[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 44 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               S. 1852--THE HEAD START AMENDMENTS OF 1994

  Mr. BRYAN. Mr. President, today I join many of my colleagues in 
cosponsoring one of the most successful and important programs of the 
Federal Government--Head Start--which has received ringing endorsements 
by politicians at both ends of the spectrum. The Head Start Amendments 
of 1994, S. 1852, children throughout this Nation will continue to be 
assured of quality preschool education.
  For more than a quarter of a century, Head Start has prepared 
hundreds of thousands of our Nation's low-income children to begin 
school ready to learn. Sadly, there are thousands more who have not 
benefitted from this program due to inadequate funding. Currently only 
one out of every three children who are eligible for Head Start are 
being served by it.
  As many of you know, my daughter, Blair, is a second grade teacher at 
Nancy Gomes Elementary School in Reno, NV, with a class of 19 students. 
It has been very enlightening for me to have Blair share her 
experiences with helping these young people learn. The obstacles many 
of these students must overcome in even getting themselves to their 
school can be heartbreaking. We can all be empathic to the struggle 
these children face when they arrive in the classroom and try to learn. 
Head Start can help these students and their families before that first 
day of school arrives to be prepared to come to class to learn.
  Head Start is about getting kids off on the right foot when they 
begin their first day of school. It takes more to learn than just 
opening a book or looking at the chalkboard or listening to the 
teacher. It takes being well nourished, having the necessary 
immunizations, and receiving adequate health care. It takes parents who 
are willing to read to their children, review their homework and be 
actively involved in their child's education. It takes a community 
that's willing to make an investment in its children by coordinating 
available programs with Head Start programs. The Head Start Program in 
its manifold approach to early childhood development assists in all 
these areas.

  Because the Head Start Program takes a multifaceted approach to 
helping disadvantaged children, the benefits are also numerous and 
diverse. Children move on to enter school healthy and well fed, ready 
to work and learn and less at risk of dropping out or being held back. 
Parents receive assistance in becoming self-sufficient through self-
esteem building activities such as volunteering for the program. The 
community profits by enabling its disadvantaged residents to become 
productive members of the community.
  Research has proven the success of this program. A U.S. Department of 
Education study found that Head Start programs are more likely to meet 
national accreditation standards for early childhood development 
programs than other programs that target this age group. Research shows 
that children who are enrolled in Head Start are less likely to be in 
special education classes or held back in school. Although some Head 
Start programs are clearly in need of improvement, we should not 
abandon the program altogether. With the proper resources and 
commitment, Head Start programs can be strengthened to achieve the 
goals they set out to meet.
  In Nevada, the positive benefits are numerous. Expanding programs for 
children who are at risk of later school failure will help prevent more 
children from needing specialized compensatory or special education 
when they reach elementary school The expansion of current parent-child 
centers for pregnant women and mothers with infants and toddlers, as 
well as allowing for a percentage of Head Start participants under age 
three focuses on earlier cost-effective prevention of later problems.
  The increase in poverty guidelines to match child care food program 
and WIC program income requirements will make it possible for a few 
more children and families to be eligible for these services. There are 
currently many at-risk children in Nevada who cannot participate in 
Head Start because their families do not quite meet the income 
requirements.
  The bill's provisions will also allow funds to be set aside in 
program budgets for training of staff and parents. The quality 
standards to be required of Head Start programs will also ensure 
immediate corrective action is taken to address deficiencies and 
follow-up reviews are conducted.
  The requirement of transition coordination with schools is a 
particularly important feature, especially for those children who may 
be eligible for special education of compensatory education services in 
the public schools.
  Every child who needs it deserves a head start. The Head Start 
Program is the blue-chip stock in education that promises a big return 
on a very small investment. It is one of the best investments we can 
make in the future of our country.

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