[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 79 (Monday, May 14, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1040-E1041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SUPPORT FOR H.R. 1429, IMPROVING HEAD START ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 14, 2007

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H.R. 1429, the Improving Head Start Act. Having had the 
opportunity to serve on the Education and Workforce committee for 6 
years, I am very pleased to have the opportunity today to finally vote 
for a Head Start reauthorization bill that will improve on the success 
of this critical program.
  Head Start is one of the most successful programs funded by Congress. 
Research shows that children who attend Head Start enter school better 
prepared, are less likely to need special education services, and are 
more likely to graduate. The Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank reported 
a few years ago that there is actually a 16 percent rate of return on 
investment in quality early education. In my opinion, funding education 
for our youngest children is the most efficient and important 
investment we can make.
  The biggest challenge facing Head Start has been lack of resources. 
In Minnesota, less than half the children eligible for Head Start are 
served due to funding shortages. And nationwide, only 2 percent of 
children eligible for Early Head Start receive services. We can do 
better. Increasing access to Head Start is good for children, for 
families, for communities and for the federal budget.
  The Improving Head Start Act will expand and improve Head Start. It 
will allow access for 10,000 more children and prioritize expanding 
Early Head Start. It increases teacher qualifications and helps to 
attract quality teachers by improving salaries. It will also improve 
coordination with other early education programs, ensure that parents 
continue to play

[[Page E1041]]

an important role in governing Head Start and strengthen the focus on 
health, mental health, and obesity prevention.
  Equally important are the things this bill does not include. It 
prohibits further use of the National Reporting System--high stakes 
testing that was inappropriate for 4-year olds and was draining time 
and dollars from Head Start programs. It does not include block grants 
to the states which would have diluted Head Start's high standards and 
comprehensive programming. And finally, I join with faith groups in 
Minnesota and around the country in applauding the successful efforts 
to defeat a provision to allow discrimination in hiring with Head Start 
dollars.
  I congratulate Chairman Miller and Speaker Pelosi for making our 
children's education a priority for the 110th Congress. I am pleased to 
support H.R. 1429 and look forward to continuing to put the interests 
of our children and our families first.

                          ____________________