Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Head Start for School Readiness Act

Statement of purpose

Section 636 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831) is amended to read as follows:

636.

Statement of purpose

It is the purpose of this subchapter to promote the school readiness of low-income children by enhancing their cognitive and social development— (1)with a learning environment that supports cognitive development (including the growth of language, pre-literacy, and premathematics skills) and the growth of social, emotional, and physical skills; and (2)through the provision to low-income children and their families of health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services that are determined, based on family needs assessments, to be necessary.

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, as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) 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 deficiency means— (A)a systemic or substantial material 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)(ii)(I); or (E)having an unresolved area of noncompliance. (19)The term homeless child means a child described in section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)). (20)The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (21)The term interrater reliability means the extent to which 2 or more independent raters or observers consistently obtain the same result when using the same assessment tool. (22)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 an outlying area (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)); 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 difficulties 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. (23)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).

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.

Authorization of appropriations

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

639.

Authorization of appropriations

(a)

In General

There are authorized to be appropriated for carrying out the provisions of this subchapter $7,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $7,650,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $7,995,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 and 2012. (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 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012, of which not more than $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 shall be available to carry out impact studies under section 649(g).

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 a percentage specified by the Secretary that is not less than 4 percent of the amount appropriated under section 639 for that fiscal year (for Indian Head Start programs) and a percentage specified by the Secretary that is not less than 5 percent of that appropriated amount (for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs) (referred to in this paragraph as the specified percentages), except that— (i)if reserving the specified percentages 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 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;

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(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 not less than 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, institutions of higher education, 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 the skills, knowledge, abilities, development, and progress described in section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii); (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, 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— (I)to provide directly early childhood education training and technical assistance or to support, through grants or other arrangements, a State system of early childhood education training and technical assistance (which may include such a system for a consortium of States within a region); and (II)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);

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(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 appropriated under this subchapter to expand or create additional slots or services in non-Indian and non-migrant and seasonal Head Start programs until the amounts based on the specified percentages for Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs pursuant to subparagraph (A) are reached. 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 2003;; and (ii)by inserting the following: 30 percent of such excess amount for fiscal year 2008, and 40 percent of such excess amount for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012;; (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, premathematics, and pre-literacy skills 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.

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(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.

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(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 the skills, knowledge, abilities, development, and progress described in section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii); and (III)encourage the staff to continually improve their skills and expertise— (aa)through the implementation of career development programs; and (bb)through the completion of postsecondary coursework in early childhood education.

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(v)in clause (v)— (I)by striking community-wide and inserting communitywide; and (II)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, to enable Head Start teachers to improve competencies and the resulting child outcomes, including informing the teachers of the availability of Federal and State incentive and loan forgiveness programs. (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.

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(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 all that follows through 641A(a)(1)(B) and inserting standards and measures described in section 641A; (II)in subclause (I), by inserting , pre-literacy, after language; (III)by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following:

(II)to help limited English proficient children attain the knowledge, skills, abilities, 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.

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(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 partners 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, teachers of English as a second language, and for other educational personnel who serve limited English proficient students.

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(3)in paragraph (4), in the first sentence— (A)in subparagraph (A), by striking 1998 and inserting 2007; 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 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), the Secretary shall distribute the remaining balance, by— (I)distributing 65 percent of the balance among the States serving less than 60 percent (as determined by the Secretary) of children who are 3 or 4 years of age from families whose income is below the poverty line, by allotting to each of those States an amount that bears the same relationship to that 65 percent as the number of children who are less than 5 years of age from families whose income is below the poverty line (referred to in this clause as young low-income children) in that State bears to the number of young low-income children in all those States; and (II)distributing 35 percent of the balance among the States, by allotting to each State an amount that bears the same relationship to that 35 percent as the number of young low-income children in that State bears to the number of young low-income children in all the States.

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(4)in paragraph (5)— (A)by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as subparagraphs (G) and (H), 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 and to each national administrative office serving Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs to facilitate collaboration between Head Start agencies and entities (including the State or national administrative office) that carry out other activities designed to benefit low-income families and children from birth to school entry. The national administrative offices shall use the funds made available through the grants to carry out the authorities and responsibilities described in subparagraphs (B) and (C). (ii)Grants described in clause (i) shall be used to— (I)assist 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)assist 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 resource and referral services in the State, to make full-working-day and full calendar year services available to children; (III)promote alignment of Head Start services with State early learning standards, as appropriate, and 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, such as services provided under section 619 or part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.); 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 collaboration grant under subparagraph (B) shall— (i)appoint or designate an individual to serve as, or carry out the responsibilities of, 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, reporting to the State Advisory Council described in subparagraph (E), shall— (i)not later than 1 year after the State receives a collaboration grant under subparagraph (B), conduct an assessment that— (I)addresses the needs of Head Start agencies in the State with respect to collaboration, coordination of services, and alignment of services with State early learning standards, as appropriate, and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework; (II)shall be updated on an annual basis; and (III)shall be made available to the general public within the State; (ii)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 or 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 standards, as appropriate, and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework; and (IV)enable Head Start agencies in the State to better access professional development opportunities for Head Start staff, such as by— (aa)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 (bb)enabling the State Head Start agencies to better conduct outreach to eligible families; (iii)promote partnerships between Head Start agencies, State and local governments, and the private sector to help ensure that children from low-income families, who are in Head Start programs or are preschool age, are receiving comprehensive services to prepare the children to enter school ready to learn; (iv)consult with the chief State school officer, local educational agencies, and providers of early childhood education and care, regarding early care and education services at both the State and local levels; (v)promote partnerships (such as the partnerships involved with the Free to Grow initiative) between Head Start agencies, schools, law enforcement, relevant community-based organizations, 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; (vi)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 (vii)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— (I)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); and (II)designate an individual to coordinate activities of the State Advisory Council, as described in clause (iv)(I). (ii)The Governor may designate an existing entity to serve as the State Advisory Council, if the entity includes representatives consistent with 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 professional standards, certification, and licensing for early childhood educators; (VII)a representative of the State agency responsible for child care; (VIII)early childhood educators, 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 section 619 or part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 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 Indian Head Start programs (where appropriate) and a representative of migrant and seasonal 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; (XXIV)a representative from the Office of Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youths in the State; (XXV)a State legislator; and (XXVI)a representative of other entities determined to be relevant by the Governor of the State. (iv)(I)The State Advisory Council shall be responsible for, in addition to responsibilities assigned to the council by the Governor 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 among entities carrying out federally-funded and State-funded 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; (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); (ff)assessing the availability of high quality prekindergarten services for low-income children in the State; (gg)assisting 2- and 4-year public and private institutions of higher education to develop articulation agreements; (hh)awarding grants to assist 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; and (ii)undertaking collaborative efforts to develop, and make recommendations for improvements in, State early learning standards. (II)The State Advisory Council shall hold public hearings and provide an opportunity for public comment on the activities described in subclause (I). The State Advisory Council shall submit a statewide strategic report addressing the activities described in subclause (I) to the State Director of Head Start Collaboration and the Governor 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. (F)(i)(I)Prior to carrying out paragraph (4), the Secretary shall reserve a portion to carry out this subparagraph for a fiscal year. The Secretary shall reserve the portion from the amount (if any) by which the funds appropriated under section 639(a) for the fiscal year exceed the adjusted prior year appropriation (as defined in paragraph (3)(A)(ii)), without reducing the share available for quality improvement funds described in paragraph (3)(B). (II)To the extent consistent with subclause (I), the Secretary shall reserve $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2008. Funds reserved under this subclause shall remain available for obligation through fiscal year 2012. (ii)The Secretary shall use the portion reserved under clause (i) to award, on a competitive basis, one-time startup grants of not less than $500,000 to eligible States to enable such States to pay for the Federal share of the cost of further developing and implementing the recommendations and plans for which the State's State Advisory Council is responsible under subparagraph (E)(iv)(I). Such grants shall— (I)facilitate the development of high-quality systems of early care and early education programs and activities designed to improve school preparedness; (II)increase and make effective use of existing and new delivery systems and funds for early care and early education; and (III)enhance existing early care and early education services (in existence on the date on which the grant involved is awarded). (iii)To be eligible to receive a grant under this subparagraph, a State shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an application, for a 3-year period, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary shall require, including— (I)a description of the State's State Advisory Council’s responsibilities under subparagraph (E)(iv)(I); (II)a description, for each fiscal year, of how the State will make effective use of funds available under this subparagraph, with funds described in clause (iv), to create an early childhood education system, by developing or enhancing programs and activities described in subparagraph (E)(iv)(I); (III)a description of the State early learning standards and the State's goals for increasing the number of children entering kindergarten ready to learn; (IV)information identifying the agency or joint interagency office and individual designated to carry out the activities under this subparagraph, which may be the individual designated under subparagraph (E)(i)(II); and (V)a description of how the State plans to sustain activities under this subparagraph beyond the grant period. (iv)The Federal share of the cost described in clause (ii) shall be 30 percent, and the State shall provide the non-Federal share. (v)Funds made available under this subparagraph shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, and local funds expended to carry out activities related to early childhood education and care in the State. (vi)Not later than 18 months after the date a State receives a grant under this subparagraph, the State shall submit an interim report to the Secretary. A State that receives a grant under this subparagraph shall submit a final report to the Secretary at the end of the grant period.

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(5)in paragraph (6)— (A)in subparagraph (A), by striking 7.5 percent and all that follows and inserting not less than 12 percent for fiscal year 2008, not less than 14 percent for fiscal year 2009, not less than 16 percent for fiscal year 2010, not less than 18 percent for fiscal year 2011, and not less than 20 percent for fiscal year 2012, of the amount appropriated pursuant to section 639(a).; (B)by striking subparagraph (B); (C)in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking required to be each place it appears; 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— (1)by striking (f) The and inserting (f)(1) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Head Start for School Readiness Act, the; (2)by striking needs. and inserting needs, including models that leverage the capacity and capabilities of the delivery system of early childhood education and child care.; and (3)by adding at the end the following:

(2)In establishing the procedures the Secretary shall establish procedures to provide for— (A)the conversion of part-day programs to full-day programs or part-day slots to full-day slots; and (B)serving additional infants and toddlers pursuant to section 645(a)(5).

(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));

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(2)in subparagraph (D)— (A)by striking community and inserting communitywide; and (B)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)

Vehicle safety requirements

Section 640(i) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(i)) is amended by adding at the end the following: The regulations shall also establish requirements to ensure the appropriate supervision of, and appropriate background checks for, individuals with whom the agencies contract to transport those children.. (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 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 Indian Head Start collaboration director and a national migrant and seasonal Head Start program 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 subsection (a)(2)(A), 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. (5)(A)In order to increase access to Head Start services for children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers, the Secretary shall work in collaboration with providers of migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Education to— (i)collect, report, and share data on farmworkers and their families in order to adequately account for the number of children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers who are eligible for Head Start services and determine how many of such children receive the services; and (ii)identify barriers that prevent children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers who are eligible for Head Start services from accessing Head Start services, and develop a plan for eliminating such barriers, including certain requirements relating to tracking, health records, and educational documents. (B)Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Head Start for School Readiness Act, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice about how the Secretary plans to carry out the activities identified in subparagraph (A) and shall provide a period for public comment. To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall consider comments received before implementing any of the activities identified in subparagraph (A). (C)Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Head Start for School Readiness Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate detailing how the Secretary plans to carry out the activities identified in subparagraph (A). (D)The Secretary shall take appropriate caution to ensure the protection of the confidentiality of any personally identifiable data, information, and records collected or maintained regarding children and families served by migrant and seasonal Head Start programs. (E)Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to authorize the development of a nationwide database of personally identifiable data, information, or records on individuals involved in studies or other collections of data under this paragraph.

(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 635(a)(5) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1435(a)(5)). (o)

Curricula

All curricula funded under this subchapter shall be scientifically based, developmentally and linguistically based (to the extent practicable), and age appropriate. The curricula shall reflect all areas of child development and learning. Parents shall have the opportunity to examine any such curricula or instructional materials funded under this subchapter.

Designation of Head Start agencies

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

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 have the capacity to plan, conduct, administer, and evaluate, 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— (A)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 the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework, State early learning standards (as appropriate), and requirements and expectations for local public schools; and (B)have a governing body— (i)with legal and fiscal responsibility for administering and overseeing programs under this subchapter; (ii)that fully participates in the development, planning, and evaluation of the programs to ensure the operation of programs of high quality; (iii)that is 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; and (iv)that has procedures to facilitate meaningful consultation and collaboration about decisions of the governing body and the policy council established under paragraph (3). (3)

Establishment of policy council upon designation

Upon receiving designation as a Head Start agency, the agency shall establish a policy council that— (A)in accordance with paragraph (5)(C), shall make decisions that influence the character of programs consistent with paragraph (5)(F); and (B)with the governing body, shall establish processes to resolve internal disputes. (4)

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 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)(A). (5)

Governing body and policy council

(A)

Establishment of governing body

Each Head Start agency shall establish a governing body in accordance with paragraph (2)(B). (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)Not less than 1 member of the governing body shall be a licensed attorney familiar with issues that come before the governing body. (IV)Additional members shall reflect the community to be served, and include parents of children who are currently, or were formerly, enrolled in Head Start programs. (V)In the case in which the governing body is a part of a Head Start agency that is a public agency, members of the governing body shall include elected or appointed public officials. (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 the purposes of serving on the governing body or for providing services to the Head Start agency. (C)

Responsibilities of governing body

(i)

In general

The governing body shall be responsible for— (I)the selection of delegate agencies and such agencies’ service areas; (II)establishing procedures and criteria for recruitment, selection, and enrollment; (III)all funding applications and amendments to funding applications for programs under this subchapter; (IV)establishing procedures and guidelines to access and collect the information described in paragraph (6); (V)review and approval of— (aa)the annual self-assessment, financial audit, and findings from the Federal monitoring review, of the Head Start agency or delegate agency; and (bb)such agency’s progress in carrying out the programmatic and fiscal intent of such agency’s grant application; (VI)developing procedures for how members of the policy council of the Head Start agency are selected, consistent with subparagraph (E)(ii); (VII)financial audits, accounting, and reporting; (VIII)personnel policies and procedures regarding hiring, termination, salary scales (and changes made to the scale), and salaries of the Executive Director, Head Start Director, the Director of Human Resources, the Chief Fiscal Officer, and any equivalent position; and (IX)review and approval of the community assessment, including any updates to such assessment. (ii)

Conduct of responsibilities

The governing body shall ensure the development and approval of an internal control structure to facilitate those responsibilities in order to— (I)safeguard Federal funds; (II)comply with laws and regulations that have an impact on financial statements; (III)detect or prevent noncompliance with this subchapter; and (IV)receive financial audit reports and direct and monitor staff implementation of corrective actions. (iii)

Committees

The governing body shall, to the extent practicable and appropriate, establish— (I)advisory committees to oversee responsibilities related to financial auditing and finances of the Head Start agency, as well as compliance with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; and (II)at the discretion of the governing body, additional advisory committees to study and make recommendations on areas related to the improvement of the Head Start program. (D)

Establishment of policy council

Each Head Start agency shall establish a policy council in accordance with paragraph (3). (E)

Composition of policy council

(i)

In general

The policy council shall consist of— (I)parents of children currently enrolled in the Head Start agency or delegate agency’s programs, which shall constitute a majority of the membership of the policy council; and (II)members at large of the community served by the Head Start agency, which may include parents of children previously enrolled in the Head Start agency or delegate agency's programs. (ii)

Selection

Parents serving on the policy council shall be elected by parents of children currently enrolled in the Head Start agency or delegate agency's programs and shall represent, proportionately, all program options and settings operated by the Head Start agency or delegate agency. (iii)

Conflict of interest

Members of the policy council shall— (I)not have a conflict of interest with the Head Start agency or delegate agencies; and (II)not receive compensation for serving on the policy council or for providing services to the Head Start agency. (F)

Responsibilities of policy council

The policy council shall be responsible for— (i)program planning, including— (I)program design, including long- and short-term program goals, all funding applications and amendments to funding applications, and objectives based on the annual communitywide assessment and self-assessment; (II)program recruitment, selection, and enrollment priorities; and (III)budget planning for program expenditures consistent with subparagraph (C)(i)(VII), including polices for reimbursement and participation in policy council activities; (ii)program operation consistent with subparagraph (C)(i)(VIII), including implementation of standards of conduct for program staff, contractors, and volunteers and criteria for the employment and dismissal of program staff; and (iii)activities to support the active involvement of parents in supporting program operations, including policies to ensure that the Head Start program is responsive to community and parent needs. (6)

Information sharing

The governing body and the policy council shall share with each other regular and accurate information for use by both entities about program planning, policies, and Head Start agency operations, including— (A)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); (B)monthly program information summaries; (C)program enrollment reports, including attendance reports for children whose care is partially subsidized by another public agency; (D)monthly reports of meals and snacks provided through programs of the Department of Agriculture; (E)the financial audit; (F)the annual self-assessment, including any findings related to the annual self-assessment; (G)the community assessment of the Head Start agency’s service area and any applicable updates; (H)communication and guidance from the Secretary; and (I)the program information reports. (7)

Training and technical assistance

Appropriate training and technical assistance shall be provided to the members of the governing body and the policy council 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)

Redesignation

(1)

In general

In administering the provisions of this section, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Governor of the State involved, redesignate as a Head Start agency any Head Start agency or delegate agency that is high performing, as determined by meeting each of the following criteria: (A)Is receiving assistance under this subchapter. (B)Meets or exceeds program and financial management requirements or standards described in section 641A(a)(1). (C)Has no unresolved deficiencies, including having resolved any deficiencies found during the last triennial review under section 641A(c). (D)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). (E)Completes and submits the appropriate reapplication forms as required by the Secretary. (2)

Limitation

A Head Start agency with a triennial review under section 641A(c) scheduled not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Head Start for School Readiness Act shall not be subject to the criteria described in paragraph (1) for that review in order to be redesignated. The Head Start agency shall be subject to the criteria for any subsequent triennial review. (d)

Designation when no entity is redesignated

If no entity in a community is redesignated according to subsection (c), the Secretary shall, after conducting an open competition, designate a Head Start agency from among qualified applicants in such community. (e)

Prohibition against non-indian head start agency receiving a grant for an indian head start program

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law except as provided in paragraph (2), under no condition may a non-Indian Head Start agency receive a grant to carry out an Indian Head Start program. (2)

Exception

In a community in which there is no Indian Head Start agency available for designation to carry out an Indian Head Start program, a non-Indian Head Start agency may receive a grant to carry out an Indian Head Start program but only until such time as an Indian Head Start agency in such community becomes available and is designated pursuant to this section. (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)other preschool program under title I of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); (C)programs under section 619 and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.); (D)State prekindergarten programs; (E)child care programs; (F)the educational programs that the children in the Head Start program involved will enter at the age of compulsory school attendance; and (G)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.

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; (II)pre-literacy knowledge and skills; (III)premathematics knowledge and skills; (IV)scientific abilities; (V)general cognitive abilities related to academic achievement and child development; (VI)social and emotional development related to early learning and school success; (VII)physical development; and (VIII)in the case of limited English proficient children, progress toward acquisition of the English language (which may include progress made with linguistically appropriate instructional services) 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 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 for School Readiness Act; (III)in clause (iii), by inserting homeless children, children in foster care, after children with disabilities,; (IV)in clause (vi), by striking including the language and all that follows and inserting including changes in the language background and family structure of such children, and changes in the population and number of such children who are in foster care or are homeless children;; (V)by striking clause (vii) and inserting the following:

(vii)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 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 shall take action, which may include— (i)initiating procedures to terminate the designation of the agency unless the agency corrects the deficiency; (ii)conducting 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)releasing funds to such delegate agency— (I)only as reimbursements, until all deficiencies are corrected or the Head Start agency decides to defund such delegate agency; and (II)only if there is continuity of services for children and families. (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 be issued by regulation and shall include the performance standards and additional educational standards described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1).

; and

(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.

;

(3)in subsection (c)— (A)in paragraph (1)— (i)by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following:

(C)Unannounced site inspections of Head Start programs for health and safety reasons, as appropriate.

;

(ii)by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and (iii)by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:

(D)Notwithstanding subparagraph (C), followup reviews, including— (i)prompt return visits as necessary to agencies and programs 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, including strengths and weaknesses, 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 population and community needs (including needs of populations of limited English proficient children and children of migrant and seasonal farmworking families); (vii)include as part of the reviews of the programs, a review and assessment of whether programs have adequately addressed the needs of children with disabilities; (viii)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 agency-determined school readiness goals described in section 641(a)(2)(A); and (ix)in the case of Early Head Start programs, are conducted by a review team that includes individuals who are knowledgeable about the development of infants and toddlers. (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 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 communitywide strategic plan and needs assessment 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, 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 councils, and, as applicable, policy committees, 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 program 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. The agency shall report the areas to the appropriate regional office of the Administration for Children and Families. (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 award. (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 communitywide 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 (3)(A). (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)(B)(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)(B), 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.

Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood

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

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 of 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 section 619 and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 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 populations served by the applicants, 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)— (A)shall use the funds made available through the bonus grant to model and disseminate, to other Head Start centers in the State involved, best practices for achieving early academic success, including achieving school readiness and developing pre-literacy 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; (B)may use the funds made available through the bonus grant— (i)to provide Head Start services to additional eligible children; (ii)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; (iii)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; (iv)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; (v)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 clause increase their ability to work with low-income, at-risk children and their families; (vi)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 partners to preschool children in Head Start programs; and (vii)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 and several additional Head Start agencies (especially agencies that are low-performing on the standards or performance measures established under this subchapter), 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, award a grant or contract 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 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 each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012— (1)$90,000,000 to make bonus grants to centers of excellence under subsection (b) to carry out activities described in subsection (d); (2)$500,000 to pay for the administrative costs of the Secretary in carrying out this section; and (3)$2,000,000 for research activities described in subsection (e).

10.

Powers and functions of Head Start agencies

Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837) is amended— (1)by striking all that precedes In order the first place it appears and inserting the following:

642.

Powers and functions of Head Start agencies

(a)

In general

; and

(2)by striking subsections (b) through (e) and inserting the following:

(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)establish effective procedures, for determining the needs of children, that include high quality research based developmental screening tools that have been demonstrated to be valid, reliable, and accurate for children from a range of backgrounds; (5)require each delegate agency to create a policy committee, which shall— (A)be comprised of members of the community to be served, including parents of children who are currently enrolled in the Head Start programs of the Head Start agency; and (B)serve in an advisory capacity to the delegate agency, to make decisions and recommendations regarding program planning and operation and parental involvement. (6)seek the involvement of parents, area residents, and local business in the design and implementation of the program; (7)provide for the regular participation of parents and area residents in the implementation of the program; (8)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; (9)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; (10)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; (11)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; (12)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; (13)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; (14)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); (15)consider providing services to assist younger siblings of children participating in its Head Start program, to obtain health services from other sources; (16)perform community outreach to encourage individuals previously unaffiliated with Head Start programs to participate in its Head Start program as volunteers; (17)(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; (18)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 (19)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 partners 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)collaborate with 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. 621 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, in appropriate cases; (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, 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, upon the transition of their children to school— (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 or evaluation

Each Head Start agency shall adopt, in consultation with experts in child development and with classroom teachers, an assessment or evaluation to measure whether classroom teachers have mastered the functions described in section 648A(a)(1) and have 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 communitywide needs assessment, and the needs of parents to be served by such agency.

11.

Head Start transition

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

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, which may include— (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)establishing comprehensive transition policies and procedures that support children transitioning to school, including by engaging the local education agency in the establishment of such policies; (4)developing a continuity of developmentally appropriate curricular objectives and practices between the Head Start agency and local educational agency, that reflect shared expectations for children’s learning and development for the transition to school; (5)conducting outreach to parents, elementary school (such as kindergarten) teachers, and Head Start teachers to discuss the educational, developmental, and other needs of individual children; (6)organizing and participating in joint training, including transition-related training of school staff and Head Start staff; (7)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; (8)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; (9)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; (10)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; (11)helping parents understand the instructional and other services provided by the school in which their child will enroll after participation in the Head Start program; and (12)coordinating activities and collaborating to ensure that curricula used in the Head Start program are aligned with State early learning standards and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework with regard to cognitive development (including language, pre-literacy, and premathematics competencies), and social, emotional, and physical competencies that children entering kindergarten are expected to demonstrate.

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— (A)by striking chief executive officer and inserting Governor; and (B)by striking 45 and inserting 30; (2)in the last sentence, by striking , however,; and (3)by adding at the end the following: This section shall not apply to contracts, agreements, grants, loans, or other assistance for Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs..

13.

Costs of developing and administering a program

Section 644(b) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9839(b)) is amended— (1)by striking Except and inserting (1) Except; and (2)by adding at the end the following:

(2)(A)The limitation prescribed by paragraph (1) shall not prohibit a Head Start agency from expending an amount in excess of allowable direct costs associated with developing and administering a program assisted under this subchapter, if— (i)the agency submits an application for a grant year containing an assurance that— (I)the agency will serve a greater percentage of children in the community involved than were served in the preceding grant year; and (II)the agency will not diminish services provided to currently enrolled children (as of the date of the application), including the number of hours and days such services are provided; (ii)any such excess amount does not exceed 5 percent of the total costs, including the required non-Federal contributions to such costs, of such program; and (iii)in the event that the applicant applies to expend any such excess amount in a subsequent grant year, the applicant continues to serve the same number of children as proposed in the initial application submitted under this paragraph and accomplishes, relative to the prior Head Start agency, at least 3 of the 5 improved outcomes. (B)In subparagraph (A), the term improved outcome means— (i)an increase in average teacher salary; (ii)an increase in the number of qualified teachers; (iii)a significant increase in the number of children who receive full-day Head Start services; (iv)a decrease in the caseload for family workers; or (v)an increase in transportation options for families. (C)The Secretary shall approve not more than 10 applications described in subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year, and to the extent practicable shall ensure participation under this paragraph of a diverse group of Head Start agencies, including public, private nonprofit, and for-profit agencies operating Head Start programs.

14.

Participation in Head Start programs

Section 645 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840) is amended— (1)in subsection (a)— (A)in paragraph (1)— (i)in subparagraph (A), by inserting 130 percent of after below; and (ii)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 (B)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 of 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 communitywide 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. (5)(A)Consistent with a communitywide needs assessment, a Head Start agency may apply to the Secretary to serve additional infants and toddlers if the agency submits an application to the Secretary containing— (i)a description of how the needs of pregnant women, infants, and toddlers will be addressed in accordance with section 645A(b), and with regulations prescribed by the Secretary pursuant to section 641A in areas including the agency’s approach to child development and provision of health services, approach to family and community partnerships, and approach to program design and management; (ii)a description of how the needs of eligible Head Start children are being and will be served; (iii)assurances that the agency will participate in technical assistance activities (including a planning period, start-up site visits, and national training activities) in the same manner as recipients of grants under section 645A; and (iv)evidence that the agency meets the same eligibility criteria as recipients of grants under section 645A. (B)In approving such applications, the Secretary shall take into account the costs of serving persons under section 645A. (C)Any Head Start agency designated under this section and permitted to use grant funds under subparagraph (A) to serve additional infants and toddlers shall be considered to be an Early Head Start agency and shall be subject to the same rules, regulations, and conditions as apply to recipients of grants under section 645A for those grant funds.

; and

(2)in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following:

(4)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, an Indian tribe that operates both a Head Start program and an Early Head Start program under section 645A may, at its discretion, at any time during the grant period involved, reallocate funds between the Head Start program and the Early Head Start program in order to address fluctuations in client population, including pregnant women and children birth to compulsory school age. The reallocation of such funds between programs by an Indian tribe shall not serve as the basis for the Secretary to reduce a base grant (as defined in section 641A(g)(1)) for either program in succeeding years.

15.

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:

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 and research-based activities 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), (8), (11), (12), and (13), 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 cognitive, social, emotional, and physical 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 (6), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), the following:

(7)ensure that children with documented behavioral problems, including problems involving behavior related to prior or existing trauma, receive appropriate screening and deferral;

;

(F)by inserting after paragraph (8), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), the following:

(9)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; (10)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

(G)in paragraph (12), 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. 621 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 establish staff qualification goals to ensure that, not later than September 30, 2012, 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 with a focus on infant and toddler 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.

16.

Appeals, notice, and hearing and records and financial audits

(a)

Appeals, notice, and hearing

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 policy councils of Head Start agencies; (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 180 days or more 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)

Records and financial audits

(1)

Heading

Section 647 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9842) is amended by striking the section heading and inserting the following:

records and financial audits

. (2)

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. (3)

Financial audits

Subsections (a) and (b) of section 647 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9842) are amended by striking audit and inserting financial audit. (4)

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.

17.

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 State system of early childhood education training and technical assistance (which may include such a system for a consortium of States within a region) 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, Indian Head Start agencies, migrant and seasonal Head Start agencies, and other entities providing training and technical assistance in early education, for the State (including such a consortium of States within a region) are included in the planning and coordination of the system; and (2)encourage States (including such consortia) 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 State (including such a consortium).

;

(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 1222(d) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6372(d)) after children with disabilities; (C)in paragraph (5), by inserting , including assessing the needs of homeless children and their families after needs assessment; (D)by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:

(7)assist Head Start agencies in better serving the needs of families with very young children, including providing support and program planning and implementation assistance for Head Start agencies that apply to serve or are serving additional infants and toddlers with funds previously used for 3- and 4-year-olds in accordance with section 645(a)(5);

;

(E)in paragraph (10), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon; (F)in paragraph (11), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and (G)by adding at the end the following:

(12)assist Head Start agencies in increasing the program participation of homeless children; (13)provide training and technical assistance to members of governing bodies, policy councils, and, as appropriate, policy committees, to ensure that the members can fulfill their functions; (14)provide training and technical assistance to Head Start agencies to assist such agencies in conducting self-assessments; (15)assist Head Start agencies in improving outreach to, and the 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; (16)provide activities that help ensure that Head Start programs have qualified staff who can promote prevention of childhood obesity by integrating into the programs developmentally appropriate research-based initiatives that stress the importance of physical activity and nutrition choices made by children and family, through daily classroom and family routines; and (17)assist Indian Head Start agencies to provide on-site and off-site training to staff, using approaches that identify and enhance the positive resources and strengths of Indian children and families, to improve parent and family engagement and staff development, particularly with regard to child and family development.

;

(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 awareness (including 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 involved 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 limited English proficient. (6)The literacy training shall include training on how to best address the language and literacy needs of children with disabilities, including training on how to work with specialists in language development.

18.

Staff qualification and development

Section 648A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a) is amended— (1)in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

(2)

Degree requirements

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall establish staff qualification goals to ensure that— (i)not later than September 30, 2012, all Head Start teachers nationwide 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); (ii)not later than September 30, 2010, all Head Start curriculum specialists and education coordinators nationwide 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, 2010, all Head Start teaching assistants nationwide 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, 2013, 50 percent of all Head Start teachers in center-based programs in each State (and geographic region for Indian Head Start programs and for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs) have a baccalaureate degree relating to early childhood (or a related educational 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 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)describe continuing progress each year toward achieving the goals 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 Labor 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.

;

(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).

19.

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:

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 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012. (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.

20.

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)by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), and (10), as paragraphs (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), and (11); (B)by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:

(5)identify successful strategies that promote good oral health and provide effective linkages to quality dental services through pediatric dental referral networks, for infants and toddlers participating in Early Head Start programs and children participating in Head Start programs;

;

(C)in paragraph (9), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), by adding and after the semicolon; (D)by striking paragraph (10), as redesignated by subparagraph (A); (E)by redesignating paragraph (11), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), as paragraph (10); and (F)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 2008; and (ii)in clause (ii)— (I)by striking Education and the Workforce and inserting Education and Labor; and (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)

Review of assessments

(1)

Application of study

When the study on Developmental Outcomes and Assessments for Young Children by the National Academy of Sciences is made available to the Secretary, the Secretary shall— (A)incorporate the results of the study, as appropriate and in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3), into each assessment used in the Head Start programs; and (B)use the results of the study to develop, inform, and revise the standards and measures described in section 641A. (2)

Development and refinement

In developing and refining any assessment used in the Head Start programs, the Secretary shall— (A)receive recommendations from the Panel on Developmental Outcomes and Assessments for Young Children of the National Academy of Sciences; and (B)with respect to the development or refinement of such assessment, ensure— (i)consistency with relevant, nationally recognized professional and technical standards; (ii)validity and reliability for all purposes for which assessments under this subchapter are designed and used; (iii)developmental and linguistic appropriateness of such assessments for children assessed, including children who are limited English proficient; and (iv)that the results can be used to improve the quality of, accountability of, and training and technical assistance in, Head Start programs. (3)

Additional requirements

The Secretary, in carrying out the process described under paragraph (2), shall ensure that— (A)staff administering any assessments under this subchapter have received appropriate training to administer such assessments; (B)appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities and children who are limited English proficient are made; (C)the English and Spanish (and any other language, as appropriate) forms of such assessments are valid and reliable; and (D)such assessments are not used to exclude children from Head Start programs. (4)

Suspended implementation of national reporting system

The Secretary shall— (A)suspend implementation and terminate further development and use of the National Reporting System; and (B)incorporate, as appropriate, recommendations under paragraph (2)(A) into any assessment used in the Head Start programs. (i)

Special rule

The use of assessment items and data on any assessment authorized under this subchapter by an agent or agents of the Federal Government to rank, compare, or otherwise evaluate individual children or teachers, or to provide rewards or sanctions for individual children or teachers is prohibited. The Secretary shall not use the results of a single assessment as the sole method for assessing program effectiveness or making grantee funding determinations at the national, regional, or local level. (j)

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 2011, 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 of 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 2006; (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.

21.

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)— (i)by striking Education and the Workforce and inserting Education and Labor; (ii)by striking Labor and Human Resources and inserting Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and (iii)by striking (including disabled and non-English language background children) and inserting (including children with disabilities, limited English proficient children, and children participating in Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs); (B)in paragraph (8), by inserting homelessness, children in foster care, after ethnic background,; and (C)in the flush matter at the end— (i)by striking Education and the Workforce and inserting Education and Labor; and (ii)by striking Labor and Human Resources and inserting Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and (2)in subsection (b)— (A)by striking Education and the Workforce and inserting Education and Labor; and (B)by striking Labor and Human Resources and inserting Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

22.

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; and (2)by adding at the end the following:

(b)No Federal funds shall be used to pay the compensation of an individual employed by a Head Start agency in carrying out programs under this subchapter, either as direct or indirect costs or any proration of such costs, in an amount in excess of an amount based on the rate payable for level II of the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5, United States Code.

23.

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.

24.

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:

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 assisted 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; or (B)any activity to provide voters or prospective voters with transportation to the polls or similar assistance in connection with any such election. (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.

25.

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:

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.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Head Start for School Readiness Act

Statement of purpose

Section 636 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831) is amended to read as follows:

636.

Statement of purpose

Definitions

(18)The term deficiency means— (A)a systemic or substantial material 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)(ii)(I); or (E)having an unresolved area of noncompliance. (19)The term homeless child means a child described in section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)). (20)The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). (21)The term interrater reliability means the extent to which 2 or more independent raters or observers consistently obtain the same result when using the same assessment tool. (22)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 (which may include an 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 an outlying area (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)); 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 difficulties 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. (23)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).

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.

Authorization of appropriations

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

639.

Authorization of appropriations

(a)

In General

Specific Programs

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:

;

(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 any of paragraphs (1) through (17) of section 648(d), in an amount for each fiscal year that is not less than 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, institutions of higher education, 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 who are limited English proficient and their families 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 the skills, knowledge, abilities, development, and progress described in section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii); (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 childhood development 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, 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 determined appropriate for the improvement of Head Start agencies’ programs, as determined in 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— (I)to provide directly training and technical assistance on early childhood education and care or to support, through grants or other arrangements, a State system of training and technical assistance (which may include such a system for a consortium of States within a region); and (II)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);

;

(iii)by striking clause (iii) and inserting the following:

;

(iv)by striking clause (iv) and inserting the following:

;

(vii)Providing assistance to complete postsecondary coursework, to enable Head Start teachers to improve competencies and the resulting child outcomes, including informing the teachers of the availability of Federal and State incentive and loan forgiveness programs. (viii)Promoting the regular attendance and stability of all Head Start children with particular attention to highly mobile children, including children of migrant or seasonal farmworkers (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 all that follows through 641A(a)(1)(B)and inserting standards and measures described in section 641A; (II)in subclause (I), by inserting , pre-literacy, after language; (III)by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following:

; and

(IV)by striking subclause (IV) and inserting 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 farmworker 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 partners 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, as teachers of English as a second language, and for other educational personnel who serve limited English proficient children.

;

(3)in paragraph (4), in the first sentence— (A)in subparagraph (A), by striking 1998 and inserting 2007; and (B)by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:

;

(4)in paragraph (5)— (A)in subparagraph (A), by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: (and amounts reserved, before such allotments, for national administrative offices); (B)by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively; (C)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 and to each national administrative office serving Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs to facilitate collaboration between Head Start agencies and entities (including the State or national administrative office) that carry out other activities designed to benefit low-income families and children from birth to school entry. The national administrative offices shall use the funds made available through the grants to carry out the authorities and responsibilities described in subparagraphs (B) and (C). (ii)Grants described in clause (i) shall be used to— (I)assist 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)assist 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 resource and referral services in the State, to make full-working-day and full calendar year services available to children; (III)promote alignment of Head Start services with State early learning standards, as appropriate, and 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, such as services provided under section 619 or part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.); 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 childhood education and care to children in the State, a State that receives a collaboration grant under subparagraph (B) shall— (i)appoint or designate an individual to serve as, or carry out the responsibilities of, 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 involved. (D)The State Director of Head Start Collaboration, reporting to the State Advisory Council described in subparagraph (E), shall— (i)not later than 1 year after the State receives a collaboration grant under subparagraph (B), conduct an assessment that— (I)addresses the needs of Head Start agencies in the State with respect to collaboration, coordination of services, and alignment of services with State early learning standards, as appropriate, and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework; (II)shall be updated on an annual basis; and (III)shall be made available to the general public within the State; (ii)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 education and care (such as child care or 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 education and care 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 standards, as appropriate, and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework; and (IV)enable Head Start agencies in the State to better access professional development opportunities for Head Start staff, such as by— (aa)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 (bb)enabling the State Head Start agencies to better conduct outreach to eligible families; (iii)promote partnerships between Head Start agencies, State and local governments, and the private sector to help ensure that children from low-income families, who are in Head Start programs or are preschool age, are receiving comprehensive services to prepare the children to enter school ready to learn; (iv)consult with the chief State school officer, local educational agencies, and providers of early childhood education and care, regarding early childhood education and care at both the State and local levels; (v)promote partnerships (such as the partnerships involved with the Free to Grow initiative) between Head Start agencies, schools, law enforcement, relevant community-based organizations, 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; (vi)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 (vii)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— (I)designate or establish a council to serve as the State advisory council on collaboration on early childhood education and care for children from birth to school entry (in this subchapter referred to as the State Advisory Council); and (II)designate an individual to coordinate activities of the State Advisory Council, as described in clause (iv)(I). (ii)The Governor may designate an existing entity to serve as the State Advisory Council, if the entity includes representatives consistent with 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 professional standards, certification, and licensing for early childhood educators; (VII)a representative of the State agency responsible for child care; (VIII)early childhood educators, 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 section 619 or part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 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 care; (XIX)a representative of Indian Head Start programs (where appropriate) and a representative of migrant and seasonal 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 childhood educators and child care providers; (XXIV)a representative from the Office of Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youths in the State; (XXV)a State legislator; and (XXVI)a representative of other entities determined to be relevant by the Governor of the State. (iv)(I)The State Advisory Council shall be responsible for, in addition to responsibilities assigned to the council by the Governor of the State— (aa)conducting a periodic statewide needs assessment concerning early childhood education and care for children from birth to school entry; (bb)identifying barriers to, and opportunities for, collaboration and coordination among entities carrying out federally-funded and State-funded child development, child care, and early childhood education programs; (cc)developing recommendations regarding means of establishing a unified data collection system for early childhood education and care throughout the State; (dd)developing a statewide professional development and career ladder plan for early childhood education and care in the State; (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); (ff)assessing the availability of high quality prekindergarten services for low-income children in the State; (gg)assisting 2- and 4-year public and private institutions of higher education to develop articulation agreements; (hh)awarding grants to assist institutions of higher education to develop model programs of early childhood education and care, including practica or internships for students to spend time in a Head Start or prekindergarten program; and (ii)undertaking collaborative efforts to develop, and make recommendations for improvements in, State early learning standards. (II)The State Advisory Council shall hold public hearings and provide an opportunity for public comment on the activities described in subclause (I). The State Advisory Council shall submit a statewide strategic report addressing the activities described in subclause (I) to the State Director of Head Start Collaboration and the Governor 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. (F)(i)(I)Prior to carrying out paragraph (4), the Secretary shall reserve a portion to carry out this subparagraph for a fiscal year. The Secretary shall reserve the portion from the amount (if any) by which the funds appropriated under section 639(a) for the fiscal year exceed the adjusted prior year appropriation (as defined in paragraph (3)(A)(ii)), without reducing the share available for quality improvement funds described in paragraph (3)(B). (II)To the extent consistent with subclause (I), the Secretary shall reserve $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2008. Funds reserved under this subclause shall remain available for obligation through fiscal year 2012. (ii)The Secretary shall use the portion reserved under clause (i) to award, on a competitive basis, one-time startup grants of not less than $500,000 to eligible States to enable such States to pay for the Federal share of the cost of further developing and implementing the recommendations and plans for which the State's State Advisory Council is responsible under subparagraph (E)(iv)(I). Such grants shall— (I)facilitate the development of high-quality systems of early childhood education and care designed to improve school preparedness; (II)increase and make effective use of existing and new delivery systems and funds for early childhood education and care; and (III)enhance existing early childhood education and care (in existence on the date on which the grant involved is awarded). (iii)To be eligible to receive a grant under this subparagraph, a State shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an application, for a 3-year period, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary shall require, including— (I)a description of the State's State Advisory Council’s responsibilities under subparagraph (E)(iv)(I); (II)a description, for each fiscal year, of how the State will make effective use of funds available under this subparagraph, with funds described in clause (iv), to create an early childhood education and care system, by developing or enhancing programs and activities described in subparagraph (E)(iv)(I); (III)a description of the State early learning standards and the State's goals for increasing the number of children entering kindergarten ready to learn; (IV)information identifying the agency or joint interagency office and individual designated to carry out the activities under this subparagraph, which may be the individual designated under subparagraph (E)(i)(II); and (V)a description of how the State plans to sustain activities under this subparagraph beyond the grant period. (iv)The Federal share of the cost described in clause (ii) shall be 30 percent, and the State shall provide the non-Federal share. (v)Funds made available under this subparagraph shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, and local funds expended to carry out activities related to early childhood education and care in the State. (vi)Not later than 18 months after the date a State receives a grant under this subparagraph, the State shall submit an interim report to the Secretary. A State that receives a grant under this subparagraph shall submit a final report to the Secretary at the end of the grant period.

; and

(D)in subparagraph (G), as redesignated by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph— (i)in clause (i)(I), by striking child care and early childhood education programs and resources and inserting early childhood education and care programs and resources; and (ii)in clause (ii), by striking Federal child care or early childhood education and inserting Federal early childhood education or child care; and (5)in paragraph (6)— (A)in subparagraph (A), by striking 7.5 percent and all that follows and inserting not less than 12 percent for fiscal year 2008, not less than 14 percent for fiscal year 2009, not less than 16 percent for fiscal year 2010, not less than 18 percent for fiscal year 2011, and not less than 20 percent for fiscal year 2012, of the amount appropriated pursuant to section 639(a).; (B)by striking subparagraph (B); (C)in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking required to be each place it appears; and (D)by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B). (b)

Service Delivery Models

(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:

;

(2)in subparagraph (D)— (A)by striking community and inserting communitywide; and (B)by striking other local and inserting the State and local; (3)in subparagraph (E)— (A)by inserting would like to participate but after community who; and (B)by striking early childhood program and inserting early childhood education and care program; (4)in subparagraph (G), by inserting leverage the existing delivery systems of such services (existing as of the date of the allocation decision) 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)

Vehicle safety requirements

Section 640(i) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(i)) is amended— (1)by striking (i) and inserting (i)(1); (2)in paragraph (1), as so designated, by adding at the end the following: The regulations shall also establish requirements to ensure the appropriate supervision of, and appropriate background checks for, individuals with whom the agencies contract to transport those children.; and (3)by adding at the end the following:

(2)(A)For purposes of part 1310 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of the Head Start for School Readiness Act, any vehicle in use to transport children for a Head Start program as of January 1, 2007, shall not be subject to a requirement under that part regarding rear emergency exit doors for 2 years after that date of enactment. (B)The Secretary shall revise allowable alternate vehicle standards described in that part 1310 (or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling) to exempt from Federal seat spacing requirements any vehicle used to transport children for a Head Start program, if the vehicle is equipped with child restraint systems consistent with that part 1310 (or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling). Such revision shall be made in a manner consistent with the findings of the Federal Transit Administration of the Department of Transportation, pursuant to its study on occupant protection on Head Start transit vehicles, related to Government Accountability Office report GAO-06-767R.

(e)

Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs

Section 640(l) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(l)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1), by striking and seasonal farmworker families and inserting or seasonal farmworkers; and (2)by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:

(3)In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall continue the administrative arrangement at the national level for meeting the needs of Indian children and children of migrant or 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 Indian Head Start collaboration director and a national migrant and seasonal Head Start program 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 (including 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 subsection (a)(2)(A), 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. (5)(A)In order to increase access to Head Start services for children of migrant or seasonal farmworkers, the Secretary shall work in collaboration with providers of migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Education to— (i)collect, report, and share data on farmworkers and their families in order to adequately account for the number of children of migrant or seasonal farmworkers who are eligible for Head Start services and determine how many of such children receive the services; and (ii)identify barriers that prevent children of migrant or seasonal farmworkers who are eligible for Head Start services from accessing Head Start services, and develop a plan for eliminating such barriers, including certain requirements relating to tracking, health records, and educational documents. (B)Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Head Start for School Readiness Act, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice about how the Secretary plans to carry out the activities identified in subparagraph (A) and shall provide a period for public comment. To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall consider comments received before implementing any of the activities identified in subparagraph (A). (C)Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Head Start for School Readiness Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate detailing how the Secretary plans to carry out the activities identified in subparagraph (A). (D)The Secretary shall take appropriate caution to ensure the protection of the confidentiality of any personally identifiable data, information, and records collected or maintained regarding children and families served by migrant and seasonal Head Start programs. (E)Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to authorize the development of a nationwide database of personally identifiable data, information, or records on individuals involved in studies or other collections of data under this paragraph.

(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

Rule of Construction

Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to require a State to establish a program of early childhood education and care for children in the State, to require any child to participate in a program in order to attend preschool, or to participate in any initial screening prior to participation in a program of early childhood education and care, 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 635(a)(5) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1435(a)(5)). (o)

Curricula

Designation of Head Start agencies

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

641.

Designation of Head Start agencies

(a)

Designation

(1)

In general

Required goals for designation

Establishment of policy council upon designation

Eligibility for subsequent grants

Governing body and policy council

(A)

Establishment of governing body

Each Head Start agency shall establish a governing body in accordance with paragraph (2)(B). (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 education and care. (III)Not less than 1 member of the governing body shall be a licensed attorney familiar with issues that come before the governing body. (IV)Additional members shall reflect the community to be served, and include parents of children who are currently, or were formerly, enrolled in Head Start programs. (V)In the case in which the governing body is a part of a Head Start agency that is a public agency, members of the governing body shall include elected or appointed public officials. (ii)

Consultants

Conflict of interest

Members of the governing body shall— (I)not have a conflict of interest with the Head Start agency (including any delegate agency); and (II)not receive compensation for the purposes of serving on the governing body or for providing services to the Head Start agency. (C)

Responsibilities of governing body

(i)

In general

The governing body shall be responsible for— (I)the selection of delegate agencies and such agencies’ service areas; (II)establishing procedures and criteria for recruitment, selection, and enrollment; (III)all funding applications and amendments to funding applications for programs under this subchapter; (IV)establishing procedures and guidelines to access and collect the information described in paragraph (6); (V)review and approval of— (aa)the annual self-assessment, financial audit, and findings from the Federal monitoring review, of the Head Start agency (including any delegate agency); and (bb)such agency’s progress in carrying out the programmatic and fiscal intent of such agency’s grant application; (VI)developing procedures for how members of the policy council of the Head Start agency are selected, consistent with subparagraph (E)(ii); (VII)financial audits, accounting, and reporting; (VIII)personnel policies and procedures regarding hiring, termination, salary scales (and changes made to the scale), and salaries of the Executive Director, Head Start Director, the Director of Human Resources, the Chief Fiscal Officer, and any equivalent position; and (IX)review and approval of the community assessment, including any updates to such assessment. (ii)

Conduct of responsibilities

Committees

Establishment of policy council

Each Head Start agency shall establish a policy council in accordance with paragraph (3). (E)

Composition of policy council

(i)

In general

The policy council shall consist of— (I)parents of children currently enrolled in the programs of the Head Start agency (including any delegate agency), which shall constitute a majority of the membership of the policy council; and (II)members at large of the community served by the Head Start agency, which may include parents of children previously enrolled in the programs of the Head Start agency (including any delegate agency). (ii)

Selection

Parents serving on the policy council shall be elected by parents of children currently enrolled in the programs of the Head Start agency (including any delegate agency) and shall represent, proportionately, all program options and settings operated by the Head Start agency (including any delegate agency). (iii)

Conflict of interest

Members of the policy council shall— (I)not have a conflict of interest with the Head Start agency (including any delegate agency); and (II)not receive compensation for serving on the policy council or for providing services to the Head Start agency. (F)

Responsibilities of policy council

The policy council shall be responsible for— (i)program planning, including— (I)program design, including long and short term program goals, all funding applications and amendments to funding applications, and objectives based on the annual communitywide assessment and self-assessment; (II)program recruitment, selection, and enrollment priorities; and (III)budget planning for program expenditures consistent with subparagraph (C)(i)(VII), including polices for reimbursement and participation in policy council activities; (ii)program operation consistent with subparagraph (C)(i)(VIII), including implementation of standards of conduct for program staff, contractors, and volunteers and criteria for the employment and dismissal of program staff; and (iii)activities to support the active involvement of parents in supporting program operations, including policies to ensure that the Head Start program is responsive to community and parent needs. (6)

Information sharing

Training and technical assistance

Communities

Redesignation

(1)

In general

In administering the provisions of this section, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Governor of the State involved, redesignate as a Head Start agency any Head Start agency (including any delegate agency) that is high performing, as determined by meeting each of the following criteria: (A)Is receiving assistance under this subchapter. (B)Meets or exceeds standards described in section 641A(a)(1) (including program and financial management requirements). (C)Has no unresolved deficiencies, including having resolved any deficiencies found during the last triennial review under section 641A(c). (D)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). (E)Completes and submits the appropriate reapplication forms as required by the Secretary. (2)

Limitation

Designation when no entity is redesignated

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)other preschool program under title I of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); (C)programs under section 619 and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.); (D)State prekindergarten programs; (E)child care programs; (F)the educational programs that the children in the Head Start program involved will enter at the age of compulsory school attendance; and (G)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 facilitate 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), if needed, 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 (including foster parents and grandparents, where applicable) 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 providing early childhood education and care 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. (f)

Involvement of Parents and Area Residents

Priority

Interim Basis

Prohibition against non-indian head start agency receiving a grant for an indian head start program

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law except as provided in paragraph (2), under no condition may a non-Indian Head Start agency receive a grant to carry out an Indian Head Start program. (2)

Exception

Quality standards; monitoring of Head Start agencies and programs

;

(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 including any delegate agencies) for regularly scheduled center-based and combination program option classroom activities—

;

(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 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 for School Readiness Act; (III)in clause (iii)— (aa)by striking early childhood education and development and inserting early childhood education and care; and (bb)by inserting homeless children, children in foster care, after children with disabilities,; (IV)in clause (vi), by striking including the language and all that follows and inserting including changes in the language background and family structure of such children, and changes in the population and number of such children who are in foster care or are homeless children;; (V)by striking clause (vii) and inserting the following:

(vii)the unique challenges faced by individual programs, including those programs that are seasonal or short term and those programs that serve rural populations;

;

(D)consult with Indian tribes, American Indian and Alaska Native experts in early childhood education and care, 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

Termination

Evaluations

Remedies to ensure corrective actions

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 (including any 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

;

The performance measures shall be issued by regulation and shall include the performance standards and additional educational standards described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1).

; and

(C)to enable Head Start agencies to individualize programs of instruction to better meet the needs of the child involved.

;

(3)in subsection (c)— (A)in paragraph (1)— (i)by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following:

(C)Unannounced site inspections for health and safety reasons, as appropriate.

;

(ii)by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and (iii)by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:

(D)Followup reviews, including— (i)prompt return visits as necessary for failure to meet 1 or more of the performance measures developed by the Secretary under subsection (b); (ii)a review of agencies and 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 or program 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 programs and other early childhood education and care 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, including strengths and weaknesses, 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 providing early childhood education and care 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 population and community needs (including needs of populations of limited English proficient children and children of migrant or seasonal farmworkers); (vii)include as part of the reviews of the programs, a review and assessment of whether programs have adequately addressed the needs of children with disabilities; (viii)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 agency-determined school readiness goals described in section 641(a)(2)(A); and (ix)in the case of Early Head Start agencies and programs, are conducted by a review team that includes individuals who are knowledgeable about the development of infants and toddlers. (B)

Training; quality and consistency

The Secretary, from funds available under section 640(a)(2)(D), 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 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 communitywide strategic plan and needs assessment identified in section 640(g)(2)(C), after subsection (b),; and (B)in subparagraph (A), by inserting and identify the 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 parents with children receiving assistance under this subchapter in an understandable and uniform format, and to the extent practicable, 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 councils, and, as applicable, policy committees, and, as appropriate, other community members, each agency receiving funds under this subchapter shall conduct a comprehensive self-assessment of the agency's effectiveness and progress in meeting program goals and objectives and in implementing and complying with standards described in subsection (a)(1). (2)

Report and improvement plans

(A)

Report

Improvement plan

Ongoing monitoring

Each Head Start agency (including each Early Head Start agency and including any delegate agency) shall establish and implement procedures for the ongoing monitoring of their Head Start (including 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), 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

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 or 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

Enrollment reporting requirement for current fiscal year

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 communitywide 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 funds made available under this subchapter 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 community served; 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 funded 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

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 children of migrant or seasonal farmworkers, 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

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 or seasonal Head Start program, whose base grant is derived from amounts specified in paragraph (1)(B)(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)(B), 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), in the case of a Head Start agency described in 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

Contract With Nonprofit Intermediary Organization

Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood

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

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

Application and Designation

(1)

Application

(A)

Nomination and submission

(i)

In general

Indian and migrant and seasonal head start programs

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 providers of early childhood education and care in the local community involved; (v)a nomination letter from the Governor, or appropriate regional office, demonstrating the agency’s ability to provide 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 education and care 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 childhood education and care, will coordinate 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 section 619 and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.); (V)State prekindergarten programs; and (VI)other programs of early childhood education and care. (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 or 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 populations served by the applicants, such as programs that serve large proportions of limited English proficient or other underserved populations, and may make bonus grants to programs that do an exceptional job meeting the needs of children in such populations. (4)

Term of designation

(A)

In general

Revocation

Amount of bonus grant

Use of Funds

(1)

Activities

A center of excellence that receives a bonus grant under subsection (b)— (A)shall use the funds made available through the bonus grant to model and disseminate, to other Head Start centers in the State involved, best practices for achieving early academic success, including— (i)best practices for achieving school readiness and developing pre-literacy and premathematics skills for at-risk children and achieving the acquisition of the English language for limited English proficient children; and (ii)best practices for providing seamless service delivery for eligible children and their families; (B)may use the funds made available through the bonus grant— (i)to provide Head Start services to additional eligible children; (ii)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; (iii)to further coordinate early childhood education and care and social services available in the community served by the center for at-risk children (birth through age 8), their families, and pregnant women; (iv)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 education and care, and training and cross training to develop agency leaders; (v)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 education and care, to help the providers described in this clause increase their ability to work with low-income, at-risk children and their families; (vi)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 partners to preschool children in Head Start programs; and (vii)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 and several additional Head Start agencies (especially agencies that are low-performing on the standards or performance measures described in subsection (a) or (b) of section 641A), and other providers of early childhood education and care in the community involved, to encourage the agencies and providers described in this paragraph 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, award a grant or contract 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 education and care in the communities involved to meet measurable improvement goals, particularly in the area of school readiness. (2)

Report

Authorization of Appropriations

10.

Powers and functions of Head Start agencies

Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837) is amended— (1)by striking all that precedes In order the first place it appears and inserting the following:

642.

Powers and functions of Head Start agencies

(a)

In general

; and

(2)by striking subsections (b) through (e) and inserting the following:

(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)establish effective procedures, for determining the needs of children, that include high quality research based developmental screening tools that have been demonstrated to be valid, reliable, and accurate for children from a range of backgrounds; (5)require each delegate agency to create a policy committee, which shall— (A)be comprised of members of the community to be served, including parents of children who are currently enrolled in the Head Start programs of the Head Start agency; and (B)serve in an advisory capacity to the delegate agency, to make decisions and recommendations regarding program planning and operation and parental involvement. (6)seek the involvement of parents, area residents, and local business in the design and implementation of the program; (7)provide for the regular participation of parents and area residents in the implementation of the program; (8)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; (9)establish effective procedures to carry out subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 641(f)(8); (10)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; (11)establish effective procedures to carry out section 641(f)(8)(C); (12)establish effective procedures to carry out section 641(f)(8)(D); (13)establish effective procedures to carry out section 641(f)(8)(E); (14)establish effective procedures to carry out section 641(f)(8)(F); (15)consider providing services to assist younger siblings of children participating in its Head Start program, to obtain health services from other sources; (16)perform community outreach to encourage individuals previously unaffiliated with Head Start programs to participate in its Head Start program as volunteers; (17)(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; (18)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 (19)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 partners to Head Start participants. (c)

Transition Activities to Facilitate Continued Progress

(1)

In general

Coordination

(A)

Local educational agency

Elementary schools

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 providing early childhood education and care, 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. 621 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

Parental involvement

Assessment or evaluation

Funded Enrollment; Waiting List

Technical Assistance and Training Plan

11.

Head Start transition

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

642A.

Head Start transition and alignment with k–12 education

(a)

In general

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, which may include— (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)establishing comprehensive transition policies and procedures that support children transitioning to school, including by engaging the local education agency in the establishment of such policies; (4)developing a continuity of developmentally appropriate curricular objectives and practices between the Head Start agency and local educational agency, that reflect shared expectations for children’s learning and development for the transition to school; (5)conducting outreach to parents, elementary school (such as kindergarten) teachers, and Head Start teachers to discuss the educational, developmental, and other needs of individual children; (6)organizing and participating in joint training, including transition-related training of school staff and Head Start staff; (7)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 parents of limited English proficient children; (8)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; (9)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; (10)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; (11)helping parents understand the instructional and other services provided by the school in which their child will enroll after participation in the Head Start program; and (12)coordinating activities and collaborating to ensure that curricula used in the Head Start program are aligned with State early learning standards, as appropriate, and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework with regard to cognitive development (including language, pre-literacy, and premathematics competencies), and social, emotional, and physical competencies that children entering kindergarten are expected to demonstrate. (b)

Construction

In this section, a reference to a Head Start agency, or its program, services, facility, or personnel, shall not be construed to be a reference to an Early Head Start agency, or its program, services, facility, or personnel.

12.

Submission of plans to governors

13.

Costs of developing and administering a program

Section 644(b) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9839(b)) is amended— (1)by striking Except and inserting (1) Except; and (2)by adding at the end the following:

14.

Participation in Head Start programs

; and

(2)in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following:

(4)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, an Indian tribe that operates both an Early Head Start program under section 645A and a Head Start program may, at its discretion, at any time during the grant period involved, reallocate funds between the Early Head Start program and the Head Start program in order to address fluctuations in client population, including pregnant women and children birth to compulsory school age. The reallocation of such funds between programs by an Indian tribe shall not serve as the basis for the Secretary to reduce a base grant (as defined in section 641A(g)(1)) for either program in succeeding years.

15.

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:

645A.

Early Head Start programs

;

(7)ensure that children with documented behavioral problems, including problems involving behavior related to prior or existing trauma, receive appropriate screening and deferral;

;

(F)by inserting after paragraph (8), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), the following:

(9)develop and implement a systematic procedure for transitioning children and parents from an Early Head Start program to a Head Start program or another local program of early childhood education and care; (10)establish channels of communication between staff of Early Head Start programs and staff of Head Start programs or other local providers of early childhood education and care, to facilitate the coordination of programs;

; and

;

(5)by adding at the end the following:

(h)

Staff Qualifications and Development

(1)

Center-based staff

Home visitor staff

(A)

Standards

Contents

16.

Appeals, notice, and hearing and records and financial audits

(a)

Appeals, notice, and hearing

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 not later than 30 days after notice of the decision from the Secretary; and (B)access to a full and fair hearing of the appeal, not later than 120 days after 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 policy councils of Head Start agencies; (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 180 days or more 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)

Records and financial audits

(1)

Heading

Section 647 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9842) is amended by striking the section heading and inserting the following:

records and financial audits

. (2)

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 center, including each Early Head Start center, receiving. (3)

Financial audits

Subsections (a) and (b) of section 647 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9842) are amended by striking audit and inserting financial audit. (4)

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 center, including each 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.

17.

Technical assistance and training

(b)The Secretary shall make available funds set aside in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) to support a State system of training and technical assistance (which may include such a system for a consortium of States within a region) 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, Indian Head Start agencies, migrant and seasonal Head Start agencies, and other entities providing training and technical assistance in early childhood education and care, for the State (including such a consortium of States within a region), are included in the planning and coordination of the system; and (2)encourage States (including such consortia) to supplement the funds authorized in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) with Federal, State, or local funds other than funds made available under this subchapter, to expand training and technical assistance activities beyond Head Start agencies to include other providers of other early childhood education and care within a State (including such a consortium).

;

(4)in paragraph (3) of subsection (c), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by striking child care and early childhood programs and inserting early childhood education and care programs; (5)in subsection (d), as redesignated by paragraph (2)— (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 1222(d) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6372(d)) after children with disabilities; (C)in paragraph (3), by striking early childhood professional development systems and inserting professional development systems regarding early childhood education and care; (D)in paragraph (5), by inserting , including assessing the needs of homeless children and their families after needs assessment; (E)by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:

;

(F)in paragraph (10), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon; (G)in paragraph (11), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and (H)by adding at the end the following:

;

(6)in subsection (e), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by inserting including community-based organizations, after nonprofit entities,; (7)in subsection (f), as redesignated by paragraph (2)— (A)by striking early childhood development and child care programs and inserting early childhood education and care programs; and (B)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 (8)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 farmworker 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 (including any 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 awareness (including 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 involved 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 limited English proficient. (6)The literacy training shall include training on how to best address the language and literacy needs of children with disabilities, including training on how to work with specialists in language development.

18.

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

Teacher in-service requirement

Progress

(i)

Report

The Secretary shall— (I)require Head Start agencies to— (aa)describe continuing progress each year toward achieving the goals 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 advanced degrees; and (II)compile and submit a summary of all program reports described in subclause (I)(bb) to the Committee on Education and Labor 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 that progress by partnering with institutions of higher education or other programs that recruit, train, place, and support college students to deliver an innovative program of early childhood education and care 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 or credential 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)in paragraph (3), by striking (i) or (ii) and inserting (i) or (iv); (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 populations of limited English proficient children).

;

(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, and teaching assistants to meet the requirements set forth in subsection (a). (g)

Construction

In this section, a reference to a Head Start agency, or its program, services, facility or personnel, shall not be considered to be a reference to an Early Head Start agency, or its program, services, facility or personnel.

19.

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:

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 advanced 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

Application

Authorization of Appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012. (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

20.

Research, demonstrations, and evaluation

;

(C)in paragraph (6), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), by striking child care, early childhood education, or child development services and inserting early childhood education and care services; (D)in paragraph (9), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), by adding and after the semicolon; (E)by striking paragraph (10), as redesignated by subparagraph (A); (F)by redesignating paragraph (11), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), as paragraph (10); and (G)by striking the last sentence; (3)in subsection (e)(3), by striking child care, early childhood education, or child development services and inserting early childhood education and care services; (4)in subsection (g)— (A)in paragraph (1)(A)— (i)in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking education, and early childhood programs and inserting and early childhood education and care programs; (ii)by striking clause (i); and (iii)by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively; (B)in paragraph (2), by striking , and research, education, and early childhood programs and inserting and research, and early childhood education and care programs; (C)in paragraph (5)(D)— (i)in clause (i), by striking early childhood programs and inserting early childhood education and care programs; and (ii)in clause (ii), by striking early childhood program and inserting early childhood education and care program; and (D)in paragraph (7)(C)— (i)in clause (i), by striking 2003 and inserting 2008; and (ii)in clause (ii)— (I)by striking Education and the Workforce and inserting Education and Labor; and (II)by striking Labor and Human Resources and inserting Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and (5)by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:

(h)

Review of assessments

(1)

Application of study

Development and refinement

Additional requirements

Suspended implementation of national reporting system

Special rule

The use of assessment items and data on any assessment authorized under this subchapter by any agent of the Federal Government to rank, compare, or otherwise evaluate individual children or teachers, or to provide rewards or sanctions for individual children or teachers is prohibited. The Secretary shall not use the results of a single assessment as the sole method for assessing program effectiveness or making grantee funding determinations at the national, regional, or local level under this subchapter. (j)

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 (including Early Head Start) programs. (2)

Report

The Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress, not later than September 2011, 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 (including Early Head Start) services and the geographic distribution of children described in this subparagraph; (B)the nature of Head Start (including 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 of and training provided to Head Start (including 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 (including 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 2006; (ii)the correlation between the progress described in this subparagraph and the type of instruction and educational program provided to the limited English proficient children; and (iii)the correlation between the progress described in this subparagraph 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.

21.

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)— (i)by striking Education and the Workforce and inserting Education and Labor; (ii)by striking Labor and Human Resources and inserting Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and (iii)by striking (including disabled and non-English language background children) and inserting (including children with disabilities, limited English proficient children, and children participating in Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs); (B)in paragraph (8), by inserting homelessness, children in foster care, after ethnic background,; (C)in paragraph (14)— (i)by striking Alaskan Natives and inserting Alaska Natives; and (ii)by striking migrant and and inserting migrant or; and (D)in the flush matter at the end— (i)by striking Education and the Workforce and inserting Education and Labor; and (ii)by striking Labor and Human Resources and inserting Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and (2)in subsection (b)— (A)by striking Education and the Workforce and inserting Education and Labor; (B)by striking Labor and Human Resources and inserting Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and (C)by striking Native Alaskan and inserting Alaska Native.

22.

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; and (2)by adding at the end the following:

23.

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.

24.

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:

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 or in, a program assisted 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; or (B)any activity to provide voters or prospective voters with transportation to the polls or similar assistance in connection with any such election. (2)

Rules and regulations

25.

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:

657A.

Parental consent requirement for nonemergency intrusive physical examinations

(a)

Definition

Requirement

Rule of Construction

26.

Conforming amendment

Section 2501(c)(1)(C) of the Children's Health Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 247b–1 note) is amended by striking 9840a(h) and inserting 9840a.