any fiscal year the restriction described in 
subsection (a)(2) is violated, the Secretary shall withhold from the 
base grant of the Head Start agency involved (as defined in section 
641A(g)(1)) for the next fiscal year, an amount equal to the aggregate 
amount by which the salary that resulted in the violation exceeded the 
salary of the Secretary.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 22. LIMITATION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN UNLAWFUL 
              ACTIVITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 655 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9850) is 
amended by inserting ``or in'' after ``assigned by''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 23. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 656 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9851) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking all that precedes ``chapter 15'' 
        and inserting the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 656. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) State or Local Agency.--For purposes of''; 
and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Restrictions.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--A program assisted under this 
        subchapter, and any individual employed by, or assigned to, a 
        program assessed under this subchapter (during the hours in 
        which such individual is working on behalf of such program), 
        shall not engage in--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) any partisan or nonpartisan 
                political activity or any other political activity 
                associated with a candidate, or contending faction or 
                group, in an election for public or party 
                office;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) any activity to provide voters or 
                prospective voters with transportation to the polls or 
                similar assistance in connection with any such 
                election; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) any voter registration 
                activity.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Rules and regulations.--The Secretary, after 
        consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel 
        Management, may issue rules and regulations to provide for the 
        enforcement of this section, which may include provisions for 
        summary suspension of assistance or other action necessary to 
        permit enforcement on an emergency basis.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 24. PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIREMENT FOR HEALTH 
              SERVICES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new section:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 657A. PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIREMENT FOR NONEMERGENCY 
              INTRUSIVE PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Definition.--The term `nonemergency intrusive 
physical examination' means, with respect to a child, a physical 
examination that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) is not immediately necessary to protect the 
        health or safety of the child or the health or safety of 
        another individual; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) requires incision or is otherwise invasive, 
        or involves exposure of private body parts.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Requirement.--A Head Start agency shall obtain 
written parental consent before administration of, or referral for, any 
health care service provided or arranged to be provided, including any 
nonemergency intrusive physical examination of a child in connection 
with participation in a program under this subchapter.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall 
be construed to prohibit agencies from using established methods, for 
handling cases of suspected or known child abuse and neglect, that are 
in compliance with applicable Federal, State, or tribal 
law.''.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Head Start Improvements for School 
Readiness Act''.

SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

    Section 636 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831) is amended by 
inserting ``educational instruction in prereading skills, 
premathematics skills, and language and through'' after ``low-income 
children through''.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(including a 
        community-based organization)'' after ``nonprofit'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``, including 
        financial literacy,'' after ``Parent literacy'';
            (3) in paragraph (17), by striking ``Mariana Islands,'' and 
        all that follows and inserting ``Mariana Islands.''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(18) 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)).
            ``(19) The term `limited English proficient', used with 
        respect to a child, means a child--
                    ``(A) who is enrolled or preparing to enroll in a 
                Head Start program, Early Head Start program, or other 
                early care and education program;
                    ``(B)(i) who was not born in the United States or 
                whose native language is a language other than English;
                    ``(ii)(I) who is a Native American, Alaska Native, 
                or a native resident of a United States territory; and
                    ``(II) who comes from an environment where a 
                language other than English has had a significant 
                impact on the child's level of English language 
                proficiency; or
                    ``(iii) who is migratory, whose native language is 
                a language other than English, and who comes from an 
                environment where a language other than English is 
                dominant; and
                    ``(C) whose difficulty in speaking or understanding 
                the English language may be sufficient to deny such 
                child--
                            ``(i) the ability to successfully achieve 
                        in a classroom in which the language of 
                        instruction is English; or
                            ``(ii) the opportunity to participate fully 
                        in society.
            ``(20) The term `deficiency' means--
                    ``(A) a systemic or substantial failure of an 
                agency in an area of performance that the Secretary 
                determines involves--
                            ``(i) a threat to the health, safety, or 
                        civil rights of children or staff;
                            ``(ii) a denial to parents of the exercise 
                        of their full roles and responsibilities 
                        related to program operations;
                            ``(iii) a failure to comply with standards 
                        related to early childhood development and 
                        health services, family and community 
                        partnerships, or program design and management;
                            ``(iv) the misuse of funds under this 
                        subchapter;
                            ``(v) loss of legal status or financial 
                        viability, loss of permits, debarment from 
                        receiving Federal grants or contracts, or the 
                        improper use of Federal funds; or
                            ``(vi) failure to meet any other Federal or 
                        State requirement that the agency has shown an 
                        unwillingness or inability to correct, after 
                        notice from the Secretary, within the period 
                        specified;
                    ``(B) systemic failure of the board of directors of 
                an agency to fully exercise its legal and fiduciary 
                responsibilities;
                    ``(C) substantial failure of an agency to meet the 
                administrative requirements of section 644(b);
                    ``(D) failure of an agency to demonstrate that the 
                agency attempted to meet the coordination and 
                collaboration requirements with entities described in 
                section 640(a)(5)(D)(iii)(I); or
                    ``(E) having an unresolved area of noncompliance.
            ``(21) The term `unresolved area of noncompliance' means 
        failure to correct a noncompliance item within 120 days, or 
        within such additional time (if any) authorized by the 
        Secretary, after receiving from the Secretary notice of such 
        noncompliance item, pursuant to section 641A(d).
            ``(22) The term `interrater reliability' means the extent 
        to which 2 different raters or observers consistently obtain 
        the same result when using the same assessment tool.''.

SEC. 4. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HEAD START PROGRAMS.

    Section 638 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9833) is amended by 
inserting ``for a period of 5 years'' after ``provide financial 
assistance to such agency''.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 639 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9834) is amended to 
read as follows:

``SEC. 639. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated for 
carrying out the provisions of this subchapter $7,215,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2006, $7,515,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $7,815,000,000 
for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of 
fiscal years 2009 and 2010.
    ``(b) Specific Programs.--From the amount appropriated under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall make available to carry out 
research, demonstration, and evaluation activities, including 
longitudinal studies under section 649, not more than $20,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2006, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal 
years 2007 through 2010, of which not more than $7,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2006 through 2010 shall be available to carry out impact 
studies under section 649(g).''.

SEC. 6. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS.

    (a) Allotment.--Section 640(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9835(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(A) Indian Head Start programs, services for children 
        with disabilities, and migrant and seasonal Head Start 
        programs, except that the Secretary shall reserve for each 
        fiscal year for use by Indian Head Start and migrant and 
        seasonal Head Start programs (referred to in this paragraph as 
        `covered programs'), on a nationwide basis, a sum that is the 
        total of 4 percent of the amount appropriated under section 639 
        for that fiscal year (for Indian Head Start programs), and 5 
        percent of that appropriated amount (for migrant and seasonal 
        Head Start programs), except that--
                    ``(i) if reserving the specified percentages for 
                Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal 
                Head Start programs would reduce the number of children 
                served by Head Start programs, relative to the number 
                of children served on the date of enactment of the Head 
                Start Improvements for School Readiness Act, taking 
                into consideration an appropriate adjustment for 
                inflation, the Secretary shall reserve percentages that 
                approach, as closely as practicable, the specified 
                percentages and that do not cause such a reduction; and
                    ``(ii) notwithstanding any other provision of this 
                subparagraph, the Secretary shall reserve for each 
                fiscal year for use by Indian Head Start programs and 
                by migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, on a 
                nationwide basis, not less than the amount that was 
                obligated for use by Indian Head Start programs and by 
                migrant and seasonal Head Start programs for the 
                previous fiscal year;'';
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(C) training and technical assistance activities that are 
        sufficient to meet the needs associated with program expansion 
        and to foster program and management improvement activities as 
        described in section 648, in an amount for each fiscal year 
        that is equal to 2 percent of the amount appropriated under 
        section 639 for such fiscal year, of which--
                    ``(i) 50 percent shall be made available to Head 
                Start agencies to use directly, or by establishing 
                local or regional agreements with community experts, 
                colleges and universities, or private consultants, for 
                any of the following training and technical assistance 
                activities, including--
                            ``(I) activities that ensure that Head 
                        Start programs meet or exceed the program 
                        performance standards described in section 
                        641A(a)(1);
                            ``(II) activities that ensure that Head 
                        Start programs have adequate numbers of 
                        trained, qualified staff who have skills in 
                        working with children and families, including 
                        children and families who are limited English 
                        proficient and children with disabilities;
                            ``(III) activities to pay expenses, 
                        including direct training for expert 
                        consultants working with any staff, to improve 
                        the management and implementation of Head Start 
                        services and systems;
                            ``(IV) activities that help ensure that 
                        Head Start programs have qualified staff who 
                        can promote language skills and literacy growth 
                        of children and who can provide children with a 
                        variety of skills that have been identified as 
                        predictive of later reading achievement, school 
                        success, and other educational skills described 
                        in section 641A;
                            ``(V) activities to improve staff 
                        qualifications and to assist with the 
                        implementation of career development programs 
                        and to encourage the staff to continually 
                        improve their skills and expertise, including 
                        developing partnerships with programs that 
                        recruit, train, place, and support college 
                        students in Head Start centers to deliver an 
                        innovative early learning program to preschool 
                        children;
                            ``(VI) activities that help local programs 
                        ensure that the arrangement, condition, and 
                        implementation of the learning environments in 
                        Head Start programs are conducive to providing 
                        effective program services to children and 
                        families;
                            ``(VII) activities to provide training 
                        necessary to improve the qualifications of Head 
                        Start staff and to support staff training, 
                        child counseling, health services, and other 
                        services necessary to address the needs of 
                        children enrolled in Head Start programs, 
                        including children from families in crises, 
                        children who experience chronic violence or 
                        homelessness, and children who experience 
                        substance abuse in their families, and children 
                        under 3 years of age, where applicable;
                            ``(VIII) activities to provide classes or 
                        in-service-type programs to improve or enhance 
                        parenting skills, job skills, adult and family 
                        literacy, including financial literacy, or 
                        training to become a classroom aide or bus 
                        driver in a Head Start program;
                            ``(IX) additional activities deemed 
                        appropriate to the improvement of Head Start 
                        agencies' programs, as determined by the 
                        agencies' technical assistance and training 
                        plans; or
                            ``(X) any other activities regarding the 
                        use of funds as determined by the Secretary;
                    ``(ii) 50 percent shall be made available to the 
                Secretary to support a regional or State system of 
                early childhood education training and technical 
                assistance, and to assist local programs (including 
                Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal 
                Head Start programs) in meeting the standards described 
                in section 641A(a)(1); and
                    ``(iii) not less than $3,000,000 of the amount in 
                clause (ii) appropriated for such fiscal year shall be 
                made available to carry out activities described in 
                section 648(d)(4);'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``agencies;'' 
                and inserting ``agencies);''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end of the flush matter at the 
                end the following: ``In no case shall the Secretary use 
                funds reserved under this paragraph to expand or create 
                additional slots for services in non-Indian and non-
                migrant and seasonal Head Start programs until the 4 
                and 5 percent amounts specified in subparagraph (A) are 
                reached. The Secretary shall assure that any additional 
                funding appropriated in any of fiscal years 2006 
                through 2010 that is available to the Secretary under 
                the authority of this paragraph shall be used to 
                increase the funding levels of migrant and seasonal 
                Head Start programs and Indian Head Start programs 
                until such point as migrant and seasonal Head Start 
                programs are receiving not less than 5 percent of the 
                total funds appropriated under section 639 and Indian 
                Head Start programs are receiving not less than 4 
                percent of the total funds appropriated under section 
                639. After ensuring that the 4 and 5 percent amounts 
                described in subparagraph (A) and the 2 percent amount 
                described in subparagraph (C) have been reached and 
                after allotting the funds reserved under paragraph 
                (3)(A) as specified in paragraph (3)(D), the Secretary 
                may distribute any remaining funds available to the 
                Secretary under this paragraph to covered programs, and 
                if the Secretary decides to distribute such remaining 
                funds available under this paragraph to covered 
                programs, the Secretary shall distribute the funds by 
                distributing 65 percent of the remainder by giving 
                priority to grant recipients in the States serving the 
                smallest percentages (as determined by the Secretary) 
                of children less than 5 years of age from families 
                whose income is below the poverty line, and 
                distributing 35 percent of the remainder on a 
                competitive basis. The Secretary shall require each 
                Head Start agency to report at the end of each budget 
                year on how funds provided to carry out subparagraph 
                (C)(i) were used.'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)(i)(I)--
                            (i) by striking ``60 percent of such excess 
                        amount for fiscal year 1999'' and all that 
                        follows through ``2002, and''; and
                            (ii) by inserting before the semicolon the 
                        following: ``, 30 percent of such excess amount 
                        for fiscal year 2006, and 40 percent of such 
                        excess amount for each of fiscal years 2007 
                        through 2010'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking 
                        ``performance standards'' and all that follows 
                        and inserting ``standards and measures pursuant 
                        to section 641A.'';
                            (ii) by striking clause (ii) and inserting 
                        the following:
            ``(ii) Ensuring that such programs have adequate numbers of 
        qualified staff, and that such staff is furnished adequate 
        training, including training to promote the development of 
        language skills, premathematics skills, and prereading in young 
        children and in working with limited English proficient 
        children, children in foster care, children referred by child 
        welfare services, and children with disabilities, when 
        appropriate.'';
                            (iii) by striking clause (iii) and 
                        inserting the following:
            ``(iii) Developing and financing the salary scales and 
        benefits standards under section 644(a) and section 653, in 
        order to ensure that salary levels and benefits are adequate to 
        attract and retain qualified staff for such programs.'';
                            (iv) by striking clause (iv) and inserting 
                        the following:
            ``(iv) Using salary increases to--
                    ``(I) assist with the implementation of quality 
                programs and improve staff qualifications;
                    ``(II) ensure that staff can promote the language 
                skills and literacy growth of children and can provide 
                children with a variety of skills that have been 
                identified, through scientifically based early reading 
                research, as predictive of later reading achievement, 
                as well as additional skills identified in section 
                641A(a)(1)(B)(ii); and
                    ``(III) encourage the staff to continually improve 
                their skills and expertise by informing the staff of 
                the availability of Federal and State incentive and 
                loan forgiveness programs for professional 
                development.'';
                            (v) in clause (v), by inserting ``, 
                        including collaborations to increase program 
                        participation by underserved populations of 
                        eligible children'' before the period; and
                            (vi) by striking clauses (vii) and (viii) 
                        and inserting the following:
            ``(vii) Providing assistance to complete postsecondary 
        coursework including scholarships or other financial 
        incentives, such as differential and merit pay, to enable Head 
        Start teachers to improve competencies and the resulting child 
        outcomes.
            ``(viii) Promoting the regular attendance and stability of 
        all Head Start children with particular attention to highly 
        mobile children, including children from migrant and seasonal 
        farmworking families (where appropriate), homeless children, 
        and children in foster care.
            ``(ix) Making such other improvements in the quality of 
        such programs as the Secretary may designate.'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (C)--
                            (i) in clause (i)(I), by striking the last 
                        sentence and inserting ``Salary increases, in 
                        excess of cost-of-living allowances, provided 
                        with such funds shall be subject to the 
                        specific standards governing salaries and 
                        salary increases established pursuant to 
                        section 644(a).'';
                            (ii) in clause (ii)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding 
                                subclause (I), by striking ``education 
                                performance'' and inserting 
                                ``additional educational'';
                                    (II) in subclause (I), by inserting 
                                ``, prereading,'' after ``language'';
                                    (III) by striking subclause (II) 
                                and inserting the following:
                    ``(II) to help limited English proficient children 
                attain the knowledge, skills, and development specified 
                in section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) and to promote the 
                acquisition of the English language by such children 
                and families;''; and
                                    (IV) by striking subclause (IV) and 
                                inserting the following:
                    ``(IV) to provide education and training necessary 
                to improve the qualifications of Head Start staff, 
                particularly assistance to enable more instructors to 
                be fully competent and to meet the degree requirements 
                under section 648A(a)(2)(A), and to support staff 
                training, child counseling, and other services 
                necessary to address the challenges of children 
                participating in Head Start programs, including 
                children from immigrant, refugee, and asylee families, 
                children from families in crisis, homeless children, 
                children in foster care, children referred to Head 
                Start programs by child welfare agencies, and children 
                who are exposed to chronic violence or substance 
                abuse.'';
                            (iii) in clause (iii), by inserting ``, 
                        educational staff who have the qualifications 
                        described in section 648A(a),'' after 
                        ``ratio'';
                            (iv) in clause (v), by striking ``programs, 
                        including'' and all that follows and inserting 
                        ``programs.'';
                            (v) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause 
                        (x); and
                            (vi) by inserting after clause (v) the 
                        following:
            ``(vi) To conduct outreach to homeless families in an 
        effort to increase the program participation of eligible 
        homeless children.
            ``(vii) To conduct outreach to migrant and seasonal 
        farmworking families and families with limited English 
        proficient children.
            ``(viii) To partner with institutions of higher education 
        and nonprofit organizations, including community-based 
        organizations, that recruit, train, place, and support college 
        students to serve as mentors and reading coaches to preschool 
        children in Head Start programs.
            ``(ix) To upgrade the qualifications and skills of 
        educational personnel to meet the professional standards 
        described in section 648A(a)(1), including certification and 
        licensure as bilingual education teachers and for other 
        educational personnel who serve limited English proficient 
        students.'';
            (3) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``1998'' and 
                inserting ``2005''; and
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(B) any amount available after all allotments are made 
        under subparagraph (A) for such fiscal year shall be 
        distributed as follows:
                    ``(i) Each State shall receive an amount sufficient 
                to serve the same number of children in Head Start 
                programs in each State as were served on the date of 
                enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School 
                Readiness Act, taking into consideration an appropriate 
                adjustment for inflation.
                    ``(ii) After ensuring that each State has received 
                the amount described in clause (i) and after allotting 
                the funds reserved under paragraph (3)(A) as specified 
                in paragraph (3)(D), the Secretary shall distribute the 
                remaining balance, by--
                            ``(I) distributing 65 percent of the 
                        balance by giving priority to States serving 
                        the smallest percentages (as determined by the 
                        Secretary) of children less than 5 years of age 
                        from families whose income is below the poverty 
                        line; and
                            ``(II) distributing 35 percent of the 
                        balance on a competitive basis.'';
            (4) in paragraph (5)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as 
                subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; and
                    (B) by striking subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) and 
                inserting the following:
    ``(B)(i) From the reserved sums, the Secretary shall award a 
collaboration grant to each State to facilitate collaboration between 
Head Start agencies and entities (including the State) that carry out 
other activities designed to benefit low-income families and children 
from birth to school entry.
    ``(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 families and children from 
        birth to school entry;
            ``(II) encourage Head Start agencies to coordinate 
        activities with the State agency responsible for administering 
        the State program carried out under the Child Care and 
        Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) 
        and entities providing resources 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 goals and standards, 
        including the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework;
            ``(IV) promote better linkages between Head Start agencies 
        and other child and family agencies, including agencies that 
        provide health, mental health, or family services, or other 
        child or family supportive services; and
            ``(V) carry out the activities of the State Director of 
        Head Start Collaboration authorized in subparagraph (D).
    ``(C) In order to improve coordination and delivery of early 
education services to children in the State, a State that receives a 
grant under subparagraph (B) shall--
            ``(i) appoint an individual to serve as the State Director 
        of Head Start Collaboration;
            ``(ii) ensure that the State Director of Head Start 
        Collaboration 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; and
            ``(iii) involve the State Head Start Association in the 
        selection of the Director and involve the Association in 
        determinations relating to the ongoing direction of the 
        collaboration office.
    ``(D) The State Director of Head Start Collaboration, after 
consultation with the State Advisory Council described in subparagraph 
(E), shall--
            ``(i) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
        the Head Start Improvements for School Readiness Act, conduct 
        an assessment that--
                    ``(I) addresses the needs of Head Start agencies in 
                the State with respect to collaborating, coordinating 
                services, and implementing State early learning and 
                school readiness goals and standards to better serve 
                children enrolled in Head Start programs in the State;
                    ``(II) shall be updated on an annual basis; and
                    ``(III) shall be made available to the general 
                public within the State;
            ``(ii) assess the availability of high quality 
        prekindergarten services for low-income children in the State;
            ``(iii) develop a strategic plan that is based on the 
        assessment described in clause (i) that will--
                    ``(I) enhance collaboration and coordination of 
                Head Start services with other entities providing early 
                childhood programs and services (such as child care and 
                services offered by museums), health care, mental 
                health care, welfare, child protective services, 
                education and community service activities, family 
                literacy services, reading readiness programs 
                (including such programs offered by public and school 
                libraries), services relating to children with 
                disabilities, other early childhood programs and 
                services for limited English proficient children and 
                homeless children, and services provided for children 
                in foster care and children referred to Head Start 
                programs by child welfare agencies, including agencies 
                and State officials responsible for such services;
                    ``(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 
                goals and standards and to facilitate collaborative 
                efforts to develop local school readiness standards; 
                and
                    ``(IV) enable agencies in the State to better 
                coordinate professional development opportunities for 
                Head Start staff, such as by--
                            ``(aa) assisting 2- and 4-year public and 
                        private institutions of higher education to 
                        develop articulation agreements;
                            ``(bb) awarding 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 
                        program;
                            ``(cc) working with local Head Start 
                        agencies to meet the degree requirements 
                        described in section 648A(a)(2)(A), including 
                        providing distance learning opportunities for 
                        Head Start staff, where needed to make higher 
                        education more accessible to Head Start staff; 
                        and
                            ``(dd) enabling the State Head Start 
                        agencies to better coordinate outreach to 
                        eligible families;
            ``(iv) promote partnerships between Head Start agencies, 
        State governments, and the private sector to help ensure that 
        preschool children from low-income families are receiving 
        comprehensive services to prepare the children to enter school 
        ready to learn;
            ``(v) consult with the chief State school officer, local 
        educational agencies, and providers of early childhood 
        education and care to conduct unified planning regarding early 
        care and education services at both the State and local levels, 
        including undertaking collaborative efforts to develop and make 
        improvements in school readiness standards;
            ``(vi) promote partnerships (such as the partnerships 
        involved with the Free to Grow initiative) between Head Start 
        agencies, schools, law enforcement, and substance abuse and 
        mental health treatment agencies 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 healthy 
        development;
            ``(vii) promote partnerships between Head Start agencies 
        and other organizations in order to enhance the Head Start 
        curriculum, including partnerships to promote inclusion of more 
        books in Head Start classrooms and partnerships to promote 
        coordination of activities with the Ready-to-Learn Television 
        program carried out under subpart 3 of part D of title II of 
        the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        6775 et seq.); and
            ``(viii) identify other resources and organizations (both 
        public and private) for the provision of in-kind services to 
        Head Start agencies in the State.
    ``(E)(i) The Governor of the State shall designate or establish a 
council to serve as the State advisory council on collaboration on 
early care and education activities for children from birth to school 
entry (in this subchapter referred to as the `State Advisory Council').
    ``(ii) The Governor may designate an existing entity to serve as 
the State Advisory Council, if the entity includes representatives 
described in subclauses (I) through (XXIV) of clause (iii).
    ``(iii) Members of the State Advisory Council shall include, to the 
maximum extent possible--
            ``(I) the State Director of Head Start Collaboration;
            ``(II) a representative of the appropriate regional office 
        of the Administration for Children and Families;
            ``(III) a representative of the State educational agency 
        and local educational agencies;
            ``(IV) a representative of institutions of higher 
        education;
            ``(V) a representative (or representatives) of the State 
        agency (or agencies) responsible for health or mental health 
        care;
            ``(VI) a representative of the State agency responsible for 
        teacher professional standards, certification, and licensing, 
        including prekindergarten teacher professional standards, 
        certification standards, certification, and licensing, where 
        applicable;
            ``(VII) a representative of the State agency responsible 
        for child care;
            ``(VIII) early childhood education professionals, including 
        professionals with expertise in second language acquisition and 
        instructional strategies in teaching limited English proficient 
        children;
            ``(IX) kindergarten teachers and teachers in grades 1 
        through 3;
            ``(X) health care professionals;
            ``(XI) child development specialists, including specialists 
        in prenatal, infant, and toddler development;
            ``(XII) a representative of the State agency responsible 
        for assisting children with developmental disabilities;
            ``(XIII) a representative of the State agency responsible 
        for programs under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities 
        Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.);
            ``(XIV) a representative of the State interagency 
        coordinating councils established under section 641 of the 
        Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1441);
            ``(XV) a representative of the State Head Start Association 
        (where appropriate), and other representatives of Head Start 
        programs in the State;
            ``(XVI) a representative of the State network of child care 
        resource and referral agencies;
            ``(XVII) a representative of community-based organizations;
            ``(XVIII) a representative of State and local providers of 
        early childhood education and child care;
            ``(XIX) a representative of migrant and seasonal Head Start 
        programs and Indian Head Start programs (where appropriate);
            ``(XX) parents;
            ``(XXI) religious and business leaders;
            ``(XXII) the head of the State library administrative 
        agency;
            ``(XXIII) representatives of State and local organizations 
        and other entities providing professional development to early 
        care and education providers; and
            ``(XXIV) a representative of other entities determined to 
        be relevant by the chief executive officer of the State.
    ``(iv)(I) The State Advisory Council shall be responsible for, in 
addition to responsibilities assigned to the council by the chief 
executive officer of the State--
            ``(aa) conducting a periodic statewide needs assessment 
        concerning early care and education programs for children from 
        birth to school entry;
            ``(bb) identifying barriers to, and opportunities for, 
        collaboration and coordination between entities carrying out 
        Federal and State child development, child care, and early 
        childhood education programs;
            ``(cc) developing recommendations regarding means of 
        establishing a unified data collection system for early care 
        and education programs throughout the State;
            ``(dd) developing a statewide professional development and 
        career ladder plan for early care and education in the State; 
        and
            ``(ee) reviewing and approving the strategic plan, 
        regarding collaborating and coordinating services to better 
        serve children enrolled in Head Start programs, developed by 
        the State Director of Head Start Collaboration under 
        subparagraph (D)(iii).
    ``(II) The State Advisory Council shall hold public hearings and 
provide an opportunity for public comment on the needs assessment and 
recommendations described in subclause (I). The State Advisory Council 
shall submit a statewide strategic report containing the needs 
assessment and recommendations described in subclause (I) to the State 
Director of Head Start Collaboration and the chief executive officer of 
the State.
    ``(III) After submission of a statewide strategic report under 
subclause (II), the State Advisory Council shall meet periodically to 
review any implementation of the recommendations in such report and any 
changes in State and local needs.''; and
            (5) in paragraph (6)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``7.5 
                percent'' and all that follows and inserting ``11 
                percent for fiscal year 2006, 13 percent for fiscal 
                year 2007, 15 percent for fiscal year 2008, 17 percent 
                for fiscal year 2009, and 18 percent for fiscal year 
                2010, of the amount appropriated pursuant to section 
                639(a).'';
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (B);
                    (C) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking ``required 
                to be''; and
                    (D) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as 
                subparagraph (B).
    (b) Service Delivery Models.--Section 640(f) of the Head Start Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9835(f)) is amended by striking ``needs.'' and inserting 
``needs, including--
            ``(1) models that leverage the capacity and capabilities of 
        the delivery system of early childhood education and child 
        care; and
            ``(2) procedures to provide for the conversion of part-day 
        programs to full-day programs or part-day slots to full-day 
        slots.''.
    (c) Additional Funds.--Section 640(g)(2) of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9835(g)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(C) the extent to which the applicant has undertaken 
        communitywide strategic planning and needs assessments 
        involving other community organizations and Federal, State, and 
        local public agencies serving children and families (including 
        organizations and agencies providing family support services 
        and protective services to children and families and 
        organizations serving families in whose homes English is not 
        the language customarily spoken), and individuals, 
        organizations, and public entities serving children with 
        disabilities, children in foster care, and homeless children 
        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));'';
            (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``other local'' and 
        inserting ``the State and local'';
            (3) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``would like to 
        participate but'' after ``community who'';
            (4) in subparagraph (G), by inserting ``leverage the 
        existing delivery systems of such services and'' after ``manner 
        that will''; and
            (5) 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 ``community involved''.
    (d) Regulations.--Section 640(i) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9835(i)) is amended by inserting ``and requirements to ensure the 
appropriate supervision and background checks of individuals with whom 
the agencies contract to transport those children'' before the period.
    (e) Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs.--Section 640(l) of 
the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(l)) is amended by striking paragraph 
(3) and inserting the following:
    ``(3) In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall continue 
the administrative arrangement at the national or regional level for 
meeting the needs of Indian children and children of migrant and 
seasonal farmworkers and shall ensure--
            ``(A) that appropriate funding is provided to meet such 
        needs, including training and technical assistance provided by 
        staff with knowledge of and experience in working with such 
        populations; and
            ``(B) the appointment of a national migrant and seasonal 
        Head Start program collaboration director and a national Indian 
        Head Start collaboration director.
    ``(4)(A) For the purposes of paragraph (3), the Secretary shall 
conduct an annual consultation in each affected Head Start region, with 
tribal governments operating Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
    ``(B) The consultations shall be for the purpose of better meeting 
the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native children and families 
pertinent to subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 641, taking into 
consideration funding allocations, distribution formulas, and other 
issues affecting the delivery of Head Start services within tribal 
communities.
    ``(C) The Secretary shall publish a notification of the 
consultations in the Federal Register prior to conducting the 
consultations.
    ``(D) A detailed report of each consultation shall be prepared and 
made available, on a timely basis, to all tribal governments receiving 
funds under this subchapter.''.
    (f) Homeless Children.--Section 640 of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9835) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(m) Enrollment of Homeless Children.--The Secretary shall issue 
regulations to remove barriers to the enrollment and participation of 
homeless children in Head Start programs. Such regulations shall 
require Head Start agencies to--
            ``(1) implement policies and procedures to ensure that 
        homeless children are identified and receive appropriate 
        priority for enrollment;
            ``(2) allow homeless children to apply to, enroll in, and 
        attend Head Start programs while required documents, such as 
        proof of residency, proof of immunization, and other medical 
        records, birth certificates, and other documents, are obtained 
        within a reasonable timeframe; and
            ``(3) coordinate individual Head Start programs with 
        efforts to implement subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-
        Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.).
    ``(n) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this subchapter shall be 
construed to require a State to establish a program of early education 
for children in the State, to require any child to participate in a 
program of early education in order to attend preschool, or to 
participate in any initial screening prior to participation in such 
program, except as provided under section 612(a)(3) of the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(3)) and consistent 
with section 614(a)(1)(C) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1414(a)(1)(C)).
    ``(o) Materials.--All curricula funded under this subchapter shall 
be scientifically based, and developmentally and linguistically based 
(to the extent practicable), and age appropriate. Parents shall have 
the opportunity to examine any such curricula or instructional 
materials funded under this subchapter.''.

SEC. 7. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES.

    Section 641 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836) is amended to 
read as follows:

``SEC. 641. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES.

    ``(a) Designation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to designate 
        as a Head Start agency any local public or private nonprofit or 
        for-profit agency, within a community, including a community-
        based organization that--
                    ``(A) has power and authority to carry out the 
                purpose of this subchapter and perform the functions 
                set forth in section 642 within a community; and
                    ``(B) is determined to be capable of planning, 
                conducting, administering, and evaluating, either 
                directly or by other arrangements, a Head Start 
                program.
            ``(2) Required goals for designation.--In order to be 
        designated as a Head Start agency, an entity described in 
        paragraph (1) shall establish program goals for improving the 
        school readiness of children participating in a program under 
        this subchapter, including goals for meeting the performance 
        standards and additional educational standards described in 
        section 641A and shall establish results-based school readiness 
        goals that are aligned with Head Start Child Outcomes 
        Framework, State early learning standards (if applicable), and 
        requirements and expectations for local public schools.
            ``(3) Eligibility for subsequent grants.--In order to 
        receive a grant under this subchapter subsequent to the initial 
        grant provided following the date of enactment of the Head 
        Start Improvements for School Readiness Act, an entity 
        described in paragraph (1) shall demonstrate that the entity 
        has met or is making progress toward meeting the goals 
        described in paragraph (2).
            ``(4) Governing body.--
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) Ensuring high quality programs.--In 
                        order to be designated as a Head Start agency, 
                        an entity described in paragraph (1) shall have 
                        a governing body--
                                    ``(I) with legal and fiscal 
                                responsibility for administering and 
                                overseeing programs under this 
                                subchapter; and
                                    ``(II) that fully participates in 
                                the development, planning, 
                                implementation, and evaluation of the 
                                programs to ensure the operation of 
                                programs of high quality.
                            ``(ii) Ensuring compliance with laws.--The 
                        governing body shall be responsible for 
                        ensuring compliance with Federal laws and 
                        regulations, including the performance 
                        standards described in section 641A, as well as 
                        applicable State, Tribal, and local laws and 
                        regulations, including laws defining the nature 
                        and operations of the governing body.
                    ``(B) Composition of governing body.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The governing body shall 
                        be composed as follows:
                                    ``(I) Not less than 1 member of the 
                                governing body shall have a background 
                                in fiscal management.
                                    ``(II) Not less than 1 member of 
                                the governing body shall have a 
                                background in early childhood 
                                development.
                                    ``(III) Membership that reflects 
                                the community to be served.
                            ``(ii) Consultants.--In the case that 
                        persons described in clause (i) are not 
                        available to serve as members of the governing 
                        body, the governing body shall make use of 
                        consultants in the areas described in clause 
                        (i) to work directly with the governing body.
                            ``(iii) Conflict of interest.--Members of 
                        the governing body shall--
                                    ``(I) not have a conflict of 
                                interest with the Head Start agency or 
                                delegate agencies; and
                                    ``(II) not receive compensation for 
                                service to the Head Start agency.
                    ``(C) Responsibilities.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The governing body shall 
                        be responsible, in consultation with the policy 
                        council or the policy committee of the Head 
                        Start agency, for--
                                    ``(I) the selection of delegate 
                                agencies and such agencies' service 
                                areas;
                                    ``(II) establishing criteria for 
                                defining recruitment, selection, and 
                                enrollment priorities;
                                    ``(III) all funding applications 
                                and amendments to funding applications 
                                for programs under this subchapter;
                                    ``(IV) the annual self-assessment 
                                of the Head Start agency or delegate 
                                agency's progress in carrying out the 
                                programmatic and fiscal intent of such 
                                agency's grant application, including 
                                planning or other actions that may 
                                result from the review of the annual 
                                audit, self-assessment, and findings 
                                from the Federal monitoring review;
                                    ``(V) providing guidance for the 
                                composition of the policy council or 
                                the policy committee of the Head Start 
                                agency;
                                    ``(VI) developing procedures for 
                                how members of the policy council or 
                                the policy committee of the Head Start 
                                agency are selected, including 
                                procedures for how parents of children 
                                currently participating in a Head Start 
                                or Early Head Start program are 
                                selected to serve on the policy council 
                                or the policy committee of the Head 
                                Start agency;
                                    ``(VII) audits, accounting, and 
                                reporting;
                                    ``(VIII) personnel policies and 
                                procedures including decisions with 
                                regard to salary scales (and changes 
                                made to the scale), salaries of the 
                                Executive Director, Head Start 
                                Director, the Director of Human 
                                Resources, and the Chief Fiscal 
                                Officer, and decisions to hire and 
                                terminate program staff; and
                                    ``(IX) the community assessment, 
                                including any updates to such 
                                assessment.
                            ``(ii) Conduct of responsibilities.--The 
                        governing body shall--
                                    ``(I) develop an internal control 
                                structure to facilitate these 
                                responsibilities in order to--
                                            ``(aa) safeguard Federal 
                                        funds;
                                            ``(bb) comply with laws and 
                                        regulations that have an impact 
                                        on financial statements;
                                            ``(cc) detect or prevent 
                                        noncompliance with this 
                                        subchapter; and
                                            ``(dd) receive audit 
                                        reports and direct and monitor 
                                        staff implementation of 
                                        corrective actions; and
                                    ``(II) develop procedures to 
                                facilitate meaningful consultation and 
                                collaboration and solicit input from 
                                the policy council or the policy 
                                committee of the Head Start agency 
                                regarding matters of recruitment, 
                                enrollment, funding applications, and 
                                programmatic design, including 
                                processes to resolve internal disputes.
                    ``(D) Receipt of information.--To facilitate 
                oversight and Head Start agency accountability, the 
                governing body shall receive regular and accurate 
                information about program planning, policies, and Head 
                Start agency operations, including--
                            ``(i) monthly financial statements 
                        (including detailed credit card account 
                        expenditures for any employee with a Head Start 
                        agency credit card or who seeks reimbursement 
                        for charged expenses);
                            ``(ii) monthly program information 
                        summaries;
                            ``(iii) program enrollment reports, 
                        including attendance reports for children whose 
                        care is partially subsidized by another public 
                        agency;
                            ``(iv) monthly report of meals and snacks 
                        through programs of the Department of 
                        Agriculture;
                            ``(v) the annual financial audit;
                            ``(vi) the annual self-assessment, 
                        including any findings related to the annual 
                        self-assessment;
                            ``(vii) the community assessment of the 
                        Head Start agency's service area and any 
                        applicable updates; and
                            ``(viii) the program information reports.
                    ``(E) Training and technical assistance.--
                Appropriate training and technical assistance shall be 
                provided to the members of the governing body to ensure 
                that the members understand the information the members 
                receive and can effectively oversee and participate in 
                the programs of the Head Start agency.
    ``(b) Communities.--For purposes of this subchapter, a community 
may be a city, county, or multicity or multicounty unit within a State, 
an Indian reservation (including Indians in any off-reservation area 
designated by an appropriate tribal government in consultation with the 
Secretary), or a neighborhood or other area (irrespective of boundaries 
or political subdivisions) that provides a suitable organizational base 
and possesses the commonality of interest needed to operate a Head 
Start program.
    ``(c) Priority in Designation.--In administering the provisions of 
this section, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the chief 
executive officer of the State involved, give priority in the 
designation (including redesignation) of Head Start agencies to any 
Head Start agency or delegate agency that is high performing, as 
determined by meeting each of the following criterion:
            ``(1) Is receiving assistance under this subchapter.
            ``(2) Meets or exceeds program and financial management 
        requirements or standards described in section 641A(a)(1).
            ``(3) Has no unresolved deficiencies and has not had 
        findings of deficiencies during the last triennial review under 
        section 641A(c).
            ``(4) Can demonstrate, through agreements such as memoranda 
        of understanding, active collaboration with the State or local 
        community in the provision of services for children (such as 
        the provision of extended day services, education, professional 
        development and training for staff, and other types of 
        cooperative endeavors).
    ``(d) Designation When Entity Has Priority.--If no entity in a 
community is entitled to the priority specified in subsection (c), the 
Secretary shall, after conducting an open competition, designate a Head 
Start agency from among qualified applicants in such community.
    ``(e) Rule of Construction.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, under no condition may a non-Indian Head Start agency receive a 
grant to carry out an Indian Head Start program.
    ``(f) Effectiveness.--In selecting from among qualified applicants 
for designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall consider 
the effectiveness of each such applicant to provide Head Start 
services, based on--
            ``(1) any past performance of such applicant in providing 
        services comparable to Head Start services, including how 
        effectively such applicant provided such comparable services;
            ``(2) the plan of such applicant to provide comprehensive 
        health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services 
        needed to aid participating children in attaining their full 
        potential, and to prepare children to succeed in school;
            ``(3) the capacity of such applicant to serve eligible 
        children with programs that use scientifically based research 
        that promote school readiness of children participating in the 
        program;
            ``(4) the plan of such applicant to meet standards set 
        forth in section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to the 
        standards set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such 
        section;
            ``(5) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the Head 
        Start program the applicant proposes to carry out with other 
        preschool programs, 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.);
                    ``(B) programs under section 619 and part C of the 
                Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
                1419, 1431 et seq.);
                    ``(C) State prekindergarten programs;
                    ``(D) child care programs;
                    ``(E) the educational programs that the children in 
                the Head Start program involved will enter at the age 
                of compulsory school attendance; and
                    ``(F) reading readiness programs such as those 
                conducted by public and school libraries;
            ``(6) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the Head 
        Start program that the applicant proposes to carry out with 
        public and private entities who are willing to commit resources 
        to assist the Head Start program in meeting its program needs;
            ``(7) the plan of such applicant to collaborate with a 
        local library, where available, that is interested in that 
        collaboration, to--
                    ``(A) develop innovative programs to excite 
                children about the world of books, such as programs 
                that involve--
                            ``(i) taking children to the library for a 
                        story hour;
                            ``(ii) promoting the use of library cards;
                            ``(iii) developing a lending library or 
                        using a mobile library van; and
                            ``(iv) providing fresh books in the Head 
                        Start classroom on a regular basis;
                    ``(B) assist in literacy training for Head Start 
                teachers; and
                    ``(C) support parents and other caregivers in 
                literacy efforts;
            ``(8) the plan of such applicant--
                    ``(A) to seek the involvement of parents of 
                participating children in activities (at home and in 
                the center involved where practicable) designed to help 
                such parents become full partners in the education of 
                their children;
                    ``(B) to afford such parents the opportunity to 
                participate in the development and overall conduct of 
                the program at the local level, including through 
                providing transportation costs;
                    ``(C) to offer (directly or through referral to 
                local entities, such as entities carrying out 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.), public and school libraries, and 
                entities carrying out family support programs) to such 
                parents--
                            ``(i) family literacy services; and
                            ``(ii) parenting skills training;
                    ``(D) to offer to parents of participating children 
                substance abuse counseling (either directly or through 
                referral to local entities), including information on 
                the effect of drug exposure on infants and fetal 
                alcohol syndrome;
                    ``(E) at the option of such applicant, to offer 
                (directly or through referral to local entities) to 
                such parents--
                            ``(i) training in basic child development 
                        (including cognitive development);
                            ``(ii) assistance in developing literacy 
                        and communication skills;
                            ``(iii) opportunities to share experiences 
                        with other parents (including parent mentor 
                        relationships);
                            ``(iv) regular in-home visitation; or
                            ``(v) any other activity designed to help 
                        such parents become full partners in the 
                        education of their children;
                    ``(F) to provide, with respect to each 
                participating family, a family needs assessment that 
                includes consultation with such parents about the 
                benefits of parent involvement and about the activities 
                described in subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) in which 
                such parents may choose to become involved (taking into 
                consideration their specific family needs, work 
                schedules, and other responsibilities); and
                    ``(G) to extend outreach to fathers, in appropriate 
                cases, in order to strengthen the role of fathers in 
                families, in the education of their young children, and 
                in the Head Start program, by working directly with 
                fathers and father figures through activities such as--
                            ``(i) in appropriate cases, including 
                        fathers in home visits and providing 
                        opportunities for direct father-child 
                        interactions; and
                            ``(ii) targeting increased male 
                        participation in the conduct of the program;
            ``(9) the ability of such applicant to carry out the plans 
        described in paragraphs (2), (4), and (5);
            ``(10) other factors related to the requirements of this 
        subchapter;
            ``(11) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of 
        limited English proficient children and their families, 
        including procedures to identify such children, plans to 
        provide trained personnel, and plans to provide services to 
        assist the children in making progress toward the acquisition 
        of the English language;
            ``(12) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of 
        children with disabilities;
            ``(13) the plan of such applicant who chooses to assist 
        younger siblings of children who will participate in the Head 
        Start program, to obtain health services from other sources;
            ``(14) the plan of such applicant to collaborate with other 
        entities carrying out early childhood education and child care 
        programs in the community;
            ``(15) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of 
        homeless children and children in foster care, including the 
        transportation needs of such children; and
            ``(16) the plan of such applicant to recruit and retain 
        qualified staff.
    ``(g) Interim Basis.--If there is not a qualified applicant in a 
community for designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall 
designate a qualified agency to carry out the Head Start program in the 
community on an interim basis until a qualified applicant from the 
community is so designated.
    ``(h) Involvement of Parents and Area Residents.--The Secretary 
shall continue the practice of involving parents and area residents who 
are affected by programs under this subchapter in the selection of 
qualified applicants for designation as Head Start agencies.
    ``(i) Priority.--In selecting from among qualified applicants for 
designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall give priority 
to applicants that have demonstrated capacity in providing effective, 
comprehensive, and well-coordinated early childhood services to 
children and their families.''.

SEC. 8. QUALITY STANDARDS; MONITORING OF HEAD START AGENCIES AND 
              PROGRAMS.

    Section 641A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``642(d)'' and 
                inserting ``642(c)'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)(B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking ``education 
                        performance standards'' and inserting 
                        ``educational performance standards''; and
                            (ii) by striking clause (ii) and inserting 
                        the following:
                    ``(ii) additional educational standards based on 
                the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences 
                panel described in section 649(h) and other experts in 
                the field, to ensure that the curriculum involved 
                addresses, and that the children participating in the 
                program show appropriate progress toward developing and 
                applying, the recommended educational outcomes, after 
                the panel considers the appropriateness of additional 
                educational standards relating to--
                            ``(I) language skills related to listening, 
                        understanding, speaking, and communicating, 
                        including--
                                    ``(aa) understanding and use of a 
                                diverse vocabulary (including knowing 
                                the names of colors) and knowledge of 
                                how to use oral language to communicate 
                                for various purposes;
                                    ``(bb) narrative abilities used, 
                                for example, to comprehend, tell, and 
                                respond to a story, or to comprehend 
                                instructions;
                                    ``(cc) ability to detect and 
                                produce sounds of the language the 
                                child speaks or is learning; and
                                    ``(dd) clarity of pronunciation and 
                                speaking in syntactically and 
                                grammatically correct sentences;
                            ``(II) prereading knowledge and skills, 
                        including--
                                    ``(aa) alphabet knowledge including 
                                knowing the letter names and 
                                associating letters with their shapes 
                                and sounds in the language the child 
                                speaks or is learning;
                                    ``(bb) phonological awareness and 
                                processes that support reading, for 
                                example, rhyming, recognizing speech 
                                sounds and separate syllables in spoken 
                                words, and putting speech sounds 
                                together to make words;
                                    ``(cc) knowledge, interest in, and 
                                appreciation of books, reading, and 
                                writing (either alone or with others), 
                                and knowledge that books have parts 
                                such as the front, back, and title 
                                page;
                                    ``(dd) early writing, including the 
                                ability to write one's own name and 
                                other words and phrases; and
                                    ``(ee) print awareness and 
                                concepts, including recognizing 
                                different forms of print and 
                                understanding the association between 
                                spoken and written words;
                            ``(III) premathematics knowledge and 
                        skills, including--
                                    ``(aa) number recognition;
                                    ``(bb) use of early number concepts 
                                and operations, including counting, 
                                simple adding and subtracting, and 
                                knowledge of quantitative 
                                relationships, such as part versus 
                                whole and comparison of numbers of 
                                objects;
                                    ``(cc) use of early space and 
                                location concepts, including 
                                recognizing shapes, classification, 
                                striation, and understanding 
                                directionality; and
                                    ``(dd) early pattern skills and 
                                measurement, including recognizing and 
                                extending simple patterns and measuring 
                                length, weight, and time;
                            ``(IV) scientific abilities, including--
                                    ``(aa) building awareness about 
                                scientific skills and methods, such as 
                                gathering, describing, and recording 
                                information, making observations, and 
                                making explanations and predictions; 
                                and
                                    ``(bb) expanding scientific 
                                knowledge of the environment, time, 
                                temperature, and cause-and-effect 
                                relationships;
                            ``(V) general cognitive abilities related 
                        to academic achievement and child development, 
                        including--
                                    ``(aa) reasoning, planning, and 
                                problem-solving skills;
                                    ``(bb) ability to engage, sustain 
                                attention, and persist on challenging 
                                tasks;
                                    ``(cc) intellectual curiosity, 
                                initiative, and task engagement; and
                                    ``(dd) motivation to achieve and 
                                master concepts and skills;
                            ``(VI) social and emotional development 
                        related to early learning and school success, 
                        including developing--
                                    ``(aa) the ability to develop 
                                social relationships, demonstrate 
                                cooperative behaviors, and relate to 
                                teachers and peers in positive and 
                                respectful ways;
                                    ``(bb) an understanding of the 
                                consequences of actions, following 
                                rules, and appropriately expressing 
                                feelings;
                                    ``(cc) a sense of self, such as 
                                self-awareness, independence, and 
                                confidence;
                                    ``(dd) the ability to control 
                                negative behaviors with teachers and 
                                peers that include impulsiveness, 
                                aggression, and noncompliance; and
                                    ``(ee) knowledge of civic society 
                                and surrounding communities;
                            ``(VII) physical development, including 
                        developing--
                                    ``(aa) fine motor skills, such as 
                                strength, manual dexterity, and hand-
                                eye coordination; and
                                    ``(bb) gross motor skills, such as 
                                balance and coordinated movements; and
                            ``(VIII) in the case of limited English 
                        proficient children, progress toward 
                        acquisition of the English language while 
                        making meaningful progress in attaining the 
                        knowledge, skills, abilities, and development 
                        described in subclauses (I) through (VII);'';
                    (C) in paragraph (1)(D), by striking ``projects; 
                and'' and inserting ``projects, including regulations 
                that require that the facilities used by Head Start 
                agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) and 
                delegate agencies for regularly scheduled center-based 
                and combination program option classroom activities--
                            ``(i) shall be in compliance with State and 
                        local requirements concerning licensing for 
                        such facilities; and
                            ``(ii) shall be accessible by State and 
                        local authorities for purposes of monitoring 
                        and ensuring compliance; and'';
                    (D) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in clause (i), by striking 
                                ``the date of enactment of this 
                                section'' and inserting ``the date of 
                                enactment of the Head Start 
                                Improvements for School Readiness 
                                Act'';
                                    (II) in clause (ii), by striking 
                                ``the date of enactment of this Act'' 
                                and inserting ``the date of enactment 
                                of the Head Start Improvements for 
                                School Readiness Act'';
                                    (III) in clause (iii), by inserting 
                                ``homeless children, children in foster 
                                care,'' after ``children with 
                                disabilities,'';
                                    (IV) in clause (vi)--
                                            (aa) by striking ``; and'' 
                                        and inserting a semicolon; and
                                            (bb) by inserting 
                                        ``(including children in foster 
                                        care and the number of homeless 
                                        children)'' after ``such 
                                        children'';
                                    (V) in clause (vii), by striking 
                                ``public schools'' and inserting ``the 
                                schools that the children will be 
                                attending''; and
                                    (VI) by adding at the end the 
                                following:
                            ``(viii) the unique challenges faced by 
                        individual programs, including those programs 
                        that are seasonal or short term and those 
                        programs that serve rural populations;'';
                            (ii) 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 Improvements for School Readiness Act; 
                        and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) consult with Indian tribes, American Indian 
                and Alaska Native experts in early childhood 
                development, linguists, and the National Indian Head 
                Start Directors Association on the review and 
                promulgation of program standards and measures 
                (including standards and measures for language 
                acquisition and school readiness).'';
                    (E) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Evaluations and corrective actions for delegate 
        agencies.--
                    ``(A) Procedures.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), 
                        the Head Start agency shall establish 
                        procedures relating to its delegate agencies, 
                        including--
                                    ``(I) procedures for evaluating 
                                delegate agencies;
                                    ``(II) procedures for defunding 
                                delegate agencies; and
                                    ``(III) procedures for appealing a 
                                defunding decision relating to a 
                                delegate agency.
                            ``(ii) Termination.--The Head Start agency 
                        may not terminate a delegate agency's contract 
                        or reduce a delegate agency's service area 
                        without showing cause or demonstrating the 
                        cost-effectiveness of such a decision.
                    ``(B) Evaluations.--Each Head Start agency--
                            ``(i) shall evaluate its delegate agencies 
                        using the procedures established pursuant to 
                        this section, including subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(ii) shall inform the delegate agencies 
                        of the deficiencies identified through the 
                        evaluation that shall be corrected.
                    ``(C) Remedies to ensure corrective actions.--In 
                the event that the Head Start agency identifies a 
                deficiency for a delegate agency through the 
                evaluation, the Head Start agency may--
                            ``(i) initiate procedures to terminate the 
                        designation of the agency unless the agency 
                        corrects the deficiency;
                            ``(ii) conduct monthly monitoring visits to 
                        such delegate agency until all deficiencies are 
                        corrected or the Head Start agency decides to 
                        defund such delegate agency; and
                            ``(iii) release funds to such delegate 
                        agency only as reimbursements until all 
                        deficiencies are corrected or the Head Start 
                        agency decides to defund such delegate agency.
                    ``(D) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this 
                paragraph shall be construed to impact or obviate the 
                responsibilities of the Secretary with respect to Head 
                Start agencies or delegate agencies receiving funding 
                under this subchapter.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking the paragraph heading and 
                        inserting the following:
            ``(2) Characteristics and use of measures.--'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``, 
                        not later than July 1, 1999; and'' and 
                        inserting a semicolon;
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the 
                        period and inserting a semicolon;
                            (iv) by striking the flush matter following 
                        subparagraph (C); and
                            (v) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) measure characteristics that are strongly 
                predictive (as determined on a scientific basis) of a 
                child's school readiness and later performance in 
                school;
                    ``(E) be appropriate for the population served; and
                    ``(F) be reviewed not less than every 4 years, 
                based on advances in the science of early childhood 
                development.
        The performance measures shall include the performance 
        standards and additional educational standards described in 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1).'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; 
                        and'' and inserting a semicolon;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
                        period and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) to enable Head Start agencies to 
                individualize programs of instruction to better meet 
                the needs of the child involved.'';
                    (C) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(4) Results-based outcome measures.--Results-based 
        outcome measures shall be designed for the purpose of promoting 
        the knowledge, skills, abilities, and development, described in 
        subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii), of children participating in Head 
        Start programs that are strongly predictive (as determined on a 
        scientific basis) of a child's school readiness and later 
        performance in school.''; and
                    (D) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(5) Additional local results-based educational measures 
        and goals.--Head Start agencies may establish and implement 
        additional local results-based educational measures and 
        goals.'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A), by inserting ``and Head Start centers'' 
                        after ``Head Start programs'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``such agency'' and inserting ``Head Start 
                        center'';
                            (iii) by striking subparagraph (C) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(C) Unannounced site inspections of Head Start 
                centers for health and safety reasons, as 
                appropriate.'';
                            (iv) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as 
                        subparagraph (E); and
                            (v) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the 
                        following:
                    ``(D) Notwithstanding subparagraph (C), followup 
                reviews, including--
                            ``(i) prompt return visits to agencies, 
                        programs, and centers that fail to meet 1 or 
                        more of the performance measures developed by 
                        the Secretary under subsection (b);
                            ``(ii) a review of programs with citations 
                        that include findings of deficiencies not later 
                        than 6 months after the date of such citation; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) followup reviews that incorporate a 
                        monitoring visit without prior notice of the 
                        visit to the agency involved or with such 
                        limited prior notice as is necessary to ensure 
                        the participation of parents and key staff 
                        members.''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) Conduct of reviews.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
                reviews described in paragraph (1)--
                            ``(i) are performed, to the maximum extent 
                        practicable, by employees of the Department of 
                        Health and Human Services who are knowledgeable 
                        about Head Start programs;
                            ``(ii) are conducted by review teams that 
                        shall include individuals who are knowledgeable 
                        about Head Start and other early childhood 
                        education programs and, to the maximum extent 
                        practicable, the diverse (including linguistic 
                        and cultural) needs of eligible children 
                        (including children with disabilities, homeless 
                        children, and children in foster care) and 
                        limited English proficient children and their 
                        families, and personnel management, financial 
                        accountability, and systems development and 
                        monitoring;
                            ``(iii) include as part of the reviews of 
                        the programs, a review and assessment of 
                        program effectiveness, as measured in 
                        accordance with the results-based performance 
                        measures developed by the Secretary pursuant to 
                        subsection (b) and with the standards 
                        established pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and 
                        (B) of subsection (a)(1);
                            ``(iv) seek information from the 
                        communities and States where Head Start 
                        programs exist about innovative or effective 
                        collaborative efforts, barriers to 
                        collaboration, and the efforts of the Head 
                        Start agencies to collaborate with the entities 
                        carrying out early childhood education and 
                        child care programs in the community;
                            ``(v) include as part of the reviews of the 
                        programs, a review and assessment of whether 
                        the programs are in conformity with the income 
                        eligibility requirements under section 645 and 
                        regulations promulgated under such section;
                            ``(vi) include as part of the reviews of 
                        the programs, a review and assessment of 
                        whether programs have adequately addressed the 
                        population and community needs (including needs 
                        of populations of limited English proficient 
                        children and children of migrant and seasonal 
                        farmworking families); and
                            ``(vii) include as part of the reviews of 
                        the programs, data from the results of periodic 
                        child assessments, and a review and assessment 
                        of child outcomes and performance as they 
                        relate to State, local, and agency-determined 
                        school readiness goals.
                    ``(B) Training; quality and consistency.--The 
                Secretary, from funds available under section 
                640(a)(2)(C)(ii), shall provide periodic training for 
                supervisors and members of review teams in such topics 
                as program management and financial audit performance. 
                The Secretary shall ensure the quality and consistency 
                across and within regions of PRISM reviews and non-
                compliance and deficiency determinations by conducting 
                periodic interrater reliability checks.'';
            (4) in subsection (d)(1)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                inserting ``or fails to address the community needs and 
                strategic plan identified in section 640(g)(2)(C),'' 
                after ``subsection (b),''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and 
                identify the technical assistance to be provided 
                consistent with paragraph (3)'' after ``corrected'';
            (5) in subsection (e), by striking the last sentence and 
        inserting ``The information contained in such report shall be 
        made available to all parents with children receiving 
        assistance under this subchapter in an understandable and 
        uniform format, and to the extent practicable, provided in a 
        language that the parents can understand. Such information 
        shall be made widely available through public means such as 
        distribution through public agencies, and, at a minimum, by 
        posting such information on the Internet immediately upon 
        publication.''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Self-Assessments.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not less frequently than once each 
        program year, with the consultation and participation of policy 
        groups and, as appropriate, other community members, each 
        agency receiving funds under this subchapter shall conduct a 
        comprehensive self-assessment of the effectiveness and progress 
        in meeting programs goals and objectives and in implementing 
        and complying with Head Start program performance standards.
            ``(2) Report and improvement plans.--
                    ``(A) Report.--An agency conducting a self-
                assessment shall report the findings of the self-
                assessment to the relevant policy council, policy 
                committee, governing body, and regional office of the 
                Administration for Children and Families of the 
                Department of Health and Human Services. Each self-
                assessment shall identify areas of strength and 
                weakness.
                    ``(B) Improvement plan.--The agency shall develop 
                an improvement plan approved by the governing body of 
                the agency to strengthen any areas identified in the 
                self-assessment as weaknesses or in need of 
                improvement.
            ``(3) Ongoing monitoring.--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 the 
        operations of the programs work toward meeting program goals 
        and objectives and Head Start performance standards.
            ``(4) Training and technical assistance.--Funds may be made 
        available, through section 648(d)(13), for training and 
        technical assistance to assist agencies in conducting self-
        assessments.
    ``(g) Reduction of Grants and Redistribution of Funds in Cases of 
Under-Enrollment.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Actual enrollment.--The term `actual 
                enrollment' means, with respect to the program of a 
                Head Start agency, the actual number of children 
                enrolled in such program and reported by the agency (as 
                required in paragraph (2)) in a given month.
                    ``(B) Base grant.--The term `base grant' means, 
                with respect to a Head Start agency for a fiscal year, 
                that portion of the grant derived--
                            ``(i) from amounts reserved for use in 
                        accordance with section 640(a)(2)(A), for a 
                        Head Start agency administering an Indian Head 
                        Start program or migrant and seasonal Head 
                        Start program;
                            ``(ii) from amounts reserved for payments 
                        under section 640(a)(2)(B); or
                            ``(iii) from amounts available under 
                        section 640(a)(2)(D) or allotted among States 
                        under section 640(a)(4).
                    ``(C) Funded enrollment.--The term `funded 
                enrollment' means, with respect to the program of a 
                Head Start agency in a fiscal year, the number of 
                children that the agency is funded to serve through a 
                grant for the program during such fiscal year, as 
                indicated in the grant agreement.
            ``(2) Enrollment reporting requirement for current fiscal 
        year.--Each entity carrying out a Head Start program shall 
        report on a monthly basis to the Secretary and the relevant 
        Head Start agency--
                    ``(A) the actual enrollment in such program; and
                    ``(B) if such actual enrollment is less than the 
                funded enrollment, any apparent reason for such 
                enrollment shortfall.
            ``(3) Secretarial review and plan.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) on a semiannual basis, determine which Head 
                Start agencies are operating with an actual enrollment 
                that is less than the funded enrollment based on not 
                less than 4 consecutive months of data;
                    ``(B) for each such Head Start agency operating a 
                program with an actual enrollment that is less than 95 
                percent of its funded enrollment, as determined under 
                subparagraph (A), develop, in collaboration with such 
                agency, a plan and timetable for reducing or 
                eliminating under-enrollment taking into 
                consideration--
                            ``(i) the quality and extent of the 
                        outreach, recruitment, and community needs 
                        assessment conducted by such agency;
                            ``(ii) changing demographics, mobility of 
                        populations, and the identification of new 
                        underserved low-income populations;
                            ``(iii) facilities-related issues that may 
                        impact enrollment;
                            ``(iv) the ability to provide full-day 
                        programs, where needed, through Head Start 
                        funds or through collaboration with entities 
                        carrying out other preschool or child care 
                        programs, or programs with other funding 
                        sources (where available);
                            ``(v) the availability and use by families 
                        of other preschool and child care options 
                        (including parental care) in the local 
                        catchment area; and
                            ``(vi) agency management procedures that 
                        may impact enrollment; and
                    ``(C) provide timely and ongoing technical 
                assistance to each agency described in subparagraph (B) 
                for the purpose of implementing the plan described in 
                such subparagraph.
            ``(4) Implementation.--Upon receipt of the technical 
        assistance described in paragraph (3)(C), a Head Start agency 
        shall immediately implement the plan described in paragraph 
        (3)(B).
            ``(5) Secretarial action for continued under-enrollment.--
        If, 1 year after the date of implementation of the plan 
        described in paragraph (3)(B), the Head Start agency continues 
        to operate a program at less than full enrollment, the 
        Secretary shall, where determined appropriate, continue to 
        provide technical assistance to such agency.
            ``(6) Secretarial review and adjustment for chronic under-
        enrollment.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If, after receiving technical 
                assistance and developing and implementing a plan to 
                the extent described in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) 
                for 9 months, a Head Start agency is still operating a 
                program with an actual enrollment that is less than 95 
                percent of its funded enrollment, the Secretary may--
                            ``(i) designate such agency as chronically 
                        under-enrolled; and
                            ``(ii) recapture, withhold, or reduce the 
                        base grant for the program by a percentage 
                        equal to the percentage difference between 
                        funded enrollment and actual enrollment for the 
                        program for the most recent year in which the 
                        agency is determined to be under-enrolled under 
                        paragraph (2)(B).
                    ``(B) Waiver or limitation of reductions.--If the 
                Secretary, after the implementation of the plan 
                described in paragraph (3)(B), finds that--
                            ``(i) the causes of the enrollment 
                        shortfall, or a portion of the shortfall, are 
                        beyond the agency's control (such as serving 
                        significant numbers of migrant or seasonal 
                        farmworker children, homeless children, 
                        children in foster care, or other highly mobile 
                        children);
                            ``(ii) the shortfall can reasonably be 
                        expected to be temporary; or
                            ``(iii) the number of slots allotted to the 
                        agency is small enough that under-enrollment 
                        does not constitute a significant shortfall, 
                        the Secretary may, as appropriate, waive or 
                        reduce the percentage recapturing, withholding, 
                        or reduction otherwise required by subparagraph 
                        (A).
                    ``(C) Procedural requirements; effective date.--The 
                actions taken by the Secretary under this paragraph 
                with respect to a Head Start agency shall take effect 1 
                day after the date on which--
                            ``(i) the time allowed for appeal under 
                        section 646(a) expires without an appeal by the 
                        agency; or
                            ``(ii) the action is upheld in an 
                        administrative hearing under section 646.
            ``(7) Redistribution of funds.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall use amounts 
                recovered from a Head Start agency through recapturing, 
                withholding, or reduction under paragraph (6) in a 
                fiscal year--
                            ``(i) in the case of a Head Start agency 
                        administering an Indian Head Start program or a 
                        migrant and seasonal Head Start program, whose 
                        base grant is derived from amounts specified in 
                        paragraph (1)(C)(i), to redirect funds to 1 or 
                        more agencies that--
                                    ``(I) are administering Head Start 
                                programs serving the same special 
                                population; and
                                    ``(II) demonstrate that the 
                                agencies will use such redirected funds 
                                to increase enrollment in their Head 
                                Start programs in such fiscal year; or
                            ``(ii) in the case of a Head Start agency 
                        in a State, whose base grant is derived from 
                        amounts specified in clause (ii) or (iii) of 
                        paragraph (1)(C), to redirect funds to 1 or 
                        more agencies that--
                                    ``(I) are administering Head Start 
                                programs in the same State; and
                                    ``(II) make the demonstration 
                                described in clause (i)(II).
                    ``(B) Special rule.--If there is no agency located 
                in a State that meets the requirements of subclauses 
                (I) and (II) of subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary 
                shall use amounts described in subparagraph (A) to 
                redirect funds to Head Start agencies located in other 
                States that make the demonstration described in 
                subparagraph (A)(i)(II).
                    ``(C) Adjustment to funded enrollment.--The 
                Secretary shall adjust as necessary the requirements 
                relating to funded enrollment indicated in the grant 
                agreement of a Head Start agency receiving 
                redistributed amounts under this paragraph.
    ``(h) Contract With Nonprofit Intermediary Organization.--From 
funds reserved under clause (i) or (ii) of section 640(a)(2)(C) or from 
whatever other resources the Secretary determines appropriate, in 
carrying out the provisions of this section, the Secretary or a Head 
Start agency may contract with a nonprofit intermediary organization 
that--
            ``(1) provides evaluations and technical assistance to 
        improve overall performance management; and
            ``(2) has an exclusive focus of improving the performance 
        management and the use of technology in assessing performance 
        and meeting Head Start regulations and can provide on-site, 
        hands-on guidance with the implementation of the 
        recommendations.''.

SEC. 9. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.

    The Head Start Act is amended by inserting after section 641A (42 
U.S.C. 9836a) the following:

``SEC. 641B. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.

    ``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `center of excellence' 
means a Center of Excellence in Early Childhood designated under 
subsection (b).
    ``(b) Designation and Bonus Grants.--The Secretary shall, subject 
to the availability of funds under this subchapter, including under 
subsection (f), establish a program under which the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) designate not more than 200 exemplary Head Start 
        agencies (including Early Head Start agencies, Indian Head 
        Start agencies, and migrant and seasonal Head Start agencies) 
        as Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood; and
            ``(2) make bonus grants to the centers of excellence to 
        carry out the activities described in subsection (d).
    ``(c) Application and Designation.--
            ``(1) Application.--
                    ``(A) Nomination and submission.--
                            ``(i) In general.--To be eligible to 
                        receive a designation as a center of excellence 
                        under subsection (b), except as provided in 
                        clause (ii), a Head Start agency in a State 
                        shall be nominated by the Governor of the State 
                        and shall submit an application to the 
                        Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
                        containing such information as the Secretary 
                        may require.
                            ``(ii) Indian and migrant and seasonal head 
                        start programs.--In the case of an Indian Head 
                        Start agency or a migrant or seasonal Head 
                        Start agency, to be eligible to receive a 
                        designation as a center of excellence under 
                        subsection (b), such an agency shall be 
                        nominated by the head of the appropriate 
                        regional office of the Department and Health 
                        and Human Services and shall submit an 
                        application to the Secretary in accordance with 
                        clause (i).
                    ``(B) Contents.--At a minimum, the application 
                shall include--
                            ``(i) evidence that the Head Start program 
                        carried out by the agency has significantly 
                        improved the school readiness of, and enhanced 
                        academic outcomes for, children who have 
                        participated in the program;
                            ``(ii) evidence that the program meets or 
                        exceeds standards and performance measures 
                        described in subsections (a) and (b) of section 
                        641A, as evidenced by successful completion of 
                        programmatic and monitoring reviews, and has no 
                        findings of deficiencies with respect to the 
                        standards and measures;
                            ``(iii) evidence that the program is making 
                        progress toward meeting the requirements 
                        described in section 648A;
                            ``(iv) evidence demonstrating the existence 
                        of a collaborative partnership among the Head 
                        Start agency, the State (or a State agency), 
                        and other early care and education providers in 
                        the local community involved;
                            ``(v) a nomination letter from the 
                        Governor, or appropriate regional office, 
                        demonstrating the agency's ability to carry out 
                        the coordination, transition, and training 
                        services of the program to be carried out under 
                        the bonus grant involved, including 
                        coordination of activities with State and local 
                        agencies that provide early childhood services 
                        to children and families in the community 
                        served by the agency;
                            ``(vi) information demonstrating the 
                        existence of a local council for excellence in 
                        early childhood, which shall include 
                        representatives of all the institutions, 
                        agencies, and groups involved in the work of 
                        the center for, and the local provision of 
                        services to, eligible children and other at-
                        risk children, and their families; and
                            ``(vii) a description of how the Center, in 
                        order to expand accessibility and continuity of 
                        quality early care and education, will 
                        coordinate the early care and education 
                        activities assisted under this section with--
                                    ``(I) programs carried out under 
                                the Child Care and Development Block 
                                Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et 
                                seq.);
                                    ``(II) other programs carried out 
                                under this subchapter, including the 
                                Early Head Start programs carried out 
                                under section 645A;
                                    ``(III)(aa) Early Reading First and 
                                Even Start programs carried out 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.);
                                    ``(bb) other preschool programs 
                                carried out under title I of that Act 
                                (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); and
                                    ``(cc) the Ready-to-Learn 
                                Television program carried out under 
                                subpart 3 of part D of title II of that 
                                Act (20 U.S.C. 6775 et seq.);
                                    ``(IV) programs carried out under 
                                part C of the Individuals with 
                                Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
                                1431 et seq.);
                                    ``(V) State prekindergarten 
                                programs; and
                                    ``(VI) other early care and 
                                education programs.
            ``(2) Selection.--In selecting agencies to designate as 
        centers of excellence under subsection (b), the Secretary shall 
        designate not less than 1 from each of the 50 States, the 
        District of Columbia, an Indian Head Start program, a migrant 
        and seasonal Head Start program, and the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico.
            ``(3) Priority.--In making bonus grant determinations under 
        this section, the Secretary shall give priority to programs 
        that, through their applications, demonstrate that they are of 
        exceptional quality and would serve as exemplary models for 
        programs in the same geographic region. The Secretary may also 
        consider the population served by the applicant, such as 
        programs that serve large proportions of limited English 
        proficient students or other underserved populations, and may 
        make bonus grants to programs that do an exceptional job 
        meeting the needs of such children.
            ``(4) Term of designation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                Secretary shall designate a Head Start agency as a 
                center of excellence for a 5-year term. During the 
                period of that designation, subject to the availability 
                of appropriations, the agency shall be eligible to 
                receive a bonus grant under subsection (b).
                    ``(B) Revocation.--The Secretary may revoke an 
                agency's designation under subsection (b) if the 
                Secretary determines that the agency is not 
                demonstrating adequate performance or has had findings 
                of deficiencies described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii).
            ``(5) Amount of bonus grant.--The Secretary shall base the 
        amount of funding provided through a bonus grant made under 
        subsection (b) to a center of excellence on the number of 
        children eligible for Head Start services in the community 
        involved. The Secretary shall, subject to the availability of 
        funding, make such a bonus grant in an amount of not less than 
        $200,000 per year.
    ``(d) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) Activities.--A center of excellence that receives a 
        bonus grant under subsection (b) may use the funds made 
        available through the bonus grant--
                    ``(A) to provide Head Start services to additional 
                eligible children;
                    ``(B) to better meet the needs of working families 
                in the community served by the center by serving more 
                children in existing Early Head Start programs 
                (existing as of the date the center is designated under 
                this section) or in full-working-day, full calendar 
                year Head Start programs;
                    ``(C) to model and disseminate best practices for 
                achieving early academic success, including achieving 
                school readiness and developing prereading and 
                premathematics skills for at-risk children and 
                achieving the acquisition of the English language for 
                limited English proficient children, and to provide 
                seamless service delivery for eligible children and 
                their families;
                    ``(D) to further coordinate early childhood and 
                social services available in the community served by 
                the center for at-risk children (birth through age 8), 
                their families, and pregnant women;
                    ``(E) to provide training and cross training for 
                Head Start teachers and staff, child care providers, 
                public and private preschool and elementary school 
                teachers, and other providers of early childhood 
                services, and training and cross training to develop 
                agency leaders;
                    ``(F) to provide effective transitions between Head 
                Start programs and elementary school, to facilitate 
                ongoing communication between Head Start and elementary 
                school teachers concerning children receiving Head 
                Start services, and to provide training and technical 
                assistance to providers who are public elementary 
                school teachers and other staff of local educational 
                agencies, child care providers, family service 
                providers, and other providers of early childhood 
                services, to help the providers described in this 
                subparagraph increase their ability to work with low-
                income, at-risk children and their families;
                    ``(G) to develop or maintain partnerships with 
                institutions of higher education and nonprofit 
                organizations, including community-based organizations, 
                that recruit, train, place, and support college 
                students to serve as mentors and reading coaches to 
                preschool children in Head Start programs; and
                    ``(H) to carry out other activities determined by 
                the center to improve the overall quality of the Head 
                Start program carried out by the agency and the program 
                carried out under the bonus grant involved.
            ``(2) Involvement of other head start agencies and 
        providers.--A center that receives a bonus grant under 
        subsection (b), in carrying out activities under this 
        subsection, shall work with the center's delegate agencies, 
        several additional Head Start agencies, and other providers of 
        early childhood services in the community involved, to 
        encourage the agencies and providers described in this sentence 
        to carry out model programs.
    ``(e) Research and Reports.--
            ``(1) Research.--The Secretary shall, subject to the 
        availability of funds to carry out this subsection, make a 
        grant to an independent organization to conduct research on the 
        ability of the centers of excellence to improve the school 
        readiness of children receiving Head Start services, and to 
        positively impact school results in the earliest grades. The 
        organization shall also conduct research to measure the success 
        of the centers of excellence at encouraging the center's 
        delegate agencies, additional Head Start agencies, and other 
        providers of early childhood services in the communities 
        involved to meet measurable improvement goals, particularly in 
        the area of school readiness.
            ``(2) Report.--Not later than 48 months after the date of 
        enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School Readiness 
        Act, the organization shall prepare and submit to the Secretary 
        and Congress a report containing the results of the research 
        described in paragraph (1).
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated for fiscal year 2006 and each subsequent fiscal year--
            ``(1) $90,000,000 to make bonus grants to centers of 
        excellence under subsection (b) to carry out activities 
        described in subsection (d);
            ``(2) $2,500,000 to pay for the administrative costs of the 
        Secretary in carrying out this section, including the cost of a 
        conference of centers of excellence; and
            ``(3) $2,000,000 for research activities described in 
        subsection (e).''.

SEC. 10. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGENCIES.

    Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837) is amended to 
read as follows:

``SEC. 642. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGENCIES.

    ``(a) In General.--In order to be designated as a Head Start agency 
under this subchapter, an agency shall have authority under its charter 
or applicable law to receive and administer funds provided under this 
subchapter, funds and contributions from private or local public 
sources that may be used in support of a Head Start program, and funds 
provided under any Federal or State assistance program pursuant to 
which a public or private nonprofit or for-profit agency (as the case 
may be) organized in accordance with this subchapter, could act as a 
grantee, contractor, or sponsor of projects appropriate for inclusion 
in a Head Start program. Such an agency shall also be empowered to 
transfer funds so received, and to delegate powers to other agencies, 
subject to the powers of its governing board and its overall program 
responsibilities. The power to transfer funds and delegate powers shall 
include the power to make transfers and delegations covering component 
projects in all cases in which that power will contribute to efficiency 
and effectiveness or otherwise further program objectives.
    ``(b) Additional Requirements.--In order to be designated as a Head 
Start agency under this subchapter, a Head Start agency shall also--
            ``(1) establish a program with all standards set forth in 
        section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to the standards 
        set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such section;
            ``(2) demonstrate the capacity to serve eligible children 
        with scientifically based curricula and other interventions and 
        support services that help promote the school readiness of 
        children participating in the program;
            ``(3) establish effective procedures and provide for the 
        regular assessment of Head Start children, including 
        observational and direct formal assessment, where appropriate;
            ``(4) seek the involvement of parents, area residents, and 
        local business in the design and implementation of the program;
            ``(5) provide for the regular participation of parents and 
        area residents in the implementation of the program;
            ``(6) provide technical and other support needed to enable 
        such parents and area residents to secure, on their own behalf, 
        available assistance from public and private sources;
            ``(7) establish effective procedures to facilitate the 
        involvement of parents of participating children in activities 
        designed to help such parents become full partners in the 
        education of their children, and to afford such parents the 
        opportunity to participate in the development and overall 
        conduct of the program at the local level;
            ``(8) conduct outreach to schools in which Head Start 
        children will enroll, local educational agencies, the local 
        business community, community-based organizations, faith-based 
        organizations, museums, and libraries to generate support and 
        leverage the resources of the entire local community in order 
        to improve school readiness;
            ``(9) offer (directly or through referral to local 
        entities, such as entities carrying out 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.)), to 
        parents of participating children, family literacy services, 
        and parenting skills training;
            ``(10) offer to parents of participating children substance 
        abuse and other counseling (either directly or through referral 
        to local entities), if needed, including information on the 
        effect of drug exposure on infants and fetal alcohol syndrome;
            ``(11) at the option of such agency, offer (directly or 
        through referral to local entities), to such parents--
                    ``(A) training in basic child development 
                (including cognitive development);
                    ``(B) assistance in developing literacy and 
                communication skills;
                    ``(C) opportunities to share experiences with other 
                parents (including parent mentor relationships);
                    ``(D) regular in-home visitation; or
                    ``(E) any other activity designed to help such 
                parents become full partners in the education of their 
                children;
            ``(12) provide, with respect to each participating family, 
        a family needs assessment that includes consultation with such 
        parents (including foster parents and grandparents, where 
        applicable) about the benefits of parent involvement and about 
        the activities described in this subsection in which such 
        parents may choose to be involved (taking into consideration 
        their specific family needs, work schedules, and other 
        responsibilities);
            ``(13) consider providing services to assist younger 
        siblings of children participating in its Head Start program, 
        to obtain health services from other sources;
            ``(14) perform community outreach to encourage individuals 
        previously unaffiliated with Head Start programs to participate 
        in its Head Start program as volunteers;
            ``(15)(A) inform custodial parents in single-parent 
        families that participate in programs, activities, or services 
        carried out or provided under this subchapter about the 
        availability of child support services for purposes of 
        establishing paternity and acquiring child support; and
            ``(B) refer eligible parents to the child support offices 
        of State and local governments;
            ``(16) provide parents of limited English proficient 
        children outreach and information in an understandable and 
        uniform format and, to the extent practicable, in a language 
        that the parents can understand; and
            ``(17) at the option of such agency, partner with an 
        institution of higher education and a nonprofit organization to 
        provide college students with the opportunity to serve as 
        mentors or reading coaches to Head Start participants.
    ``(c) Transition Activities to Facilitate Continued Progress.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each Head Start agency shall collaborate 
        with the entities listed in this subsection, to the maximum 
        extent possible, to ensure the successful transition of Head 
        Start children to school, so that such children are able to 
        build upon the developmental and educational gains achieved in 
        Head Start programs in further schooling.
            ``(2) Coordination.--
                    ``(A) Local educational agency.--In communities 
                where both public prekindergarten programs and Head 
                Start programs operate, a Head Start agency shall 
                collaborate and coordinate activities with the local 
                educational agency or other public agency responsible 
                for the operation of the prekindergarten program and 
                providers of prekindergarten, including outreach 
                activities to identify eligible children.
                    ``(B) Elementary schools.--Head Start staff shall, 
                with the permission of the parents of children enrolled 
                in Head Start programs, regularly communicate with the 
                elementary schools such children will be attending to--
                            ``(i) share information about such 
                        children;
                            ``(ii) get advice and support from the 
                        teachers in such elementary schools regarding 
                        teaching strategies and options; and
                            ``(iii) ensure a smooth transition to 
                        elementary school for such children.
                    ``(C) Other programs.--The head of each Head Start 
                agency shall coordinate activities and collaborate with 
                the State agency responsible for administering the 
                State program carried out under the Child Care and 
                Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et 
                seq.), other entities carrying out early childhood 
                education and development programs, and the agencies 
                responsible for administering section 106 of the Child 
                Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a), 
                parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act 
                (42 U.S.C. 620 et seq. and 670 et seq.), 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 programs under section 619 
                and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities 
                Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.), serving 
                the children and families served by the Head Start 
                agency.
            ``(3) Collaboration.--A Head Start agency shall take steps 
        to coordinate activities with the local educational agency 
        serving the community involved and with schools in which 
        children participating in a Head Start program operated by such 
        agency will enroll following such program, including--
                    ``(A) collaborating on the shared use of 
                transportation and facilities;
                    ``(B) collaborating to reduce the duplication of 
                services while increasing the program participation of 
                underserved populations of eligible children; and
                    ``(C) exchanging information on the provision of 
                noneducational services to such children.
            ``(4) Parental involvement.--In order to promote the 
        continued involvement of the parents of children that 
        participate in Head Start programs in the education of their 
        children upon transition to school, the Head Start agency 
        shall--
                    ``(A) provide training to the parents--
                            ``(i) to inform the parents about their 
                        rights and responsibilities concerning the 
                        education of their children; and
                            ``(ii) to enable the parents--
                                    ``(I) to understand and work with 
                                schools in order to communicate with 
                                teachers and other school personnel;
                                    ``(II) to support the schoolwork of 
                                their children; and
                                    ``(III) to participate as 
                                appropriate in decisions relating to 
                                the education of their children; and
                    ``(B) take other actions, as appropriate and 
                feasible, to support the active involvement of the 
                parents with schools, school personnel, and school-
                related organizations.
    ``(d) Assessment.--Each Head Start agency shall adopt, in 
consultation with experts in child development and with classroom 
teachers, an assessment to be used when hiring or evaluating any 
classroom teacher in a center-based Head Start program. Such assessment 
shall measure whether such teacher has mastered the functions described 
in section 648A(a)(1) and attained a level of literacy appropriate to 
implement Head Start curricula.
    ``(e) Funded Enrollment; Waiting List.--Each Head Start agency 
shall enroll 100 percent of its funded enrollment and maintain an 
active waiting list at all times with ongoing outreach to the community 
and activities to identify underserved populations.
    ``(f) Technical Assistance and Training Plan.--In order to receive 
funds under this subchapter, a Head Start agency shall develop an 
annual technical assistance and training plan. Such plan shall be based 
on the agency's self-assessment, the community needs assessment, and 
the needs of parents to be served by such agency.''.

SEC. 11. HEAD START TRANSITION.

    Section 642A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837a) is amended to 
read as follows:

``SEC. 642A. HEAD START TRANSITION AND ALIGNMENT WITH K-12 EDUCATION.

    ``Each Head Start agency shall take steps to coordinate activities 
with the local educational agency serving the community involved and 
with schools in which children participating in a Head Start program 
operated by such agency will enroll following such program, including--
            ``(1) developing and implementing a systematic procedure 
        for transferring, with parental consent, Head Start program 
        records for each participating child to the school in which 
        such child will enroll;
            ``(2) establishing ongoing channels of communication 
        between Head Start staff and their counterparts in the schools 
        (including teachers, social workers, health staff, and 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))) to facilitate coordination of 
        programs;
            ``(3) developing continuity of developmentally appropriate 
        curricula and practice between the Head Start agency and local 
        educational agency to ensure an effective transition and 
        appropriate shared expectations for children's learning and 
        development as the children make the transition to school;
            ``(4) conducting meetings involving parents, kindergarten 
        or elementary school teachers, and Head Start teachers to 
        discuss the educational, developmental, and other needs of 
        individual children;
            ``(5) organizing and participating in joint training, 
        including transition-related training of school staff and Head 
        Start staff;
            ``(6) developing and implementing a family outreach and 
        support program, in cooperation with entities carrying out 
        parental involvement efforts under title I of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), 
        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.), taking into consideration the language 
        needs of limited English proficient parents;
            ``(7) assisting families, administrators, and teachers in 
        enhancing educational and developmental continuity and 
        continuity of parental involvement in activities between Head 
        Start services and elementary school classes;
            ``(8) linking the services provided in such Head Start 
        program with the education services, including services 
        relating to language, literacy, and numeracy, provided by such 
        local educational agency;
            ``(9) helping parents understand the importance of parental 
        involvement in a child's academic success while teaching the 
        parents strategies for maintaining parental involvement as 
        their child moves from the Head Start program to elementary 
        school;
            ``(10) developing and implementing a system to increase 
        program participation of underserved populations of eligible 
        children, including children with disabilities, homeless 
        children, children in foster care, and limited English 
        proficient children; and
            ``(11) coordinating activities and collaborating to ensure 
        that curricula used in the Head Start program is aligned with 
        State early learning standards with regard to cognitive, 
        social, emotional, and physical competencies that children 
        entering kindergarten are expected to demonstrate.''.

SEC. 12. SUBMISSION OF PLANS TO GOVERNORS.

    Section 643 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9838) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``45'' and inserting 
        ``30''; and
            (2) in the last sentence, by inserting ``to Indian and 
        migrant and seasonal Head Start programs in existence on the 
        date of enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School 
        Readiness Act, or'' after ``other assistance''.

SEC. 13. PARTICIPATION IN HEAD START PROGRAMS.

    Section 645(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840(a)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``130 percent 
                of'' after ``below''; and
                    (B) in the flush matter at the end, by adding at 
                the end the following: ``A homeless child shall be 
                deemed eligible for Head Start services.''; and
            (2) 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 following amounts of pay and allowance of a member of the 
uniformed services shall not be considered to be income for purposes of 
determining the eligibility of a dependent of such member for programs 
funded under this subchapter:
            ``(i) The amount of any special pay payable under section 
        310 if title 37, United States Code, relating to duty subject 
        to hostile fire or imminent danger.
            ``(ii) The amount of basic allowance payable under section 
        403 of such title, including any such amount that is provided 
        on behalf of the member 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.
    ``(4) After demonstrating a need through a community needs 
assessment, a Head Start agency may apply to the Secretary to convert 
part-day sessions, particularly consecutive part-day sessions, into 
full-day sessions.''.

SEC. 14. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.

    Section 645A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a) is amended--
            (1) by striking the section heading and inserting the 
        following:

``SEC. 645A. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.'';

            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``provide 
                services to parents to support their role as parents'' 
                and inserting ``provide additional services to parents 
                to support their role as parents (including parenting 
                skills training and training in basic child 
                development)'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), (7), (8), 
                and (9) as paragraphs (6), (7), (10), (11), and (12), 
                respectively;
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
            ``(5) where appropriate and in conjunction with services 
        provided under this section to the children's immediate 
        families (or as approved by the Secretary), provide home-based 
        services to family child care homes and kin caregivers caring 
        for infants and toddlers who also participate in Early Head 
        Start programs, to provide continuity in supporting the 
        children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual 
        development;'';
                    (D) in paragraph (6), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by inserting ``(including home-based 
                        services)'' after ``with services'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``and homeless infants 
                        and toddlers'' after ``disabilities''; and
                            (iii) by inserting ``, and family support 
                        services'' after ``health services'';
                    (E) by inserting after paragraph (7), as 
                redesignated by subparagraph (B), the following:
            ``(8) develop and implement a systematic procedure for 
        transitioning children and parents from an Early Head Start 
        program into a Head Start program or another local early 
        childhood education program;
            ``(9) establish channels of communication between staff of 
        Early Head Start programs and staff of Head Start programs or 
        other local early childhood education programs, to facilitate 
        the coordination of programs;''; and
                    (F) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by striking ``and providers'' and 
                        inserting ``, providers''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``, and the agencies 
                        responsible for administering section 106 of 
                        the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act 
                        (42 U.S.C. 5106a) and parts B and E of title IV 
                        of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 620 et 
                        seq. and 670 et seq.)'' after ``(20 U.S.C. 1400 
                        et seq.)'';
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, including 
                tribal governments and entities operating migrant and 
                seasonal Head Start programs'' after ``subchapter''; 
                and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, including 
                community-based organizations'' after ``private 
                entities'';
            (4) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking clause (iv) and 
        inserting the following:
                            ``(iv) providing professional development 
                        and personnel enhancement activities, including 
                        the provision of funds to recipients of grants 
                        under subsection (a), relating to--
                                    ``(I) effective methods of 
                                conducting parent education, home 
                                visiting, and promoting quality early 
                                childhood development;
                                    ``(II) recruiting and retaining 
                                qualified staff; and
                                    ``(III) increasing program 
                                participation for underserved 
                                populations of eligible children.'';
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Staff Qualifications and Development.--
            ``(1) Center-based staff.--The Secretary shall ensure that, 
        not later than September 30, 2010, all teachers providing 
        direct services to Early Head Start children and families in 
        Early Head Start centers have a minimum of a child development 
        associate credential or an associate degree, and have been 
        trained (or have equivalent course work) in early childhood 
        development.
            ``(2) Home visitor staff.--
                    ``(A) Standards.--In order to further enhance the 
                quality of home visiting services provided to families 
                of children participating in home-based, center-based, 
                or combination program options under this subchapter, 
                the Secretary shall establish standards for training, 
                qualifications, and the conduct of home visits for home 
                visitor staff in Early Head Start programs.
                    ``(B) Contents.--The standards for training, 
                qualifications, and the conduct of home visits shall 
                include content related to--
                            ``(i) structured child-focused home 
                        visiting that promotes parents' ability to 
                        support the child's cognitive, social, 
                        emotional, and physical development;
                            ``(ii) effective strengths-based parent 
                        education, including methods to encourage 
                        parents as their child's first teachers;
                            ``(iii) early childhood development with 
                        respect to children from birth through age 3;
                            ``(iv) methods to help parents promote 
                        emergent literacy in their children from birth 
                        through age 3, including use of research-based 
                        strategies to support the development of 
                        literacy and language skills for children who 
                        are limited English proficient;
                            ``(v) health, vision, hearing, and 
                        developmental screenings;
                            ``(vi) strategies for helping families 
                        coping with crisis; and
                            ``(vii) the relationship of health and 
                        well-being of pregnant women to prenatal and 
                        early child development.''.

SEC. 15. APPEALS, NOTICE, AND HEARING AND RECORDS AND AUDITS.

    (a) Appeals.--Section 646(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9841(a)) is amended by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and inserting 
the following:
            ``(3) financial assistance under this subchapter may be 
        terminated or reduced, and an application for refunding may be 
        denied, after the recipient has been afforded reasonable notice 
        and opportunity for a full and fair hearing, including--
                    ``(A) a right to file a notice of appeal of a 
                decision within 30 days of notice of the decision from 
                the Secretary; and
                    ``(B) access to a full and fair hearing of the 
                appeal, not later than 120 days from receipt by the 
                Secretary of the notice of appeal;
            ``(4) the Secretary shall develop and publish procedures 
        (including mediation procedures) to be used in order to--
                    ``(A) resolve in a timely manner conflicts 
                potentially leading to an adverse action between--
                            ``(i) recipients of financial assistance 
                        under this subchapter; and
                            ``(ii) delegate agencies or Head Start 
                        Parent Policy Councils;
                    ``(B) avoid the need for an administrative hearing 
                on an adverse action; and
                    ``(C) prohibit a Head Start agency from expending 
                financial assistance awarded under this subchapter for 
                the purpose of paying legal fees pursuant to an appeal 
                under paragraph (3), except that such fees shall be 
                reimbursed by the Secretary if the agency prevails in 
                such decision; and
            ``(5) the Secretary may suspend funds to a grantee under 
        this subchapter--
                    ``(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), for 
                not more than 30 days; or
                    ``(B) in the case of a grantee under this 
                subchapter that has multiple and recurring deficiencies 
                for a period of 6 months and has not made substantial 
                and significant progress toward meeting the goals of 
                the grantee's quality improvement plan or eliminating 
                all deficiencies identified by the Secretary, during 
                the hearing of an appeal described in paragraph (3), 
                for any amount of time, including permanently.''.
    (b) Recipients.--Section 647(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9842(a)) is amended by striking ``Each recipient of'' and inserting 
``Each Head Start agency, Head Start center, or Early Head Start center 
receiving''.
    (c) Accounting.--Section 647 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9842) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Each Head Start agency, Head Start center, or Early Head 
Start center receiving financial assistance under this subchapter shall 
maintain, and annually submit to the Secretary, a complete accounting 
of its administrative expenses, including expenses for salaries and 
compensation funded under this subchapter and provide such additional 
documentation as the Secretary may require.''.

SEC. 16. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.

    Section 648 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2), 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) The Secretary shall make available funds set aside in section 
640(a)(2)(C)(ii) to support a regional or State system of early 
childhood education training and technical assistance that improves the 
capacity of Head Start programs to deliver services in accordance with 
the standards described in section 641A(a)(1), with particular 
attention to the standards described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
such section. The Secretary shall--
            ``(1) 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 Associations, State agencies, migrant and 
        seasonal Head Start programs, and other entities providing 
        training and technical assistance in early education, for the 
        region or State are included in the planning and coordination 
        of the system; and
            ``(2) encourage States to supplement the funds authorized 
        in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) with Federal, State, or local funds 
        other than Head Start funds, to expand training and technical 
        assistance activities beyond Head Start agencies to include 
        other providers of other early childhood services within a 
        region or State.'';
            (4) in subsection (d), as so redesignated--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), by striking 
                ``educational performance measures'' and inserting 
                ``measures'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and for 
                activities described in section 1221(b)(3) of the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 6371(b)(3))'' after ``children with 
                disabilities'';
                    (C) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``, including 
                assessing the needs of homeless children and their 
                families'' after ``needs assessment'';
                    (D) in paragraph (10), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (E) in paragraph (11), by striking the period and 
                inserting a semicolon; and
                    (F) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(12) assist Head Start agencies and programs in 
        increasing the program participation of homeless children;
            ``(13) provide training and technical assistance to members 
        of governing bodies to ensure that the members can fulfill the 
        functions described in section 641(a)(4);
            ``(14) provide training and technical assistance to Head 
        Start agencies to assist such agencies in conducting self-
        assessments; and
            ``(15) assist Head Start agencies and Head Start programs 
        in improving outreach to, and quality of services available to, 
        limited English proficient children and their families, 
        including such services to help such families learn English, 
        particularly in communities that have experienced a large 
        percentage increase in the population of limited English 
        proficient individuals, as measured by the Bureau of the 
        Census.'';
            (5) in subsection (e), as so redesignated, by inserting 
        ``including community-based organizations,'' after ``nonprofit 
        entities,'';
            (6) in subsection (f), as so redesignated, by inserting 
        ``or providing services to children determined to be abused or 
        neglected, training for personnel providing services to 
        children referred by entities providing child welfare services 
        or receiving child welfare services,'' after ``English 
        language),''; and
            (7) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) The Secretary shall provide, either directly or through 
grants or other arrangements, funds for training of Head Start 
personnel in addressing the unique needs of migrant and seasonal 
farmworking families, families with limited English proficiency, and 
homeless families.
    ``(h) Funds used under this section shall be used to provide high 
quality, sustained, and intensive, training and technical assistance in 
order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction. 
Funds shall be used to carry out activities related to 1 or more of the 
following:
            ``(1) Education and early childhood 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.
    ``(i) Funds used under this section for training shall be used for 
needs identified annually by a grant applicant or delegate agency in 
its program improvement plan, except that funds shall not be used for 
long-distance travel expenses for training activities--
            ``(1) available locally or regionally; or
            ``(2) substantially similar to locally or regionally 
        available training activities.
    ``(j)(1) 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 
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 subsection 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) 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) The literacy training shall be culturally and linguistically 
appropriate and support children's development in their home language.
    ``(4) The literacy training shall include training in how to work 
with parents to enhance positive language and early literacy 
development at home.
    ``(5) The literacy training shall include specific methods to best 
address the needs of children who are English language learners or are 
limited English proficient.
    ``(6) The literacy training shall include specific methods to best 
address the needs of children who have speech and language delays, 
including problems with articulation, or have other disabilities.''.

SEC. 17. STAFF QUALIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 648A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) Degree requirements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure 
                that--
                            ``(i) not later than September 30, 2010, 
                        all Head Start teachers in center-based 
                        programs have at least--
                                    ``(I)(aa) an associate degree (or 
                                equivalent coursework) relating to 
                                early childhood; or
                                    ``(bb) an associate degree in a 
                                related educational area and, to the 
                                extent practicable, coursework relating 
                                to early childhood; and
                                    ``(II) demonstrated teaching 
                                competencies, as determined by the 
                                program director involved (including, 
                                at a minimum, an appropriate level of 
                                literacy, a demonstrated capacity to be 
                                highly engaged with children, and a 
                                demonstrated ability to effectively 
                                implement an early childhood 
                                curriculum); and
                            ``(ii) not later than September 30, 2008, 
                        all Head Start curriculum specialists and 
                        education coordinators in center-based programs 
                        have--
                                    ``(I) the capacity to offer 
                                assistance to other teachers in the 
                                implementation and adaptation of 
                                curricula to the group and individual 
                                needs of a class; and
                                    ``(II)(aa) a baccalaureate or 
                                advanced degree relating to early 
                                childhood; or
                                    ``(bb) a baccalaureate or advanced 
                                degree and coursework equivalent to a 
                                major relating to early childhood;
                            ``(iii) not later than September 30, 2008, 
                        all Head Start teaching assistants in center-
                        based programs have--
                                    ``(I) at least a child development 
                                associate credential;
                                    ``(II) enrolled in a program 
                                leading to an associate or 
                                baccalaureate degree; or
                                    ``(III) enrolled in a child 
                                development associate credential 
                                program to be completed within 2 years; 
                                and
                            ``(iv) not later than September 30, 2011--
                                    ``(I) in States that have 
                                established teacher requirements for 
                                State prekindergarten programs, all 
                                Head Start teachers in center-based 
                                programs--
                                            ``(aa) if such requirements 
                                        are not less than those 
                                        requirements described in 
                                        subclause (II), meet such 
                                        teacher requirements for State 
                                        prekindergarten programs; and
                                            ``(bb) if such requirements 
                                        are less than those 
                                        requirements described in 
                                        subclause (II), meet the 
                                        requirements described in 
                                        subclause (II); and
                                    ``(II) in States that do not have 
                                an established State prekindergarten 
                                program or in States that do not have 
                                established teacher requirements for 
                                their State prekindergarten programs, 
                                50 percent of all Head Start teachers 
                                in each center-based program have a 
                                baccalaureate degree relating to early 
                                childhood (or a related educational 
                                area or a baccalaureate degree that 
                                meets State specialized training 
                                requirements for prekindergarten 
                                teachers, such as State licensure, 
                                endorsement, or certification for 
                                prekindergarten or other early 
                                childhood area), and demonstrated 
                                teaching competencies, as determined by 
                                the program director involved 
                                (including, at a minimum, an 
                                appropriate level of literacy, a 
                                demonstrated capacity to be highly 
                                engaged with children, and a 
                                demonstrated ability to effectively 
                                implement an early childhood 
                                curriculum).
                    ``(B) Teacher in-service requirement.--Each Head 
                Start teacher shall attend an average of not less than 
                15 clock hours of professional development per year. 
                Such professional development shall be high quality, 
                sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused in order to 
                have a positive and lasting impact on classroom 
                instruction and the teacher's performance in the 
                classroom, and regularly evaluated for effectiveness.
                    ``(C) Progress.--
                            ``(i) Report.--The Secretary shall--
                                    ``(I) require Head Start agencies 
                                to--
                                            ``(aa) demonstrate 
                                        continuing progress each year 
                                        to reach the result described 
                                        in subparagraph (A);
                                            ``(bb) submit to the 
                                        Secretary a report indicating 
                                        the number and percentage of 
                                        classroom instructors in 
                                        center-based programs with 
                                        child development associate 
                                        credentials or associate, 
                                        baccalaureate, or graduate 
                                        degrees; and
                                    ``(II) compile and submit a summary 
                                of all program reports described in 
                                subclause (I)(bb) 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.
                            ``(ii) Demonstrate progress.--A Head Start 
                        agency may demonstrate progress by partnering 
                        with institutions of higher education or other 
                        programs that recruit, train, place, and 
                        support college students to deliver an 
                        innovative early learning program to preschool 
                        children.
                    ``(D) 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 or work in a Head Start program 
                        for a minimum of 3 years after receiving the 
                        degree; or
                            ``(ii) repay the total or a prorated amount 
                        of the financial assistance received based on 
                        the length of service completed after receiving 
                        the degree.''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(3) Waiver.--
                    ``(A) In general.--On request, the Secretary may 
                grant a waiver of the postsecondary degree requirements 
                of paragraph (2) for 1 or more Head Start agencies, 
                either individually, statewide, or throughout a region, 
                that can demonstrate--
                            ``(i) that continuing aggressive statewide 
                        and national efforts have been unsuccessful at 
                        recruiting an individual to serve as a Head 
                        Start teacher or curriculum specialist or 
                        education coordinator who meets the 
                        requirements of paragraph (2)(A);
                            ``(ii) limited access to degree programs 
                        (including quality distance learning programs), 
                        due to the remote location of the program 
                        involved; or
                            ``(iii) that Head Start staff members are, 
                        as of the day the waiver is granted, enrolled 
                        in a program that--
                                    ``(I) grants the required degree; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) will be completed within 1 
                                year.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--An agency that receives a waiver 
                under subparagraph (A) shall ensure that Head Start 
                teachers for the agency, as of the day the waiver is 
                granted, who have not met the postsecondary degree 
                requirements of paragraph (2) but are otherwise highly 
                qualified and competent shall be directly and 
                appropriately supervised by a teacher who has met or 
                exceeded the requirements of this subchapter.
                    ``(C) Duration.--The Secretary may not grant a 
                waiver under subparagraph (A) for a period that exceeds 
                1 year.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) promote the use of appropriate strategies to meet the 
        needs of special populations (including limited English 
        proficient populations).'';
            (3) in subsection (d)(3)(C) by inserting ``, including a 
        center,'' after ``any agency''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Professional Development Plans.--Every Head Start agency and 
center shall create, in consultation with employees of the agency or 
center (including family service workers), a professional development 
plan for employees who provide direct services to children, including a 
plan for classroom teachers, curriculum specialists, and education 
coordinators to meet the requirements set forth in subsection (a).''.

SEC. 18. TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HEAD START PARTNERSHIP.

    The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
after section 648A the following:

``SEC. 648B. TRIBAL COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY HEAD START PARTNERSHIP 
              PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to promote social 
competencies and school readiness in Indian children.
    ``(b) Tribal College or University Head Start Partnership 
Program.--
            ``(1) Grants.--The Secretary is authorized to award grants, 
        for periods of not less than 5 years, to Tribal Colleges and 
        Universities to--
                    ``(A) implement education programs that include 
                education concerning tribal culture and language and 
                increase the number of associate, baccalaureate, and 
                graduate degrees in early childhood education and 
                related fields that are earned by Indian Head Start 
                agency staff members, parents of children served by 
                such an agency, and members of the tribal community 
                involved;
                    ``(B) develop and implement the programs under 
                subparagraph (A) in technology-mediated formats, 
                including providing the programs through such means as 
                distance learning and use of advanced technology, as 
                appropriate; and
                    ``(C) provide technology literacy programs for 
                Indian Head Start agency staff members and children and 
                families of children served by such an agency.
            ``(2) Staffing.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
        American Indian Programs Branch of the Head Start Bureau of the 
        Department of Health and Human Services shall have staffing 
        sufficient to administer the programs under this section and to 
        provide appropriate technical assistance to Tribal Colleges and 
        Universities receiving grants under this section.
    ``(c) Application.--Each Tribal College or University desiring a 
grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary, 
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the 
Secretary may require, including a certification that the Tribal 
College or University has established a partnership with 1 or more 
Indian Head Start agencies for the purpose of conducting the activities 
described in subsection (b).
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 
2006 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2007 
through 2010.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        `institution of higher education' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            ``(2) Tribal college or university.--The term `Tribal 
        College or University'--
                    ``(A) has the meaning given such term in section 
                316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1059c); and
                    ``(B) means an institution determined to be 
                accredited or a candidate for accreditation by a 
                nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
                association.''.

SEC. 19. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EVALUATION.

    Section 649 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9844) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)(B), by inserting ``, children 
        determined to be abused or neglected, homeless children, and 
        children in foster care'' after ``children with disabilities'';
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (8), by adding ``and'' after the 
                semicolon;
                    (B) by striking paragraph (9);
                    (C) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph 
                (9); and
                    (D) by striking the last sentence;
            (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; 
                        and
                    (B) in paragraph (7)(C)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking ``2003'' and 
                        inserting ``2007''; and
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``Labor 
                        and Human Resources'' and inserting ``Health, 
                        Education, Labor, and Pensions''; and
            (4) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:
    ``(h) National Academy of Sciences Study.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into a 
        contract with the Board on Children, Youth, and Families of the 
        National Research Council, the Board on Testing and 
        Assessments, and the Institute of Medicine, of the National 
        Academy of Sciences to establish an independent panel of 
        experts to review and synthesize research and theories in the 
        social, behavioral, and biological sciences regarding early 
        childhood, and make recommendations with regard to each of the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Age- and developmentally appropriate Head 
                Start academic requirements and outcomes, including the 
                standards described in section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii).
                    ``(B) Differences in the type, length, mix, and 
                intensity of services that are necessary to ensure that 
                children from challenging family or social backgrounds 
                (including low-income children, children with 
                disabilities, and limited English proficient children) 
                enter kindergarten ready to succeed.
                    ``(C) Appropriate assessments of young children for 
                the purposes of improving instruction, services, and 
                program quality, including--
                            ``(i) formal and systematic observational 
                        assessments in a child's natural environment;
                            ``(ii) assessments of children's 
                        development through parent and provider 
                        interviews;
                            ``(iii) appropriate accommodations for 
                        children with disabilities and limited English 
                        proficient children;
                            ``(iv) appropriate assessments for children 
                        with disabilities, limited English proficient 
                        children, and children from different cultural 
                        backgrounds; and
                            ``(v) other assessments used in Head Start 
                        programs.
                    ``(D) Identification of existing, or 
                recommendations for the development of, scientifically 
                based, valid and reliable assessments that are capable 
                of measuring child outcomes in the domains important to 
                school readiness, including language skills, prereading 
                ability, premathematics ability, cognitive ability, 
                scientific ability, social and emotional development, 
                and physical development.
                    ``(E) Appropriate use and application of valid and 
                reliable assessments for Head Start programs identified 
                in accordance with subparagraph (D).
            ``(2) Composition.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The panel described in paragraph 
                (1) shall consist of multiple experts in each of the 
                following areas:
                            ``(i) Child development (including 
                        cognitive, social, emotional, and physical 
                        development) and child education (including 
                        approaches to learning).
                            ``(ii) Professional development, including 
                        preparation of individuals who teach young 
                        children.
                            ``(iii) Assessment of young children 
                        (including children with disabilities and 
                        limited English proficient children), including 
                        screening, diagnostic, and classroom-based 
                        instructional assessment.
                    ``(B) Representatives.--The panel described in 
                paragraph (1) shall be selected and appointed by the 
                National Academy of Sciences, after consultation with 
                the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
            ``(3) Timing.--
                    ``(A) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after 
                the date of enactment of the Head Start Improvements 
                for School Readiness Act, the Board on Children, Youth, 
                and Families of the National Research Council, the 
                Board on Testing and Assessments, and the Institute of 
                Medicine, of the National Academy of Sciences shall 
                establish the panel described in paragraph (1), 
                including selecting and appointing the members of the 
                panel. Representatives described in paragraph (2) shall 
                be selected and appointed after consultation with the 
                Secretary.
                    ``(B) Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the panel described in paragraph (1) is established, 
                the panel shall complete, and submit to the Secretary a 
                report containing, the recommendations described in 
                paragraph (1). The Secretary shall not implement the 
                amendments made to section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) by the 
                Head Start Improvements for School Readiness Act until 
                the panel submits the report.
            ``(4) Application of panel report.--The Secretary shall use 
        the results of the review and recommendations described in 
        paragraph (1) to (where appropriate) develop, inform, and 
        revise--
                    ``(A) the educational standards, and the 
                performance measures, described in section 641A; and
                    ``(B) the assessments utilized in the Head Start 
                programs.
    ``(i) Services to Limited English Proficient Children and 
Families.--
            ``(1) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study on the 
        status of limited English proficient children and their 
        families in Head Start or Early Head Start programs.
            ``(2) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit to 
        Congress, not later than September 2009, a report containing 
        the results of the study, including information on--
                    ``(A) the demographics of limited English 
                proficient children from birth through age 5, including 
                the number of such children receiving Head Start or 
                Early Head Start services and the geographic 
                distribution of children described in this 
                subparagraph;
                    ``(B) the nature of Head Start or Early Head Start 
                services provided to limited English proficient 
                children and their families, including the types, 
                content, duration, intensity, and costs of family 
                services, language assistance, and educational 
                services;
                    ``(C) procedures in Head Start programs for the 
                assessment of language needs and the transition of 
                limited English proficient children to kindergarten, 
                including the extent to which Head Start programs meet 
                the requirements of section 642A for limited English 
                proficient children;
                    ``(D) the qualifications and training provided to 
                Head Start and Early Head Start teachers serving 
                limited English proficient children and their families;
                    ``(E) the rate of progress made by limited English 
                proficient children and their families in Head Start 
                programs and Early Head Start programs, including--
                            ``(i) the rate of progress of the limited 
                        English proficient children toward meeting the 
                        additional educational standards described in 
                        section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) while enrolled in 
                        Head Start programs, measured between 1990 and 
                        2004;
                            ``(ii) the correlation between such 
                        progress and the type of instruction and 
                        educational program provided to the limited 
                        English proficient children; and
                            ``(iii) the correlation between such 
                        progress and the health and family services 
                        provided by Head Start programs to limited 
                        English proficient children and their families; 
                        and
                    ``(F) the extent to which Head Start programs make 
                use of funds under section 640(a)(3) to improve the 
                quality of Head Start services provided to limited 
                English proficient children and their families.''.

SEC. 20. REPORTS.

    Section 650 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9846) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``Labor and Human Resources'' and inserting 
                ``Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions'';
                    (B) in paragraph (8), by inserting ``homelessness, 
                children in foster care,'' after ``ethnic 
                background,''; and
                    (C) in the flush matter at the end by striking 
                ``Labor and Human Resources'' and inserting ``Health, 
                Education, Labor, and Pensions''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``Labor and Human 
        Resources'' and inserting ``Health, Education, Labor, and 
        Pensions''.

SEC. 21. COMPARABILITY OF WAGES.

    Section 653 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9848) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Secretary shall take'' and inserting 
        ``(a) The Secretary shall take'';
            (2) in the first sentence of subsection (a), by striking 
        ``or (2)'' and inserting ``(2) in excess of the salary of the 
        Secretary, in the case of an individual compensated with funds 
        awarded under this subchapter or the Community Services Block 
        Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.); or (3)''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) If in any fiscal year the restriction described in subsection 
(a)(2) is violated, the Secretary shall withhold from the base grant of 
the Head Start agency involved (as defined in section 641A(g)(1)) for 
the next fiscal year, an amount equal to the aggregate amount by which 
the salary that resulted in the violation exceeded the salary of the 
Secretary.''.

SEC. 22. LIMITATION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES.

    Section 655 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9850) is amended by 
inserting ``or in'' after ``assigned by''.

SEC. 23. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.

    Section 656 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9851) is amended--
            (1) by striking all that precedes ``chapter 15'' and 
        inserting the following:

``SEC. 656. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) State or Local Agency.--For purposes of''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Restrictions.--
            ``(1) In general.--A program assisted under this 
        subchapter, and any individual employed by, or assigned to, a 
        program assessed under this subchapter (during the hours in 
        which such individual is working on behalf of such program), 
        shall not engage in--
                    ``(A) any partisan or nonpartisan political 
                activity or any other political activity associated 
                with a candidate, or contending faction or group, in an 
                election for public or party office;
                    ``(B) any activity to provide voters or prospective 
                voters with transportation to the polls or similar 
                assistance in connection with any such election; or
                    ``(C) any voter registration activity.
            ``(2) Rules and regulations.--The Secretary, after 
        consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel 
        Management, may issue rules and regulations to provide for the 
        enforcement of this section, which may include provisions for 
        summary suspension of assistance or other action necessary to 
        permit enforcement on an emergency basis.''.

SEC. 24. PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIREMENT FOR HEALTH SERVICES.

    The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
the end the following new section:

``SEC. 657A. PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIREMENT FOR NONEMERGENCY INTRUSIVE 
              PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.

    ``(a) Definition.--The term `nonemergency intrusive physical 
examination' means, with respect to a child, a physical examination 
that--
            ``(1) is not immediately necessary to protect the health or 
        safety of the child or the health or safety of another 
        individual; and
            ``(2) requires incision or is otherwise invasive, or 
        involves exposure of private body parts.
    ``(b) Requirement.--A Head Start agency shall obtain written 
parental consent before administration of, or referral for, any health 
care service provided or arranged to be provided, including any 
nonemergency intrusive physical examination of a child in connection 
with participation in a program under this subchapter.
    ``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to prohibit agencies from using established methods, for 
handling cases of suspected or known child abuse and neglect, that are 
in compliance with applicable Federal, State, or tribal law.''.
                                                       Calendar No. 200

109th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                S. 1107

                          [Report No. 109-131]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                            August 31, 2005

                       Reported with an amendment