[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 174 (Friday, November 9, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H13462-H13509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1429, IMPROVING HEAD START FOR SCHOOL 
                         READINESS ACT OF 2007

  Mr. KILDEE (during consideration of H.R. 3996) submitted the 
following conference report and statement on the bill (H.R. 1429) to 
reauthorize the Head Start Act, to improve program quality, to expand 
access, and for other purposes:

                  Conference Report (H. Rept. 110-439)

       The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the 
     two Houses on the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 
     1429), to reauthorize the Head Start Act, to improve program 
     quality, to expand access, and for other purposes, having 
     met, after full and free conference, have agreed to recommend 
     and do recommend to their respective Houses as follows:
       That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
     amendment of the Senate and agree to the same with an 
     amendment as follows:
       In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the Senate 
     amendment, insert the following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Improving 
     Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Statement of purpose.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Financial assistance for Head Start programs.
Sec. 5. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 6. Allotment of funds; limitations on assistance.
Sec. 7. Designation of Head Start agencies.
Sec. 8. Standards; monitoring of Head Start agencies and programs.
Sec. 9. Powers and functions of Head Start agencies.
Sec. 10. Head start transition and alignment with K-12 education.
Sec. 11. Early childhood education, coordination, and improvement.
Sec. 12. Submission of plans.
Sec. 13. Administrative requirements and standards.
Sec. 14. Participation in Head Start programs.
Sec. 15. Early Head Start programs.
Sec. 16. Appeals, notice, and hearing.
Sec. 17. Records and audits.
Sec. 18. Technical assistance and training.
Sec. 19. Staff qualifications and development.
Sec. 20. Research, demonstrations, and evaluation.
Sec. 21. Reports.
Sec. 22. Comparability of wages.
Sec. 23. Limitation with respect to certain unlawful activities.
Sec. 24. Political activities.
Sec. 25. Parental consent requirement for health services.
Sec. 26. Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood.
Sec. 27. General provisions.
Sec. 28. Compliance with Improper Payments Information Act of 2002.
Sec. 29. References in other Acts.

     SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

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

     ``SEC. 636. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

       ``It is the purpose of this subchapter to promote the 
     school readiness of low-income children by enhancing their 
     cognitive, social, and emotional development--
       ``(1) in a learning environment that supports children's 
     growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, social 
     and emotional functioning, creative arts, physical skills, 
     and approaches to learning; 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.''.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) In General.--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 ``, and financial 
     literacy.'' after ``self-sufficiency'';
       (3) in paragraph (12), by striking ``migrant and seasonal 
     Head Start program'' and inserting ``migrant or seasonal Head 
     Start program'';
       (4) by striking paragraph (17) and inserting the following:
       ``(17) The term `State' means a State, the Commonwealth of 
     Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, 
     the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the Commonwealth 
     of the Northern Mariana Islands. The term includes the 
     Republic of Palau for fiscal years 2008 and 2009, and (if the 
     legislation described in section 640(a)(2)(B)(v) has not been 
     enacted by September 30, 2009) for fiscal years 2010 through 
     2012.''; and
       (5) 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 received under this subchapter;
       ``(v) loss of legal status (as determined by the Secretary) 
     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 or material failure of the governing body of 
     an agency to fully exercise its legal and fiduciary 
     responsibilities; or
       ``(C) an unresolved area of noncompliance.
       ``(19) The term `homeless children' has the meaning given 
     the term `homeless children and youths' 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)(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 (as defined in section 
     9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 7801)), an Alaska Native, or a native resident of 
     an outlying area (as defined in such section 9101); 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
       ``(B) 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 `principles of scientific research' means 
     principles of research that--
       ``(A) apply rigorous, systematic, and objective methodology 
     to obtain reliable and valid knowledge relevant to education 
     activities and programs;
       ``(B) present findings and make claims that are appropriate 
     to and supported by methods that have been employed; and
       ``(C) include, as appropriate to the research being 
     conducted--
       ``(i) use of systematic, empirical methods that draw on 
     observation or experiment;
       ``(ii) use of data analyses that are adequate to support 
     the general findings;
       ``(iii) reliance on measurements or observational methods 
     that provide reliable and generalizable findings;
       ``(iv) strong claims of causal relationships, only with 
     research designs that eliminate plausible competing 
     explanations for observed results, such as, but not limited 
     to, random assignment experiments;
       ``(v) presentation of studies and methods in sufficient 
     detail and clarity to allow for replication or, at a minimum, 
     to offer the opportunity to build systematically on the 
     findings of the research;

[[Page H13463]]

       ``(vi) acceptance by a peer-reviewed journal or critique by 
     a panel of independent experts through a comparably rigorous, 
     objective, and scientific review; and
       ``(vii) consistency of findings across multiple studies or 
     sites to support the generality of results and conclusions.
       ``(24) The term `professional development' means high-
     quality activities that will improve the knowledge and skills 
     of Head Start teachers and staff, as relevant to their roles 
     and functions, in program administration and the provision of 
     services and instruction, as appropriate, in a manner that 
     improves service delivery to enrolled children and their 
     families, including activities that--
       ``(A) are part of a sustained effort to improve overall 
     program quality and outcomes for enrolled children and their 
     families;
       ``(B) are developed or selected with extensive 
     participation of administrators and teachers from Head Start 
     programs;
       ``(C) are developmentally appropriate for the children 
     being served;
       ``(D) include instruction in ways that Head Start teachers 
     and staff may work more effectively with parents, as 
     appropriate;
       ``(E) are designed to give Head Start teachers and staff 
     the knowledge and skills to provide instruction and 
     appropriate support services to children of diverse 
     backgrounds, as appropriate;
       ``(F) may include a 1-day or short-term workshop or 
     conference, if the workshop or conference is consistent with 
     the goals in the professional development plan described in 
     section 648A(f) and will be delivered by an institution of 
     higher education or other entity, with expertise in 
     delivering training in early childhood development, training 
     in family support, and other assistance designed to improve 
     the delivery of Head Start services; and
       ``(G) in the case of teachers, assist teachers with--
       ``(i) the acquisition of the content knowledge and teaching 
     strategies needed to provide effective instruction and other 
     school readiness services regarding early language and 
     literacy, early mathematics, early science, cognitive skills, 
     approaches to learning, creative arts, physical health and 
     development, and social and emotional development linked to 
     school readiness;
       ``(ii) meeting the requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) 
     of section 648A(a), as appropriate;
       ``(iii) improving classroom management skills, as 
     appropriate;
       ``(iv) advancing their understanding of effective 
     instructional strategies that are--

       ``(I) based on scientifically valid research; and
       ``(II) aligned with--

       ``(aa) the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework developed by 
     the Secretary and, as appropriate, State early learning 
     standards; and
       ``(bb) curricula, ongoing assessments, and other 
     instruction and services, designed to help meet the standards 
     described in section 641A(a)(1);
       ``(v) acquiring the knowledge and skills to provide 
     instruction and appropriate language and support services to 
     increase the English language skills of limited English 
     proficient children, as appropriate; or
       ``(vi) methods of teaching children with disabilities, as 
     appropriate.
       ``(25) The term `scientifically valid research' includes 
     applied research, basic research, and field-initiated 
     research in which the rationale, design, and interpretation 
     are soundly developed in accordance with principles of 
     scientific research.
       ``(26) The term `unresolved area of noncompliance' means 
     failure to correct a noncompliance item within 120 days, or 
     within such additional time (if any) as is authorized by the 
     Secretary, after receiving from the Secretary notice of such 
     noncompliance item, pursuant to section 641A(c).''.
       (b) Redesignation and Reordering of Definitions.--Section 
     637 of such Act is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (23) as 
     paragraphs (1), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), 
     (12), (16), (17), (18), (19), (22), (24), (25), (2), (11), 
     (13), (14), (15), (20), (21), (23), and (26), respectively; 
     and
       (2) so that paragraphs (1) through (26), as so redesignated 
     in paragraph (1), appear in numerical order.

     SEC. 4. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HEAD START PROGRAMS.

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

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

     ``SEC. 639. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     subchapter (other than section 657B) $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.''.

     SEC. 6. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS; LIMITATIONS ON ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Allotment of Funds.--Section 640(a) of the Head Start 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a)(1) Using the sums appropriated pursuant to section 
     639 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate such sums 
     in accordance with paragraphs (2) through (5).
       ``(2)(A) The Secretary shall determine an amount for each 
     fiscal year for each State that is equal to the amount 
     received through base grants for the prior fiscal year by the 
     Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) in 
     the State that are not described in clause (ii) or (iii) of 
     subparagraph (B).
       ``(B) The Secretary shall reserve for each fiscal year such 
     sums as are necessary--
       ``(i) to provide each amount determined for a State under 
     subparagraph (A) to the Head Start agencies (including Early 
     Head Start agencies) in the State that are not described in 
     clause (ii) or (iii), by allotting to each agency described 
     in this clause an amount equal to that agency's base grant 
     for the prior fiscal year;
       ``(ii) to provide an amount for the Indian Head Start 
     programs that is equal to the amount provided for base grants 
     for such programs under this subchapter for the prior fiscal 
     year, by allotting to each Head Start agency (including each 
     Early Head Start agency) administering an Indian Head Start 
     program an amount equal to that agency's base grant for the 
     prior fiscal year;
       ``(iii) to provide an amount for the migrant and seasonal 
     Head Start programs, on a nationwide basis, that is equal to 
     the amount provided nationwide for base grants for such 
     programs under this subchapter for the prior fiscal year, by 
     allotting to each Head Start agency administering a migrant 
     or seasonal Head Start program an amount equal to that 
     agency's base grant for the prior fiscal year;
       ``(iv) to provide an amount for each of Guam, American 
     Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and 
     the Virgin Islands of the United States (for Head Start 
     agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) in the 
     jurisdiction) that is equal to the amount provided for base 
     grants for such jurisdiction under this subchapter for the 
     prior fiscal year, by allotting to each agency described in 
     this clause an amount equal to that agency's base grant for 
     the prior fiscal year;
       ``(v) to provide an amount for the Republic of Palau (for 
     Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) in 
     the jurisdiction) for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009, and 
     (if legislation approving a new agreement regarding United 
     States assistance for the Republic of Palau has not been 
     enacted by September 30, 2009) for each of fiscal years 2010 
     through 2012, that is equal to the amount provided for base 
     grants for such jurisdiction under this subchapter for the 
     prior fiscal year, by allotting to each agency described in 
     this clause an amount equal to that agency's base grant for 
     the prior fiscal year; and
       ``(vi) to provide an amount for a collaboration grant under 
     section 642B(a) for each State, for the Indian Head Start 
     programs, and for the migrant and seasonal Head Start 
     programs, in the same amount as the corresponding 
     collaboration grant provided under this subchapter for fiscal 
     year 2007.
       ``(C)(i) The Secretary shall reserve for each fiscal year 
     an amount that is not less than 2.5 percent and not more than 
     3 percent of the sums appropriated pursuant to section 639 
     for that fiscal year, to fund training and technical 
     assistance activities, from which reserved amount--
       ``(I) the Secretary shall set aside a portion, but not less 
     than 20 percent, to be used to fund training and technical 
     assistance activities for Early Head Start programs, in 
     accordance with section 645A(g)(2); and
       ``(II) the Secretary shall set aside a portion, equal to 
     the rest of the reserved amount, to fund training and 
     technical assistance activities for other Head Start 
     programs, in accordance with section 648, of which portion--
       ``(aa) not less than 50 percent shall be made available to 
     Head Start agencies to use directly, which may include at 
     their discretion the establishment of local or regional 
     agreements with community experts, institutions of higher 
     education, or private consultants, to make program 
     improvements identified by such agencies, by carrying out the 
     training and technical assistance activities described in 
     section 648(d);
       ``(bb) not less than 25 percent shall be available to the 
     Secretary to support a State-based training and technical 
     assistance system, or a national system, described in section 
     648(e) for supporting program quality; and
       ``(cc) the remainder of the portion set aside under this 
     subclause shall be available to the Secretary to assist Head 
     Start agencies in meeting and exceeding the standards 
     described in section 641A(a)(1) by carrying out activities 
     described in subsections (a), (b), (c), (f), and (g) of 
     section 648, including helping Head Start programs address 
     weaknesses identified by monitoring activities conducted by 
     the Secretary under section 641A(c), except that not less 
     than $3,000,000 of the remainder shall be made available to 
     carry out activities described in section 648(a)(3)(B)(ii).
       ``(ii) In determining the portion set aside under clause 
     (i)(I) and the amount reserved under this subparagraph, the 
     Secretary shall consider the number of Early Head Start 
     programs newly funded for that fiscal year.
       ``(D) The Secretary shall reserve not more than $20,000,000 
     to fund research, demonstration, and evaluation activities 
     under section 649, 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).
       ``(E) The Secretary shall reserve not more than $42,000,000 
     for discretionary payments by the Secretary, including 
     payments for all costs (other than compensation of Federal 
     employees) for activities carried out under subsection (c) or 
     (e) of section 641A.
       ``(F) If the sums appropriated under section 639 are not 
     sufficient to provide the amounts required to be reserved 
     under subparagraphs (B) through (E), the amounts shall be 
     reduced proportionately.
       ``(G) Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny 
     the Secretary the authority, consistent with sections 641, 
     641A, and 646 to terminate, suspend, or reduce funding to a 
     Head Start agency.
       ``(3)(A) From any amount remaining for a fiscal year after 
     the Secretary carries out paragraph (2) (referred to in this 
     paragraph as the `remaining amount'), the Secretary shall--

[[Page H13464]]

       ``(i) subject to clause (ii)--
       ``(I) provide a cost of living increase for each Head Start 
     agency (including each Early Head Start agency) funded under 
     this subchapter for that fiscal year, to maintain the level 
     of services provided during the prior year; and
       ``(II) subject to subparagraph (B), provide $10,000,000 for 
     Indian Head Start programs (including Early Head Start 
     programs), and $10,000,000 for migrant and seasonal Head 
     Start programs, to increase enrollment in the programs 
     involved;
       ``(ii) subject to clause (iii), if the remaining amount is 
     not sufficient to carry out clause (i)--
       ``(I) for each of fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010--
       ``(aa) subject to subparagraph (B), provide 5 percent of 
     that amount for Indian Head Start programs (including Early 
     Head Start programs), and 5 percent of that amount for 
     migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, to increase 
     enrollment in the programs involved; and
       ``(bb) use 90 percent of that amount to provide, for each 
     Head Start agency (including each Early Head Start agency) 
     funded as described in clause (i)(I), the same percentage 
     (but not less than 50 percent) of the cost of living increase 
     described in clause (i); and
       ``(II) for fiscal year 2011 and each subsequent fiscal 
     year--
       ``(aa) provide, for each Head Start agency (including each 
     Early Head Start agency) funded as described in clause 
     (i)(I), the cost of living increase described in clause (i); 
     and
       ``(bb) subject to subparagraph (B), with any portion of the 
     remaining amount that is not used under item (aa), provide 
     equal amounts for Indian Head Start programs (including Early 
     Head Start programs), and for migrant and seasonal Head Start 
     programs, to increase enrollment in the programs involved; 
     and
       ``(iii) if the remaining amount is not sufficient to carry 
     out clause (ii) for the fiscal year involved, use that amount 
     to provide, for each Head Start agency (including each Early 
     Head Start agency) funded as described in clause (i)(I), the 
     same percentage of the cost of living increase described in 
     clause (i).
       ``(B)(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
     paragraph, the Indian Head Start programs shall not receive 
     more than a total cumulative amount of $50,000,000 for all 
     fiscal years, and the migrant and seasonal Head Start 
     programs shall not receive more than a total cumulative 
     amount of $50,000,000 for all fiscal years, under clause 
     (i)(II), and subclauses (I)(aa) and (II)(bb) of clause (ii), 
     of subparagraph (A) (referred to in this subsection as the 
     `special expansion provisions'), to increase enrollment in 
     the programs involved.
       ``(ii)(I) Funds that are appropriated under section 639 for 
     a fiscal year, and made available to Indian Head Start 
     programs or migrant or seasonal Head Start programs under the 
     special expansion provisions, shall remain available until 
     the end of the following fiscal year.
       ``(II) For purposes of subclause (I)--
       ``(aa) if no portion is reallocated under clause (iii), 
     those funds shall remain available to the programs involved; 
     or
       ``(bb) if a portion is reallocated under clause (iii), the 
     portion shall remain available to the recipients of the 
     portion.
       ``(iii) Of the funds made available as described in clause 
     (ii), the Secretary shall reallocate the portion that the 
     Secretary determines is unobligated 18 months after the funds 
     are made available. The Secretary shall add that portion to 
     the balance described in paragraph (4), and reallocate the 
     portion in accordance with paragraph (4), for the following 
     fiscal year referred to in clause (ii).
       ``(4)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), from any 
     amount remaining for a fiscal year after the Secretary 
     carries out paragraphs (2) and (3) (referred to in this 
     paragraph as the `balance'), the Secretary shall--
       ``(i) reserve 40 percent to carry out subparagraph (C) and 
     paragraph (5);
       ``(ii) reserve 45 percent to carry out subparagraph (D); 
     and
       ``(iii) reserve 15 percent (which shall remain available 
     through the end of fiscal year 2012) to provide funds for 
     carrying out section 642B(b)(2).
       ``(B)(i) Under the circumstances described in clause (ii), 
     from the balance, the Secretary shall--
       ``(I) reserve 45 percent to carry out subparagraph (C) and 
     paragraph (5); and
       ``(II) reserve 55 percent to carry out subparagraph (D).
       ``(ii) The Secretary shall make the reservations described 
     in clause (i) for a fiscal year if--
       ``(I) the total cumulative amount reserved under 
     subparagraph (A)(iii) for all preceding fiscal years equals 
     $100,000,000; or
       ``(II) in the 2-year period preceding such fiscal year, 
     funds were reserved under subparagraph (A)(iii) in an amount 
     that totals not less than $15,000,000 and the Secretary 
     received no approvable applications for such funds.
       ``(iii) The total cumulative amount reserved under 
     subparagraph (A)(iii) for all fiscal years may not be greater 
     than $100,000,000.
       ``(C) The Secretary shall fund the quality improvement 
     activities described in paragraph (5) using the amount 
     reserved under subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (B)(i)(I), 
     as appropriate, of which--
       ``(i) a portion that is less than 10 percent may be 
     reserved by the Secretary to provide funding to Head Start 
     agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) that 
     demonstrate the greatest need for additional funding for such 
     activities, as determined by the Secretary; and
       ``(ii) a portion that is not less than 90 percent shall be 
     reserved by the Secretary to allot, to each Head Start agency 
     (including each Early Head Start agency), an amount that 
     bears the same ratio to such portion as the number of 
     enrolled children served by the agency involved bears to the 
     number of enrolled children served by all the Head Start 
     agencies (including Early Head Start agencies), except that 
     the Secretary shall account for the additional costs of 
     serving children in Early Head Start programs and may 
     consider whether an agency is providing a full-day program or 
     whether an agency is providing a full-year program.
       ``(D) The Secretary shall fund expansion of Head Start 
     programs (including Early Head Start programs) using the 
     amount reserved under subparagraph (A)(ii) or subparagraph 
     (B)(i)(II), as appropriate, of which the Secretary shall--
       ``(i) use 0.2 percent for Head Start programs funded under 
     clause (iv) or (v) of paragraph (2)(B) (other than Early Head 
     Start programs);
       ``(ii) for any fiscal year after the last fiscal year for 
     which Indian Head Start programs receive funds under the 
     special expansion provisions, use 3 percent for Head Start 
     programs funded under paragraph (2)(B)(ii) (other than Early 
     Head Start programs), except that the Secretary may increase 
     that percentage if the Secretary determines that the results 
     of the study conducted under section 649(k) indicate that the 
     percentage should be increased;
       ``(iii) for any fiscal year after the last fiscal year for 
     which migrant or seasonal Head Start programs receive funds 
     under the special expansion provisions, use 4.5 percent for 
     Head Start programs funded under paragraph (2)(B)(iii) (other 
     than Early Head Start programs), except that the Secretary 
     may increase that percentage if the Secretary determines that 
     the results of the study conducted under section 649(l) 
     indicate that the percentage should be increased; and
       ``(iv) from the remainder of the reserved amount--
       ``(I) use 50 percent for Head Start programs funded under 
     paragraph (2)(B)(i) (other than Early Head Start programs), 
     of which--
       ``(aa) the covered percentage shall be allocated 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 
     allocating to each of those States an amount that bears the 
     same relationship to that covered percentage 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 
     subclause as `young low-income children') in that State bears 
     to the number of young low-income children in all those 
     States; and
       ``(bb) the remainder shall be allocated proportionately 
     among the States on the basis of the number of young low-
     income children; and
       ``(II) use 50 percent for Early Head Start programs.
       ``(E) In this paragraph, the term `covered percentage' 
     means--
       ``(i) for fiscal year 2008, 30 percent;
       ``(ii) for fiscal year 2009, 40 percent;
       ``(iii) for fiscal year 2010, 50 percent;
       ``(iv) for fiscal year 2011, 55 percent; and
       ``(v) for fiscal year 2012, 55 percent.
       ``(5)(A) Not less than 50 percent of the amount reserved 
     under subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (B)(i)(I), as 
     appropriate, of paragraph (4) to carry out quality 
     improvement activities under paragraph (4)(C) and this 
     paragraph shall be used to improve the compensation 
     (including benefits) of educational personnel, family service 
     workers, and child counselors, as described in sections 
     644(a) and 653, in the manner determined by the Head Start 
     agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) involved, to--
       ``(i) ensure that compensation is adequate to attract and 
     retain qualified staff for the programs involved in order to 
     enhance program quality;
       ``(ii) improve staff qualifications and assist with the 
     implementation of career development programs for staff that 
     support ongoing improvement of their skills and expertise; 
     and
       ``(iii) provide education and professional development to 
     enable teachers to be fully competent to meet the 
     professional standards established under section 648A(a)(1), 
     including--
       ``(I) providing assistance to complete postsecondary course 
     work;
       ``(II) improving the qualifications and skills of 
     educational personnel to become certified and licensed as 
     bilingual education teachers, or as teachers of English as a 
     second language; and
       ``(III) improving the qualifications and skills of 
     educational personnel to teach and provide services to 
     children with disabilities.
       ``(B) Any remaining funds from the reserved amount 
     described in subparagraph (A) shall be used to carry out any 
     of the following activities:
       ``(i) Supporting staff training, child counseling, and 
     other services, necessary to address the challenges of 
     children from immigrant, refugee, and asylee families, 
     homeless children, children in foster care, limited English 
     proficient children, children of migrant or seasonal 
     farmworker families, children from families in crisis, 
     children referred to Head Start programs (including Early 
     Head Start programs) by child welfare agencies, and children 
     who are exposed to chronic violence or substance abuse.
       ``(ii) Ensuring that the physical environments of Head 
     Start programs are conducive to providing effective program 
     services to children and families, and are accessible to 
     children with disabilities and other individuals with 
     disabilities.
       ``(iii) Employing additional qualified classroom staff to 
     reduce the child-to-teacher ratio in the classroom and 
     additional qualified family service workers to reduce the 
     family-to-staff ratio for those workers.
       ``(iv) Ensuring that Head Start programs have qualified 
     staff that promote the language skills and literacy growth of 
     children and that provide children with a variety of skills 
     that have been identified, through scientifically based 
     reading research, as predictive of later reading achievement.
       ``(v) Increasing hours of program operation, including--

[[Page H13465]]

       ``(I) conversion of part-day programs to full-working-day 
     programs; and
       ``(II) increasing the number of weeks of operation in a 
     calendar year.
       ``(vi) Improving communitywide strategic planning and needs 
     assessments for Head Start programs and collaboration efforts 
     for such programs, including outreach to children described 
     in clause (i).
       ``(vii) Transporting children in Head Start programs 
     safely, except that not more than 10 percent of funds made 
     available to carry out this paragraph may be used for such 
     purposes.
       ``(viii) Improving the compensation and benefits of staff 
     of Head Start agencies, in order to improve the quality of 
     Head Start programs.
       ``(6) No sums appropriated under this subchapter may be 
     combined with funds appropriated under any provision other 
     than this subchapter if the purpose of combining funds is to 
     make a single discretionary grant or a single discretionary 
     payment, unless such sums appropriated under this subchapter 
     are separately identified in such grant or payment and are 
     used for the purposes of this subchapter.
       ``(7) In this subsection:
       ``(A) The term `base grant', used with respect to a fiscal 
     year, means the amount of permanent ongoing funding (other 
     than funding described in sections 645A(g)(2)(A)(i) and 
     paragraph (2)(C)(i)(II)(aa)) provided to a Head Start agency 
     (including an Early Head Start agency) under this subchapter 
     for that fiscal year.
       ``(B) The term `cost-of-living increase', used with respect 
     to an agency for a fiscal year, means an increase in the 
     funding for that agency, based on the percentage change in 
     the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (issued by 
     the Bureau of Labor Statistics) for the prior fiscal year, 
     calculated on the amount of the base grant for that agency 
     for the prior fiscal year.
       ``(C) For the purposes of this subsection, the term `State' 
     does not include Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands of 
     the United States, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
     Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of 
     the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.''.
       (b) Minimum Enrollment Requirement for Children With 
     Disabilities.--Section 640(d) of the Head Start Act (42 
     U.S.C. 9835(d)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d)(1) The Secretary shall establish policies and 
     procedures to assure that, for fiscal year 2009 and 
     thereafter, not less than 10 percent of the total number of 
     children actually enrolled by each Head Start agency and each 
     delegate agency will be children with disabilities who are 
     determined to be eligible for special education and related 
     services, or early intervention services, as appropriate, as 
     determined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
     Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), by the State or local agency 
     providing services under section 619 or part C of the 
     Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 
     1431 et seq.).
       ``(2) Such policies and procedures shall ensure the 
     provision of early intervening services, such as educational 
     and behavioral services and supports, to meet the needs of 
     children with disabilities, prior to an eligibility 
     determination under the Individuals with Disabilities 
     Education Act.
       ``(3) Such policies and procedures shall require Head Start 
     agencies to provide timely referral to and collaborate with 
     the State or local agency providing services under section 
     619 or part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
     Act to ensure the provision of special education and related 
     services and early intervention services, and the 
     coordination of programmatic efforts, to meet the special 
     needs of such children.
       ``(4) The Secretary shall establish policies and procedures 
     to provide Head Start agencies with waivers of the 
     requirements of paragraph (1) for not more than 3 years. Such 
     policies and procedures shall require Head Start agencies, in 
     order to receive such waivers, to provide evidence 
     demonstrating that the Head Start agencies are making 
     reasonable efforts on an annual basis to comply with the 
     requirements of that paragraph.
       ``(5) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to 
     limit or create a right to a free appropriate public 
     education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
     Act.''.
       (c) 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 
     Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, 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 development 
     services or programs.''; 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-working-
     day programs or part-day slots to full-working-day slots; and
       ``(B) serving additional infants and toddlers pursuant to 
     section 645(a)(5).''.
       (d) Additional Funds.--Section 640(g) of the Head Start Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 9835(g)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraphs (1), (3), and (4);
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``, in allocating funds to an applicant within a State, from 
     amounts allotted to a State pursuant to subsection (a)(4),'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``performance 
     standards'' and inserting ``standards described in section 
     641A(a)(1)'';
       (C) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(C) the extent to which the applicant has undertaken a 
     communitywide strategic planning and needs assessment 
     involving other entities, including community organizations, 
     and Federal, State, and local public agencies (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))), that provide services to 
     children and families, such as--
       ``(i) family support services;
       ``(ii) child abuse prevention services;
       ``(iii) protective services;
       ``(iv) foster care;
       ``(v) services for families in whose homes English is not 
     the language customarily spoken;
       ``(vi) services for children with disabilities; and
       ``(vii) services for homeless children;'';
       (D) in subparagraph (D)--
       (i) by striking ``family and community needs assessment'' 
     and inserting ``family needs assessment and communitywide 
     strategic planning and needs assessment'';
       (ii) by striking ``reflects'' and inserting ``reflect''; 
     and
       (iii) by striking ``other local'' and inserting ``the State 
     and local'';
       (E) by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(E) the number of eligible children, as described in 
     clause (i) or (ii) of section 645(a)(1)(B), in each community 
     who are not participating in a Head Start program or any 
     other publicly funded early childhood education and 
     development program;'';
       (F) by striking subparagraphs (G) and (H) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(G) the extent to which the applicant proposes to foster 
     partnerships with other service providers in a manner that 
     will leverage the existing delivery systems of such services 
     and enhance the resource capacity of the applicant; and
       ``(H) the extent to which the applicant, in providing 
     services, successfully coordinated activities with the local 
     educational agency serving the community involved (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))), and with schools in 
     which children participating in such applicant's program will 
     enroll following such program, with respect to such services 
     and the education services provided by such local educational 
     agency.'';
       (3) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (1); and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in using funds made 
     available for expansion under subsection (a)(4)(D), the 
     Secretary shall first allocate the funds to qualified 
     applicants proposing to use such funds to serve children from 
     families with incomes below the poverty line. Agencies that 
     receive such funds are subject to the eligibility and 
     enrollment requirements under section 645(a)(1).
       ``(3)(A) In the event that the amount appropriated to carry 
     out the program under this subchapter for a fiscal year does 
     not exceed the amount appropriated for the prior fiscal year, 
     or is not sufficient to maintain services comparable to the 
     services provided under this subchapter during the prior 
     fiscal year, a Head Start agency may negotiate with the 
     Secretary a reduced funded enrollment level without a 
     reduction in the amount of the grant received by the agency 
     under this subchapter, if such agency can reasonably 
     demonstrate that such reduced funded enrollment level is 
     necessary to maintain the quality of services.
       ``(B) In accordance with this paragraph, the Secretary 
     shall set up a process for Head Start agencies to negotiate 
     the reduced funded enrollment levels referred to in 
     subparagraph (A) for the fiscal year involved.
       ``(C) In the event described in subparagraph (A), the 
     Secretary shall be required to notify Head Start agencies of 
     their ability to negotiate the reduced funded enrollment 
     levels if such an agency can reasonably demonstrate that such 
     reduced funded enrollment level is necessary to maintain the 
     quality of services.''.
       (e) 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.''.
       (f) 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)--
       (A) by striking ``With funds'' and all that follows through 
     ``programs,'' and inserting ``With funds made available under 
     this subchapter to expand migrant and seasonal Head Start 
     programs,''; and
       (B) by striking ``children of migrant and seasonal 
     farmworker families'' and inserting ``children of migrant or 
     seasonal farmworker families'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``For'' and all that follows through ``in 
     determining'' and inserting ``In determining'';
       (B) by striking ``children of migrant farmworkers'' and 
     inserting ``children of migrant farmworker families'';
       (C) by striking ``under such subsection'' and inserting 
     ``under this subchapter'';
       (D) by striking ``children of seasonal farmworkers'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``children of seasonal 
     farmworker families''; and
       (E) by striking ``children of such farmworkers'' and 
     inserting ``children of such farmworker families''; and
       (3) 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

[[Page H13466]]

     needs of Indian children and children of migrant and seasonal 
     farmworker families and shall ensure--
       ``(A) the provision of training and technical assistance 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 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 Indian, including Alaska Native, 
     children and their families, in accordance with this 
     subchapter, taking into consideration funding allocations, 
     distribution formulas, and other issues affecting the 
     delivery of Head Start services in their geographic 
     locations.
       ``(C) The Secretary shall publish a notification of the 
     consultations in the Federal Register before conducting the 
     consultations.
       ``(D) The Secretary shall ensure that a detailed report of 
     each consultation shall be prepared and made available, 
     within 90 days after the consultation, to all tribal 
     governments receiving funds under this subchapter.''.
       (g) Enrollment of Homeless Children; Rule of Construction; 
     Materials.--Section 640 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
     9835) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(m) The Secretary shall issue rules to establish policies 
     and procedures to remove barriers to the enrollment and 
     participation of homeless children in Head Start programs. 
     Such rules shall require Head Start agencies--
       ``(1) to implement policies and procedures to ensure that 
     homeless children, along with children from other special 
     populations, are identified and prioritized for enrollment;
       ``(2) to allow families of homeless children to apply to, 
     enroll in, and attend Head Start programs while required 
     documents, such as proof of residency, immunization and other 
     medical records, birth certificates, and other documents, are 
     obtained within a reasonable time frame; and
       ``(3) to 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) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to 
     require a State to establish a publicly funded program of 
     early childhood education and development, or to require any 
     child to participate in such a publicly funded program, 
     including a State-funded preschool program, or to participate 
     in any initial screening before participating in a publicly 
     funded program of early childhood education and development, 
     except as provided under sections 612(a)(3) and 635(a)(5) of 
     the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1412(a)(3), 1435(a)(5)).
       ``(o) All curricula funded under this subchapter shall be 
     based on scientifically valid research, and be age and 
     developmentally appropriate. The curricula shall reflect all 
     areas of child development and learning and be aligned with 
     the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework. Parents shall have 
     the opportunity to examine any such curricula or 
     instructional materials funded under this subchapter.''.

     SEC. 7. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES.

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

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

       ``(a) Authority To Designate.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to designate 
     as a Head Start agency any local public or private nonprofit 
     agency, including community-based and faith-based 
     organizations, or for-profit agency, within a community, 
     pursuant to the requirements of this section.
       ``(2) Interim policy.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), until 
     such time as the Secretary develops and implements the system 
     for designation renewal under this section, the Secretary is 
     authorized to designate as a Head Start agency, any local 
     public or private nonprofit agency, including community-based 
     and faith-based organizations, or for-profit agency, within a 
     community, in the manner and process utilized by the 
     Secretary prior to the enactment of the Improving Head Start 
     for School Readiness Act of 2007.
       ``(b) Application for Designation Renewal.--To be 
     considered for designation renewal, an entity shall submit an 
     application to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner 
     as the Secretary may require.
       ``(c) System for Designation Renewal.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop a system for 
     designation renewal that integrates the recommendations of 
     the expert panel convened under paragraph (2) to determine if 
     a Head Start agency is delivering a high-quality and 
     comprehensive Head Start program that meets the educational, 
     health, nutritional, and social needs of the children and 
     families it serves, and meets program and financial 
     management requirements and standards described in section 
     641A(a)(1), based on--
       ``(A) annual budget and fiscal management data;
       ``(B) program reviews conducted under section 641A(c);
       ``(C) annual audits required under section 647;
       ``(D) classroom quality as measured under section 
     641A(c)(2)(F); and
       ``(E) Program Information Reports.
       ``(2) Expert panel.--Not later than 3 months after the date 
     of enactment of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness 
     Act of 2007, the Secretary shall convene an expert panel of 7 
     members to make recommendations to the Secretary on the 
     development of a transparent, reliable, and valid system for 
     designation renewal.
       ``(3) Composition of expert panel.--The Secretary, in 
     convening such panel, shall appoint the following:
       ``(A)(i) One member, who has demonstrated competency, as 
     evidenced by training, expertise, and experience, in early 
     childhood program accreditation.
       ``(ii) One member, who has demonstrated competency (as so 
     evidenced) in research on early childhood development.
       ``(iii) One member, who has demonstrated competency (as so 
     evidenced) in governance and finance of nonprofit 
     organizations.
       ``(iv) One member, who has demonstrated competency (as so 
     evidenced) in delivery of services to populations of children 
     with special needs and their families.
       ``(v) One member, who has demonstrated competency (as so 
     evidenced) in assessment and evaluation of programs serving 
     young children.
       ``(B) An employee from the Office of Head Start.
       ``(C) An executive director of a Head Start agency.
       ``(4) Expert panel report.--Within 9 months after being 
     convened by the Secretary, the expert panel shall issue a 
     report to the Secretary that provides recommendations on a 
     proposed system for designation renewal that takes into 
     account the criteria in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of 
     paragraph (1) to evaluate whether a Head Start agency is 
     fulfilling its mission to deliver a high-quality and 
     comprehensive Head Start program, including adequately 
     meeting its governance, legal, and financial management 
     requirements.
       ``(5) Public comment and consideration.--Not later than 3 
     months after receiving the report described in paragraph (4), 
     the Secretary shall publish a notice describing a proposed 
     system for designation renewal in the Federal Register, 
     including a proposal for the transition to such system, 
     providing at least 90 days for public comment. The Secretary 
     shall review and consider public comments prior to finalizing 
     the system for designation renewal described in this 
     subsection.
       ``(6) Designation renewal system.--Not later than 12 months 
     after publishing a notice describing the proposed system 
     under paragraph (5), the Secretary shall implement the system 
     for designation renewal and use that system to determine--
       ``(A) whether a Head Start grantee is successfully 
     delivering a high-quality and comprehensive Head Start 
     program; and
       ``(B) whether the grantee has any unresolved deficiencies 
     found during the last triennial review under section 641A(c).
       ``(7) Implementation of the designation renewal system.--
       ``(A) In general.--A grantee who is determined under such 
     system--
       ``(i) to be delivering a high-quality and comprehensive 
     Head Start program shall be designated (consistent with 
     section 643) as a Head Start agency for the period of 5 years 
     described in section 638;
       ``(ii) to not be delivering a high-quality and 
     comprehensive Head Start program shall be subject to an open 
     competition as described in subsection (d); and
       ``(iii) in the case of an Indian Head Start agency, to not 
     be delivering a high-quality and comprehensive Head Start 
     program shall (notwithstanding clause (ii)) be subject to the 
     requirements of subparagraph (B).
       ``(B) Tribal government consultation and reevaluation.--On 
     making a determination described in subparagraph (A)(iii), 
     the Secretary shall engage in government-to-government 
     consultation with the appropriate tribal government or 
     governments for the purpose of establishing a plan to improve 
     the quality of Head Start programs operated by the Indian 
     Head Start agency. Such plan shall be established and 
     implemented within 6 months after the Secretary's 
     determination. Not more than 6 months after the 
     implementation of that plan, the Secretary shall reevaluate 
     the performance of the Indian Head Start agency. If the 
     Indian Head Start agency is still not delivering a high-
     quality and comprehensive Head Start program, the Secretary 
     shall conduct an open competition as described in subsection 
     (d), subject to the limitations described in subsection (e).
       ``(8) Transparency, reliability, and validity.--The 
     Secretary shall ensure the system for designation renewal is 
     fair, consistent, and transparent and is applied in a manner 
     that renews designations, in a timely manner, grantees as 
     Head Start agencies for periods of 5 years if such grantees 
     are delivering high-quality and comprehensive Head Start 
     programs. The Secretary shall periodically evaluate whether 
     the criteria of the system are being applied in a manner that 
     is transparent, reliable, and valid.
       ``(9) Transition.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each Head Start agency shall be reviewed 
     under the system for designation renewal described in 
     paragraph (6), not later than 3 years after the 
     implementation of such system.
       ``(B) Limitation.--A Head Start agency shall not be subject 
     to the requirements of the system for designation renewal 
     prior to 18 months after the date of enactment of the 
     Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007.
       ``(C) Schedule.--The Secretary shall establish and 
     implement a schedule for reviewing each Head Start agency 
     under the system for designation renewal described in 
     paragraph (6), consistent with subparagraphs (A) and (B).
       ``(10) Reports to congress.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(A) make available to the Committee on Education and 
     Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate the 
     report described in paragraph (4);
       ``(B) concurrently with publishing a notice in the Federal 
     Register as described in paragraph

[[Page H13467]]

     (5), provide 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 that provides a 
     detailed description of the proposed system described in 
     paragraph (5), including a clear rationale for any 
     differences between the proposed system and the 
     recommendations of the expert panel, if any such differences 
     exist; and
       ``(C) prior to implementing the system for designation 
     renewal, provide 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--
       ``(i) summarizing the public comment on the proposed system 
     and the Secretary's response to such comment; and
       ``(ii) describing the final system for designation renewal 
     and the plans for implementation of such system.
       ``(d) Designation When No Entity Is Renewed.--
       ``(1) In general.--If no entity in a community is 
     determined to be successfully delivering a high-quality and 
     comprehensive Head Start program, as specified in subsection 
     (c), the Secretary shall, after conducting an open 
     competition, designate for a 5-year period a Head Start 
     agency from among qualified applicants in such community.
       ``(2) Considerations for designation.--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--
       ``(A) any past performance of such applicant in providing 
     services comparable to Head Start services, including how 
     effectively such applicant provided such comparable services;
       ``(B) 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;
       ``(C) the plan of such applicant to attract and retain 
     qualified staff capable of delivering, including 
     implementing, a high-quality and comprehensive program, 
     including the ability to carry out a research based 
     curriculum aligned with the Head Start Child Outcomes 
     Framework and, as appropriate, State early learning 
     standards;
       ``(D) the ability of such applicant to maintain child-to-
     teacher ratios and family service worker caseloads that 
     reflect best practices and are tied to high-quality service 
     delivery;
       ``(E) the capacity of such applicant to serve eligible 
     children with--
       ``(i) curricula that are based on scientifically valid 
     research, that are developmentally appropriate, and that 
     promote the school readiness of children participating in the 
     program involved; and
       ``(ii) teaching practices that are based, as appropriate, 
     on scientifically valid research, that are developmentally 
     appropriate, and that promote the school readiness of 
     children participating in the program involved;
       ``(F) the plan of such applicant to meet standards 
     described in section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to 
     the standards described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such 
     section;
       ``(G) the proposed budget of the applicant and plan of such 
     applicant to maintain strong fiscal controls and cost-
     effective fiscal management;
       ``(H) the plan of such applicant to coordinate and 
     collaborate with other public or private entities providing 
     early childhood education and development programs and 
     services for young children in the community involved, 
     including--
       ``(i) programs implementing grant agreements under 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.);
       ``(ii) other preschool programs under title I of that Act 
     (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);
       ``(iii) programs under section 619 and part C of the 
     Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 
     1431 et seq.);
       ``(iv) State prekindergarten programs;
       ``(v) child care programs;
       ``(vi) the educational programs that the children in the 
     Head Start program involved will enter at the age of 
     compulsory school attendance; and
       ``(vii) local entities, such as a public or school library, 
     for--

       ``(I) conducting reading readiness programs;
       ``(II) developing innovative programs to excite children 
     about the world of books, including providing fresh books in 
     the Head Start classroom;
       ``(III) assisting in literacy training for Head Start 
     teachers; or
       ``(IV) supporting parents and other caregivers in literacy 
     efforts;

       ``(I) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the Head 
     Start program that the applicant proposes to carry out, with 
     public and private entities that are willing to commit 
     resources to assist the Head Start program in meeting its 
     program needs;
       ``(J) the plan of such applicant--
       ``(i) to facilitate the involvement of parents (including 
     grandparents and kinship caregivers, as appropriate) of 
     children participating in the proposed Head Start program, in 
     activities (at home and, if practicable, at the location of 
     the Head Start program) designed to help such parents become 
     full partners in the education of their children;
       ``(ii) to afford such parents the opportunity to 
     participate in the development and overall conduct of the 
     program at the local level, including transportation 
     assistance, as appropriate;
       ``(iii) 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;

       ``(iv) 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;
       ``(v) 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, social, and emotional 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;
       ``(V) health services, including information on maternal 
     depression; or
       ``(VI) any other activity designed to help such parents 
     become full partners in the education of their children;

       ``(vi) to provide, with respect to each participating 
     family, a family needs assessment that includes consultation 
     with such parents (including foster parents, grandparents, 
     and kinship caregivers, where applicable), in a manner and 
     language that such parents can understand, to the extent 
     practicable, about the benefits of parent involvement and 
     about the activities described in this subparagraph in which 
     such parents may choose to become involved (taking into 
     consideration their specific family needs, work schedules, 
     and other responsibilities); and
       ``(vii) to extend outreach to fathers (including father 
     figures), in appropriate cases, in order to strengthen the 
     role of those fathers in families, in the education of young 
     children, and in the Head Start program, by working directly 
     with the fathers through activities such as--

       ``(I) in appropriate cases, including the fathers in home 
     visits and providing opportunities for direct father-child 
     interactions; and
       ``(II) targeting increased male participation in the 
     conduct of the program;

       ``(K) 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, while making meaningful progress in 
     attaining the knowledge, skills, abilities, and development 
     described in section 641A(a)(1)(B);
       ``(L) the plan of such applicant to meet the diverse needs 
     of the population served;
       ``(M) 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;
       ``(N) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of 
     children with disabilities, including procedures to identify 
     such children, procedures for referral of such children for 
     evaluation to State or local agencies providing services 
     under section 619 or part C of the Individuals with 
     Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.), 
     and plans for collaboration with those State or local 
     agencies;
       ``(O) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of 
     homeless children, including transportation needs, and the 
     needs of children in foster care; and
       ``(P) other factors related to the requirements of this 
     subchapter.
       ``(3) 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 education and 
     development services and programs to children and their 
     families.
       ``(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) Interim Provider.--If no agency in a community is 
     designated under subsection (d), and there is no qualified 
     applicant in the community, 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 designated under subsection (d).
       ``(g) Parent and Community Participation.--The Secretary 
     shall require that the practice of significantly involving 
     parents and community residents in the area affected by the 
     program involved, in the selection of Head Start agencies, be 
     continued.
       ``(h) Community.--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.''.

[[Page H13468]]

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

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

     ``SEC. 641A. STANDARDS; MONITORING OF HEAD START AGENCIES AND 
                   PROGRAMS.

       ``(a) Standards.--
       ``(1) Content of standards.--The Secretary shall modify, as 
     necessary, program performance standards by regulation 
     applicable to Head Start agencies and programs under this 
     subchapter, including--
       ``(A) performance standards with respect to services 
     required to be provided, including health, parental 
     involvement, nutritional, and social services, transition 
     activities described in section 642A, and other services;
       ``(B) scientifically based and developmentally appropriate 
     education performance standards related to school readiness 
     that are based on the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework to 
     ensure that the children participating in the program, at a 
     minimum, develop and demonstrate--
       ``(i) language knowledge and skills, including oral 
     language and listening comprehension;
       ``(ii) literacy knowledge and skills, including 
     phonological awareness, print awareness and skills, and 
     alphabetic knowledge;
       ``(iii) mathematics knowledge and skills;
       ``(iv) science knowledge and skills;
       ``(v) cognitive abilities related to academic achievement 
     and child development;
       ``(vi) approaches to learning related to child development 
     and early learning;
       ``(vii) social and emotional development related to early 
     learning, school success, and social problemsolving;
       ``(viii) abilities in creative arts;
       ``(ix) physical development; and
       ``(x) in the case of limited English proficient children, 
     progress toward acquisition of the English language while 
     making meaningful progress in attaining the knowledge, 
     skills, abilities, and development described in clauses (i) 
     through (ix), including progress made through the use of 
     culturally and linguistically appropriate instructional 
     services;
       ``(C) administrative and financial management standards;
       ``(D) standards relating to the condition and location of 
     facilities (including indoor air quality assessment 
     standards, where appropriate) for such agencies, and 
     programs, including regulations that require that the 
     facilities used by Head Start agencies (including Early 
     Head Start agencies and any delegate agencies) for 
     regularly scheduled center-based and combination program 
     option classroom activities--
       ``(i) shall meet or exceed 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, unless 
     State or local laws prohibit such access; and
       ``(E) such other standards as the Secretary finds to be 
     appropriate.
       ``(2) Considerations regarding standards.--In developing 
     any modifications to standards required under paragraph (1), 
     the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) consult with experts in the fields of child 
     development, early childhood education, child health care, 
     family services (including linguistically and culturally 
     appropriate services to non-English speaking children and 
     their families), administration, and financial management, 
     and with persons with experience in the operation of Head 
     Start programs;
       ``(B) take into consideration--
       ``(i) past experience with use of the standards in effect 
     under this subchapter on the date of enactment of the 
     Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007;
       ``(ii) changes over the period since October 27, 1998, in 
     the circumstances and problems typically facing children and 
     families served by Head Start agencies;
       ``(iii) recommendations from the study on Developmental 
     Outcomes and Assessments for Young Children by the National 
     Academy of Sciences, consistent with section 649(j);
       ``(iv) developments concerning research-based practices 
     with respect to early childhood education and development, 
     children with disabilities, homeless children, children in 
     foster care, and family services, and best practices with 
     respect to program administration and financial management;
       ``(v) projected needs of an expanding Head Start program;
       ``(vi) guidelines and standards that promote child health 
     services and physical development, including participation in 
     outdoor activity that supports children's motor development 
     and overall health and nutrition;
       ``(vii) changes in the characteristics of the population of 
     children who are eligible to participate in Head Start 
     programs, including country of origin, 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;
       ``(viii) mechanisms to ensure that children participating 
     in Head Start programs make a successful transition to the 
     schools that the children will be attending;
       ``(ix) the need for Head Start agencies to maintain regular 
     communications with parents, including conducting periodic 
     meetings to discuss the progress of individual children in 
     Head Start programs; and
       ``(x) the unique challenges faced by individual programs, 
     including those programs that are seasonal or short term and 
     those programs that serve rural populations;
       ``(C)(i) review and revise as necessary the standards in 
     effect under this subsection; and
       ``(ii) ensure that any such revisions in the standards will 
     not result in the elimination of or any reduction in quality, 
     scope, or types of health, educational, parental involvement, 
     nutritional, social, or other services required to be 
     provided under such standards as in effect on the date of 
     enactment of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness 
     Act of 2007; and
       ``(D) consult with Indian tribes, including Alaska Natives, 
     experts in Indian, including Alaska Native, early childhood 
     education and development, linguists, and the National Indian 
     Head Start Directors Association on the review and 
     promulgation of standards under paragraph (1) (including 
     standards for language acquisition and school readiness).
       ``(3) Standards relating to obligations to delegate 
     agencies.--In developing any modifications to standards under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall describe the obligations 
     of a Head Start agency to a delegate agency to which the Head 
     Start agency has delegated responsibility for providing 
     services under this subchapter.
       ``(b) Measures.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
     representatives of Head Start agencies and with experts in 
     the fields of early childhood education and development, 
     family services, and program management, shall use the study 
     on Developmental Outcomes and Assessments for Young Children 
     by the National Academy of Sciences and other relevant 
     research to inform, revise, and provide guidance to Head 
     Start agencies for utilizing, scientifically based measures 
     that support, as appropriate--
       ``(A) classroom instructional practices;
       ``(B) identification of children with special needs;
       ``(C) program evaluation; and
       ``(D) administrative and financial management practices.
       ``(2) Characteristics of measures.--The measures under this 
     subsection shall--
       ``(A) be developmentally, linguistically, and culturally 
     appropriate for the population served;
       ``(B) be reviewed periodically, based on advances in the 
     science of early childhood development;
       ``(C) be consistent with relevant, nationally recognized 
     professional and technical standards related to the 
     assessment of young children;
       ``(D) be valid and reliable in the language in which they 
     are administered;
       ``(E) be administered by staff with appropriate training 
     for such administration;
       ``(F) provide for appropriate accommodations for children 
     with disabilities and children who are limited English 
     proficient;
       ``(G) be high-quality research-based measures that have 
     been demonstrated to assist with the purposes for which they 
     were devised; and
       ``(H) be adaptable, as appropriate, for use in the self-
     assessment of Head Start agencies, including in the 
     evaluation of administrative and financial management 
     practices.
       ``(3) Use of measures; limitations on use.--
       ``(A) Use.--The measures shall be designed, as appropriate, 
     for the purpose of--
       ``(i) helping to develop the skills, knowledge, abilities, 
     and development described in subsection (a)(1)(B) of children 
     participating in Head Start programs, with an emphasis on 
     measuring skills that scientifically valid research has 
     demonstrated are related to children's school readiness and 
     later success in school;
       ``(ii) improving classroom practices, including reviewing 
     children's strengths and weaknesses and individualizing 
     instruction to better meet the needs of the children 
     involved;
       ``(iii) identifying the special needs of children; and
       ``(iv) improving overall program performance in order to 
     help programs identify problem areas that may require 
     additional training and technical assistance resources.
       ``(B) Limitations.--Such measures shall not be used to 
     exclude children from Head Start programs.
       ``(4) Confidentiality.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, through regulation, shall 
     ensure the confidentiality of any personally identifiable 
     data, information, and records collected or maintained under 
     this subchapter by the Secretary and any Head Start agency. 
     Such regulations shall provide the policies, protections, and 
     rights equivalent to those provided to a parent, student, or 
     educational agency or institution under section 444 of the 
     General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g).
       ``(B) Prohibition on nationwide database.--Nothing in this 
     subsection shall be construed to authorize the development of 
     a nationwide database of personally identifiable data, 
     information, or records on children resulting from the use of 
     measures under this subsection.
       ``(5) Special rule.--
       ``(A) Prohibition.--The use of assessment items and data on 
     any assessment authorized under this subchapter by any agent 
     of the Federal Government is prohibited for the purposes of--
       ``(i) ranking, comparing, or otherwise evaluating 
     individual children for purposes other than research, 
     training, or technical assistance; and
       ``(ii) providing rewards or sanctions for individual 
     children or teachers.
       ``(B) Results.--The Secretary shall not use the results of 
     a single assessment as the sole method for assessing program 
     effectiveness or making agency funding determinations at the 
     national, regional, or local level under this subchapter.
       ``(c) Monitoring of Local Agencies and Programs.--
       ``(1) In general.--To determine whether Head Start agencies 
     meet standards described in subsection (a)(1) established 
     under this subchapter with respect to program, 
     administrative, financial management, and other requirements, 
     and in order to help the programs identify areas for 
     improvement and areas of strength as part of their ongoing 
     self-assessment process, the Secretary shall conduct the 
     following reviews of

[[Page H13469]]

     Head Start agencies, including the Head Start programs 
     operated by such agencies:
       ``(A) A full review, including the use of a risk-based 
     assessment approach, of each such agency at least once during 
     each 3-year period.
       ``(B) A review of each newly designated Head Start agency 
     immediately after the completion of the first year such 
     agency carries out a Head Start program.
       ``(C) Followup reviews, including--
       ``(i) return visits to Head Start agencies with 1 or more 
     findings of deficiencies, not later than 6 months after the 
     Secretary provides notification of such findings, or not 
     later than 12 months after such notification if the Secretary 
     determines that additional time is necessary for an agency to 
     address such a deficiency prior to the review; and
       ``(ii) a review of Head Start agencies with significant 
     areas of noncompliance.
       ``(D) Other reviews, including unannounced site inspections 
     of Head Start centers, as appropriate.
       ``(2) Conduct of reviews.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
     reviews described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of 
     paragraph (1)--
       ``(A) are conducted by review teams that--
       ``(i) include individuals who are knowledgeable about Head 
     Start programs and, to the maximum extent practicable, 
     individuals who are knowledgeable about--

       ``(I) other early childhood education and development 
     programs, personnel management, financial accountability, and 
     systems development and monitoring; and

       ``(II) the diverse (including linguistic and cultural) 
     needs of eligible children (including children with 
     disabilities, homeless children, children in foster care, and 
     limited English proficient children) and their families;

       ``(ii) include, to the maximum extent practicable, current 
     or former employees of the Department of Health and Human 
     Services who are knowledgeable about Head Start programs; and
       ``(iii) shall receive periodic training to ensure quality 
     and consistency across reviews;
       ``(B) include as part of the reviews, a review and 
     assessment of program strengths and areas in need of 
     improvement;
       ``(C) include as part of the reviews, a review and 
     assessment of whether programs have adequately addressed 
     population and community needs (including those of limited 
     English proficient children and children of migrant or 
     seasonal farmworker families);
       ``(D) include as part of the reviews, an assessment of the 
     extent to which the programs address the communitywide 
     strategic planning and needs assessment described in section 
     640(g)(1)(C);
       ``(E) include information on the innovative and effective 
     efforts of the Head Start agencies to collaborate with the 
     entities providing early childhood and development services 
     or programs in the community and any barriers to such 
     collaboration that the agencies encounter;
       ``(F) include as part of the reviews, a valid and reliable 
     research-based observational instrument, implemented by 
     qualified individuals with demonstrated reliability, that 
     assesses classroom quality, including assessing multiple 
     dimensions of teacher-child interactions that are linked to 
     positive child development and later achievement;
       ``(G) are conducted in a manner that evaluates program 
     performance, quality, and overall operations with consistency 
     and objectivity, are based on a transparent and reliable 
     system of review, and are conducted in a manner that includes 
     periodic interrater reliability checks, to ensure quality and 
     consistency, across and within regions, of the reviews and of 
     noncompliance and deficiency determinations;
       ``(H) in the case of reviews 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;
       ``(I) include as part of the reviews a protocol for fiscal 
     management that shall be used to assess compliance with 
     program requirements for--
       ``(i) using Federal funds appropriately;
       ``(ii) using Federal funds specifically to purchase 
     property (consistent with section 644(f)) and to compensate 
     personnel;
       ``(iii) securing and using qualified financial officer 
     support; and
       ``(iv) reporting financial information and implementing 
     appropriate internal controls to safeguard Federal funds;
       ``(J) include as part of the reviews of the programs, a 
     review and assessment of whether the programs are in 
     conformity with the eligibility requirements under section 
     645(a)(1), including regulations promulgated under such 
     section and whether the programs have met the requirements 
     for the outreach and enrollment policies and procedures, and 
     selection criteria, in such section, for the participation of 
     children in programs assisted under this subchapter;
       ``(K) include as part of the reviews, a review and 
     assessment of whether agencies have adequately addressed the 
     needs of children with disabilities, including whether the 
     agencies involved have met the 10 percent minimum enrollment 
     requirement specified in section 640(d) and whether the 
     agencies have made sufficient efforts to collaborate with 
     State and local agencies providing services under section 619 
     or part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
     (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.); and
       ``(L) include as part of the reviews, a review and 
     assessment of child outcomes and performance as they relate 
     to agency-determined school readiness goals described in 
     subsection (g)(2), consistent with subsection (b)(5).
       ``(3) Standards relating to obligations to delegate 
     agencies.--In conducting a review described in paragraph 
     (1)(A) of a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall determine 
     whether the agency complies with the obligations described in 
     subsection (a)(3). The Secretary shall consider such 
     compliance in determining whether to renew financial 
     assistance to the Head Start agency under this subchapter.
       ``(4) Use of review findings.--The findings of a review 
     described in paragraph (1) of a Head Start agency shall, at a 
     minimum--
       ``(A) be presented to the agency in a timely, transparent, 
     and uniform manner that conveys information of program 
     strengths and weaknesses and assists with program 
     improvement; and
       ``(B) be used by the agency to inform the development and 
     implementation of its plan for training and technical 
     assistance.
       ``(d) Evaluations and Corrective Action for Delegate 
     Agencies.--
       ``(1) Procedures.--Each Head Start agency shall establish, 
     subject to paragraph (4), procedures relating to its delegate 
     agencies, including--
       ``(A) procedures for evaluating delegate agencies;
       ``(B) procedures for defunding delegate agencies; and
       ``(C) procedures for a delegate agency to appeal a 
     defunding decision.
       ``(2) Evaluation.--Each Head Start agency--
       ``(A) shall evaluate its delegate agencies using the 
     procedures established under this subsection; and
       ``(B) shall inform the delegate agencies of the 
     deficiencies identified through the evaluation that are 
     required to be corrected.
       ``(3) 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--
       ``(A) initiating procedures to terminate the designation of 
     the agency unless the agency corrects the deficiency;
       ``(B) 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
       ``(C) releasing funds to such delegate agency--
       ``(i) only as reimbursements except that, upon receiving a 
     request from the delegate agency accompanied by assurances 
     satisfactory to the Head Start agency that the funds will be 
     appropriately safeguarded, the Head Start agency shall 
     provide to the delegate agency a working capital advance in 
     an amount sufficient to cover the estimated expenses involved 
     during an agreed upon disbursing cycle; and
       ``(ii) only if there is continuity of services.
       ``(4) 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.
       ``(5) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
     shall be construed to limit the powers, duties, or functions 
     of the Secretary with respect to Head Start agencies or 
     delegate agencies that receive financial assistance under 
     this subchapter.
       ``(e) Corrective Action for Head Start Agencies.--
       ``(1) Determination.--If the Secretary determines, on the 
     basis of a review pursuant to subsection (c), that a Head 
     Start agency designated pursuant to this subchapter fails to 
     meet the standards described in subsection (a)(1) or fails to 
     address the communitywide strategic planning and needs 
     assessment, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) inform the agency of the deficiencies that shall be 
     corrected and identify the assistance to be provided 
     consistent with paragraph (3);
       ``(B) with respect to each identified deficiency, require 
     the agency--
       ``(i) to correct the deficiency immediately, if the 
     Secretary finds that the deficiency threatens the health or 
     safety of staff or program participants or poses a threat to 
     the integrity of Federal funds;
       ``(ii) to correct the deficiency not later than 90 days 
     after the identification of the deficiency if the Secretary 
     finds, in the discretion of the Secretary, that such a 90-day 
     period is reasonable, in light of the nature and magnitude of 
     the deficiency; or
       ``(iii) in the discretion of the Secretary (taking into 
     consideration the seriousness of the deficiency and the time 
     reasonably required to correct the deficiency), to comply 
     with the requirements of paragraph (2) concerning a quality 
     improvement plan; and
       ``(C) initiate proceedings to terminate the designation of 
     the agency unless the agency corrects the deficiency.
       ``(2) Quality improvement plan.--
       ``(A) Agency and program responsibilities.--To retain a 
     designation as a Head Start agency under this subchapter, or 
     in the case of a Head Start program to continue to receive 
     funds from such agency, a Head Start agency that is the 
     subject of a determination described in paragraph (1), or a 
     Head Start program that is determined to have a deficiency 
     under subsection (d)(2) (excluding an agency required to 
     correct a deficiency immediately or during a 90-day period 
     under clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(B)) shall--
       ``(i) develop in a timely manner, a quality improvement 
     plan that shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary, 
     or in the case of a program, the sponsoring agency, and that 
     shall specify--

       ``(I) the deficiencies to be corrected;
       ``(II) the actions to be taken to correct such 
     deficiencies; and
       ``(III) the timetable for accomplishment of the corrective 
     actions specified; and

       ``(ii) correct each deficiency identified, not later than 
     the date for correction of such deficiency specified in such 
     plan (which shall not be later than 1 year after the date the 
     agency or Head Start program that is determined to have a 
     deficiency received notice of the determination and of the 
     specific deficiency to be corrected).

[[Page H13470]]

       ``(B) Secretarial responsibility.--Not later than 30 days 
     after receiving from a Head Start agency a proposed quality 
     improvement plan pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
     shall either approve such proposed plan or specify the 
     reasons why the proposed plan cannot be approved.
       ``(C) Agency responsibility.--Not later than 30 days after 
     receiving from a Head Start program a proposed quality 
     improvement plan pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Head Start 
     agency involved shall either approve such proposed plan or 
     specify the reasons why the proposed plan cannot be approved.
       ``(3) Training and technical assistance.--The Secretary 
     shall provide training and technical assistance to Head Start 
     agencies and programs with respect to the development or 
     implementation of such quality improvement plans to the 
     extent the Secretary finds such provision to be feasible and 
     appropriate given available funding and other statutory 
     responsibilities.
       ``(f) Summaries of Monitoring Outcomes.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the end of 
     each fiscal year, the Secretary shall publish a summary 
     report on the findings of reviews conducted under subsection 
     (c) and on the outcomes of quality improvement plans 
     implemented under subsection (e), during such fiscal year.
       ``(2) Report availability.--Such report shall be made 
     widely available to--
       ``(A) parents with children receiving assistance under this 
     subchapter--
       ``(i) in an understandable and uniform format; and
       ``(ii) to the extent practicable, in a language that the 
     parents understand; and
       ``(B) the public through means such as--
       ``(i) distribution through public agencies; and
       ``(ii) posting such information on the Internet.
       ``(3) Report information.--Such report shall contain 
     detailed data--
       ``(A) on compliance with specific standards and measures; 
     and
       ``(B) sufficient to allow Head Start agencies to use such 
     data to improve the quality of their programs.
       ``(g) 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 Head Start agency, 
     and each delegate agency, that receives financial assistance 
     under this subchapter shall conduct a comprehensive self-
     assessment of its effectiveness and progress in meeting 
     program goals and objectives and in implementing and 
     complying with standards described in subsection (a)(1).
       ``(2) Goals, reports, and improvement plans.--
       ``(A) Goals.--An agency conducting a self-assessment shall 
     establish agency-determined program goals for improving the 
     school readiness of children participating in a program under 
     this subchapter, including school readiness goals that are 
     aligned with the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework, State 
     early learning standards as appropriate, and requirements and 
     expectations of the schools the children will be attending.
       ``(B) Improvement plan.--The agency shall develop, and 
     submit to the Secretary a report containing, an improvement 
     plan approved by the governing body of the agency to 
     strengthen any areas identified in the self-assessment as 
     weaknesses or in need of improvement.
       ``(3) Ongoing monitoring.--Each Head Start agency 
     (including each Early Head Start agency) and each delegate 
     agency shall establish and implement procedures for the 
     ongoing monitoring of their respective programs, to ensure 
     that the operations of the programs work toward meeting 
     program goals and objectives and standards described in 
     subsection (a)(1).
       ``(h) Reduction of Grants and Redistribution of Funds in 
     Cases of Underenrollment.--
       ``(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' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 640(a)(7).
       ``(C) Funded enrollment.--The term `funded enrollment' 
     means, with respect to the program of a Head Start agency in 
     a fiscal year, the number of children that the agency is 
     funded to serve through a grant for the program during such 
     fiscal year, as indicated in the grant agreement.
       ``(2) Enrollment reporting requirement.--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 its funded 
     enrollment, as determined under subparagraph (A), develop, in 
     collaboration with such agency, a plan and timetable for 
     reducing or eliminating underenrollment taking into 
     consideration--
       ``(i) the quality and extent of the outreach, recruitment, 
     and communitywide strategic planning and 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-working-day programs, 
     where needed, through funds made available under this 
     subchapter or through collaboration with entities carrying 
     out other early childhood education and development programs, 
     or programs with other funding sources (where available);
       ``(v) the availability and use by families of other early 
     childhood education and development options 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 
     assisting the Head Start agency to implement 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). The Secretary shall, where determined appropriate, 
     continue to provide technical assistance to such agency.
       ``(5) Secretarial review and adjustment for chronic 
     underenrollment.--
       ``(A) In general.--If, after receiving technical assistance 
     and developing and implementing the plan as described in 
     paragraphs (3) and (4) for 12 months, a Head Start agency is 
     operating a program with an actual enrollment that is less 
     than 97 percent of its funded enrollment, the Secretary may--
       ``(i) designate such agency as chronically underenrolled; 
     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 for which the agency 
     is determined to be underenrolled under paragraph (3)(A).
       ``(B) Waiver or limitation of reductions.--The Secretary 
     may, as appropriate, waive or reduce the percentage 
     recapturing, withholding, or reduction otherwise required by 
     subparagraph (A), if, after the implementation of the plan 
     described in paragraph (3)(B), the Secretary finds that--
       ``(i) the causes of the enrollment shortfall, or a portion 
     of the shortfall, are related to the agency's serving 
     significant numbers of highly mobile children, or are other 
     significant causes as determined by the Secretary;
       ``(ii) the shortfall can reasonably be expected to be 
     temporary; or
       ``(iii) the number of slots allotted to the agency is small 
     enough that underenrollment does not create a significant 
     shortfall.
       ``(6) Redistribution of funds.--
       ``(A) In general.--Funds held by the Secretary as a result 
     of recapturing, withholding, or reducing a base grant in a 
     fiscal year shall be redistributed by the end of the 
     following fiscal year as follows:
       ``(i) Indian head start programs.--If such funds are 
     derived from an Indian Head Start program, then such funds 
     shall be redistributed to increase enrollment by the end of 
     the following fiscal year in 1 or more Indian Head Start 
     programs.
       ``(ii) Migrant and seasonal head start programs.--If such 
     funds are derived from a migrant or seasonal Head Start 
     program, then such funds shall be redistributed to increase 
     enrollment by the end of the following fiscal year in 1 or 
     more programs of the type from which such funds are derived.
       ``(iii) Early head start programs.--If such funds are 
     derived from an Early Head Start program in a State, then 
     such funds shall be redistributed to increase enrollment by 
     the end of the following fiscal year in 1 or more Early Head 
     Start programs in that State. If such funds are derived from 
     an Indian Early Head Start program, then such funds shall be 
     redistributed to increase enrollment by the end of the 
     following fiscal year in 1 or more Indian Early Head Start 
     programs.
       ``(iv) Other head start programs.--If such funds are 
     derived from a Head Start program in a State (excluding 
     programs described in clauses (i) through (iii)), then such 
     funds shall be redistributed to increase enrollment by the 
     end of the following fiscal year in 1 or more Head Start 
     programs (excluding programs described in clauses (i) through 
     (iii)) that are carried out in such State.
       ``(B) 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 funds under this paragraph.''.

     SEC. 9. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGENCIES.

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

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

       ``(a) Authority.--To be designated as a Head Start agency 
     under this subchapter, an agency shall have authority under 
     its charter or applicable law to receive and administer funds 
     under this subchapter, funds and contributions from private 
     or local public sources that may be used in support of a Head 
     Start program, and funds under any Federal or State 
     assistance program pursuant to which a public or private 
     nonprofit or for-profit agency (as the case may be) organized 
     in accordance with this subchapter, could act as grantee, 
     contractor, or sponsor of projects appropriate for inclusion 
     in a Head Start program. Such an agency shall also be 
     empowered to transfer funds so received, and to delegate 
     powers to other agencies, subject to the powers of its 
     governing board and its overall program

[[Page H13471]]

     responsibilities. The power to transfer funds and delegate 
     powers shall include the power to make transfers and 
     delegations covering component projects in all cases where 
     this will contribute to efficiency and effectiveness or 
     otherwise further program objectives.
       ``(b) Family and Community Involvement; Family Services.--
     To be so designated, a Head Start agency shall, at a minimum, 
     do all the following to involve and serve families and 
     communities:
       ``(1) Provide for the regular and direct participation of 
     parents and community residents in the implementation of the 
     Head Start program, including decisions that influence the 
     character of such program, consistent with paragraphs (2)(D) 
     and (3)(C) of subsection (c).
       ``(2) Seek the involvement of parents, community residents, 
     and local business in the design and implementation of the 
     program.
       ``(3) Establish effective procedures--
       ``(A) to facilitate and seek the involvement of parents of 
     participating children in activities designed to help such 
     parents become full partners in the education of their 
     children; and
       ``(B) to afford such parents the opportunity to participate 
     in the development and overall conduct of the program at the 
     local level, including transportation assistance as 
     appropriate.
       ``(4) 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--
       ``(A) family literacy services; and
       ``(B) parenting skills training.
       ``(5) 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.
       ``(6) 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, social, and emotional development);
       ``(B) assistance in developing literacy and communication 
     skills;
       ``(C) opportunities to share experiences with other parents 
     (including parent-mentor relationships);
       ``(D) health services, including information on maternal 
     depression;
       ``(E) regular in-home visitation; or
       ``(F) any other activity designed to help such parents 
     become full partners in the education of their children.
       ``(7) Provide, with respect to each participating family, a 
     family needs assessment that includes consultation with such 
     parents (including foster parents, grandparents, and kinship 
     caregivers, where applicable), in a manner and language that 
     such parents can understand (to the extent practicable), 
     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).
       ``(8) Consider providing services to assist younger 
     siblings of children participating in its Head Start program 
     to obtain health services from other sources.
       ``(9) Perform community outreach to encourage individuals 
     previously unaffiliated with Head Start programs to 
     participate in its Head Start program as volunteers.
       ``(10)(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.
       ``(B) Refer eligible parents to the child support offices 
     of State and local governments.
       ``(11) Provide to 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.
       ``(12) Provide technical and other support needed to enable 
     parents and community residents to secure, on their own 
     behalf, available assistance from public and private sources.
       ``(13) Promote the continued involvement of the parents 
     (including foster parents, grandparents, and kinship 
     caregivers, as appropriate) of children that participate in 
     Head Start programs in the education of their children upon 
     transition of their children to school, by working with the 
     local educational agency--
       ``(A) to provide training to the parents--
       ``(i) to inform the parents about their rights and 
     responsibilities concerning the education of their children; 
     and
       ``(ii) to enable the parents--

       ``(I) to understand and work with schools in order to 
     communicate with teachers and other school personnel;
       ``(II) to support the schoolwork of their children; and
       ``(III) to participate as appropriate in decisions relating 
     to the education of their children; and

       ``(B) to take other actions, as appropriate and feasible, 
     to support the active involvement of the parents with 
     schools, school personnel, and school-related organizations.
       ``(14) Establish effective procedures for timely referral 
     of children with disabilities to the State or local agency 
     providing services under section 619 or part C of the 
     Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 
     1431 et seq.), and collaboration with that agency, consistent 
     with section 640(d)(3).
       ``(15) Establish effective procedures for providing 
     necessary early intervening services to children with 
     disabilities prior to an eligibility determination by the 
     State or local agency responsible for providing services 
     under section 619 or part C of such Act, consistent with 
     section 640(d)(2).
       ``(16) At the option of the Head Start 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 for Head Start 
     participants.
       ``(c) Program Governance.--Upon receiving designation as a 
     Head Start agency, the agency shall establish and maintain a 
     formal structure for program governance, for the oversight of 
     quality services for Head Start children and families and for 
     making decisions related to program design and 
     implementation. Such structure shall include the following:
       ``(1) Governing body.--
       ``(A) In general.--The governing body shall have legal and 
     fiscal responsibility for the Head Start agency.
       ``(B) Composition.--The governing body shall be composed as 
     follows:
       ``(i) Not less than 1 member shall have a background and 
     expertise in fiscal management or accounting.
       ``(ii) Not less than 1 member shall have a background and 
     expertise in early childhood education and development.
       ``(iii) Not less than 1 member shall be a licensed attorney 
     familiar with issues that come before the governing body.
       ``(iv) Additional members shall--

       ``(I) reflect the community to be served and include 
     parents of children who are currently, or were formerly, 
     enrolled in Head Start programs; and
       ``(II) are selected for their expertise in education, 
     business administration, or community affairs.

       ``(v) Exceptions shall be made to the requirements of 
     clauses (i) through (iv) for members of a governing body when 
     those members oversee a public entity and are selected to 
     their positions with the public entity by public election or 
     political appointment.
       ``(vi) If a person described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) 
     is not available to serve as a member of the governing body, 
     the governing body shall use a consultant, or an other 
     individual with relevant expertise, with the qualifications 
     described in that clause, who shall work directly with the 
     governing body.
       ``(C) Conflict of interest.--Members of the governing body 
     shall--
       ``(i) not have a financial conflict of interest with the 
     Head Start agency (including any delegate agency);
       ``(ii) not receive compensation for serving on the 
     governing body or for providing services to the Head Start 
     agency;
       ``(iii) not be employed, nor shall members of their 
     immediate family be employed, by the Head Start agency 
     (including any delegate agency); and
       ``(iv) operate as an entity independent of staff employed 
     by the Head Start agency.
       ``(D) Exception.--If an individual holds a position as a 
     result of public election or political appointment, and such 
     position carries with it a concurrent appointment to serve as 
     a member of a Head Start agency governing body, and such 
     individual has any conflict of interest described in clause 
     (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (C)--
       ``(i) such individual shall not be prohibited from serving 
     on such body and the Head Start agency shall report such 
     conflict to the Secretary; and
       ``(ii) if the position held as a result of public election 
     or political appointment provides compensation, such 
     individual shall not be prohibited from receiving such 
     compensation.
       ``(E) Responsibilities.--The governing body shall--
       ``(i) have legal and fiscal responsibility for 
     administering and overseeing programs under this subchapter, 
     including the safeguarding of Federal funds;
       ``(ii) adopt practices that assure active, independent, and 
     informed governance of the Head Start agency, including 
     practices consistent with subsection (d)(1), and fully 
     participate in the development, planning, and evaluation of 
     the Head Start programs involved;
       ``(iii) be responsible for ensuring compliance with Federal 
     laws (including regulations) and applicable State, tribal, 
     and local laws (including regulations); and
       ``(iv) be responsible for other activities, including--

       ``(I) selecting delegate agencies and the service areas for 
     such agencies;
       ``(II) establishing procedures and criteria for 
     recruitment, selection, and enrollment of children;
       ``(III) reviewing all applications for funding and 
     amendments to applications for funding for programs under 
     this subchapter;
       ``(IV) establishing procedures and guidelines for accessing 
     and collecting information described in subsection (d)(2);
       ``(V) reviewing and approving all major policies of the 
     agency, including--

       ``(aa) the annual self-assessment and financial audit;
       ``(bb) such agency's progress in carrying out the 
     programmatic and fiscal provisions in such agency's grant 
     application, including implementation of corrective actions; 
     and
       ``(cc) personnel policies of such agencies regarding the 
     hiring, evaluation, termination, and compensation of agency 
     employees;

       ``(VI) developing procedures for how members of the policy 
     council are selected, consistent with paragraph (2)(B);
       ``(VII) approving financial management, accounting, and 
     reporting policies, and compliance with laws and regulations 
     related to financial statements, including the--

       ``(aa) approval of all major financial expenditures of the 
     agency;
       ``(bb) annual approval of the operating budget of the 
     agency;

[[Page H13472]]

       ``(cc) selection (except when a financial auditor is 
     assigned by the State under State law or is assigned under 
     local law) of independent financial auditors who shall report 
     all critical accounting policies and practices to the 
     governing body; and
       ``(dd) monitoring of the agency's actions to correct any 
     audit findings and of other action necessary to comply with 
     applicable laws (including regulations) governing financial 
     statement and accounting practices;

       ``(VIII) reviewing results from monitoring conducted under 
     section 641A(c), including appropriate followup activities;
       ``(IX) approving personnel policies and procedures, 
     including policies and procedures regarding the hiring, 
     evaluation, compensation, and termination of the Executive 
     Director, Head Start Director, Director of Human Resources, 
     Chief Fiscal Officer, and any other person in an equivalent 
     position with the agency;
       ``(X) establishing, adopting, and periodically updating 
     written standards of conduct that establish standards and 
     formal procedures for disclosing, addressing, and resolving--

       ``(aa) any conflict of interest, and any appearance of a 
     conflict of interest, by members of the governing body, 
     officers and employees of the Head Start agency, and 
     consultants and agents who provide services or furnish goods 
     to the Head Start agency; and
       ``(bb) complaints, including investigations, when 
     appropriate; and

       ``(XI) to the extent practicable and appropriate, at the 
     discretion of the governing body, establishing advisory 
     committees to oversee key responsibilities related to program 
     governance and improvement of the Head Start program 
     involved.

       ``(2) Policy council.--
       ``(A) In general.--Consistent with paragraph (1)(E), each 
     Head Start agency shall have a policy council responsible for 
     the direction of the Head Start program, including program 
     design and operation, and long- and short-term planning goals 
     and objectives, taking into account the annual communitywide 
     strategic planning and needs assessment and self-assessment.
       ``(B) Composition and selection.--
       ``(i) The policy council shall be elected by the parents of 
     children who are currently enrolled in the Head Start program 
     of the Head Start agency.
       ``(ii) The policy council shall be composed of--

       ``(I) parents of children who are currently enrolled in the 
     Head Start program of the Head Start agency (including any 
     delegate agency), who shall constitute a majority of the 
     members of the policy council; and
       ``(II) members at large of the community served by the Head 
     Start agency (including any delegate agency), who may include 
     parents of children who were formerly enrolled in the Head 
     Start program of the agency.

       ``(C) 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.
       ``(D) Responsibilities.--The policy council shall approve 
     and submit to the governing body decisions about each of the 
     following activities:
       ``(i) Activities to support the active involvement of 
     parents in supporting program operations, including policies 
     to ensure that the Head Start agency is responsive to 
     community and parent needs.
       ``(ii) Program recruitment, selection, and enrollment 
     priorities.
       ``(iii) Applications for funding and amendments to 
     applications for funding for programs under this subchapter, 
     prior to submission of applications described in this clause.
       ``(iv) Budget planning for program expenditures, including 
     policies for reimbursement and participation in policy 
     council activities.
       ``(v) Bylaws for the operation of the policy council.
       ``(vi) Program personnel policies and decisions regarding 
     the employment of program staff, consistent with paragraph 
     (1)(E)(iv)(IX), including standards of conduct for program 
     staff, contractors, and volunteers and criteria for the 
     employment and dismissal of program staff.
       ``(vii) Developing procedures for how members of the policy 
     council of the Head Start agency will be elected.
       ``(viii) Recommendations on the selection of delegate 
     agencies and the service areas for such agencies.
       ``(3) Policy committees.--Each delegate agency shall create 
     a policy committee, which shall--
       ``(A) be elected and composed of members, consistent with 
     paragraph (2)(B) (with respect to delegate agencies);
       ``(B) follow procedures to prohibit conflict of interest, 
     consistent with clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (2)(C) 
     (with respect to delegate agencies); and
       ``(C) be responsible for approval and submission of 
     decisions about activities as they relate to the delegate 
     agency, consistent with paragraph (2)(D) (with respect to 
     delegate agencies).
       ``(d) Program Governance Administration.--
       ``(1) Impasse policies.--The Secretary shall develop 
     policies, procedures, and guidance for Head Start agencies 
     concerning--
       ``(A) the resolution of internal disputes, including any 
     impasse in the governance of Head Start programs; and
       ``(B) the facilitation of meaningful consultation and 
     collaboration about decisions of the governing body and 
     policy council.
       ``(2) Conduct of responsibilities.--Each Head Start agency 
     shall ensure the sharing of accurate and regular information 
     for use by the governing body and the policy council, about 
     program planning, policies, and Head Start agency 
     operations, including--
       ``(A) monthly financial statements, including credit card 
     expenditures;
       ``(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 such assessment;
       ``(G) the communitywide strategic planning and needs 
     assessment of the Head Start agency, including any applicable 
     updates;
       ``(H) communication and guidance from the Secretary; and
       ``(I) the program information reports.
       ``(3) 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.
       ``(e) Collaboration and Coordination.--To be so designated, 
     a Head Start agency shall collaborate and coordinate with 
     public and private entities, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, to improve the availability and quality of 
     services to Head Start children and families, including 
     carrying out the following activities:
       ``(1) Conduct outreach to schools in which children 
     participating in the Head Start program will enroll following 
     the program, 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.
       ``(2)(A) In communities where both a public prekindergarten 
     program and a Head Start program operate, 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) With the permission of the parents of children 
     enrolled in the Head Start program, regularly communicate 
     with the schools in which the children will enroll following 
     the program, to--
       ``(i) share information about such children;
       ``(ii) collaborate with the teachers in such schools 
     regarding professional development and instructional 
     strategies, as appropriate; and
       ``(iii) ensure a smooth transition to school for such 
     children.
       ``(3) Coordinate activities and collaborate with programs 
     under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 
     (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), 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., 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.), programs under section 619 and part C 
     of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1419, 1431 et seq.), and other entities providing early 
     childhood education and development programs or services, 
     serving the children and families served by the Head Start 
     agency.
       ``(4) Take steps to coordinate activities with the local 
     educational agency serving the community involved and with 
     schools in which children participating in the Head Start 
     program will enroll following the program, including--
       ``(A) collaborating on the shared use of transportation and 
     facilities, in appropriate cases;
       ``(B) collaborating to reduce the duplication and enhance 
     the efficiency 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.
       ``(5) Enter into a memorandum of understanding, not later 
     than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Improving Head 
     Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, with the appropriate 
     local entity responsible for managing publicly funded 
     preschool programs in the service area of the Head Start 
     agency, that shall--
       ``(A)(i) provide for a review of each of the activities 
     described in clause (ii); and
       ``(ii) include plans to coordinate, as appropriate, 
     activities regarding--
       ``(I) educational activities, curricular objectives, and 
     instruction;
       ``(II) public information dissemination and access to 
     programs for families contacting the Head Start program or 
     any of the preschool programs;
       ``(III) selection priorities for eligible children to be 
     served by programs;
       ``(IV) service areas;
       ``(V) staff training, including opportunities for joint 
     staff training on topics such as academic content standards, 
     instructional methods, curricula, and social and emotional 
     development;
       ``(VI) program technical assistance;
       ``(VII) provision of additional services to meet the needs 
     of working parents, as applicable;
       ``(VIII) communications and parent outreach for smooth 
     transitions to kindergarten as required in paragraphs (3) and 
     (6) of section 642A(a);
       ``(IX) provision and use of facilities, transportation, and 
     other program elements; and
       ``(X) other elements mutually agreed to by the parties to 
     such memorandum;
       ``(B) be submitted to the Secretary and the State Director 
     of Head Start Collaboration not

[[Page H13473]]

     later than 30 days after the parties enter into such 
     memorandum, except that--
       ``(i) where there is an absence of publicly funded 
     preschool programs in the service area of a Head Start 
     agency, this paragraph shall not apply; or
       ``(ii) where the appropriate local entity responsible for 
     managing the publicly funded preschool programs is unable or 
     unwilling to enter into such a memorandum, this paragraph 
     shall not apply and the Head Start agency shall inform the 
     Secretary and the State Director of Head Start Collaboration 
     of such inability or unwillingness; and
       ``(C) be revised periodically and renewed biennially by the 
     parties to such memorandum, in alignment with the beginning 
     of the school year.
       ``(f) Quality Standards, Curricula, and Assessment.--To be 
     so designated, each Head Start agency shall--
       ``(1) take steps to ensure, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, that children maintain the developmental and 
     educational gains achieved in Head Start programs and build 
     upon such gains in further schooling;
       ``(2) establish a program with the standards set forth in 
     section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to the 
     standards set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such 
     section;
       ``(3) implement a research-based early childhood curriculum 
     that--
       ``(A) promotes young children's school readiness in the 
     areas of language and cognitive development, early reading 
     and mathematics skills, socio-emotional development, physical 
     development, and approaches to learning;
       ``(B) is based on scientifically valid research and has 
     standardized training procedures and curriculum materials to 
     support implementation;
       ``(C) is comprehensive and linked to ongoing assessment, 
     with developmental and learning goals and measurable 
     objectives;
       ``(D) is focused on improving the learning environment, 
     teaching practices, family involvement, and child outcomes 
     across all areas of development; and
       ``(E) is aligned with the Head Start Child Outcomes 
     Framework developed by the Secretary and, as appropriate, 
     State early learning standards;
       ``(4) implement effective interventions and support 
     services that help promote the school readiness of children 
     participating in the program;
       ``(5) use research-based assessment methods that reflect 
     the characteristics described in section 641A(b)(2) in order 
     to support the educational instruction and school readiness 
     of children in the program;
       ``(6) use research-based developmental screening tools that 
     have been demonstrated to be standardized, reliable, valid, 
     and accurate for the child being assessed, to the maximum 
     extent practicable, for the purpose of meeting the relevant 
     standards described in section 641A(a)(1);
       ``(7) adopt, in consultation with experts in child 
     development and with classroom teachers, an evaluation to 
     assess whether classroom teachers have mastered the functions 
     discussed in section 648A(a)(1);
       ``(8) use the information provided from the assessment 
     conducted under section 641A(c)(2)(F) to inform professional 
     development plans, as appropriate, that lead to improved 
     teacher effectiveness;
       ``(9) establish goals and measurable objectives for the 
     provision of health, educational, nutritional, and social 
     services provided under this subchapter and related to the 
     program mission and to promote school readiness; and
       ``(10) develop procedures for identifying children who are 
     limited English proficient, and informing the parents of such 
     children about the instructional services used to help 
     children make progress towards acquiring the knowledge and 
     skills described in section 641A(a)(1)(B) and acquisition of 
     the English language.
       ``(g) 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.
       ``(h) 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 strategic planning and needs 
     assessment, the needs of parents and children to be served by 
     such agency, and the results of the reviews conducted under 
     section 641A(c).
       ``(i) Financial Management.--In order to receive funds 
     under this subchapter, a Head Start agency shall document 
     strong fiscal controls, including the employment of well-
     qualified fiscal staff with a history of successful 
     management of a public or private organization.''.

     SEC. 10. HEAD START TRANSITION AND ALIGNMENT WITH K-12 
                   EDUCATION.

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

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

       ``(a) In General.--Each Head Start agency shall take steps 
     to coordinate 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 to promote continuity of 
     services and effective transitions, including--
       ``(1) developing and implementing a systematic procedure 
     for transferring, with parental consent, Head Start program 
     records for each participating child to the school in which 
     such child will enroll;
       ``(2) establishing ongoing channels of communication 
     between Head Start staff and their counterparts in the 
     schools (including teachers, social workers, local 
     educational agency liaisons designated under section 
     722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii)), and health staff) to 
     facilitate coordination of programs;
       ``(3) establishing ongoing communications between the Head 
     Start agency and local educational agency for developing 
     continuity of developmentally appropriate curricular 
     objectives (which for the purpose of the Head Start program 
     shall be aligned with the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework 
     and, as appropriate, State early learning standards) and for 
     shared expectations for children's learning and development 
     as the children transition to school;
       ``(4) organizing and participating in joint training, 
     including transition-related training for school staff and 
     Head Start staff;
       ``(5) establishing comprehensive transition policies and 
     procedures that support children transitioning to school, 
     including by engaging the local educational agency in the 
     establishment of such policies;
       ``(6) conducting outreach to parents and elementary school 
     (such as kindergarten) teachers to discuss the educational, 
     developmental, and other needs of individual children;
       ``(7) helping parents of limited English proficient 
     children understand--
       ``(A) the instructional and other services provided by the 
     school in which such child will enroll after participation in 
     Head Start; and
       ``(B) as appropriate, the information provided to parents 
     of limited English proficient children under section 3302 of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     7012);
       ``(8) 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;
       ``(9) 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;
       ``(10) linking the services provided in such Head Start 
     program with educational services, including services 
     relating to language, literacy, and numeracy, provided by 
     such local educational agency;
       ``(11) helping parents (including grandparents and kinship 
     caregivers, as appropriate) to understand the importance of 
     parental involvement in a child's academic success while 
     teaching them strategies for maintaining parental involvement 
     as their child moves from Head Start to elementary school;
       ``(12) 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;
       ``(13) developing and implementing a system to increase 
     program participation of underserved populations of eligible 
     children; and
       ``(14) coordinating activities and collaborating to ensure 
     that curricula used in the Head Start program are aligned 
     with--
       ``(A) the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework, as developed 
     by the Secretary; and
       ``(B) State early learning standards, as appropriate, with 
     regard to cognitive, 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.
       ``(c) Dissemination and Technical Assistance.--The 
     Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, 
     shall--
       ``(1) disseminate to Head Start agencies information on 
     effective policies and activities relating to the transition 
     of children from Head Start programs to public schools; and
       ``(2) provide technical assistance to such agencies to 
     promote and assist such agencies to adopt and implement such 
     effective policies and activities.''.

     SEC. 11. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, COORDINATION, AND 
                   IMPROVEMENT.

       (a) Head Start Collaboration.--The Head Start Act (42 
     U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
     642A the following:


       ``HEAD START COLLABORATION; STATE EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE

       ``Sec. 642B. (a)(1) From amounts made available under 
     section 640(a)(2)(B)(vi), the Secretary shall award the 
     collaboration grants described in paragraphs (2), (3), and 
     (4).
       ``(2)(A) The Secretary shall award, upon submission of a 
     written request, a collaboration grant to each State and to 
     each national administrative office serving Indian Head Start 
     programs and migrant or seasonal Head Start programs to 
     facilitate collaboration among Head Start agencies (including 
     Early Head Start agencies) and entities that carry out 
     activities designed to benefit low-income children from birth 
     to school entry, and their families. The national 
     administrative offices shall use the funds made available 
     through the grants to carry out the authorities and 
     responsibilities described in subparagraph (B) and paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), as appropriate.
       ``(B) Grants described in subparagraph (A) 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 children from birth to 
     school entry, and their families;
       ``(ii) assist Head Start agencies to coordinate activities 
     with the State agency responsible for

[[Page H13474]]

     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 curricula used in Head Start 
     programs and continuity of services with the Head Start Child 
     Outcomes Framework and, as appropriate, State early learning 
     standards;
       ``(iv) promote better linkages between Head Start agencies 
     and other child and family agencies, including agencies that 
     provide health, mental health, or family services, 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 paragraph (4).
       ``(3) In order to improve coordination and delivery of 
     early childhood education and development to children in the 
     State, a State that receives a collaboration grant under 
     paragraph (2) shall--
       ``(A) appoint or designate an individual to serve as, or 
     carry out the responsibilities of, the State Director of Head 
     Start Collaboration;
       ``(B) ensure that the State Director of Head Start 
     Collaboration holds a position with sufficient authority and 
     access to ensure that the collaboration described in 
     paragraph (2) is effective and involves a range of State 
     agencies; and
       ``(C) 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.
       ``(4) The State Director of Head Start Collaboration 
     shall--
       ``(A) not later than 1 year after the State receives a 
     collaboration grant under paragraph (2), conduct an 
     assessment that--
       ``(i) addresses the needs of Head Start agencies in the 
     State with respect to collaboration, coordination and 
     alignment of services, and alignment of curricula and 
     assessments used in Head Start programs with the Head Start 
     Child Outcomes Framework and, as appropriate, State early 
     learning standards;
       ``(ii) shall be updated on an annual basis; and
       ``(iii) shall be made available to the general public 
     within the State;
       ``(B) develop a strategic plan that is based on the 
     assessment described in subparagraph (A) that will--
       ``(i) enhance collaboration and coordination of Head Start 
     services by Head Start agencies with other entities providing 
     early childhood education and development (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 development 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 services described in this 
     clause;
       ``(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 
     services;
       ``(iii) assist Head Start agencies to align curricula and 
     assessments used in Head Start programs with the Head Start 
     Child Outcomes Framework and, as appropriate, State early 
     learning standards; and
       ``(iv) enable Head Start agencies to better access 
     professional development opportunities for Head Start staff, 
     such as by working with Head Start agencies to enable the 
     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
       ``(v) enable the Head Start agencies to better conduct 
     outreach to eligible families;
       ``(C) 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 for elementary 
     school;
       ``(D) consult with the chief State school officer, local 
     educational agencies, and providers of early childhood 
     education and development, at both the State and local 
     levels;
       ``(E) promote partnerships 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;
       ``(F) promote partnerships between Head Start agencies and 
     other organizations in order to enhance Head Start program 
     quality, including partnerships to promote inclusion of more 
     books in Head Start classrooms;
       ``(G) identify other resources and organizations (both 
     public and private) for the provision of in-kind services to 
     Head Start agencies in the State; and
       ``(H) serve on the State Advisory Council in order to 
     assist the efforts of Head Start agencies to engage in 
     effective coordination and collaboration.''.
       (b) State Early Education and Care.--Section 642B of the 
     Head Start Act, as added by subsection (a), is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(b)(1)(A) The Governor of the State shall--
       ``(i) designate or establish a council to serve as the 
     State Advisory Council 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 subparagraph 
     (D)(i).
       ``(B) The Governor may designate an existing entity in the 
     State to serve as the State Advisory Council, and shall 
     appoint representatives to the State Advisory Council at the 
     Governor's discretion. In designating an existing entity, the 
     Governor shall take steps to ensure that its membership 
     includes, to the extent possible, representatives consistent 
     with subparagraph (C).
       ``(C) Members of the State Advisory Council shall include, 
     to the maximum extent possible--
       ``(i) a representative of the State agency responsible for 
     child care;
       ``(ii) a representative of the State educational agency;
       ``(iii) a representative of local educational agencies;
       ``(iv) a representative of institutions of higher education 
     in the State;
       ``(v) a representative of local providers of early 
     childhood education and development services;
       ``(vi) a representative from Head Start agencies located in 
     the State, including migrant and seasonal Head Start programs 
     and Indian Head Start programs;
       ``(vii) the State Director of Head Start Collaboration;
       ``(viii) 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.);
       ``(ix) a representative of the State agency responsible for 
     health or mental health care; and
       ``(x) representatives of other entities determined to be 
     relevant by the Governor of the State.
       ``(D)(i) The State Advisory Council shall, in addition to 
     any responsibilities assigned to the Council by the Governor 
     of the State--
       ``(I) conduct a periodic statewide needs assessment 
     concerning the quality and availability of early childhood 
     education and development programs and services for children 
     from birth to school entry, including an assessment of the 
     availability of high-quality pre-kindergarten services for 
     low-income children in the State;
       ``(II) identify opportunities for, and barriers to, 
     collaboration and coordination among Federally-funded and 
     State-funded child development, child care, and early 
     childhood education programs and services, including 
     collaboration and coordination among State agencies 
     responsible for administering such programs;
       ``(III) develop recommendations for increasing the overall 
     participation of children in existing Federal, State, and 
     local child care and early childhood education programs, 
     including outreach to underrepresented and special 
     populations;
       ``(IV) develop recommendations regarding the establishment 
     of a unified data collection system for public early 
     childhood education and development programs and services 
     throughout the State;
       ``(V) develop recommendations regarding statewide 
     professional development and career advancement plans for 
     early childhood educators in the State;
       ``(VI) assess the capacity and effectiveness of 2- and 4-
     year public and private institutions of higher education in 
     the State toward supporting the development of early 
     childhood educators, including the extent to which such 
     institutions have in place articulation agreements, 
     professional development and career advancement plans, and 
     practice or internships for students to spend time in a Head 
     Start or prekindergarten program; and
       ``(VII) make recommendations for improvements in State 
     early learning standards and undertake efforts to develop 
     high-quality comprehensive early learning standards, as 
     appropriate.
       ``(ii) The State Advisory Council shall hold public 
     hearings and provide an opportunity for public comment on the 
     activities described in clause (i). The State Advisory 
     Council shall submit a statewide strategic report addressing 
     the activities described in clause (i) to the State Director 
     of Head Start Collaboration and the Governor of the State.
       ``(iii) After submission of a statewide strategic report 
     under clause (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.
       ``(2)(A) The Secretary shall use the portion reserved under 
     section 640(a)(4)(A)(iii) 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 
     developing and implementing a plan pursuant to the 
     responsibilities included under paragraph (1)(D)(i). A State 
     that receives funds under this paragraph shall use such funds 
     to facilitate the development or enhancement of high-quality 
     systems of early childhood education and care designed to 
     improve school preparedness through one or more of the 
     following activities--
       ``(i) promoting school preparedness of children from birth 
     through school entry, including activities to encourage 
     families and caregivers to engage in highly interactive, 
     developmentally and age-appropriate activities to improve 
     children's early social, emotional, and cognitive 
     development, support the transition of young children to 
     school, and foster parental and family involvement in the 
     early education of young children;
       ``(ii) supporting professional development, recruitment, 
     and retention initiatives for early childhood educators;
       ``(iii) enhancing existing early childhood education and 
     development programs and services

[[Page H13475]]

     (in existence on the date on which the grant involved is 
     awarded), including quality improvement activities authorized 
     under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990; 
     and
       ``(iv) carrying out other activities consistent with the 
     State's plan and application, pursuant to subparagraph (B).
       ``(B) To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
     paragraph, a State shall prepare and submit to the Secretary 
     a plan and application, for a 3-year period, at such time, in 
     such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
     shall require, including--
       ``(i) the statewide strategic report described in paragraph 
     (1)(D)(ii), including a description of the State Advisory 
     Council's responsibilities under paragraph (1)(D)(i);
       ``(ii) a description, for each fiscal year, of how the 
     State will make effective use of funds available under this 
     paragraph, with funds described in subparagraph (C), to 
     create an early childhood education and care system, by 
     developing or enhancing programs and activities consistent 
     with the statewide strategic report described in paragraph 
     (1)(D)(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 paragraph, which may be the 
     individual designated under paragraph (1)(A)(ii); and
       ``(v) a description of how the State plans to sustain 
     activities under this paragraph beyond the grant period.
       ``(C) The Federal share of the cost of activities proposed 
     to be conducted under subparagraph (A) shall be 30 percent, 
     and the State shall provide the non-Federal share.
       ``(D) Funds made available under this paragraph 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.
       ``(E) Not later than 18 months after the date a State 
     receives a grant under this paragraph, the State shall submit 
     an interim report to the Secretary. A State that receives a 
     grant under this paragraph shall submit a final report to the 
     Secretary at the end of the grant period. Each report shall 
     include--
       ``(i) a description of the activities and services carried 
     out under the grant, including the outcomes of such 
     activities and services in meeting the needs described in the 
     periodic needs assessment and statewide strategic report;
       ``(ii) information about how the State used such funds to 
     meet the goals of this subsection through activities to 
     develop or enhance high-quality systems of early childhood 
     education and care, increase effectiveness of delivery 
     systems and use of funds, and enhance existing programs and 
     services;
       ``(iii) information regarding the remaining needs described 
     in the periodic statewide needs assessment and statewide 
     strategic report that have not yet been addressed by the 
     State; and
       ``(iv) any other information that the Secretary may 
     require.
       ``(F) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to 
     provide the State Advisory Council with authority to modify, 
     supersede, or negate the requirements of this subchapter.''.

     SEC. 12. SUBMISSION OF PLANS.

       Section 643 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9838) is 
     amended 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 or migrant or 
     seasonal Head Start programs.''

     SEC. 13. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS.

       Section 644 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9839) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
       ``(a)(1) Each Head Start agency shall observe standards of 
     organization, management, and administration that will 
     ensure, so far as reasonably possible, that all program 
     activities are conducted in a manner consistent with the 
     purposes of this subchapter and the objective of providing 
     assistance effectively, efficiently, and free of any taint 
     of partisan political bias or personal or family 
     favoritism. Each such agency shall establish or adopt 
     rules to carry out this section, which shall include rules 
     to assure full staff accountability in matters governed by 
     law, regulations, or agency policy. Each agency shall also 
     provide for reasonable public access to information, 
     including public hearings at the request of appropriate 
     community groups and reasonable public access to books and 
     records of the agency or other agencies engaged in program 
     activities or operations involving the use of authority or 
     funds for which it is responsible.
       ``(2) Each Head Start agency shall make available to the 
     public a report published at least once in each fiscal year 
     that discloses the following information from the most 
     recently concluded fiscal year, except that reporting such 
     information shall not reveal personally identifiable 
     information about an individual child or parent:
       ``(A) The total amount of public and private funds received 
     and the amount from each source.
       ``(B) An explanation of budgetary expenditures and proposed 
     budget for the fiscal year.
       ``(C) The total number of children and families served, the 
     average monthly enrollment (as a percentage of funded 
     enrollment), and the percentage of eligible children served.
       ``(D) The results of the most recent review by the 
     Secretary and the financial audit.
       ``(E) The percentage of enrolled children that received 
     medical and dental exams.
       ``(F) Information about parent involvement activities.
       ``(G) The agency's efforts to prepare children for 
     kindergarten.
       ``(H) Any other information required by the Secretary.
       ``(3) Each such agency shall adopt for itself and other 
     agencies using funds or exercising authority for which it is 
     responsible, rules designed to--
       ``(A) establish specific standards governing salaries, 
     salary increases, travel and per diem allowances, and other 
     employee benefits;
       ``(B) assure that only persons capable of discharging their 
     duties with competence and integrity are employed and that 
     employees are promoted or advanced under impartial procedures 
     calculated to improve agency performance and effectiveness;
       ``(C) guard against personal or financial conflicts of 
     interest; and
       ``(D) define employee duties in an appropriate manner that 
     will in any case preclude employees from participating, in 
     connection with the performance of their duties, in any form 
     of picketing, protest, or other direct action that is in 
     violation of law.''; and
       (2) in subsection (f)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (E) as 
     subparagraphs (B) through (F), respectively; and
       (ii) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as redesignated 
     by clause (i), the following:
       ``(A) a description of the efforts by the agency to 
     coordinate or collaborate with other providers in the 
     community to seek assistance, including financial assistance, 
     prior to the use of funds under this section;''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``, from the amount 
     reserved under section 640(a)(2)(A),''.

     SEC. 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) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(a)(1)(A) The Secretary shall by regulation prescribe 
     eligibility for the participation of persons in Head Start 
     programs assisted under this subchapter.
       ``(B) Except as provided in paragraph (2), such regulation 
     shall provide--
       ``(i) that children from low-income families shall be 
     eligible for participation in programs assisted under this 
     subchapter if their families' incomes are below the poverty 
     line, or if their families are eligible or, in the absence of 
     child care, would potentially be eligible for public 
     assistance;
       ``(ii) that homeless children shall be deemed to be 
     eligible for such participation;
       ``(iii) that programs assisted under this subchapter may 
     include--
       ``(I) to a reasonable extent (but not to exceed 10 percent 
     of participants), participation of children in the area 
     served who would benefit from such programs but who are not 
     eligible under clause (i) or (ii); and
       ``(II) from the area served, an additional 35 percent of 
     participants who are not eligible under clause (i) or (ii) 
     and whose families have incomes below 130 percent of the 
     poverty line, if--
       ``(aa) the Head Start agency involved establishes and 
     implements outreach and enrollment policies and procedures 
     that ensure such agency is meeting the needs of children 
     eligible under clause (i) or (ii) (or subclause (I) if the 
     child involved has a disability) prior to meeting the needs 
     of children eligible under this subclause; and
       ``(bb) in prioritizing the selection of children to be 
     served, the Head Start agency establishes criteria that 
     provide that the agency will serve children eligible under 
     clause (i) or (ii) prior to serving the children eligible 
     under this subclause;
       ``(iv) that any Head Start agency serving children eligible 
     under clause (iii)(II) shall report annually to the Secretary 
     information on--
       ``(I) how such agency is meeting the needs of children 
     eligible under clause (i) or (ii), in the area served, 
     including local demographic data on families of children 
     eligible under clause (i) or (ii);
       ``(II) the outreach and enrollment policies and procedures 
     established by the agency that ensure the agency is meeting 
     the needs of children eligible under clause (i) or (ii) (or 
     clause (iii)(I) if the child involved has a disability) prior 
     to meeting the needs of children eligible under clause 
     (iii)(II);
       ``(III) the efforts, including outreach efforts (that are 
     appropriate to the community involved), of such agency to be 
     fully enrolled with children eligible under clause (i) or 
     (ii);
       ``(IV) the policies, procedures, and selection criteria 
     such agency is implementing to serve eligible children, 
     consistent with clause (iii)(II);
       ``(V) the agency's enrollment level, and enrollment level 
     over the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the 
     report is submitted;
       ``(VI) the number of children served by the agency, 
     disaggregated by whether such children are eligible under 
     clause (i), clause (ii), clause (iii)(I), or clause 
     (iii)(II); and
       ``(VII) the eligibility criteria category of the children 
     on the agency's waiting list;
       ``(v) that a child who has been determined to meet the 
     eligibility criteria described in this subparagraph and who 
     is participating in a Head Start program in a program year 
     shall be considered to continue to meet the eligibility 
     criteria through the end of the succeeding program year.
       ``(C) In determining, for purposes of this paragraph, 
     whether a child who has applied for enrollment in a Head 
     Start program meets the eligibility criteria, an entity may 
     consider evidence of family income during the 12 months 
     preceding the month in which the application is submitted, or 
     during the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which 
     the application is submitted, whichever more accurately 
     reflects the

[[Page H13476]]

     needs of the family at the time of application.''; 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 
     strategic planning and needs assessment, a Head Start agency 
     may apply to the Secretary to convert part-day sessions, 
     particularly consecutive part-day sessions, into full-
     working-day sessions.
       ``(5)(A) Upon written request and pursuant to the 
     requirements of this paragraph, a Head Start agency may use 
     funds that were awarded under this subchapter to serve 
     children age 3 to compulsory school age, in order to serve 
     infants and toddlers if the agency submits an application to 
     the Secretary containing, as specified in rules issued by the 
     Secretary, all of the following information:
       ``(i) The amount of such funds that are proposed to be used 
     in accordance with section 645A(b).
       ``(ii) A communitywide strategic planning and needs 
     assessment demonstrating how the use of such funds would best 
     meet the needs of the community.
       ``(iii) A description of how the needs of pregnant women, 
     and of 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.
       ``(iv) A description of how the needs of eligible children 
     will be met in the community.
       ``(v) Assurances that the agency will participate in 
     technical assistance activities (including planning, start-up 
     site visits, and national training activities) in the same 
     manner as recipients of grants under section 645A.
       ``(vi) Evidence that the agency meets the same eligibility 
     criteria as recipients of grants under section 645A.
       ``(B) An application that satisfies the requirements 
     specified in subparagraph (A) shall be approved by the 
     Secretary unless the Secretary finds that--
       ``(i) the agency lacks adequate capacity and capability to 
     carry out an effective Early Head Start program; or
       ``(ii) the information provided under subparagraph (A) is 
     inadequate.
       ``(C) In approving such applications, the Secretary shall 
     take into account the costs of serving persons under section 
     645A.
       ``(D) Any Head Start agency with an application approved 
     under subparagraph (B) 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, with respect to activities carried out 
     under this paragraph.'';
       (2) in the first sentence of subsection (c), by striking 
     ``(age 3 to compulsory school attendance)''; and
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (3); and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, an 
     Indian tribe or tribes 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 
     populations, including pregnant women and children from birth 
     to compulsory school age. The reallocation of such funds 
     between programs by an Indian tribe or tribes during a year 
     shall not serve as the basis for the Secretary to reduce a 
     base grant (as defined in section 640(a)(7)) for either 
     program in succeeding years.''.

     SEC. 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:

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

       (2) in subsection (a) by striking ``The Secretary'' and all 
     that follows through ``for programs'' and inserting ``The 
     Secretary shall make grants to entities (referred to in this 
     subchapter as `Early Head Start agencies') in accordance with 
     this section for programs (referred to in this subchapter as 
     `Early Head Start programs')'';
       (3) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
       ``(4) provide services to parents to support their role as 
     parents (including parenting skills training and training in 
     basic child development) and services to help the families 
     move toward self-sufficiency (including educational and 
     employment services, as appropriate);'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
       ``(5) coordinate services with services provided by 
     programs in the State (including home-based services) and 
     programs in the community (including programs for infants and 
     toddlers with disabilities and programs for homeless infants 
     and toddlers) to ensure a comprehensive array of services 
     (such as health and mental health services and family support 
     services);'';
       (C) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), (8), and (9), as 
     paragraphs (7), (10), (11), and (12), respectively;
       (D) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
       ``(6) ensure that children with documented behavioral 
     problems, including problems involving behavior related to 
     prior or existing trauma, receive appropriate screening and 
     referral;'';
       (E) by inserting after paragraph (7), as redesignated by 
     subparagraph (C), the following:
       ``(8) develop and implement a systematic procedure for 
     transitioning children and parents from an Early Head Start 
     program to a Head Start program or other local early 
     childhood education and development program;
       ``(9) establish channels of communication between staff of 
     the Early Head Start program, and staff of a Head Start 
     program or other local providers of early childhood education 
     and development programs, to facilitate the coordination of 
     programs;''; and
       (F) by striking paragraph (11), as redesignated by 
     subparagraph (C), and inserting the following:
       ``(11) ensure formal linkages with providers of early 
     intervention services for infants and toddlers with 
     disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities 
     Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), with the State 
     interagency coordinating council, as established in part C of 
     the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1431 et seq.), and with the agency responsible for 
     administering section 106 of the Child Abuse Prevention and 
     Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a);'';
       (4) in subsection (c), by striking ``income criteria 
     specified for families in section 645(a)(1)'' and inserting 
     ``eligibility criteria specified in section 645(a)(1), 
     including the criteria specified in section 
     645(a)(1)(B)(ii)'';
       (5) in subsection (d), by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(1) entities operating Head Start programs under this 
     subchapter;
       ``(2) entities operating Indian Head Start programs or 
     migrant or seasonal Head Start programs; and
       ``(3) other public entities, and nonprofit or for-profit 
     private entities, including community-based and faith-based 
     organizations, capable of providing child and family services 
     that meet the standards for participation in programs under 
     this subchapter and meet such other appropriate requirements 
     relating to the activities under this section as the 
     Secretary may establish.'';
       (6) in subsection (e), by striking ``From'' and all that 
     follows through ``under this subsection'' and inserting ``The 
     Secretary shall award grants under this section'';
       (7) by striking subsection (g) and inserting the following:
       ``(g) Monitoring, Training, Technical Assistance, and 
     Evaluation.--
       ``(1) Requirement.--In order to ensure the successful 
     operation of programs assisted under this section, the 
     Secretary shall use funds made available under section 
     640(a)(2)(E) to monitor the operation of such programs, and 
     funds made available under section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(I) to 
     provide training and technical assistance tailored to the 
     particular needs of such programs, consistent with section 
     640(c).
       ``(2) Training and technical assistance.--
       ``(A) Activities.--Of the portion set aside under section 
     640(a)(2)(C)(i)(I)--
       ``(i) not less than 50 percent shall be made available to 
     Early Head Start agencies to use directly, which may include, 
     at their discretion, the establishment of local or regional 
     agreements with community experts, institutions of higher 
     education, or private consultants, for training and technical 
     assistance activities in order to make program improvements 
     identified by such agencies;
       ``(ii) not less than 25 percent shall be available to the 
     Secretary to support a State-based training and technical 
     assistance system, or a national system, described in section 
     648(e), including infant and toddler specialists, to support 
     Early Head Start agencies, consistent with subparagraph (B); 
     and
       ``(iii) the remainder of such amount shall be made 
     available to the Secretary to assist Early Head Start 
     agencies in meeting and exceeding the standards described in 
     section 641A(a)(1) (directly, or through grants, contracts, 
     or other agreements or arrangements with an entity with 
     demonstrated expertise relating to infants, toddlers, and 
     families) by--

       ``(I) providing ongoing training and technical assistance 
     to Early Head Start agencies, including developing training 
     and technical assistance materials and resources to support 
     program development and improvement and best practices in 
     providing services to children and families served by Early 
     Head Start programs;
       ``(II) supporting a national network of infant and toddler 
     specialists designed to improve the quality of Early Head 
     Start programs;
       ``(III) providing ongoing training and technical assistance 
     on Early Head Start program development and improvement for 
     regional staff charged with monitoring and overseeing the 
     administration of the program carried out under this section; 
     and

[[Page H13477]]

       ``(IV) if funds remain after the activities described in 
     subclauses (I), (II), and (III) are carried out, carry out 1 
     or more of the following activities:

       ``(aa) Providing support and program planning and 
     implementation assistance for new Early Head Start agencies, 
     including for agencies who want to use funds as described in 
     section 645(a)(5) to serve infants and toddlers.
       ``(bb) Creating special training and technical assistance 
     initiatives targeted to serving high-risk populations, such 
     as children in the child welfare system and homeless 
     children.
       ``(cc) Providing professional development designed to 
     increase program participation for underserved populations of 
     eligible children.
       ``(B) Contracts.--For the purposes of supporting a State-
     based system, as described in subparagraph (A)(ii), that will 
     meet the needs of Early Head Start agencies and provide high-
     quality, sustained, and intensive training and technical 
     assistance on programming for infants and toddlers to Early 
     Head Start agencies, and in order to help such agencies meet 
     or exceed the standards described in section 641A(a)(1), the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(i) use funds reserved under subparagraph (A)(ii) in 
     combination with funds reserved under section 
     640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(bb) to ensure the contracts described in 
     section 648(e)(1) provide for a minimum of 1 full-time 
     specialist with demonstrated expertise in the development of 
     infants and toddlers; and
       ``(ii) ensure that such contracts and the services provided 
     in the contracts are integrated with and augment the 
     contracts awarded and services provided under section 
     648(e);''; and
       (8) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(h) Center-Based Staff.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(1) ensure that, not later than September 30, 2010, all 
     teachers providing direct services to children and families 
     participating in Early Head Start programs located in Early 
     Head Start centers, have a minimum of a child development 
     associate credential, and have been trained (or have 
     equivalent coursework) in early childhood development; and
       ``(2) establish staff qualification goals to ensure that 
     not later than September 30, 2012, all such teachers have 
     been trained (or have equivalent coursework) in early 
     childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler 
     development.
       ``(i) Staff Qualifications and Development.--
       ``(1) Home visitor staff 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.
       ``(2) Contents of standards.--The standards for training, 
     qualifications, and the conduct of home visits shall include 
     content related to--
       ``(A) structured child-focused home visiting that promotes 
     parents' ability to support the child's cognitive, social, 
     emotional, and physical development;
       ``(B) effective strengths-based parent education, including 
     methods to encourage parents as their child's first teachers;
       ``(C) early childhood development with respect to children 
     from birth through age 3;
       ``(D) 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;
       ``(E) ascertaining what health and developmental services 
     the family receives and working with providers of these 
     services to eliminate gaps in service by offering annual 
     health, vision, hearing, and developmental screening for 
     children from birth to entry into kindergarten, when needed;
       ``(F) strategies for helping families coping with crisis; 
     and
       ``(G) the relationship of health and well-being of pregnant 
     women to prenatal and early child development.''.

     SEC. 16. APPEALS, NOTICE, AND HEARING.

       Section 646(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9841(a)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``procedures to assure that'';
       (2) in paragraphs (1) and (2), by inserting ``procedures to 
     assure that'' after the paragraph designation;
       (3) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(3) procedures to assure that 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) procedures (including mediation procedures) are 
     developed and published, 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, or other costs incurred, pursuant to an 
     appeal under paragraph (3);
       ``(5) procedures to assure that the Secretary may suspend 
     financial assistance to a recipient under this subchapter--
       ``(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), for not more 
     than 30 days; or
       ``(B) in the case of a recipient 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; and
       ``(6) procedures to assure that in cases where a Head Start 
     agency prevails in a decision under paragraph (4), the 
     Secretary may determine and provide a reimbursement to the 
     Head Start agency for fees deemed reasonable and 
     customary.''.

     SEC. 17. RECORDS AND AUDITS.

       Section 647 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9842) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Each recipient of financial assistance under this 
     subchapter shall--
       ``(1) maintain, and annually submit to the Secretary, a 
     complete accounting of the recipient's administrative 
     expenses (including a detailed statement identifying the 
     amount of financial assistance provided under this subchapter 
     used to pay expenses for salaries and compensation and the 
     amount (if any) of other funds used to pay such expenses);
       ``(2) not later than 30 days after the date of completion 
     of an audit conducted in the manner and to the extent 
     provided in chapter 75 of title 31, United States Code 
     (commonly known as the `Single Audit Act of 1984'), submit to 
     the Secretary a copy of the audit management letter and of 
     any audit findings as they relate to the Head Start program; 
     and
       ``(3) provide such additional documentation as the 
     Secretary may require.''.

     SEC. 18. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.

       Section 648 of the of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) 
     is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 648. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.

       ``(a) Secretarial Training and Technical Assistance.--
       ``(1) Authority.--From the funds provided under section 
     640(a)(2)(C)(i), the Secretary shall provide, directly or 
     through grants, contracts, or other agreements or 
     arrangements as the Secretary considers appropriate, 
     technical assistance and training for Head Start programs for 
     the purposes of improving program quality and helping prepare 
     children to succeed in school.
       ``(2) Process.--The process for determining the technical 
     assistance and training activities to be carried out under 
     this section shall--
       ``(A) ensure that the needs of local Head Start agencies 
     and programs relating to improving program quality and to 
     program expansion are addressed to the maximum extent 
     practicable; and
       ``(B) incorporate mechanisms to ensure responsiveness to 
     local needs, including an ongoing procedure for obtaining 
     input from the individuals and agencies carrying out Head 
     Start programs.
       ``(3) Activities.--In providing training and technical 
     assistance and for allocating resources for such assistance 
     under this section, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) give priority consideration to--
       ``(i) activities to correct program and management 
     deficiencies identified through reviews carried out pursuant 
     to section 641A(c) (including the provision of assistance to 
     local programs in the development of quality improvement 
     plans under section 641A(d)(2));
       ``(ii) assisting Head Start agencies in ensuring the school 
     readiness of children; and
       ``(iii) activities that supplement those funded with 
     amounts provided under section 640(a)(5)(B) to address the 
     training and career development needs of classroom staff 
     (including instruction for providing services to children 
     with disabilities, and for activities described in section 
     1222(d) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
     1965), and non-classroom staff, including home visitors and 
     other staff working directly with families, including 
     training relating to increasing parent involvement and 
     services designed to increase family literacy and improve 
     parenting skills; and
       ``(B) to the maximum extent practicable--
       ``(i) assist Head Start agencies in the development of 
     collaborative initiatives with States and other entities 
     within the States, to foster effective professional 
     development systems for early childhood education and 
     development services;
       ``(ii) provide technical assistance and training, either 
     directly or through a grant, contract, or cooperative 
     agreement with an entity that has experience in the 
     development and operation of successful family literacy 
     services programs, for the purpose of--

       ``(I) assisting Head Start agencies providing family 
     literacy services, in order to improve the quality of such 
     family literacy services; and
       ``(II) enabling those Head Start agencies that demonstrate 
     effective provision of family literacy services, based on 
     improved outcomes for children and their parents, to provide 
     technical assistance and training to other Head Start 
     agencies and to service providers that work in collaboration 
     with such agencies to provide family literacy services;

       ``(iii) assist Head Start agencies and programs in 
     conducting and participating in communitywide strategic 
     planning and needs assessments, including the needs of 
     homeless children and their families, and in conducting self-
     assessments;
       ``(iv) assist Head Start agencies and programs in 
     developing and implementing full-working-

[[Page H13478]]

     day and full calendar year programs where community need is 
     clearly identified and making the transition to such 
     programs, with particular attention to involving parents and 
     programming for children throughout the day, and assist the 
     agencies and programs in expediting the sharing of 
     information about innovative models for providing full-
     working-day, full calendar year services for children;
       ``(v) 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, in accordance with 
     section 645(a)(5);
       ``(vi) assist Head Start agencies and programs in the 
     development of sound management practices, including 
     financial management procedures;
       ``(vii) assist in efforts to secure and maintain adequate 
     facilities for Head Start programs;
       ``(viii) assist Head Start agencies in developing 
     innovative program models, including mobile and home-based 
     programs;
       ``(ix) provide support for Head Start agencies (including 
     policy councils and policy committees) that meet the 
     standards described in section 641A(a) but that have, as 
     documented by the Secretary through reviews conducted 
     pursuant to section 641A(c), programmatic, quality, and 
     fiscal issues to address;
       ``(x) assist Head Start agencies and programs in improving 
     outreach to, increasing program participation of, and 
     improving the quality of services available to meet the 
     unique needs of--

       ``(I) homeless children;
       ``(II) limited English proficient children and their 
     families, 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; and
       ``(III) children with disabilities, particularly if such 
     program's enrollment opportunities or funded enrollment for 
     children with disabilities is less than 10 percent;

       ``(xi) assist Head Start agencies and programs to increase 
     the capacity of classroom staff to meet the needs of eligible 
     children in Head Start classrooms that are serving both 
     children with disabilities and children without disabilities;
       ``(xii) assist Head Start agencies and programs to address 
     the unique needs of programs located in rural communities, 
     including--

       ``(I) removing barriers related to the recruitment and 
     retention of Head Start teachers in rural communities;
       ``(II) developing innovative and effective models of 
     professional development for improving staff qualifications 
     and skills for staff living in rural communities;
       ``(III) removing barriers related to outreach efforts to 
     eligible families in rural communities;
       ``(IV) removing barriers to parent involvement in Head 
     Start programs in rural communities;
       ``(V) removing barriers to providing home visiting services 
     in rural communities; and
       ``(VI) removing barriers to obtaining health screenings for 
     Head Start participants in rural communities;

       ``(xiii) 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;
       ``(xiv) provide activities that help ensure that Head Start 
     programs have qualified staff who can promote prevention of 
     childhood obesity by integrating developmentally appropriate 
     research-based initiatives that stress the importance of 
     physical activity and healthy, nutritional choices in daily 
     classroom and family routines;
       ``(xv) 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; and
       ``(xvi) assisting Head Start agencies in selecting and 
     using the measures described in section 641A(b).
       ``(b) Additional Support.--The Secretary shall provide, 
     either directly or through grants, contracts or other 
     arrangements, funds from section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(cc) to--
       ``(1) support an organization to administer a centralized 
     child development and national assessment program leading to 
     recognized credentials for personnel working in early 
     childhood education and development programs; and
       ``(2) support training for personnel--
       ``(A) providing services to limited English proficient 
     children and their families (including services to promote 
     the acquisition of the English language);
       ``(B) providing services to children determined to be 
     abused or neglected or children referred by or receiving 
     child welfare services;
       ``(C) in helping children cope with community violence;
       ``(D) to recognize common health, including mental health, 
     problems in children for appropriate referral;
       ``(E) to address the needs of children with disabilities 
     and their families;
       ``(F) to address the needs of migrant and seasonal 
     farmworker families; and
       ``(G) to address the needs of homeless families.
       ``(c) Outreach.--The Secretary shall develop and implement 
     a program of outreach to recruit and train professionals from 
     diverse backgrounds to become Head Start teachers in order to 
     reflect the communities in which Head Start children live and 
     to increase the provision of quality services and instruction 
     to children with diverse backgrounds.
       ``(d) Funds to Agencies.--Funds made available under 
     section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(aa) shall be used by a Head Start 
     agency to provide high-quality, sustained, and intensive 
     training and technical assistance as follows:
       ``(1) For 1 or more of the following:
       ``(A) Activities that ensure that Head Start programs meet 
     or exceed the standards described in section 641A(a)(1).
       ``(B) 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 and their families.
       ``(C) Activities to improve the management and 
     implementation of Head Start services and systems, including 
     direct training for expert consultants working with staff.
       ``(D) 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).
       ``(E) 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.
       ``(F) 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.
       ``(G) 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.
       ``(H) Activities to provide classes or in-service-type 
     programs to improve or enhance parenting skills, job skills, 
     and adult and family literacy, including financial literacy, 
     or training to become a classroom aide or bus driver in a 
     Head Start program.
       ``(I) Additional activities deemed appropriate to the 
     improvement of Head Start programs, as determined by the 
     technical assistance and training plans of the Head Start 
     agencies.
       ``(2) To support enhanced early language and literacy 
     development of children in Head Start programs, and to 
     provide the children with high-quality oral language skills 
     and with environments that are rich in literature in which to 
     acquire language and early literacy skills. Each Head Start 
     agency, in consultation with the State-based training and 
     technical assistance system, as appropriate, shall ensure 
     that--
       ``(A) 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 assessment to improve instruction 
     and learning;
       ``(B) such literacy training shall include training in 
     methods to promote vocabulary development and phonological 
     awareness (including phonemic awareness) in a 
     developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate 
     manner and support children's development in their native 
     language;
       ``(C) the literacy training shall include training in how 
     to work with parents to enhance positive language and early 
     literacy development at home;
       ``(D) the literacy training shall include specific methods 
     to best address the needs of children who are limited English 
     proficient;
       ``(E) 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; and
       ``(F) the literacy training shall be tailored to the early 
     childhood literacy background and experience of the teachers 
     involved;

     except that funds made available under section 
     640(a)(2)(C)(i) shall not be used for long-distance travel 
     expenses for training activities available locally or 
     regionally or for training activities substantially similar 
     to locally or regionally available training activities.
       ``(e) State-Based Training and Technical Assistance 
     System.--For the purposes of delivering a State-based 
     training and technical assistance system (which may include a 
     consortium of 2 or more States within a region) or a national 
     system in the case of migrant or seasonal Head Start and 
     Indian Head Start programs, as described in section 
     640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(bb), that will meet the needs of local 
     grantees, as determined by such grantees, and provide high-
     quality, sustained, and intensive training and technical 
     assistance to Head Start agencies and programs in order to 
     improve their capacity to deliver services that meet or 
     exceed the standards described in section 641A(a)(1), the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(1) enter into contracts in each State with 1 or more 
     entities that have a demonstrated expertise in supporting the 
     delivery of high-quality early childhood education and 
     development programs, except that contracts for a consortium 
     of 2 or more States within a geographic region may be entered 
     into if such a system is more appropriate to better meet the 
     needs of local grantees within a region, as determined by 
     such grantees;
       ``(2) ensure that the entities described in subparagraph 
     (1) determine the types of services to be provided through 
     consultation with--

[[Page H13479]]

       ``(A) local Head Start agencies (including Indian Head 
     Start agencies and migrant or seasonal Head Start agencies, 
     as appropriate);
       ``(B) the State Head Start collaboration office; and
       ``(C) the State Head Start Association;
       ``(3) encourage States to supplement the funds authorized 
     in section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(bb) 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 development 
     programs within a State;
       ``(4) provide 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, not 
     later than 90 days after the end of the fiscal year, 
     summarizing the funding for such contracts and the activities 
     carried out thereunder;
       ``(5) periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the 
     delivery of services in each State in promoting program 
     quality; and
       ``(6) ensure that in entering into such contracts as 
     described in paragraph (1), such entities will address the 
     needs of grantees in both urban and rural communities.
       ``(f) Indoor Air Quality.--The Secretary shall consult with 
     appropriate Federal agencies and other experts, as 
     appropriate, on issues of air quality related to children's 
     health and inform Head Start agencies of existing programs or 
     combination of programs that provide methods for improving 
     indoor air quality.
       ``(g) Career Advancement Partnership Program.--
       ``(1) Authority.--From amounts allocated under section 
     640(a)(2)(C) the Secretary is authorized to award 
     demonstration grants, for a period of not less than 5 years, 
     to historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-
     serving institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities--
       ``(A) to implement education programs that increase the 
     number of associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees in 
     early childhood education and related fields that are earned 
     by Head Start agency staff members, parents of children 
     served by such agencies, and members of the communities 
     involved;
       ``(B) to provide assistance for stipends and costs related 
     to tuition, fees, and books for enrolling Head Start agency 
     staff members, parents of children served by such an agency, 
     and members of the communities involved in courses required 
     to complete the degree and certification requirement to 
     become teachers in early childhood education and related 
     fields;
       ``(C) to develop program curricula to promote high-quality 
     services and instruction to children with diverse 
     backgrounds, including--
       ``(i) in the case of historically Black colleges and 
     universities, to help Head Start Agency staff members develop 
     skills and expertise needed to teach in programs serving 
     large numbers of African American children;
       ``(ii) in the case of Hispanic-serving institutions, 
     programs to help Head Start Agency staff members develop 
     skills and expertise needed to teach in programs serving 
     large numbers of Hispanic children, including programs to 
     develop the linguistic skills and expertise needed to teach 
     in programs serving a large number of children with limited 
     English proficiency; and
       ``(iii) in the case of Tribal Colleges and Universities, to 
     help Head Start Agency staff members develop skills and 
     expertise needed to teach in programs serving large numbers 
     of Indian children, including programs concerning tribal 
     culture and language;
       ``(D) to provide other activities to upgrade the skills and 
     qualifications of educational personnel to meet the 
     professional standards in subsection (a) to better promote 
     high-quality services and instruction to children and parents 
     from populations served by historically Black colleges and 
     universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or Tribal 
     Colleges and Universities;
       ``(E) to provide technology literacy programs for Indian 
     Head Start agency staff members and families of children 
     served by such agency; and
       ``(F) to develop and implement the programs described under 
     subparagraph (A) in technology-mediated formats, including 
     through such means as distance learning and use of advanced 
     technology, as appropriate.
       ``(2) Other assistance.--The Secretary shall, using 
     resources within the Department of Health and Human 
     Services--
       ``(A) provide appropriate technical assistance to 
     historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-
     serving institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities 
     receiving grants under this section, including coordinating 
     with the White House Initiative on historically Black 
     colleges and universities; and
       ``(B) ensure that the American Indian Programs Branch of 
     the Office of Head Start of the Administration for Children 
     and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services 
     can effectively administer the programs under this section 
     and provide appropriate technical assistance to Tribal 
     Colleges and Universities under this section.
       ``(3) Application.--Each historically Black college or 
     university, Hispanic-serving institution, or Tribal College 
     or University desiring a grant under this section shall 
     submit an application, in partnership with at least 1 Head 
     Start agency enrolling large numbers of students from the 
     populations served by historically Black colleges and 
     universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or Tribal 
     Colleges and Universities, to the Secretary, at such time, in 
     such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
     may require, including a certification that the institution 
     of higher education has established a formal partnership with 
     1 or more Head Start agencies for the purposes of conducting 
     the activities described in paragraph (1).
       ``(4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) The term `Hispanic-serving institution' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 502 of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a).
       ``(B) The term `historically Black college or university' 
     has the meaning given the term `part B institution' in 
     section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1061(2)).
       ``(C) The term `Tribal College or University' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 316(b) of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).
       ``(5) Teaching requirement.--A student at an institution 
     receiving a grant under this subsection who receives 
     assistance under a program funded under this subsection shall 
     teach in a center-based Head Start program for a period of 
     time equivalent to the period for which they received 
     assistance or shall repay such assistance.''.

     SEC. 19. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT.

       Section 648A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a) is 
     amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
       ``(a) Classroom Teachers.--
       ``(1) Professional requirements.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that each Head Start classroom in a center-based 
     program is assigned 1 teacher who has demonstrated competency 
     to perform functions that include--
       ``(A) planning and implementing learning experiences that 
     advance the intellectual and physical development of 
     children, including improving the readiness of children for 
     school by developing their literacy, phonemic, and print 
     awareness, their understanding and use of language, their 
     understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied 
     vocabulary, their appreciation of books, their understanding 
     of early math and early science, their problem-solving 
     abilities, and their approaches to learning;
       ``(B) establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning 
     environment;
       ``(C) supporting the social and emotional development of 
     children; and
       ``(D) encouraging the involvement of the families of the 
     children in a Head Start program and supporting the 
     development of relationships between children and their 
     families.
       ``(2) Degree requirements.--
       ``(A) Head start teachers.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
     not later than September 30, 2013, at least 50 percent of 
     Head Start teachers nationwide in center-based programs 
     have--
       ``(i) a baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood 
     education; or
       ``(ii) a baccalaureate or advanced degree and coursework 
     equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, 
     with experience teaching preschool-age children.
       ``(B) Additional staff.--The Secretary shall ensure that, 
     not later than September 30, 2013, all--
       ``(i) Head Start education coordinators, including those 
     that serve as curriculum specialists, nationwide in center-
     based programs--

       ``(I) have the capacity to offer assistance to other 
     teachers in the implementation and adaptation of curricula to 
     the group and individual needs of children in a Head Start 
     classroom; and
       ``(II) have--

       ``(aa) a baccalaureate or advanced degree in early 
     childhood education; or
       ``(bb) a baccalaureate or advanced degree and coursework 
     equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, 
     with experience teaching preschool-age children; and
       ``(ii) 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.

       ``(C) Progress.--
       ``(i) Implementation.--The Secretary shall--

       ``(I) require Head Start agencies to--

       ``(aa) describe continuing progress each year toward 
     achieving the goals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B); 
     and
       ``(bb) annually submit to the Secretary a report indicating 
     the number and percentage of classroom personnel described in 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B) in center-based programs with child 
     development associate credentials or associate, 
     baccalaureate, or advanced degrees;

       ``(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; and
       ``(III) not impose any penalties or sanctions on any 
     individual Head Start agency, program, or staff in the 
     monitoring of local agencies and programs under this 
     subchapter not meeting the requirements of subparagraph (A) 
     or (B).

       ``(D) Construction.--In this paragraph 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.
       ``(3) Alternative credentialing and degree requirements.--
     The Secretary shall ensure that, for center-based programs, 
     each Head Start classroom that does not have a teacher who 
     meets the qualifications described in clause (i) or (ii) of 
     paragraph (2)(A) is assigned one teacher who has the 
     following during the period specified:
       ``(A) Through September 30, 2011--
       ``(i) a child development associate credential that is 
     appropriate to the age of children being served in center-
     based programs;
       ``(ii) a State-awarded certificate for preschool teachers 
     that meets or exceeds the requirements for a child 
     development associate credential;
       ``(iii) an associate degree in early childhood education;

[[Page H13480]]

       ``(iv) an associate degree in a related field and 
     coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood 
     education, with experience teaching preschool-age children; 
     or
       ``(v) a baccalaureate degree and has been admitted into the 
     Teach For America program, passed a rigorous early childhood 
     content exam, such as the Praxis II, participated in a Teach 
     For America summer training institute that includes teaching 
     preschool children, and is receiving ongoing professional 
     development and support from Teach For America's 
     professional staff.
       ``(B) As of October 1, 2011--
       ``(i) an associate degree in early childhood education;
       ``(ii) an associate degree in a related field and 
     coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood 
     education, with experience teaching preschool-age children; 
     or
       ``(iii) a baccalaureate degree and has been admitted into 
     the Teach For America program, passed a rigorous early 
     childhood content exam, such as the Praxis II, participated 
     in a Teach For America summer training institute that 
     includes teaching preschool children, and is receiving 
     ongoing professional development and support from Teach For 
     America's professional staff.
       ``(4) Waiver.--On request, the Secretary shall grant--
       ``(A) through September 30, 2011, a 180-day waiver ending 
     on or before September 30, 2011, of the requirements of 
     paragraph (3)(A) for a Head Start agency that can demonstrate 
     that the agency has attempted unsuccessfully to recruit an 
     individual who has the qualifications described in any of 
     clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph (3)(A) with respect to 
     an individual who--
       ``(i) is enrolled in a program that grants a credential, 
     certificate, or degree described in clauses (i) through (iv) 
     of paragraph (3)(A); and
       ``(ii) will receive such credential, certificate, or degree 
     under the terms of such program not later than 180 days after 
     beginning employment as a teacher with such agency; and
       ``(B) as of October 1, 2011, a 3-year waiver of the 
     requirements of paragraph (3)(B) for a Head Start agency that 
     can demonstrate that--
       ``(i) the agency has attempted unsuccessfully to recruit an 
     individual who has the qualifications described in clause (i) 
     or (ii) of such paragraph, with respect to an individual who 
     is enrolled in a program that grants a degree described in 
     clause (i) or (ii) of such paragraph and will receive such 
     degree in a reasonable time; and
       ``(ii) each Head Start classroom has a teacher who has, at 
     a minimum--

       ``(I) a child development associate credential that is 
     appropriate to the age of children being served in center-
     based programs; or
       ``(II) a State-awarded certificate for preschool teachers 
     that meets or exceeds the requirements for a child 
     development associate credential.

       ``(5) 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 by the program for 
     effectiveness.
       ``(6) Service requirements.--The Secretary shall establish 
     requirements to ensure that, in order to enable Head Start 
     agencies to comply with the requirements of paragraph (2)(A), 
     individuals who receive financial assistance under this 
     subchapter to pursue a degree described in paragraph (2)(A) 
     shall--
       ``(A) teach or work in a Head Start program for a minimum 
     of 3 years after receiving the degree; or
       ``(B) repay the total or a prorated amount of the financial 
     assistance received based on the length of service completed 
     after receiving the degree.
       ``(7) Use of funds.--The Secretary shall require that any 
     Federal funds provided directly or indirectly to comply with 
     paragraph (2)(A) shall be used toward degrees awarded by an 
     institution of higher education, as defined by section 101 or 
     102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001, 
     1002).'';
       (2) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
       ``(c) Family Service Workers.--To improve the quality and 
     effectiveness of staff providing in-home and other services 
     (including needs assessment, development of service plans, 
     family advocacy, and coordination of service delivery) to 
     families of children participating in Head Start programs, 
     the Secretary, in coordination with concerned public and 
     private agencies and organizations examining the issues of 
     standards and training for family service workers, shall--
       ``(1) review and, as necessary, revise or develop new 
     qualification standards for Head Start staff providing such 
     services;
       ``(2) review, and as necessary, revise or develop maximum 
     caseload requirements, as suggested by best practices;
       ``(3) promote the development of model curricula (on 
     subjects including parenting training and family literacy) 
     designed to ensure the attainment of appropriate competencies 
     by individuals working or planning to work in the field of 
     early childhood and family services;
       ``(4) promote the establishment of a credential that 
     indicates attainment of the competencies and that is accepted 
     nationwide; and
       ``(5) promote the use of appropriate strategies to meet the 
     needs of special populations (including populations of 
     limited English proficient children).'';
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``(including a 
     center)'' after ``agency''; and
       (B) in paragraph (6), by striking ``amounts appropriated 
     under this subchapter and allotted under section 
     640(a)(2)(D)'' and inserting ``amounts made available under 
     section 640(a)(2)(E)''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Professional Development Plans.--Each Head Start 
     agency and program shall create, in consultation with an 
     employee, a professional development plan for all full-time 
     Head Start employees who provide direct services to children 
     and shall ensure that such plans are regularly evaluated for 
     their impact on teacher and staff effectiveness. The agency 
     and the employee shall implement the plan to the extent 
     feasible and practicable.
       ``(g) Staff Recruitment and Selection Procedures.--Before a 
     Head Start agency employs an individual, such agency shall--
       ``(1) conduct an interview of such individual;
       ``(2) verify the personal and employment references 
     provided by such individual; and
       ``(3) obtain--
       ``(A) a State, tribal, or Federal criminal record check 
     covering all jurisdictions where the grantee provides Head 
     Start services to children;
       ``(B) a State, tribal, or Federal criminal record check as 
     required by the law of the jurisdiction where the grantee 
     provides Head Start services; or
       ``(C) a criminal record check as otherwise required by 
     Federal law.''.

     SEC. 20. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EVALUATION.

       Section 649 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9844) is 
     amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (a)(1)(B) to read as follows:
       ``(B) use the Head Start programs to develop, test, and 
     disseminate new ideas based on existing scientifically valid 
     research, for addressing the needs of low-income preschool 
     children (including children with disabilities, homeless 
     children, children who have been abused or neglected, and 
     children in foster care) and their families and communities 
     (including demonstrations of innovative non-center-based 
     program models such as home-based and mobile programs), and 
     otherwise to further the purposes of this subchapter.'';
       (2) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (8), by adding ``and'' at the end;
       (B) by striking paragraphs (9) and (10), and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(10)(A) contribute to understanding the impact of Head 
     Start services delivered in classrooms which include both 
     children with disabilities and children without disabilities, 
     on all of the children; and
       ``(B) disseminate promising practices for increasing the 
     availability and quality of such services and such 
     classrooms.'';
       (C) in paragraph (5), by striking ``early childhood 
     education, or child development services'' and inserting 
     ``early childhood education and development or services 
     programs'';
       (D) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (8) as 
     paragraphs (6) through (9), respectively;
       (E) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
       ``(5)(A) 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 other Head Start 
     programs; and
       ``(B) identify successful strategies that promote good 
     vision health through vision screenings for such infants, 
     toddlers, and children, and referrals for appropriate 
     followup care for those identified as having a vision 
     problem;''; and
       (F) by striking the last sentence; and
       (3) in subsection (e)(3), by striking ``child care, early 
     childhood education, or child development services'' and 
     inserting ``early childhood education and development 
     services or programs'';
       (4) in subsection (g) by amending paragraph (7)(C) to read 
     as follows:
       ``(C) Transmittal of report to congress.--Not later than 
     September 30, 2009, the Secretary shall transmit the final 
     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.''; and
       (5) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:
       ``(h) Limited English Proficient Children.--
       ``(1) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness 
     Act of 2007, the Secretary shall conduct a study on the 
     status of limited English proficient children and their 
     families participating in Head Start programs (including 
     Early Head Start programs).
       ``(2) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit to 
     the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, not later than September 
     30, 2010, 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 services and Early Head 
     Start services, and the geographic distribution of children 
     described in this subparagraph;
       ``(B) the nature of the Head Start services and of the 
     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 and Early Head 
     Start programs for the assessment of language needs and the 
     transition of limited English proficient children to 
     kindergarten, including the extent to which such programs 
     meet

[[Page H13481]]

     the requirements of section 642A for limited English 
     proficient children;
       ``(D) the qualifications and training provided to Head 
     Start teachers and Early Head Start teachers who serve 
     limited English proficient children and their families;
       ``(E) the languages in which Head Start teachers and Early 
     Head Start teachers are fluent, in relation to the 
     population, and instructional needs, of the children served;
       ``(F) the rate of progress made by limited English 
     proficient children and their families in Head Start programs 
     and in Early Head Start programs, including--
       ``(i) the rate of progress made by limited English 
     proficient children toward meeting the additional educational 
     standards described in section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) while 
     enrolled in such programs;
       ``(ii) a description of the type of assessment or 
     assessments used to determine the rate of progress made by 
     limited English proficient children;
       ``(iii) the correlation between such progress and the type 
     and quality of instruction and educational programs provided 
     to limited English proficient children; and
       ``(iv) the correlation between such progress and the health 
     and family services provided by such programs to limited 
     English proficient children and their families; and
       ``(G) the extent to which Head Start programs and Early 
     Head Start programs make use of funds under section 
     640(a)(2)(D) to improve the quality of such services provided 
     to limited English proficient children and their families.
       ``(i) Research and Evaluation Activities Relevant to 
     Diverse Communities.--For purposes of conducting the study 
     described in subsection (h), activities described in section 
     640(l)(5)(A), and other research and evaluation activities 
     relevant to limited English proficient children and their 
     families, migrant and seasonal farmworker families, and other 
     families from diverse populations served by Head Start 
     programs, the Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, 
     funds from amounts made available under section 640(a)(2)(D) 
     to 1 or more organizations with a demonstrated capacity for 
     serving and studying the populations involved.
       ``(j) 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) integrate the results of the study, as appropriate 
     and in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3), into each 
     assessment used in Head Start programs; and
       ``(B) use the results of the study to develop, inform, and 
     revise as appropriate the standards and measures described in 
     section 641A, consistent with section 641A(a)(2)(C)(ii).
       ``(2) Inform and revise.--In informing and revising 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 in 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 
     in the languages in which they are administered; and
       ``(D) such assessments are not used to exclude children 
     from Head Start programs.
       ``(4) Suspended implementation of national reporting 
     system.--The Secretary shall suspend implementation and 
     terminate further development and use of the National 
     Reporting System.
       ``(k) Indian Head Start Study.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(1) work in collaboration with the Head Start agencies 
     that carry out Indian Head Start programs, the Indian Head 
     Start collaboration director, and other appropriate entities, 
     including tribal governments and the National Indian Head 
     Start Directors Association--
       ``(A) to undertake a study or set of studies designed to 
     focus on the American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start-
     eligible population, with a focus on issues such as 
     curriculum development, availability and need for services, 
     appropriate research methodologies and measures for these 
     populations, and best practices for teaching and educating 
     American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Children;
       ``(B) to accurately determine the number of children 
     nationwide who are eligible to participate in Indian Head 
     Start programs each year;
       ``(C) to document how many of these children are receiving 
     Head Start services each year;
       ``(D) to the extent practicable, to ensure that access to 
     Indian Head Start programs for eligible children is 
     comparable to access to other Head Start programs for other 
     eligible children; and
       ``(E) to make the funding decisions required in section 
     640(a)(4)(D)(ii), after completion of the studies required in 
     that section, taking into account:
       ``(i) the Federal government's unique trust responsibility 
     to American Indians and Alaska Natives;
       ``(ii) limitations faced by tribal communities in accessing 
     non-Federal sources of funding to supplement Federal funding 
     for early childhood programs; and
       ``(iii) other factors that uniquely and adversely impact 
     children in American Indian and Alaska Native communities 
     such as highly elevated poverty, unemployment and violent 
     crime rates, as well as depressed levels of educational 
     achievement and limited access to non-Federal health, social 
     and educational resources;
       ``(2) in carrying out paragraph (1), consult with the 
     Secretary of Education about the Department of Education's 
     systems for collecting and reporting data about, and 
     maintaining records on, American Indian and Alaska Native 
     students;
       ``(3) not later than 9 months after the effective date of 
     this subsection, publish in the Federal Register a notice of 
     how the Secretary plans to carry out paragraph (1) and shall 
     provide a period for public comment. To the extent 
     practicable, the Secretary shall consider comments received 
     before submitting a report to the Congress;
       ``(4) not later than 1 year after the effective date of 
     this subsection, 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 Department of Health and Human 
     Services plans to carry out paragraph (1);
       ``(5) through regulation, ensure the confidentiality of any 
     personally identifiable data, information, and records 
     collected or maintained by the Secretary, by Head Start 
     agencies that carry out Indian Head Start programs, and by 
     State Directors of Head Start Collaboration, by the Indian 
     Head Start Collaboration Project Director and by other 
     appropriate entities pursuant to this subsection (such 
     regulations shall provide the policies, protections, and 
     rights equivalent to those provided a parent, student, or 
     educational agency or institution under section 444 of the 
     General Education Provisions Act.); and
       ``(6) ensure that nothing in this subsection shall be 
     construed to authorize the development of a nationwide 
     database of personally identifiable information on 
     individuals involved in studies or other collections of data 
     under this subsection.
       ``(l) Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program Study.--
       ``(1) Data.--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, the Bureau of Migrant 
     Health, and the Secretary of Education to--
       ``(A) collect, report, and share data, within a coordinated 
     system, on children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers and 
     their families, including health records and educational 
     documents of such children, 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
       ``(B) 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, and increasing enrollment.
       ``(2) Publication of plan.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of the Improving Head Start for School 
     Readiness Act of 2007, the Secretary shall publish in the 
     Federal Register a notice about how the Secretary plans to 
     implement the activities identified in paragraph (1) 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 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness 
     Act of 2007, and annually thereafter, 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 implement the activities identified in 
     paragraph (1), including the progress made in reaching out to 
     and serving eligible children of migrant and seasonal 
     farmworkers, and information on States where such children 
     are still underserved.
       ``(4) Protection of confidentiality.--The Secretary shall, 
     through regulation, ensure the protection of the 
     confidentiality of any personally identifiable data, 
     information, and records collected or maintained by the 
     Secretary, by Head Start agencies that carry out migrant or 
     seasonal Head Start programs, by the State director of Head 
     Start Collaboration, and by the Migrant and Seasonal 
     Farmworker Collaboration project Director (such regulations 
     shall provide the policies, protections, and rights 
     equivalent to those provided a parent, student, or 
     educational agency or institution under section 444 of the 
     General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g)).
       ``(5) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection 
     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 subsection.

[[Page H13482]]

       ``(m) Program Emergency Preparedness.--
       ``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this subsection is to 
     evaluate the emergency preparedness of the Head Start 
     programs, including Early Head Start programs, and make 
     recommendations for how Head Start shall enhance its 
     readiness to respond to an emergency.
       ``(2) Study.--The Secretary shall evaluate the Federal, 
     State, and local preparedness of Head Start programs, 
     including Early Head Start programs, to respond appropriately 
     in the event of a large-scale emergency, such as the 
     hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, the terrorist attacks of 
     September 11, 2001, or other incidents where assistance may 
     be warranted under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
       ``(3) Report to congress.--Not later than 18 months after 
     the date of the enactment of the Improving Head Start for 
     School Readiness Act of 2007, the Secretary shall prepare and 
     submit to Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report containing the 
     results of the evaluation required under paragraph (2), 
     including--
       ``(A) recommendations for improvements to Federal, State, 
     and local preparedness and response capabilities to large-
     scale emergencies, including those that were developed in 
     response to hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, as they 
     relate to Head Start programs, including Early Head Start 
     programs, and the Secretary's plan to implement such 
     recommendations;
       ``(B) an evaluation of the procedures for informing 
     families of children in Head Start programs about the program 
     protocols for response to a large-scale emergency, including 
     procedures for communicating with such families in the event 
     of a large-scale emergency;
       ``(C) an evaluation of such procedures for staff training 
     on State and local evacuation and emergency protocols; and
       ``(D) an evaluation of procedures for Head Start agencies 
     and the Secretary to coordinate with appropriate Federal, 
     State, and local emergency management agencies in the event 
     of a large scale emergency and recommendations to improve 
     such procedures.''.

     SEC. 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, homeless children, children in foster care, and 
     children participating in Indian Head Start programs and 
     migrant or seasonal Head Start programs)'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting before the semicolon the 
     following: ``, and information on the number of children 
     served under this subsection, disaggregated by type of 
     eligibility criterion'';
       (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``funds expended'' and 
     all that follows through ``640(a)(3),'' and inserting ``funds 
     made available under section 640(a)'';
       (D) in paragraph (8), by inserting ``homelessness, whether 
     the child is in foster care or was referred by a child 
     welfare agency,'' after ``background,'';
       (E) in paragraph (12), by inserting ``vision care,'' after 
     ``dental care,'';
       (F) in paragraph (14)--
       (i) by striking ``Alaskan Natives'' and inserting ``Alaska 
     Natives''; and
       (ii) by striking ``seasonal farmworkers'' and inserting 
     ``seasonal farmworker families''; and
       (G) 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'';
       (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''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Fiscal Protocol.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct an annual 
     review to assess whether the design and implementation of the 
     triennial reviews described in section 641A(c) include 
     compliance procedures that provide reasonable assurances that 
     Head Start agencies are complying with applicable fiscal laws 
     and regulations.
       ``(2) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the date the 
     Secretary completes the annual review under paragraph (1), 
     the Secretary shall report the findings and conclusions of 
     the annual review to the Committee on Education and Labor of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
       ``(d) Disability-Related Services.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall track the provision 
     of disability-related services for children, in order to--
       ``(A) determine whether Head Start agencies are making 
     timely referrals to the State or local agency responsible for 
     providing services under section 619 or part C of the 
     Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 
     1431 et seq.);
       ``(B) identify barriers to timely evaluations and 
     eligibility determinations by the State or local agency 
     responsible for providing services under section 619 or part 
     C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and
       ``(C) determine under what circumstances and for what 
     length of time Head Start agencies are providing disability-
     related services for children who have not been determined 
     under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 
     U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) to be children with disabilities.
       ``(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness 
     Act of 2007, the Secretary shall provide 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 on the activities described 
     in paragraph (1).
       ``(e) Evaluation and Recommendations Regarding Obesity 
     Prevention.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness 
     Act of 2007 the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
     Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the 
     Senate a report on the Secretary's progress in assisting 
     program efforts to prevent and reduce obesity in children who 
     participate in Head Start programs, including progress on 
     implementing initiatives within the Head Start program to 
     prevent and reduce obesity in such children.''.

     SEC. 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) Comparability of Wages.--The Secretary shall take''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Limitation.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, no Federal funds may be used to pay any part of the 
     compensation of an individual employed by a Head Start 
     agency, if such compensation, including non-Federal funds, 
     exceeds an amount equal to the rate payable for level II of 
     the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       ``(2) Compensation.--In this subsection, the term 
     `compensation'--
       ``(A) includes salary, bonuses, periodic payments, 
     severance pay, the value of any vacation time, the value of a 
     compensatory or paid leave benefit not excluded by 
     subparagraph (B), and the fair market value of any employee 
     perquisite or benefit not excluded by subparagraph (B); and
       ``(B) excludes any Head Start agency expenditure for a 
     health, medical, life insurance, disability, retirement, or 
     any other employee welfare or pension benefit.''.

     SEC. 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''.

     SEC. 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:

     ``SEC. 656. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.

       ``(a) State or Local Agency.--For purposes of''; and
       (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Restrictions.--
       ``(1) In general.--A program assisted under this 
     subchapter, and any individual employed by, or assigned to 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) Registration.--No funds appropriated under this 
     subchapter may be used to conduct voter registration 
     activities. Nothing in this subchapter prohibits the 
     availability of Head Start facilities during hours of 
     operation for the use of any nonpartisan organization to 
     increase the number of eligible citizens who register to vote 
     in elections for Federal office.
       ``(3) Rules and regulations.--The Secretary, after 
     consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel 
     Management, may issue rules and regulations to provide for 
     the enforcement of this section, which may include provisions 
     for summary suspension of assistance or other action 
     necessary to permit enforcement on an emergency basis.''.

     SEC. 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:

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

       ``(a) Definition.--The term `nonemergency intrusive 
     physical examination' means, with respect to a child, a 
     physical examination that--
       ``(1) is not immediately necessary to protect the health or 
     safety of the child involved 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 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

[[Page H13483]]

     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.''.

     SEC. 26. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.

       The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), as amended by 
     section 25, is further amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 657B. 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 section, 
     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, after selection 
     for nomination by such Governor through a competitive 
     process, 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 involved has significantly improved the school 
     readiness of children who have participated in the program;
       ``(ii) evidence that the program meets or exceeds standards 
     described in section 641A(a)(1), as evidenced by the results 
     of monitoring reviews described in section 641A(c), and has 
     no findings of deficiencies in the preceding 3 years;
       ``(iii) evidence that the program is making progress toward 
     meeting the requirements described in section 648A;
       ``(iv) an assurance that the Head Start agency will develop 
     a collaborative partnership with the State (or a State 
     agency) and other providers of early childhood education and 
     development programs and services in the local community 
     involved to conduct activities under subsection (d);
       ``(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 
     development to children and families in the community served 
     by the agency, and carry out the activities described under 
     subsection (d)(1); and
       ``(vi) a description of how the center involved, in order 
     to expand accessibility and continuity of quality early 
     childhood education and development services and programs, 
     will coordinate activities, as appropriate, 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) the Early Head Start programs carried out under 
     section 645A;
       ``(III) 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.);
       ``(IV) other preschool programs carried out under title I 
     of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);
       ``(V) programs carried out under section 619 and part C of 
     the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1419, 1431 et seq.);
       ``(VI) State prekindergarten programs; and
       ``(VII) other programs of early childhood education and 
     development.

       ``(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 agencies 
     that, through their applications, demonstrate that their 
     programs 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 agencies that serve large proportions of 
     families of limited English proficient children or other 
     underserved populations, and may make bonus grants to 
     agencies that do an exceptional job meeting the needs of 
     children in such populations.
       ``(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.--A center of excellence that receives a 
     bonus grant under subsection (b)--
       ``(1) shall use not less than 15 percent of the funds made 
     available through the bonus grant to disseminate to other 
     Head Start agencies in the State involved, best practices for 
     achieving early academic success, including--
       ``(A) best practices for achieving school readiness, 
     including developing early literacy and mathematics skills, 
     for children at risk for school difficulties;
       ``(B) best practices for achieving the acquisition of the 
     English language for limited English proficient children, if 
     appropriate to the population served; and
       ``(C) best practices for providing high-quality 
     comprehensive services for eligible children and their 
     families;
       ``(2) may use the funds made available through the bonus 
     grant--
       ``(A) to provide Head Start services to additional eligible 
     children;
       ``(B) to better meet the needs of working families in the 
     community served by the center by serving more children in 
     existing Early Head Start programs (existing as of the date 
     the center is designated under this section) or in full-
     working-day, full calendar year Head Start programs;
       ``(C) to further coordinate early childhood education and 
     development programs and services and social services 
     available in the community served by the center for at-risk 
     children (birth through age 8), their families, and pregnant 
     women;
       ``(D) to provide professional development for Head Start 
     teachers and staff, including joint 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 development programs;
       ``(E) to provide effective transitions between Head Start 
     programs and elementary schools and to facilitate ongoing 
     communication between Head Start and elementary school 
     teachers concerning children receiving Head Start services to 
     improve the teachers' ability to work effectively with low-
     income, at-risk children and their families;
       ``(F) 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
       ``(G) 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.
       ``(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 use 
     the funds received under this section 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 development programs in the communities involved to 
     meet measurable improvement goals, particularly in the 
     area of school readiness.
       ``(2) Research report.--Not later than 48 months after the 
     date of enactment of the Improving Head Start for School 
     Readiness Act of 2007, the organization shall prepare and 
     submit to the Secretary and Congress a report containing the 
     results of the research described in paragraph (1).
       ``(3) Reports to the secretary.--Each center of excellence 
     shall submit an annual report to the Secretary, at such time 
     and in such manner as the Secretary may require, that 
     contains a description of the activities the center carried 
     out with funds received under this section, including a 
     description of how such funds improved services for children 
     and families.
       ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary 
     for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to make bonus 
     grants to centers of excellence under subsection (b) to carry 
     out activities described in subsection (d) and research and 
     report activities described in subsection (e).''.

     SEC. 27. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

       The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), as amended by 
     section 26, is further amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 657C. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

       ``(a) Limitation.--Nothing in this subchapter shall be 
     construed to authorize or permit the Secretary or any 
     employee or contractor of the Department of Health and Human 
     Services to

[[Page H13484]]

     mandate, direct, or control, the selection of a curriculum, a 
     program of instruction, or instructional materials, for a 
     Head Start program.
       ``(b) Special Rule.--Nothing in this subchapter shall be 
     construed to authorize a Head Start program or a local 
     educational agency to require the other to select or 
     implement a specific curriculum or program of instruction.
       ``(c) Definition.--In this subchapter, the term `health', 
     when used to refer to services or care provided to enrolled 
     children, their parents, or their siblings, shall be 
     interpreted to refer to both physical and mental health.''.

     SEC. 28. COMPLIANCE WITH IMPROPER PAYMENTS INFORMATION ACT OF 
                   2002.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section, the term--
       (1) ``appropriate committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 
     of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (2) ``improper payment'' has the meaning given that term 
     under section 2(d)(2) of the Improper Payments Information 
     Act of 2002 (31 U.S.C. 3321 note).
       (b) Requirement for Compliance Certification and Report.--
     The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit a 
     report to the appropriate committees that--
       (1) contains a certification that the Department of Health 
     and Human Services has, for each program and activity of the 
     Administration for Children and Families, performed and 
     completed a risk assessment to determine programs and 
     activities that are at significant risk of making improper 
     payments; and
       (2) describes the actions to be taken to reduce improper 
     payments for the programs and activities determined to be at 
     significant risk of making improper payments.

     SEC. 29. REFERENCES IN OTHER ACTS.

       (a) Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.--
     Section 1112(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
     of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6312(c)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(G), by striking ``performance 
     standards established under section 641A(a) of the Head Start 
     Act'' and inserting ``education performance standards in 
     effect under section 641A(a)(1)(B) of the Head Start Act''; 
     and
       (2) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``Head Start 
     performance standards as in effect under section 641A(a) of 
     the Head Start Act'' and inserting ``education performance 
     standards in effect under section 641A(a)(1)(B) of the Head 
     Start Act''.
       (b) Early Learning Opportunities Act.--Section 810(b)(1) of 
     the Early Learning Opportunities Act (20 U.S.C. 9409(b)(1)) 
     is amended by striking ``entities funded under section 
     640(a)(5) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)(5))'' and 
     inserting ``entities funded under section 640(a)(2)(B)(vi) of 
     the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)(2)(B)(vi))''.
       (c) Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.--
       (1) Section 9(b)(12)(A)(iii) of the Richard B. Russell 
     National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(12)(A)(iii)) is 
     amended by striking ``the child is a member of a family that 
     meets the low-income criteria prescribed under section 
     645(a)(1)(A) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
     9840(a)(1)(A))'' and inserting ``the child meets the 
     eligibility criteria prescribed under section 645(a)(1)(B) of 
     the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840(a)(1)(B))''.
       (2) Section 17(c)(5) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1766(c)(5)) is 
     amended by striking ``the child is a member of a family that 
     meets the low-income criteria prescribed under section 
     645(a)(1)(A) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
     9840(a)(1)(A))'' and inserting ``the child meets the 
     eligibility criteria prescribed under section 645(a)(1)(B) of 
     the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840(a)(1)(B))''.

       And the Senate agree to the same.

     George Miller,
     Dale E. Kildee,
     Lynn Woolsey,
     Danny K. Davis,
     Raul M. Grijalva,
     Linda T. Sanchez,
     John P. Sarbanes,
     Joe Sestak,
     David Loebsack,
     Mazie K. Hirono,
     Carol Shea-Porter,
     Howard ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Michael N. Castle,
     Luis Fortuno,
     Ric Keller,
     Joe Wilson,
     C. W. Boustany,
     Dean Heller,
                                Managers on the Part of the House.

     Ted Kennedy,
     Chris Dodd,
     Tom Harkin,
     Barbara A. Mikulski,
     Jeff Bingaman,
     Patty Murray,
     Jack Reed,
     Hillary Rodham Clinton,
     Barack Obama,
     Bernard Sanders,
     Sherrod Brown,
     Michael B. Enzi,
     Judd Gregg,
     Lamar Alexander,
     Richard Burr,
     Johnny Isakson,
     Lisa Murkowski,
     Orrin Hatch,
     Pat Roberts,
     Wayne Allard,
                               Managers on the Part of the Senate.

       JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE

       The managers on the part of the House and the Senate at the 
     conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the 
     amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 1429), to 
     reauthorize the Head Start Act, to improve program quality, 
     to expand access, and for other purposes, submit the 
     following joint statement to the House and the Senate in 
     explanation of the effect of the action agreed upon by the 
     managers and recommended in the accompanying conference 
     report:
       The Senate amendment struck all of the House bill after the 
     enacting clause and inserted a substitute text.
       The House recedes from its disagreement to the amendment of 
     the Senate with an amendment that is a substitute for the 
     House bill and the Senate amendment. The differences between 
     the House bill, the Senate amendment, and the substitute 
     agreed to in conference are noted below, except for clerical 
     corrections, conforming changes made necessary by agreements 
     reached by the Conferees, and minor drafting and clarifying 
     changes.
     Section 1. Short title
       I. The House bill and the Senate amendment have different 
     titles.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to insert 
     ``Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007''.
       2. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     tables of contents.
       House recedes/Senate recedes.
       3. The House bill includes a Sense of Congress. The Senate 
     amendment does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
     Section 2. Statement of purpose
       4. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The Senate amendment refers to enhancing 
     children's cognitive and social development in the lead-in 
     and the House references cognitive, social and emotional 
     development in note 5.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``and social'' 
     and insert ``social, and emotional''.
       5. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``by enhancing 
     their cognitive, social, and emotional development'' and 
     insert ``creative arts'' before ``physical''.
       6. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
     Section 3. Definitions
       7. The Senate amendment makes changes to ``delegate 
     agency'' definition. The House bill maintains current law.
       House recedes
       8. The Senate amendment makes changes to ``family literacy 
     services'' definition. The House bill maintains current law.
       House recedes with an amendment to insert ``and financial 
     literacy.'' after ``self sufficiency'' in subparagraph (C).
       9. The House bill uses ``significant''. The Senate 
     amendment uses ``substantial''.
       House recedes.
       10. The House bill references ``program governance''. The 
     Senate amendment references ``program operations''.
       House recedes.
       11. The House bill references sections with additional 
     performance standards.
       House recedes with an amendment to insert ``(as determined 
     by the Secretary)'' after ``status''.
       12. The Senate amendment adds additional clarification.
       House recedes.
       13. The House bill uses ``material failure''. The Senate 
     amendment uses ``systemic failure''
       House recedes with an amendment to insert ``or material'' 
     after ``systematic''.
       14. The Senate amendment has additional provisions (C), 
     (D), (E).
       House recedes with an amendment to insert ``or;'' after 
     ``responsibilities'' in (B) and to strike subparagraphs (C) 
     and (D), and to strike ``having'' in part (E).
       15. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The House bill defines
       ``homeless children''. The Senate amendment defines 
     ``homeless child''.
       Senate recedes.
       16. The House bill defines homeless family. The Senate 
     amendment refers to families of homeless children, but does 
     not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       17. The House bill defines inclusive classroom. The Senate 
     amendment does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       18. The Senate amendment defines institution of higher 
     education. The House bill does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes.
       19. The Senate amendment defines interrater reliability. 
     The House bill does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       20. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike subparagraph 
     ``(A)''.
       21. The Senate amendment defines unresolved area of 
     noncompliance. The House bill does not include a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes.
       22. The House bill defines professional development. The 
     Senate amendment does not contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     ``scientifically-based research'' and insert ``scientifically 
     valid research''.
       23. The House bill defines scientifically based research. 
     The Senate amendment does not contain a similar provision.

[[Page H13485]]

       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``(23) The term `principles of scientific research' means 
     principles of research that--
       ``(A) applies rigorous, systematic, and objective 
     methodology to obtain reliable and valid knowledge relevant 
     to education activities and programs;
       ``(B) presents findings and makes claims that are 
     appropriate to and supported by methods that have been 
     employed; and
       ``(C) includes, appropriate to the research being 
     conducted--
       ``(i) use of systematic, empirical methods that draw on 
     observation or experiment;
       ``(ii) use of data analyses that are adequate to support 
     the general findings;
       ``(iii) reliance on measurements or observational methods 
     that provide reliable and generalizable findings;
       ``(iv) strong claims of causal relationships only with 
     research designs that eliminate plausible competing 
     explanations for observed results, such as but not limited to 
     random assignment experiments;
       ``(v) presentation of studies and methods in sufficient 
     detail and clarity to allow for replication or at a minimum, 
     to offer the opportunity to build systematically on the 
     findings of the research;
       ``(vi) acceptance by a peer-reviewed journal or critique by 
     a panel of independent experts through a comparably rigorous, 
     objective, and scientific review; and
       ``(vii) consistency of findings across multiple studies or 
     sites to support the generality of results and conclusions.
       ``(25) The term `scientifically valid research' includes 
     applied research, basic research, and field-initiated 
     research in which the rationale, design, and interpretation 
     are soundly developed in accordance with principles of 
     scientific research.''
       24. The House bill and Senate amendment make similar 
     changes to the definition of a State.
       Senate recedes.
     Section 4. Financial assistance for Head Start programs
       25. The Senate amendment requires grants terms continue for 
     a period of 5 years. The House bill does not contain a 
     similar provision in section 638 but makes a similar change 
     in section 641.
       House recedes.
     Section 5. Authorization of appropriations
       26. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     different amounts authorized to be appropriated for Head 
     Start.
       House recedes
       27. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical language except the House bill uses parenthesis.
       House recedes.
     Section 6. Allotment of funds; limitations on assistance
       28. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The House bill adds a heading and strikes a date 
     from current law. The Senate amendment maintains current law.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     subsection (a) and insert--
       ``(a) Allotment of Funds.--Section 640(a) of the Head Start 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a)(1) Using the sums appropriated pursuant to section 
     639 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate such sums 
     in accordance with paragraphs (2) through (5).
       ``(2)(A) The Secretary shall determine an amount for each 
     fiscal year for each State that is equal to the amount 
     received through base grants for the prior fiscal year by the 
     Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) in 
     the State that are not described in clause (ii) or (iii) of 
     subparagraph (B).
       ``(B) The Secretary shall reserve for each fiscal year such 
     sums as are necessary--
       ``(i) to provide each amount determined for a State under 
     subparagraph (A) to the Head Start agencies (including Early 
     Head Start agencies) in the State that are not described in 
     clause (ii) or (iii), by allotting to each agency described 
     in this clause an amount equal to that agency's base grant 
     for the prior fiscal year;
       ``(ii) to provide an amount for the Indian Head Start 
     programs that is equal to the amount provided for base grants 
     for such programs under this subchapter for the prior fiscal 
     year, by allotting to each Head Start agency (including each 
     Early Head Start agency) administering an Indian Head Start 
     program an amount equal to that agency's base grant for the 
     prior fiscal year;
       ``(iii) to provide an amount for the migrant and seasonal 
     Head Start programs on a nationwide basis that is equal to 
     the amount provided for base grants for such programs 
     nationwide under this subchapter for the prior fiscal year, 
     by allotting to each Head Start agency administering a 
     migrant or seasonal Head Start program an amount equal to 
     that agency's base grant for the prior fiscal year;
       ``(iv) to provide an amount for each of Guam, American 
     Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and 
     the Virgin Islands of the United States (for Head Start 
     agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) in the 
     jurisdiction) that is equal to the amount provided for base 
     grants for such jurisdiction under this subchapter for the 
     prior fiscal year, by allotting to each agency described in 
     this clause an amount equal to that agency's base grant for 
     the prior fiscal year;
       ``(v) to provide an amount for the Republic of Palau (for 
     Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) in 
     the jurisdiction) for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009, and 
     (if legislation approving a new agreement regarding United 
     States assistance for the Republic of Palau has not been 
     enacted by September 30, 2009) for each of fiscal years 2010 
     through 2012, that is equal to the amount provided for base 
     grants for such jurisdiction under this subchapter for the 
     prior fiscal year, by allotting to each agency described in 
     this clause an amount equal to that agency's base grant for 
     the prior fiscal year; and
       ``(vi) to provide an amount for a collaboration grant under 
     642(B)(a) for each State, for the Indian Head Start programs, 
     and for the migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, in the 
     same amount as the corresponding collaboration grant provided 
     under this subchapter for fiscal year 2007.
       ``(C)(i) The Secretary shall reserve for each fiscal year 
     an amount that is not less than 2.5 percent and not more than 
     3 percent of the sums appropriated pursuant to section 639 
     for that fiscal year, to fund training and technical 
     assistance activities, from which reserved amount--
       ``(I) the Secretary shall set aside a portion, but not less 
     than 20 percent, to be used to fund training and technical 
     assistance activities for Early Head Start programs, in 
     accordance with section 645A(g)(2); and
       ``(II) the Secretary shall set aside a portion, equal to 
     the rest of the reserved amount, to fund training and 
     technical assistance activities for other Head Start 
     programs, in accordance with section 648, of which portion--
       ``(aa) not less than 50 percent shall be made available to 
     Head Start agencies to use directly, which may include at 
     their discretion the establishment of local or regional 
     agreements with community experts, institutions of higher 
     education, or private consultants, to make program 
     improvements identified by such agencies, by carrying out the 
     training and technical assistance activities described in 
     section 648(d);
       ``(bb) not less than 25 percent shall be available to the 
     Secretary to support a State- based training and technical 
     assistance system, or a national system of training and 
     technical assistance in the case of Indian Head Start 
     programs and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, as 
     described in section 648(e) for supporting program 
     quality; and
       ``(cc) the remainder of the portion set aside under this 
     subclause shall be available to the Secretary to assist Head 
     Start agencies in meeting and exceeding the standards 
     described in section 641A(a)(1) by carrying out activities 
     described in subsections (a), (b), (c), (f), and (g) of 
     section 648, including helping Head Start programs address 
     weaknesses identified by monitoring activities conducted by 
     the Secretary under section 641A(c), except that not less 
     than $3,000,000 of the remainder shall be made available to 
     carry out activities described in section 648(a)(3)(B)(ii).
       ``(ii) In determining the portion set aside under clause 
     (i)(I) and the amount reserved under this subparagraph, the 
     Secretary shall consider the number of Early Head Start 
     programs newly funded for that fiscal year.
       ``(D) The Secretary shall reserve not more than $20,000,000 
     to fund research, demonstration, and evaluation activities 
     under section 649.
       ``(E) The Secretary shall reserve not more than $42,000,000 
     for discretionary payments by the Secretary, including 
     payments for all costs (other than compensation of Federal 
     employees) for activities carried out under subsection (c) or 
     (e) of section 641A.
       ``(F) If the sums appropriated under section 639 are not 
     sufficient to provide the amounts required to be reserved 
     under subparagraphs (B) through (E), the amounts shall be 
     reduced proportionately.
       (G) Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny the 
     Secretary the authority, consistent with sections 641, 641A, 
     and 646 to terminate, suspend, or reduce funding to a Head 
     Start agency.
       ``(3)(A) From any amount remaining for a fiscal year after 
     the Secretary carries out paragraph (2) (referred to in this 
     paragraph as the `remaining amount'), the Secretary shall--
       ``(i) subject to clause (ii)--
       ``(I) provide a cost of living increase for each Head Start 
     agency (including each Early Head Start agency) funded under 
     this subchapter for that fiscal year, to maintain the level 
     of services provided during the prior year; and
       ``(II) subject to subparagraph (B), provide $10,000,000 for 
     Indian Head Start programs (including Early Head Start 
     programs) and $10,000,000 for migrant and seasonal Head Start 
     programs, to increase enrollment in the programs involved;
       ``(ii) subject to clause (iii), if the remaining amount is 
     not sufficient to carry out clause (i)--
       ``(I) for each of fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010--
       ``(aa) subject to subparagraph (B), provide 5 percent of 
     that amount for Indian Head Start programs (including Early 
     Head Start programs), and 5 percent of that amount for 
     migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, to increase 
     enrollment in the programs involved; and
       ``(bb) use 90 percent of that amount to provide, for each 
     Head Start agency (including each Early Head Start agency) 
     funded as described in clause (i)(1), the same percentage

[[Page H13486]]

     (but not less than 50 percent) of the cost of living 
     increase described in clause (i); and
       ``(II) for fiscal year 2011 and each subsequent fiscal 
     year--
       ``(aa) provide, for each Head Start agency (including each 
     Early Head Start agency) funded as described in clause 
     (i)(I), the cost of living increase described in clause (i); 
     and
       ``(bb) subject to subparagraph (B), with any portion of the 
     remaining amount that is not used under item (aa), provide 
     equal amounts for Indian Head Start programs, and for migrant 
     and seasonal Head Start programs, to increase enrollment in 
     the programs involved (including Early Head Start programs); 
     and
       ``(iii) if the remaining amount is not sufficient to carry 
     out clause (ii) for the fiscal year involved, use that amount 
     to provide, for each Head Start agency (including each Early 
     Head Start agency) funded as described in clause (i)(I), the 
     same percentage of the cost of living increase described in 
     clause (i).
       ``(B)(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
     paragraph, the Indian Head Start programs shall not receive 
     more than a total cumulative amount of $50,000,000 for all 
     fiscal years, and the migrant and seasonal Head Start 
     programs shall not receive more than a total cumulative 
     amount of $50,000,000 for all fiscal years, under clause 
     (i)(II), and subclauses (I)(aa) and (II)(bb) of clause (ii), 
     of subparagraph (A) (referred to in this subsection as the 
     `special expansion provisions'), to increase enrollment in 
     the programs involved.
       ``(ii) Funds that are appropriated under section 639 for a 
     fiscal year, and made available to Indian Head Start programs 
     or migrant or seasonal Head Start programs under the special 
     expansion provisions, shall remain available until the end of 
     the following fiscal year.
       ``(iii) Of the funds made available as described in clause 
     (ii), the Secretary shall reallocate the portion that the 
     Secretary determines is unobligated 18 months after the funds 
     are made available. The Secretary shall add that portion to 
     the balance described in paragraph (4), and reallocate the 
     portion in accordance with paragraph (4), for the following 
     fiscal year referred to in clause (ii).
       ``(4)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), from any 
     amount remaining for a fiscal year after the Secretary 
     carries out paragraphs (2) and (3) (referred to in this 
     paragraph as the `balance'), the Secretary shall--
       ``(i) reserve 40 percent to carry out subparagraph (C) and 
     paragraph (5);
       ``(ii) reserve 45 percent to carry out subparagraph (D); 
     and
       ``(iii) reserve 15 percent (which shall remain available 
     through the end of fiscal year 2012) to carry out 
     subparagraph (E).
       ``(B)(i) Under the circumstances described in clause (ii), 
     from the balance, the Secretary shall--
       ``(I) reserve 45 percent to carry out subparagraph (C) and 
     paragraph (5); and
       ``(II) reserve 55 percent to carry out subparagraph (D).
       ``(ii) The Secretary shall make the reservations described 
     in clause (i) for a fiscal year if--
       ``(I) the total cumulative amount reserved under 
     subparagraph (A)(iii) for all preceding fiscal years equals 
     $100,000,000; or
       ``(II) if in the 2-year period preceding such fiscal year 
     funds were reserved under subparagraph (A)(iii) in an amount 
     that totals not less than $15,000,000 and the Secretary 
     received no approvable applications from States for such 
     funds.
       ``(C) The Secretary shall fund the quality improvement 
     activities described in paragraph (5) using the amount 
     reserved under subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (B)(i)(I), 
     as appropriate, of which--
       ``(i) a portion that is less than 10 percent may be 
     reserved by the Secretary to provide funding to Head Start 
     agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) that 
     demonstrate the greatest need for additional funding for such 
     activities, as determined by the Secretary; and
       ``(ii) a portion that is not less than 90 percent shall be 
     reserved by the Secretary to allot, to each Head Start agency 
     (including each Early Head Start agency), an amount that 
     bears the same ratio to such portion as the number of 
     enrolled children served by the agency involved bears to the 
     number of enrolled children served by all the Head Start 
     agencies (including Early Head Start agencies), except that 
     the Secretary shall account for the additional costs of 
     serving children in Early Head Start programs and may 
     consider whether an agency is providing a part-day program.
       ``(D) The Secretary shall fund expansion of Head Start 
     programs (including Early Head Start programs) using the 
     amount reserved under subparagraph (A)(ii) or subparagraph 
     (B)(i)(II), as appropriate, of which the Secretary shall--
       ``(i) use 0.2 percent for Head Start programs funded under 
     clause (iv) or (v) of paragraph (2)(B) (other than Early Head 
     Start programs);
       ``(ii) for any fiscal year after the last fiscal year for 
     which Indian Head Start programs receive funds under the 
     special expansion provisions, use 3 percent for Head Start 
     programs funded under paragraph (2)(B)(ii) (other than Early 
     Head Start programs), except that the Secretary may increase 
     that percentage if the Secretary determines that the results 
     of the study conducted under section 649(k) indicate that the 
     percentage should be increased;
       ``(iii) for any fiscal year after the last fiscal year for 
     which migrant or seasonal Head Start programs receive funds 
     under the special expansion provisions, use 4.5 percent for 
     Head Start programs funded under paragraph (2)(B)(iii) (other 
     than Early Head Start programs), except that the Secretary 
     may increase that percentage if the Secretary determines that 
     the results of the study conducted under section 649(1) 
     indicate that the percentage should be increased; and
       ``(iv) from the remainder of the reserved amount--
       ``(I) use 50 percent for Head Start programs funded under 
     paragraph (2)(B)(i) (other than Early Head Start programs), 
     of which--
       ``(aa) the covered percentage shall be allocated 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 
     allocating to each of those States an amount that bears the 
     same relationship to that covered percentage 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 
     subclause as `young low-income children') in that State bears 
     to the number of young low-income children in all those 
     States; and
       ``(bb) the remainder shall be allocated proportionately 
     among the States on the basis of the number of young low-
     income children; and
       ``(II) use 50 percent for Early Head Start programs.
       (E) In this paragraph, the term `covered percentage' 
     means--
       ``(i) for fiscal year 2008, 30 percent;
       ``(ii) for fiscal year 2009, 40 percent;
       ``(iii) for fiscal year 2010, 50 percent;
       ``(iv) for fiscal year 2011, 55 percent; and
       ``(v) for fiscal year 2012, 55 percent.
       ``(5)(A) Not less than 50 percent of the amount reserved 
     under subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (B)(i)(I), as 
     appropriate, of paragraph (4) to carry out quality 
     improvement activities under paragraph (4)(C) and this 
     paragraph shall be used to improve the compensation 
     (including benefits) of educational personnel, family service 
     workers, and child counselors, as described in sections 
     644(a) and 653, in the manner determined by the Head Start 
     agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) involved, to--
       ``(i) ensure that compensation is adequate to attract and 
     retain qualified staff for the programs involved in order to 
     enhance program quality;
       ``(ii) improve staff qualifications and assist with the 
     implementation of career development programs for staff that 
     support ongoing improvement of their skills and expertise; 
     and
       ``(iii) provide education and professional development to 
     enable teachers to be fully competent to meet the 
     professional standards established under section 648A(a)(1), 
     including--
       ``(I) providing assistance to complete postsecondary course 
     work;
       ``(II) improving the qualifications and skills of 
     educational personnel to become certified and licensed as 
     bilingual education teachers, or as teachers of English as a 
     second language; and
       ``(III) improving the qualifications and skills of 
     educational personnel to teach and provide services to 
     children with disabilities.
       ``(B) Any remaining funds from the reserved amount 
     described in subparagraph (A) shall be used to carry out any 
     of the following activities:
       ``(i) Supporting staff training, child counseling, and 
     other services, necessary to address the challenges of 
     children from immigrant, refugee, and asylee families, 
     homeless children, children in foster care, limited English 
     proficient children, children of migrant or seasonal 
     farmworker families, children from families in crisis, 
     children referred to Head Start programs (including Early 
     Head Start programs) by child welfare agencies, and children 
     who are exposed to chronic violence or substance abuse.
       ``(ii) Ensuring that the physical environments of Head 
     Start programs are conducive to providing effective program 
     services to children and families, and are accessible to 
     children with disabilities and other individuals with 
     disabilities.
       ``(iii) Employing additional qualified classroom staff to 
     reduce the child-to-teacher ratio in the classroom and 
     additional qualified family service workers to reduce the 
     family-to-staff ratio for those workers.
       ``(iv) Ensuring that Head Start programs have qualified 
     staff that promote the language skills and literacy growth of 
     children and that provide children with a variety of skills 
     that have been identified, through scientifically based 
     reading research, as predictive of later reading achievement.
       ``(v) Increasing hours of program operation, including--
       ``(I) conversion of part-day programs to full-working-day 
     programs; and
       ``(II) increasing the number of weeks of operation in a 
     calendar year.
       ``(vi) Improving communitywide strategic planning and needs 
     assessments for Head Start programs and collaboration efforts 
     for such programs, including outreach to children described 
     in clause (i).
       ``(vii) Transporting children in Head Start programs 
     safely, except that not more than 10 percent of funds made 
     available to carry out this paragraph may be used for such 
     purposes.
       ``(viii) Improving the compensation and benefits of staff 
     of Head Start agencies, in

[[Page H13487]]

     order to improve the quality of Head Start programs.
       ``(6) No sums appropriated under this subchapter may be 
     combined with funds appropriated under any provision other 
     than this subchapter if the purpose of combining funds is to 
     make a single discretionary grant or a single discretionary 
     payment, unless such sums appropriated under this subchapter 
     are separately identified in such grant or payment and are 
     used for the purposes of this subchapter.
       ``(7) In this subsection:
       ``(A) The term `base grant', used with respect to a fiscal 
     year, means the amount of permanent ongoing funding (other 
     than funding described in sections 645A(g)(2)(A)(i) and 
     [paragraph (2)(C)(i)(II)(aa)]) provided to a Head Start 
     agency (including an Early Head Start agency) under this 
     subchapter for that fiscal year.
       ``(B) The term `cost-of-living increase', used with respect 
     to an agency for a fiscal year, means an increase in the 
     funding for that agency, based on the percentage change in 
     the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (issued by 
     the Bureau of Labor Statistics) for the prior fiscal year, 
     calculated on the amount of the base grant for that agency 
     for the prior fiscal year.
       ``(C) For the purposes of [paragraphs (2)(B), (4)(B)(ii), 
     (4)(E), and (6)], the term `State' does not include Guam, 
     American Samoa, the Virgin Islands of the United States, the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated 
     States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 
     and the Republic of Palau.''.
       The Conferees intend for the Secretary to work with the 
     Indian Head Start and migrant and seasonal Head Start 
     communities to enable the funds described in section 
     640(a)(3)(A)(i)(II) to be obligated to the maximum possible 
     extent. The Conferees intend for the Secretary to allow 
     Indian Head Start agencies, in using the funds described in 
     section 640(a)(3)(A)(i)(II) to increase enrollment, to use 
     such funds for conversion of programs from part-day to full-
     day and from home-based to center-based, and to allow Migrant 
     and Seasonal Head Start agencies, in using such funds, to 
     increase services to migrant and seasonal farmworker children 
     from birth to age three and to expand the length of the 
     service day. The Conferees encourage the Secretary to make 
     available from the funds described in section 
     640(a)(3)(A)(i)(II) for increasing enrollment in Indian Head 
     Start programs, significant portions both for Indian Head 
     Start programs and for provision of services for additional 
     infants and toddlers in Indian Early Head Start programs. 
     Wherever the term ``Migrant or Seasonal Head Start'' occurs, 
     it is the Conferees' intent that the Migrant and Seasonal 
     Head Start program preserve its name in its entirety. Nowhere 
     in the bill shall the language be interpreted that the 
     Migrant and Seasonal Head Start program's name has been 
     changed. Moreover, the Conferees urge the Secretary to 
     maintain ``Migrant and Seasonal Head Start'' as the name of 
     that program.
       29. The House bill adds a heading to current law. Senate 
     amendment maintains current law.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       30. The House bill and the Senate amendment require 
     differing amounts for Indian Head Start programs.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       31. The House bill sunsets payments to Palau at FY2009. The 
     House bill strikes reference to Federal States of Micronesia 
     and Republic of Marshall Islands from current law. The House 
     bill adds a heading.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       32. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The House bill references ``program quality''; 
     the Senate amendment references ``program expansion''.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       33. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The Senate amendment requires specific activities 
     for the use of training and technical assistance funds in 
     section 640. The House bill activities are listed in section 
     648(j). See note 405.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       34. The Senate amendment allocates 50 percent to locals. 
     The House bill allocates not less than 50 percent.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       35. The House bill reserves not less than 30 percent of 
     training and technical assistance funds for a State-based 
     system. The Senate amendment reserves 50 percent of funds for 
     such efforts plus additional Secretary activities.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       36. The House bill reserves a remaining amount for the 
     Secretary to assist local agencies address weaknesses. The 
     Senate amendment reserves such funds in note 35.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       37. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       38. The Senate amendment does not include a similar 
     provision. The House bill reserves $5 million for State 
     councils. The Senate amendment funds councils differently. 
     See note 340.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       39. The House bill adds a heading and makes grammatical 
     change to lead-in to current law. The Senate amendment 
     maintains current law with technical correction and does not 
     add a heading.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       40. House bill adds a heading to current law. Senate 
     amendment maintains current law but does not add a heading.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       41. House bill maintains current law and the Senate 
     amendment maintains and adds conditions to the MSHS and 
     Indian set-asides.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       42. The House bill reserves 60 percent of excess funds for 
     quality improvement activities, for each fiscal year 2008-
     2012. The Senate amendment reserves 30 percent of excess 
     funds for quality improvement activities, and increases such 
     amount to 40 percent for fiscal years 2009-2012. The House 
     bill adds headings.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       43. The House bill strikes current subparagraph (B) on 
     quality improvement goals. The Senate amendment maintains 
     this subparagraph and makes modifications.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       44. The Senate amendment adds reference to language and 
     literacy, and expands to additional subgroups. The House bill 
     strikes paragraph.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       45. The Senate amendment adds reference to salary and 
     benefit requirements. The House bill strikes paragraph.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       46. The Senate amendment adds reference to language and 
     literacy skills. The House bill strikes paragraph.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       47. The Senate amendment adds reference to highly mobile 
     children. The House bill strikes paragraph.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       48. The Senate amendment and House bill make different 
     modifications to current law.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       49. The House bill adds a heading. The House bill and the 
     Senate amendment maintain current law of subparagraph.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       50. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. House bill adds a heading. The House bill and the 
     Senate amendment make identical changes to date.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       51. House bill maintains a formula under current law. 
     Senate amendment makes changes to formula.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       52. The House bill and the Senate amendment both maintain 
     current law.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       53. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The House bill and Senate amendment make 
     conforming changes to existing law. House bill adds a 
     heading.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       54. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The House bill requires a submission from States 
     prior to the awarding of a collaboration grant.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       55. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       56. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The House bill refers to early education 
     services. The Senate amendment refers to early childhood 
     education and care (throughout collaboration section).

[[Page H13488]]

       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``services'' and 
     insert ``and development services or programs''.
       The Conferees intend for the terminology ``early childhood 
     education and development services or programs'' to encompass 
     the diverse range of child care and early education and 
     learning programs, recognizing that these settings contribute 
     to children's development and growth, regardless of setting 
     or program label.
       57. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to--
       use House (i)(I) with ``used in Head Start Programs'' after 
     ``assessments''
       strike ``and care'' and insert ``and development services 
     or programs'' in both places it appears.
       58. The House bill refers to curricula and assessments. The 
     Senate amendment refers to services.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       59. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       60. The House bill makes reference to succeed. The Senate 
     amendment makes reference to learn. House bill references 
     children in Head Start programs and Senate amendment 
     references a broader population of children.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       61. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The Senate amendment includes a reference to the 
     Free to Grow Initiative.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       62. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The Senate amendment makes reference to 
     curriculum in Head Start programs, and references the Ready 
     to Learn program. The House bill references program quality.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       63. The House bill requires the collaboration office to 
     work with the State Early Learning Council. The Senate 
     amendment does not include a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       64. The Senate amendment includes conforming language. The 
     House bill does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       65. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions and the House bill adds a heading.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       66. The Senate amendment strikes subparagraph (B). The 
     House bill maintains current law and adds a heading.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       67. The Senate amendment makes changes to the hold 
     harmless. The House bill does not include similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, into note 28.
       68. The House bill includes technical conforming language. 
     The Senate amendment does not include a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       69. The Senate amendment makes changes to 640(d). The House 
     bill maintains current law.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike section 640(d) 
     and insert:
       ``(d)(1)The Secretary shall establish policies and 
     procedures to assure that, for fiscal year 2009 and 
     thereafter, not less than 10 percent of the total number of 
     children actually enrolled by each Head Start agency and each 
     delegate agency will be children with disabilities who are 
     determined to be eligible for special education and related 
     services, or early intervention services, as appropriate, as 
     determined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
     Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), by the State or local agency 
     providing services under section 619 or part C of Individuals 
     with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et 
     seq.).
       ``(2) Such policies and procedures shall ensure the 
     provision of early intervening services, such as educational 
     and behavioral services and supports, to meet the needs of 
     children with disabilities, prior to an eligibility 
     determination under the Individuals with Disabilities 
     Education Act.
       ``(3) Such policies and procedures shall require Head Start 
     agencies to provide timely referral to and collaborate with 
     the State or local agency providing services under section 
     619 or part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
     Act to ensure the provision of special education and related 
     services and early intervention services, and the 
     coordination of programmatic efforts, to meet the special 
     needs of such children.
       ``(4) The Secretary shall establish policies and procedures 
     to provide Head Start agencies with waivers to the 
     requirements under paragraph (1) for not more than 3 years. 
     Such policies and procedures shall require Head Start 
     agencies, in order to receive such waivers, to provide 
     evidence demonstrating that the Head Start agencies are 
     making reasonable efforts on an annual basis to comply with 
     the requirements of this paragraph.
       ``(5) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to 
     limit or create a right to a free appropriate public 
     education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
     Act.''
       Since 1972, Head Start has supported the access and 
     participation of children with disabilities in Head Start 
     programs by requiring that 10 percent of enrollment 
     opportunities be provided to these children. The Conferees 
     recognize the need to build on that foundation by ensuring 
     that children with disabilities also receive appropriate 
     screening and identification in order to serve them properly. 
     For this reason the Conferees have included provisions to 
     strengthen and support Head Start agencies and delegate 
     agencies in referring children in a timely and efficient 
     manner to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
     entities for evaluation. The Conferees have included these 
     provisions in order to ensure the appropriate evaluations and 
     services are available for this vulnerable population.
       The Conferees further intend to ensure Head Start agencies 
     and delegate agencies receive the support and assistance 
     needed to meet the requirements of the Individuals with 
     Disabilities Education Act section. Local education agencies 
     and States are strongly encouraged to improve their 
     coordination with Head Start agencies and delegate agencies 
     to ensure that children are evaluated appropriately and in a 
     timely manner, and that children with disabilities enrolled 
     in Head Start programs are receiving appropriate services as 
     required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
       It is not the intention of the Conferees to compel or 
     constrain Head Start agencies or delegate agencies in ways 
     that may lead to inappropriate over-identification or may 
     cause programs to provide inappropriate services to children 
     with disabilities in order to meet the requirements of this 
     section. Rather, the Conferees recognize and support the 
     tremendous efforts made by Head Start agencies to coordinate 
     with local education agencies and States in order to best 
     serve children with disabilities.
       The report requires that 10 percent of the children served 
     by Head Start agencies be children with disabilities. Head 
     Start agencies are encouraged to meet this requirement by 
     improving their efforts to identify and serve children with 
     disabilities. Due to shifting populations, competing 
     providers of services for children with disabilities, and 
     parental decisions on where to enroll their child, Conferees 
     recognize that it may not be possible for every agency to 
     meet this requirement every year. The reporting requirements 
     included in the report are intended to ensure that agencies 
     are making serious and practical efforts to fully comply with 
     this requirement so that no children with disabilities are 
     excluded from being able to participate in a Head Start 
     program, but also so that Head Start agencies acting in good 
     faith will not be penalized.
       69b. The House and Senate contain similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``and care'' and 
     insert ``and development services or programs''.
       70. The House bill deletes qualification on program 
     expansion for fund allocation. Senate amendment does not 
     include a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       71. Senate amendment and the House bill include similar 
     modifications to needs assessment criteria.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       (1) insert ``, (3),'' after ``by striking paragraphs (1)''
       (2) strike subparagraph (C) and inserting the following:
       ``(C) the extent to which the applicant has undertaken 
     communitywide strategic planning and needs assessments 
     involving other entities including community organizations 
     and Federal, State, and local public agencies (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)), that provide services to 
     children and families, such as--
       ``(i) family support services;
       ``(ii) child abuse prevention services;
       ``(iii) protective services;
       ``(iv) foster care;
       ``(v) services for families in whose homes English is not 
     the language customarily spoken;
       ``(vi) services for children with disabilities; and
       ``(vii) services for homeless children;''
       (3) in subparagraph (D)--
       (A) strike ``community'' and insert ``communitywide''; and
       (B) strike ``other local'' and insert ``the State and 
     local'';
       72. House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert ``as described 
     in clause (i) or (ii) of section 645(a)(1)(B)'' after 
     ``children,'' insert ``by striking ``early childhood 
     program'' and insert ``publicly funded early childhood 
     education and development program''.
       73. House bill and Senate amendment maintain current law.
       74. House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     modifications to current law.
       Senate recedes.
       75. House bill adds new provision on administrative 
     expenses. Senate amendment does not include a similar 
     provision.

[[Page H13489]]

       House recedes.
       76. House bill contains provision allowing programs to 
     negotiate with the Secretary if funding is inadequate to 
     provide COLA. Senate amendment does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``(3)(A) In the event that the amount appropriated to carry 
     out the program under this subchapter for a fiscal year does 
     not exceed the amount appropriated for the prior fiscal year, 
     or is not sufficient to maintain services comparable to the 
     services provided under this subchapter during the prior 
     fiscal year, a Head Start agency may negotiate with the 
     Secretary a reduced funded enrollment level without a 
     reduction in the amount of the grant received by the agency 
     under this subchapter, if such agency can reasonably 
     demonstrate that such reduced funded enrollment level is 
     necessary to maintain the quality of services.
       ``(B) In accordance with this paragraph, the Secretary 
     shall set up a process for Head Start agencies to negotiate 
     the reduced funded enrollment levels referred to in 
     subparagraph (A) for the fiscal year involved.
       ``(C) In the event described in subparagraph (A), the 
     Secretary shall be required to notify Head Start agencies of 
     their ability to negotiate the reduced funded enrollment 
     levels if such an agency can reasonably demonstrate that such 
     reduced funded enrollment level is necessary to maintain the 
     quality of services.''
       77. House bill and Senate amendment contain different 
     modifications to transportation safety requirements.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert at the end of 640(i)--
       ``The regulations shall also establish requirements to 
     ensure the appropriate supervision of, and appropriate 
     background checks for, individuals whom the agencies contact 
     to transport those children.''
       The Conferees believe that providing transportation to 
     children enrolled in Head Start is central to many agencies' 
     efforts to ensuring children's participation in Head Start. 
     The Conferees strongly encourage the Secretary to continue to 
     work with grantees to support their efforts to provide safe 
     transportation that meets all Head Start and applicable 
     regulations. The Conferees also encourage the Secretary to 
     continue the decision to allow Head Start agencies to 
     annually request a good cause exception to the requirements 
     of regulations promulgated under Section 640(i) if the waiver 
     is in the best interest of the children involved, if such 
     requirements pertain to child restraint systems (45 CFR 
     1310.11, 1310.15(a)) or bus monitors (45 CFR 1310.15(c)), and 
     if the agency demonstrates that compliance with such 
     requirements will result in a significant disruption to the 
     Head Start program or Early Head Start program.
       78. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to do the 
     following:
       Senate recedes on (1)(1).
       House recedes on (1)(3) with an amendment to strike ``that 
     appropriate funding is provided to meet such needs including 
     funding for'' and insert ``the provision of''.
       House recedes on (4)(A).
       Senate recedes on (4)(B) with an amendment to strike 
     ``children and children of' and insert ``including'' and to 
     insert ``children'' after ``Alaskan Natives,'' and to strike 
     ``subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 641,'' and insert 
     ``this subchapter''.
       Senate recedes on (4)(C).
       House recedes on (4)(D) with an amendment to insert ``The 
     Secretary shall insure that'' after ``(D)'' and to strike 
     ``on a timely basis'' and insert ``within 90 days of the 
     annual consultation''.
       79. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       It is the intent of the Conferees that Head Start agencies, 
     in carrying out the requirements of paragraph (1), employ a 
     variety of strategies to help remove barriers to the 
     enrollment and participation of homeless children in Head 
     Start, including conducting targeted recruitment of homeless 
     children, including homelessness as a priority criterion in 
     selection policies, reserving slots for homeless children, 
     filling vacancies with homeless children, and other 
     activities as determined necessary by the community-wide 
     needs assessment. In addition to these strategies, Head Start 
     agencies may find it appropriate, in some instances, to place 
     a homeless child ahead of other eligible children on waiting 
     lists in order to address their mobility and special needs. 
     In general, when a grantee works on its community-wide needs 
     assessment, it should ensure that it accounts for homeless 
     families. Grantees are encouraged to engage school district 
     homeless liaisons, private and public shelter providers, HUD 
     Continuums of Care, and other homeless service agencies in 
     the community-wide needs assessment.
       80. House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``early 
     education for children'' and all that follows through 
     ``school,'' and insert ``early childhood education and 
     development or to require any child to participate in such a 
     publicly funded program, including a state-funded preschool 
     program,''
       81. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The House bill includes instructional materials, 
     and the Senate amendment is limited to curricula.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``(o) All curricula funded under this subchapter shall be 
     based on scientifically valid research, and be age and 
     developmentally appropriate. The curricula shall reflect all 
     areas of child development and learning and be aligned with 
     the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework. Parents shall have 
     the opportunity to examine any such curricula or 
     instructional materials funded under this subchapter.''
     Section 7. Designation of Head Start agencies
       82. The House bill includes faith-based organizations in 
     the description of agencies eligible for designation. The 
     Senate amendment does not include a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       83. The House bill requires the Secretary to develop and 
     implement a system of application review. The Senate 
     amendment does not include a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       84. The House bill includes specifications for a grant 
     application. The Senate amendment does not include a similar 
     provision.
       Senate recedes.
       85. The House bill requires the Secretary to develop and 
     implement a system of application review for designation of 
     Head Start agencies. The Senate amendment requires an agency 
     to establish goals for improving the school readiness of 
     children as a condition of designation.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       insert ``high'' before ``quality''
       insert ``and'' after ``quality''
       strike ``early learning'' and insert ``Head Start''
       insert ``and fiscal management'' after ``annual budget''
       strike ``(H); and'' in (D) and insert ``(E);''
       86. The House bill establishes an expert panel to advise 
     the Secretary on a system for the renewal of Head Start 
     agencies. The Senate amendment does not include a similar 
     provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``No later than 
     6'' and insert ``Not later than 3''.
       87. The House bill specifies the composition of an expert 
     panel. The Senate amendment does not include a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``(3) Composition of expert panel.--The Secretary, in 
     convening such panel, shall appoint the following:
       ``(A)(i) One member, who has demonstrated competency, as 
     evidence by training, expertise, and experience, in early 
     childhood program accreditation.
       ``(ii) One member, who has demonstrated competency (as so 
     evidenced) in research on early childhood development.
       ``(iii) One member, who has demonstrated competency (as so 
     evidenced) in governance and finance of nonprofit 
     organizations.
       ``(iv) One member, who has demonstrated competency (as so 
     evidenced) in delivery of services to populations of children 
     with special needs and their families.
       ``(v) One member, who has demonstrated competency (as so 
     evidenced) in assessment and evaluation of programs serving 
     young children.
       ``(B) An employee from the Office of Head Start.
       ``(C) An executive director of a Head Start agency.''
       88. The House bill requires the expert panel provide a 
     report to the Secretary. The Senate amendment does not 
     contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       strike ``12'' and insert ``9''
       strike ``high quality'' and insert ``high-quality''
       insert ``and'' after ``quality''
       strike ``early education'' and insert ``Head Start''
       insert ``, legal and'' after governance
       89. The House bill requires the Secretary publish in the 
     Federal Register a report on the proposed grant renewal 
     system. The Senate amendment does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       strike ``No later than 6'' and insert ``Not later than 3''
       strike ``proposed system of application review'' and insert 
     ``notice describing a proposed system for designation renewal 
     including a proposal for the transition of such system,''
       insert ``The Secretary shall review and consider public 
     comments prior to finalizing the system for designation 
     renewal described in this subsection.'' after ``exist.''
       90. The House bill requires an application review system 
     for the redesignation of Head Start agencies. The Senate 
     amendment delineates specific criteria for redesignation. 
     Both the House bill and the Senate amendment create 5-year 
     grant terms except the Senate amendment amends Section 643 
     (see note 25).
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``(6) Designation Renewal System.--Not later than 12 months 
     after publishing a notice describing the proposed system 
     under paragraph (5), the Secretary shall implement the system 
     for designation renewal and use that system to determine--
       ``(A) whether a Head Start grantee is successfully 
     delivering a high-quality and comprehensive Head Start 
     program; and
       ``(B) whether the grantee has any unresolved deficiencies 
     found during the last triennial review under section 641A(c).

[[Page H13490]]

       ``(7) Implementation of the designation renewal system.--
       ``(A) In general.--A grantee who is determined under such 
     system--
       ``(i) to be delivering a high-quality and comprehensive 
     Head Start program shall be designated (consistent with 
     section 643) as a Head Start agency for a period of 5 years 
     described in section 638;
       ``(ii) to not be delivering a high-quality and 
     comprehensive Head Start program shall be subject to an open 
     competition as described in subsection (d); and
       ``(iii) in the case of an Indian Head Start agency, to not 
     be delivering a high-quality and comprehensive Head Start 
     program shall (notwithstanding clause (ii)) be subject to the 
     requirements of subparagraph (B).
       ``(B) Tribal government consultation and reevaluation.--On 
     making a determination described in subparagraph (A)(iii), 
     the Secretary shall engage in government-to-government 
     consultation with the appropriate tribal government or 
     governments for the purpose of establishing a plan to improve 
     the quality of Head Start programs operated by such agency. 
     Such plan is to be established and implemented within 6 
     months of the Secretary's determination. Not more than 6 
     months after implementation of that plan, the Secretary shall 
     reevaluate the performance of the Indian Head Start agency. 
     If the Indian Head Start agency is still not delivering a 
     high-quality and comprehensive Head Start program, the 
     Secretary shall conduct an open competition as described in 
     subsection (d), subject to the limitations, in subsection 
     (e).''
       The Conferees create a new system for designation renewal. 
     This system is meant to facilitate the designation of 
     programs that are in good standing and are providing a high-
     quality comprehensive early childhood program, for a period 
     of 5 years. The Conferees believe that other programs not 
     providing a high-quality comprehensive early childhood 
     program should not receive a designation renewal without 
     first entering into an open competition. Furthermore, the 
     Conferees believe that the policy to limit open competition 
     to under-performing Head Start agencies will improve overall 
     program performance.
       The Conferees strongly believe the majority of Head Start 
     programs are delivering high quality services, and therefore 
     do not intend for this new designation system to result in 
     competition for designation for the majority of Head Start 
     programs. Furthermore, competing high quality programs could 
     undermine overall program quality. The Conferees believe that 
     in most instances, stability and continuity within Head Start 
     promotes better quality and greater efficiency. It helps the 
     organization become trusted within the community it is 
     serving, thereby creating better community relations and 
     better outreach to eligible children and families. Continuity 
     and stability provided by high-quality grantees helps 
     programs to recruit and retain better teachers and to plan 
     appropriately for professional development. Lack of 
     continuity and stability can also have a significant impact 
     on cost effective resource allocation by affecting a 
     program's ability to leverage funds in its community and 
     negotiate lower facility costs and business loans. The 
     continuity of high-quality grantees better ensures that 
     taxpayer monies spent on professional development and 
     facilities are investments that have ongoing benefit to 
     children served by Head Start. In developing the designation 
     renewal system, the Conferees intend for the Secretary to 
     give due consideration to the involvement of outside experts 
     and take the public comment on the proposed system seriously.
       91. The House bill requires a periodic evaluation of 
     criteria used to evaluate Head Start agencies and ensures 
     grants for a 5 year period. The Senate amendment does not 
     include a similar provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       insert ``and'' after ``quality'' and to strike ``early 
     education'' and insert ``Head Start''
       insert after (8)--
       ``(9) Transition.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each Head Start agency shall be reviewed 
     under the system for designation renewal described in 
     paragraph (6), not later than 3 years after implementation of 
     such system.
       ``(B) Limitation.--A Head Start agency shall not be subject 
     to the requirements of the system for designation renewal 
     prior to 18 months after the date of enactment of the 
     Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007.
       ``(C) Schedule.--The Secretary shall establish and 
     implement a schedule for reviewing each Head Start agency 
     under the system for designation renewal described in 
     paragraph (6), consistent with subparagraphs (A) and (B).
       ``(10) Reports to congress.--The Secretary shall
       ``(A) make available to the Committee on Education and 
     Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate the 
     report described in paragraph (4);
       ``(B) concurrent with publishing a notice in the Federal 
     Register as described in paragraph (5), provide 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 that provides a detailed 
     description of such proposed system, including a clear 
     rationale for any differences between the proposed system and 
     the recommendations of the expert panel, if any such 
     differences exist; and
       ``(C) prior to implementing the system for evaluating 
     designation renewal applications, provide 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--
       ``(i) summarizing the public comment on the proposed system 
     and the Secretary's response to such comment; and
       ``(ii) describing the final system for evaluating 
     designation renewal application and the plans for 
     implementation of such system.''
       92. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       strike ``Has Priority'' and insert ``is redesignated''
       insert ``and'' after ``quality''
       strike ``early education'' and insert ``Head Start''
       93. The House bill and Senate amendment contain identical 
     text but different headings.
       Senate recedes.
       94. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       95. The House bill includes mental and behavioral health in 
     the description of comprehensive health services. The Senate 
     amendment references attaining full potential.
       House recedes.
       96. The House bill includes additional requirements in the 
     plan for recruitment and retention of staff. The Senate 
     amendment does not include a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``(C) the plan of such applicant to attract and retain 
     qualified staff capable of delivering and implementing a high 
     quality program, including the ability to carry out a 
     research based curricula aligned with the Head Start Child 
     Outcomes Framework and, as appropriate State early learning 
     standards.''
       97. The House bill includes additional staff requirements. 
     The Senate amendment does not include a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       98. The House bill refers to curriculum and teaching 
     practices in programs. The Senate amendment does not include 
     a similar reference.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``(E) the capacity of such applicant to serve eligible 
     children with--
       ``(i) curricula that are based on scientifically valid 
     research and teaching practices that are based on 
     scientifically valid research as appropriate, are 
     developmentally appropriate and that promote the school 
     readiness of children participating in the program involved; 
     and
       ``(ii) teaching practices that are based, as appropriate, 
     on scientifically valid research, that are developmentally 
     appropriate, and that promote the school readiness of 
     children participating in the program involved;''
       99. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       100. The House bill includes budgetary requirements. The 
     Senate amendment does not contain similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       101. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment includes 
     coordination with reading readiness programs.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``(H) the plan of such applicant to coordinate and 
     collaborate with other public or private entities providing 
     early learning programs and services for young children in 
     the community involved, including--
       ``(i) programs implementing grant agreements under 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.);
       ``(ii) other preschool program under title I of that Act 
     (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);
       ``(iii) programs under section 619 and part C of the 
     Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 
     1431 et seq.);
       ``(iv) State prekindergarten programs;
       ``(v) child care programs;
       ``(vi) the educational programs that the children in the 
     Head Start program involved will enter at the age of 
     compulsory school attendance; and
       ``(vii) local entities, such as a public or school library, 
     for--
       ``(I) conducting reading readiness programs
       ``(1I) developing innovative programs to excite children 
     about the world of books, including providing fresh books in 
     the Head Start classroom
       ``(III) assisting in literacy training for Head Start 
     teachers; or
       ``(IV) supporting parents and other caregivers in literacy 
     efforts.''
       102. The Senate amendment refers to the ability of the 
     applicant to provide services, meet program standards, and 
     coordinate with other preschool programs. The House bill does 
     not contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       103. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       104. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill includes grandparents and 
     kinship caregivers in the involvement of Head Start 
     activities.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``seek'' and 
     insert ``facilitate''.
       105. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate

[[Page H13491]]

     amendment includes a provision for transportation costs to 
     facilitate parent participation.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``through 
     providing transportation cost'' and to insert 
     ``transportation assistance, as appropriate;''.
       106. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       107. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill includes mental health 
     services for parents.
       House recedes
       108. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill includes training on 
     social and emotional child development. The House bill 
     includes provisions to facilitate mental and behavioral 
     health services for parents. The Senate amendment does not 
     contain similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``(v)'' and 
     insert ``(v) health services, including information on 
     maternal depression; or''
       109. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment includes foster 
     parents and grandparents in the family needs assessment, as 
     applicable.
       House recedes with an amendment to insert ``, in a manner 
     and language that such parents can understand, to the extent 
     practicable,'' after ``such parents'' and strike 
     ``subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E)'' and insert ``this 
     subparagraph''.
       110. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill delineates culturally 
     appropriate opportunities for father-child interactions.
       House recedes.
       111. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill requires progress in 
     English while also meeting the requirements of 641 A(a)(I 
     )(B).
       Senate recedes.
       112. The House bill includes a provision for meeting the 
     diverse cultural needs of the population served. The Senate 
     amendment does not contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike and insert ``(L) 
     the plan of such applicant to meet the diverse needs of the 
     population served.''
       113. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment includes additional 
     procedures and plans to meet the needs of children with 
     disabilities.
       House recedes
       114. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill includes mental health 
     services in the applicant plan.
       House recedes.
       115. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike.
       116. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill includes children and 
     families experiencing toxic stress.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``and children 
     and families experiencing toxic stress''.
       117. The House bill includes a provision to maintain 
     qualified staff. The Senate amendment does not contain a 
     similar provision.
       House recedes.
       118. The House bill includes a provision to enter into 
     memoranda of understanding with local school districts. The 
     Senate amendment does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       119. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       120. The Senate amendment includes a provision to 
     collaborate with a local library. The House bill does not 
     contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       121. The Senate amendment includes a priority for qualified 
     applicants with demonstrated capacity. The House bill does 
     not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``and care'' and 
     insert ``development services or programs''.
       122. The Senate amendment includes a prohibition against 
     transferring Indian Head Start programs to non-Indian Head 
     Start agencies, similar to the House bill 641(c)(6)(C).
       House recedes to insert as (e) in section 641.
       123. The House bill includes a provision to provide 
     continued eligibility to faith-based and community-based 
     agencies. The Senate amendment does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes.
       124. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       125. The Senate amendment requires progress of a Head Start 
     agency toward its goals as a condition of re-designation for 
     subsequent grants. The House bill does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       Senate recedes.
       126. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       127. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
     Section 8. Standards; monitoring of Head Start agencies and 
         programs
       128. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       129. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill makes changes to the lead-
     in.
       Senate recedes.
       130. The House bill requires any new early learning 
     standards to be based on the Head Start Child Outcomes 
     Framework. The Senate amendment does not contain a similar 
     provision, but modifies the Head Start Act to refer to 
     educational performance standards.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``early learning 
     standards'' and insert ``education performance standards''.
       131. The House bill and Senate amendment require the 
     Secretary to consider NAS study in development of standards 
     (House bill places later--see note 147).
       Senate recedes.
       132. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       133. The House bill includes more specific requirements and 
     refers to prereading. The Senate amendment refers to pre-
     literacy.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``(ii)'' and 
     insert--
       ``(ii) literacy knowledge and skills, including 
     phonological awareness, print awareness and skills, and 
     alphabetic knowledge;''
       134. The House bill includes more specific requirements and 
     refers to mathematics. The Senate amendment refers to 
     premathematics.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``pre''.
       135. The House bill includes more specific requirements and 
     refers to science. The Senate amendment refers to scientific 
     abilities.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``including 
     measurement''.
       The Conferees recognize the importance of mathematics and 
     science knowledge and skills to prepare young children for 
     school readiness, especially through the use of educational 
     experiences and experiments. Children participating in Head 
     Start programs should, at a minimum, develop and demonstrate 
     knowledge and skills that include number concepts such as 
     counting and seriation; number operations; geometric and 
     spatial concepts; classification; and time and measurement 
     concepts. Children participating in Head Start programs 
     should have access to educational experiences which include 
     observing with senses, predicting, inferring, defining and 
     controlling variables, working in teams, and communicating 
     discoveries.
       136. The House bill refers to general knowledge, and 
     includes approaches to learning and early learning. The 
     Senate amendment refers to general cognitive abilities, and 
     does not contain a provision on approaches to learning.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to read:
       ``(v) cognitive abilities related to academic achievement 
     and child development;
       ``(vi) approaches to learning related to child development 
     and early learning;''
       137. The House bill includes social problem- solving and 
     overall well-being. The Senate amendment does not contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``(vi)'' and 
     insert ``(vii)'' and to strike ``, and overall well-being'' 
     and to insert ``and'' after ``success,''.
       138. The House bill includes creative arts. The Senate 
     amendment does not contain similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       139. The Senate amendment includes physical development. 
     The House bill does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       140. The House bill requires progress through culturally 
     and linguistically appropriate instruction. The Senate 
     amendment requires progress, which may include the use of 
     linguistically appropriate instruction.
       Senate recedes.
       141. The House bill and Senate amendment contain identical 
     provisions.
       142. The Senate amendment includes provisions for the 
     licensing and accessibility of Head Start programs. The House 
     bill maintains current law.
       House recedes with an amendment to--
       strike ``be in compliance with'' and insert ``meet or 
     exceed''
       insert at the end of `(ii)' the following--``unless State 
     or local laws prohibit such access.''
       insert after ``location of facilities'' the following 
     ``,including indoor air quality assessments where 
     appropriate,''
       143. The House bill and Senate amendment contain identical 
     provisions.
       144. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       145. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill maintains current law with 
     conforming amendment on LEP.
       House recedes with an amendment to make conforming change 
     to ``non-English speaking child''.
       146. The House bill maintains experience and changes with 
     standards since 1998. The Senate amendment updates such 
     experience and changes consistent with the pending Head Start 
     reauthorization.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``(i) past experience with use of the standards in effect 
     under this subchapter on the date of enactment of the 
     Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007;
       ``(ii) changes over the period since October 27, 1998, in 
     the circumstances and problems

[[Page H13492]]

     typically facing children and families served by Head Start 
     agencies;''
       147. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions but in different locations (see note 131).
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``when it 
     becomes available'' and to insert consistent with section 
     649(j);''.
       148. The House bill refers to early childhood education and 
     development. The Senate amendment refers to early childhood 
     education and care, and includes homeless children and 
     children in foster care.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     ``(iv)'' and insert--
       ``(iv) developments concerning research-based practices 
     with respect to early childhood education and development, 
     children with disabilities, homeless children, children in 
     foster care, and family services, and best practices with 
     respect to program administration, and financial 
     management;''
       149. The House bill and Senate amendment contain identical 
     provisions.
       150. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill requires standards 
     addressing physical development.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``currently in 
     effect or under consideration''.
       151. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill includes the cultural 
     background of children. The Senate amendment includes changes 
     in the number of homeless or foster care children.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
     ``changes in the characteristics population of children who 
     are eligible to participate in Head Start programs, including 
     the country of origin, the language background, and family 
     structure of such children, and changes in the population and 
     numbers of such children who are in foster care or are 
     homeless children''
       152. The House bill requires mechanisms for transition of 
     Head Start children to school The Senate amendment does not 
     contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       153. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``close and 
     frequent'' and insert ``regular'' and to insert ``Indian, 
     including Alaska Native,'' after ``experts in''.
       154. House bill requires performance standards not be more 
     narrow than those in existence in 1998. The Senate amendment 
     ties date to enactment of current bill. The House bill adds 
     reference to quality.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``October 27, 
     1998'' and insert ``the date of enactment of the Improving 
     Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007.''
       155. The Senate amendment requires consultation with Indian 
     tribes in the development of program standards and measures. 
     The House bill does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes with an amendment to--
       strike ``American Indian and Alaska Native'' and insert 
     ``including Alaska Natives,''
       insert ``Indian and Alaska Native'' after ``experts in''
       156. House bill adds heading to current law and both the 
     House bill and the Senate amendment maintain current law.
       157. The House bill re-names the heading. The House bill 
     modifies requirements regarding consultation with outside 
     individuals in the development of Head Start's measures.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       insert ``family services, and program management,'' after 
     ``development''
       insert ``and other relevant research'' after ``Sciences''
       insert ``inform, revise and'' before ``provide guidance''
       158. The House bill modifies requirements to measure the 
     quality and effectiveness of Head Start programs annually, 
     and provides for the use of measures for the identification 
     of special needs as well as classroom instructional 
     practices. The Senate amendment does not include a similar 
     provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert ``children 
     with'' after ``identification or' and insert a new 
     subparagraph ``(D) administrative and financial management 
     practices''.
       159. The Senate amendment maintains (A)-(C) from current 
     law with noted modifications and the House bill strikes (A)--
     (C) from current law.
       Senate recedes.
       160. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill requires developmental, 
     linguistic, and cultural appropriateness.
       Senate recedes.
       161. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     ``not less then every 4 years'' and insert ``periodically''.
       162. The House bill requires consistency with technical 
     standards. The Senate amendment does not include a similar 
     provision.
       Senate recedes.
       163. The House bill requires validity and reliability, 
     including in Spanish and other languages. The Senate 
     amendment does not include a similar provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``(in English, 
     Spanish, and any other language, as appropriate)'' and insert 
     ``in the language in which it is administered;''
       164. The House bill requires administration of measures by 
     trained staff. The Senate amendment does not include a 
     similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       165. The House bill requires appropriate accommodations in 
     measures. The Senate amendment does not include a similar 
     provision.
       Senate recedes.
       166. The House bill requires measures to be used for the 
     purposes for which they were derived. The Senate amendment 
     does not include a similar provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert new subparagraph 
     to read ``(H) be adaptable, as appropriate, for use in the 
     self-assessment of Head Start agencies, including in the 
     evaluation of administrative and financial management 
     practices''.
       167. The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to issue 
     performance measures by regulation. The House bill does not 
     contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       168. The House bill strikes current law and inserts new use 
     and design of measures. The Senate amendment does not include 
     similar provisions, and adds a new rule related to curriculum 
     and instructional materials.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       in clause (i) strike ``promoting'' and insert ``helping to 
     develop''
       insert ``as appropriate'' after ``designed'' in (A)
       insert ``and individualizing instruction to better meet the 
     needs of children involved;''
       after ``weaknesses''
       insert ``the'' after ``identifying''
       insert ``of children;'' after ``needs''
       strike ``scientifically-based'' and insert ``scientifically 
     valid''
       168a. The Senate amendment includes a Rules of Construction 
     related to the selection of curriculum for program 
     instruction. The House bill does not include a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes with an amendment to create a Section 657B 
     and move this paragraph to Section 657B, and to strike ``or 
     suggest'' and insert ``or'' after ``direct''.
       169. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions except the Senate amendment places in Section 
     649(h).
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``under paragraph 
     (2)(A)'' and insert ``from the study on Developmental 
     Outcomes and Assessments for Young Children by the National 
     Academy of Sciences''.
       170. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment is placed in section 
     649 and prohibits the ranking, comparison, or evaluation of 
     individual children or teachers.
       House recedes with an amendment to--
       strike ``(i)'' and insert ``(5)''
       insert ``(A) Prohibition.--'' before ``The use of 
     assessment''
       strike ``to rank, compare'' and insert ``is prohibited for 
     the purposes of--
       ``(i) ranking, comparing''
       strike ``or teachers, or to'' and insert ``for purposes 
     other than research, training, or technical assistance; and
       (ii)''
       strike ``or to provide'' and insert ``providing''
       strike ``is prohibited'' and insert ``(B) Results.--''
       The Conferees do not intend for this provision to similarly 
     limit local employees of a Head Start agency to use 
     assessments that may rank, compare, or individually evaluate 
     information on individual children. Local use of assessments 
     shall be consistent with section 640A(b)(I) through (3). The 
     use of such assessment when used to provide training or 
     technical assistance to teachers for program improvement is 
     allowed.
       171. The House bill contains confidentiality requirements. 
     The Senate amendment does not include a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       172. The House bill modifies current law to include the 
     identification of program strengths and weaknesses and the 
     risk-based assessment system. The Senate amendment does not 
     contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       strike ``develop and use a risk-based assessment system 
     to''
       strike ``strengths as part of an'' and insert ``strength as 
     part of their''
       173. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert ``, including 
     the use of a risk based assessment approach,'' after 
     ``review''.
       174. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       175. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment includes additional 
     requirements for follow-up reviews, and stipulates the 
     conditions for unannounced reviews.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``(C) Followup reviews, including--
       ``(i) return visits to Head Start agencies with one or more 
     findings of deficiencies not later than 6 months after the 
     Secretary provides notification of such findings, or not 
     later than 12 months after such notification if the Secretary 
     determines that additional time is necessary for an agency to 
     address such a deficiency prior to the review; and
       ``(ii) a review of Head Start agencies with significant 
     areas of noncompliance;
       ``(D) Other reviews, including unannounced site inspections 
     of Head Start centers, as appropriate.''
       176. The House bill does not require unannounced site 
     inspections under the heading and section describing reviews.
       Senate recedes.

[[Page H13493]]

       177. The Senate amendment includes additional individuals 
     with expertise as part of the review team, and ensures 
     expertise in personnel management, financial accountability, 
     and systems development and monitoring. The House bill does 
     not contain similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``(A) are conducted by review teams that--
       ``(i) include individuals who are knowledgeable about Head 
     Start programs and, to the maximum extent practicable, 
     individuals who are knowledgeable about--
       ``(I) other early childhood education and development 
     programs, personnel management, financial accountability, and 
     systems development and monitoring; and
       ``(II) the diverse (including linguistic and cultural) 
     needs of eligible children (including children with 
     disabilities, homeless children, children in foster care, and 
     limited English proficient children) and their families.''
       178. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill includes former employees 
     of HHS.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert a new subsection 
     clause to read ``(iii) shall receive periodic training to 
     ensure quality and consistency across reviews;''.
       179. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment directs the 
     Secretary to conduct reviews in accordance with results-based 
     performance measures.
       Senate recedes
       180. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``needs of 
     populations'' and insert ``those''.
       181. The House bill addresses the community needs and 
     strategic plans as part of the review. The Senate amendment 
     refers more broadly to collecting information regarding 
     collaboration with others in the community providing early 
     education and care.
       Senate recedes.
       181a. The Senate amendment includes a provision on 
     collection of information on the innovative and effective 
     efforts of Head Start agencies to collaborate with the 
     entities. The House bill does not include a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike and insert ``(E) 
     include information on the innovative and effective efforts 
     of the Head Start agencies to collaborate with the entities 
     providing early childhood and development services and 
     programs in the community and any barriers to such 
     collaboration that the agencies encounter.''
       182. The House bill includes a new classroom quality 
     observational instrument as part of Head Start reviews. The 
     Senate amendment does not contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       strike ``review the implementation by qualified individuals 
     with demonstrated reliability,'' and
       insert ``reviews,''
       insert ``implemented by qualified individuals with 
     demonstrated reliability,'' after ``instrument''
       The Conferees intend for the Secretary to integrate into 
     the triennial review a valid and reliable research-based 
     observational instrument that assesses classroom quality 
     through observation of multiple dimensions of teacher-child 
     interactions that are linked to positive child development 
     and later achievement. The Conferees encourage the Secretary 
     to consider using existing research-based methods such as the 
     Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) for this purpose. 
     The Conferees also believe it is logistically and fiscally 
     impractical to implement such an instrument in every 
     classroom and recommend the Secretary develop appropriate 
     sampling techniques for the implementation.
       183. The House bill requires reviews to ensure consistency, 
     objectivity, and reliability. The Senate amendment stipulates 
     training for reviewers, and ensures consistency across 
     programs and regions through interrater reliability checks.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert ``, and are 
     conducted in a manner that includes periodic interrater 
     reliability checks, to ensure quality and consistency across 
     and within regions, of the reviews and non-compliance and 
     deficiency determinations'' after ``review''.
       184. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes.
       185. The House bill includes a protocol for fiscal 
     management. The Senate amendment does not contain similar 
     provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert ``(consistent 
     with section 644(f))'' after ``property''.
       186. The Senate amendment includes a review and assessment 
     of whether programs are in conformity with eligibility 
     requirements. The House bill does not contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes.
       187. The Senate amendment includes a review of whether 
     programs have adequately addressed the needs of children with 
     disabilities. The House bill does not contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes.
       188. The Senate amendment requires the use of outcome data 
     from child assessments in reviews. The House bill does not 
     contain similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``(L) include as part of the reviews, a review and 
     assessment of child outcomes and performance as they relate 
     to agency-determined school readiness goals described in 
     subsection (g)(2), consistent with subsection (b)(5);''
       189. The House bill has new requirements to present 
     findings to the grantee. The Senate amendment does not 
     contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       190. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions but in different locations.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       insert ``, subject to paragraph (4),'' after ``establish''
       strike in `(C)' ``appealing'' and insert ``a delegate 
     agency to appeal'' and to strike ``relating to a delegate 
     agency''
       191. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes
       192. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment includes additional 
     conditions regarding funding provided to deficient Head Start 
     agencies.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``(iii)'' and 
     insert--
       ``(iii) releasing funds to such delegate agency--
         ``(I) only as reimbursements except that, upon receiving 
     a request from the delegate agency accompanied by assurances 
     satisfactory to the grantee that the funds will be 
     appropriately safeguarded, the Head Start agency shall 
     provide to the delegate agency a working capital advance 
     in an amount sufficient to cover the estimated expenses 
     during an agreed upon disbursing cycle; and
       ``(II) only if there is continuity of services''
       193. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``modify, 
     supersede, or affect'' and insert ``limit''.
       194. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``pursuant to 
     section 641'' and insert ``under this subchapter'' and to 
     strike from (d)(l) ``or results based performance measures 
     developed by the Secretary under subsection (b)''.
       195. The Senate amendment requires conditions for the 
     termination of a delegate agency. The House bill does not 
     contain a similar provision.
       See note 190.
       196. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       197. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       198. The House bill requires approval of program 
     improvement plans. The Senate amendment does not contain a 
     similar provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``,'' after 
     ``program''.
       199. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       200. The House and the Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to 
     strike and insert--
       ``(f) Summaries of Monitoring Outcomes.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the end of 
     each fiscal year, the Secretary shall publish a summary 
     report on the findings of reviews conducted under subsection 
     (c) and on the outcomes of quality improvement plans 
     implemented under subsection (e), during such fiscal year.
       ``(2) Report availability.--Such report shall be made 
     widely available to--
       ``(A) parents with children receiving assistance under this 
     subchapter--
       ``(i) in an understandable and uniform format; and
       ``(ii) to the extent practicable, provided in a language 
     that the parents understand;
       ``(B) the public through means such as--
       ``(i) distribution through public agencies;
       ``(ii) posting such information on the Internet;
       ``(3) Report information.--Such report shall contain 
     detailed data--
       ``(A) on compliance with specific standards and measures; 
     and
       ``(B) sufficient to allow Head Start agencies to use such 
     data to improve quality of their programs.''
       201. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill refers to each Head Start 
     agency and delegate agency, and includes professional 
     development plans.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``(including 
     professional development plans)''.
       202. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment requires reports to 
     be submitted to the HHS regional offices. The House bill 
     requires reports to be submitted to the Secretary.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert--
       A new header for paragraph (2) that reads ``Goals, Reports, 
     and Improvement Plans'' and insert--
       ``(A) Goals.--An agency conducting a self-assessment shall 
     establish agency-determined program goals for improving the 
     school readiness of children participating in a program under 
     this subchapter, including school readiness goals that are 
     aligned with the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework,

[[Page H13494]]

     State early learning standards as appropriate, and 
     requirements and expectations for the schools the children 
     will be attending.''.
       203. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment requires improvement 
     plans to be reported to the HHS regional offices. The House 
     bill requires plans to be reported to the Secretary.
       Senate recedes.
       204. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       205. The Senate amendment allows training funds to be made 
     available for assistance in conducting self-assessments. The 
     House bill does not contain similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to move paragraph to 
     Section 648.
       206. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``(h) 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' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 649(a)(7).
       ``(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.--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 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) and the Secretary shall, where determined appropriate, 
     continue to provide technical assistance to such agency.
       ``(5) Secretarial review and adjustment for chronic 
     underenrollment.--
       ``(A) In general.--If, after receiving technical assistance 
     and developing and implementing the plan as described in 
     paragraphs (3) and (4) for 12 months, a Head Start agency is 
     still operating a program with an actual enrollment that is 
     less than 97 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.--The Secretary 
     may, as appropriate, waive or reduce the percentage 
     recapturing, withholding, or reduction otherwise required by 
     subparagraph (A), if, after the implementation of the plan 
     described in paragraph (3)(B), the Secretary finds that--
       ``(i) the causes of the enrollment shortfall, or a portion 
     of the shortfall, are related to the agency serving 
     significant numbers of highly mobile children, or other 
     significant causes as determined by the Secretary;
       ``(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.
       ``(6) Redistribution of funds.--
       ``(A) In general.--Funds held by the Secretary as a result 
     of recapturing, withholding, or reducing a base grant in a 
     fiscal year shall be redistributed by the end of the 
     following fiscal year as follows:
       ``(i) Indian head start programs.--If such funds are 
     derived from an Indian Head Start program, then such funds 
     shall be redistributed to increase enrollment by the end of 
     the following fiscal year in 1 or more Indian Head Start 
     programs.
       ``(ii) Migrant and seasonal head start programs.--If such 
     funds are derived from the operation of a migrant and 
     seasonal Head Start program, then such funds shall be 
     redistributed to increase enrollment by the end of the 
     following fiscal year in 1 or more migrant and seasonal Head 
     Start programs.
       ``(iii) Early head start programs.--If such funds are 
     derived from an Early Head Start program in a State, then 
     such funds shall be redistributed to increase enrollment by 
     the end of the following fiscal year in 1 or more Early Head 
     Start programs. If such funds are derived from an Indian 
     Early Head Start program, then such funds shall be 
     redistributed to increase enrollment by the end of the 
     following fiscal year in 1 or more Indian Early Head Start 
     programs.
       ``(iv) Other head start programs.--If such funds are 
     derived from the operation of a Head Start program in a State 
     (excluding Indian Head Start program and migrant and seasonal 
     Head Start programs), then such funds shall be redistributed 
     to increase enrollment by the end of the following fiscal 
     year in 1 or more Head Start programs (excluding Indian Head 
     Start programs and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs) 
     that are carried out in such State.''
       207. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment directs the 
     Secretary to consider consecutive months of data in the 
     determination.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 206.
       208. The Senate amendment requires a plan and timetable for 
     reducing or eliminating underenrollment in agencies with less 
     than 95 percent of funded enrollment. The House bill does not 
     include similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 206.
       209. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 206.
       210. The Senate amendment creates a designation of chronic 
     under-enrollment, and provides for the re-capturing of funds 
     from such agencies. The House bill does not include 
     comparable provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 206.
       211. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 206.
       212. The House bill reserves funds re-captured from under-
     enrolled programs for certain populations of eligible Head 
     Start children. The Senate amendment re-directs funds to 
     programs in the same State.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 206.
       213. The Senate amendment requires a re-adjustment of 
     program grant agreements as funds are re-distributed under 
     this section. The House bill does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 206.
       214. The Senate amendment includes a provision allowing the 
     Head Start agency to contract with non-profit organizations 
     to improve management. The House bill does not contain a 
     similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
     Section 9. Powers and functions of Head Start agencies
       215. The House bill and the Senate amendment add different 
     headers to subsection (a), make identical changes to lead-in 
     and otherwise maintain current law.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``legal'' from 
     the heading.
       216. The Senate amendment contains a technical provision. 
     The House bill does not contain a similar provision.
       217. The House bill and the Senate amendment have different 
     headers and lead in.
       Senate recedes.
       218. The House bill and the Senate amendment have similar 
     provisions. House bill maintains current law.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``(1) provide for the regular and direct participation of 
     parents and community residents in the implementation of the 
     Head Start program, including decisions that influence the 
     character of such programs, consistent with paragraphs (2)(D) 
     and (3)(C) of subsection (c).''
       219. The House bill and the Senate amendment have identical 
     provision.

[[Page H13495]]

       220. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. (Comparable provision cross-references 
     with 641(f)(8)(A)).
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       insert ``(A)'' after ``procedures''
       strike ``their children, and'' after ``education of'' and 
     insert ``the children; and (B)''
       strike everything that follows ``local level'' and insert 
     ``, including transportation assistance as appropriate.''
       221. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes.
       222. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes.
       223. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``(v)'' and 
     insert--
       ``(D) health services, including information on maternal 
     depression;''
       224. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       insert ``to the extent practicable,'' after ``understand'' 
     and
       insert ``(including foster parents, grandparents and 
     kinship caregivers where applicable)'' after ``such 
     parents,''
       strike ``(5) through'' and insert ``(5), (6), and''
       225. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to add the following text 
     into section 658--
       ``Under this subchapter the term ``health'', when used to 
     refer to services or care provided to enrolled children, 
     their parents or siblings, shall be interpreted to refer to 
     both physical and mental health.''
       226. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       227. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       228. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes.
       229. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment provision adds the 
     word ``such'' before parents and the House bill does not.
       Senate recedes.
       230. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment includes a heading.
       Senate recedes.
       231. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to insert ``, consistent 
     with 640(d)(3);'' after ``agencies''.
       232. The House bill does not include this provision. The 
     Senate amendment concerns providing services for children 
     with disabilities.
       House recedes with an amendment to insert ``, consistent 
     with 640(d)(2);'' after ``Act''.
       233. The House bill does not include this provision. The 
     Senate amendment concerns each delegate agency creating a 
     policy committee.
       House recedes/Senate recedes to strike and insert as 
     amended in note 236.
       234. The Senate amendment adds cross reference for 
     641(f)(8)(B) that the House bill does not contain.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``(B) establish effective procedures to afford such parents 
     the opportunity to participate in the development and overall 
     conduct of the program at the local level, including 
     transportation assistance, as appropriate;''.
       235. The Senate amendment allows for an agency to partner 
     with an institute of higher education or a non-profit 
     organization. The House bill does not include this provision.
       House recedes.
       236. The House bill and Senate amendment establish 
     governing bodies and policy councils. The House bill requires 
     shared governance between the policy council and the 
     governing body. The Senate amendment does not contain a 
     similar requirement. The Senate provisions are located in 
     Section 641(a)(3) through Section 641(a)(7).
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``(c) Program Governance.--Upon receiving designation as a 
     Head Start agency, the agency shall establish and maintain a 
     formal structure of program governance for the oversight of 
     quality services for Head Start children and families and for 
     making decisions related to program design and 
     implementation. Such structure shall include the following:
       ``(1) Governing body.--
       ``(A) In general.--The governing body shall have legal and 
     fiscal responsibility for the Head Start agency.
       ``(B) Composition.--The governing body shall be composed as 
     follows:
       ``(i) Not less than 1 member shall have background and 
     expertise in fiscal management or accounting.
       ``(ii) Not less than 1 member shall have background and 
     expertise in early childhood education and development.
       ``(iii) Not less than 1 member shall be a licensed attorney 
     familiar with issues that come before the governing body.
       ``(iv) Additional members shall--

       ``(I) reflect the community to be served, and include 
     parents of children who are currently, or were formerly, 
     enrolled in Head Start programs; and
       ``(II) are selected for their background and expertise in 
     education, business administration, and community affairs.

       ``(v) Exceptions shall be made to the requirements of 
     clauses (i) through (iv) for members of a governing body when 
     those members oversee a public entity and are selected to 
     their positions with the public entity by public election 
     political appointment.
       ``(vi) if a person described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) 
     is not available to serve as a member of the governing body, 
     the governing body shall use a consultant, or an other 
     individual with relevant expertise, with the qualifications 
     described in the clause, who shall work directly with the 
     governing body.
       ``(C) Conflict of interest.--Members of the governing body 
     shall--
       ``(i) not have a financial conflict of interest with the 
     Head Start (including any delegate agency);
       ``(ii) not receive compensation for serving on the 
     governing body or for providing services to the Head Start 
     agency;
       ``(iii) not be employed nor shall members of their 
     immediate family be employed by the Head Start agency 
     (including any delegate agency); and
       ``(iv) operate as an entity independent of staff employed 
     by the Head Start agency.
       ``(D) Exception.--If an individual holds a position as a 
     result of public election or political appointment, and such 
     position carries with it a concurrent appointment to serve as 
     a member of a Head Start agency governing body, and such 
     individual has any conflict of interest described in clause 
     (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (C)--
       ``(i) such individual shall not be prohibited from serving 
     on such body and the Head Start agency shall report such 
     conflict to the Secretary; and
       ``(ii) if the position held as a result of public election 
     or political appointment provides compensation, such 
     individual shall not be prohibited from receiving such 
     compensation.
       ``(E) Responsibilities.--The governing body shall--
       ``(i) have legal and fiscal responsibility for 
     administering and overseeing programs under this subchapter, 
     including the safeguarding of Federal funds;
       ``(ii) adopt practices that assure active, independent and 
     informed the Head Start agency, including practices 
     consistent with subsection (d)(1), and fully participate in 
     the development, planning, and evaluation of the Head Start 
     programs involved;
       ``(iii) be responsible for ensuring compliance with Federal 
     laws (including regulations) and applicable State, tribal, 
     and local laws (including regulations); and
       ``(iv) be responsible for other activities, including--

       ``(I) the selecting delegate agencies and the service areas 
     of such agencies;
       ``(II) establishing procedures and criteria for 
     recruitment, selection, and enrollment of children;
       ``(III) reviewing all applications for funding and 
     amendments to applications for funding for programs under 
     this subchapter;
       ``(IV) establishing procedures and guidelines for accessing 
     and collecting information described in subsection (d)(2);
       ``(V) reviewing and approving all major policies of the 
     agency, including--

       ``(aa) the annual self-assessment and financial audit;
       ``(bb) such agency's progress in carrying out the 
     programmatic and fiscal provisions in such agency's grant 
     application, including implementation of corrective actions; 
     and
       ``(cc) personnel policies of such agencies regarding the 
     hiring, evaluation, termination, and compensation of agency 
     employees;

       ``(VI) developing procedures for how members of the policy 
     council are selected, consistent with paragraph (2)(B);
       ``(VII) approving financial management, accounting, and 
     reporting policies and compliance with laws and regulations 
     related to financial statements, including the--

       ``(aa) approval of all major financial expenditures of the 
     agency;
       ``(bb) annual approval of the operating budget of the 
     agency;
       ``(cc) selection (except when a financial auditor is 
     assigned by the State under State law or is assigned under 
     local law) of independent financial auditors who shall report 
     all critical accounting policies and practices to the 
     governing body; and
       ``(dd) monitoring of the agency's actions to correct any 
     audit findings and of other action necessary to comply with 
     applicable laws (including regulations) government financial 
     statement and accounting practices;

       ``(VII) reviewing results from monitoring conducted under 
     section 641A(c), including appropriate follow-up activities;
       ``(IX) approving personnel policies and procedures, 
     including policies and procedures regarding the hiring, 
     evaluation, compensation and termination of the Executive 
     Director, Head Start Director, Director of Human Resources, 
     Chief Fiscal Officer, and any other person in an equivalent 
     position with the agency;

     ``(X) establishing, adopting and periodically updating 
     written standards of conduct that establish standards and 
     formal procedures for disclosing, addressing, and resolving--

       ``(aa) any conflict of interest, and any appearance of a 
     conflict of interest, by members of the governing body, 
     officers, employees of the Head Start agency, and consultants 
     and agents who provide services or furnish goods to the Head 
     Start agency; and
       ``(bb) complaints, including investigations, when 
     appropriate.

[[Page H13496]]

       ``(XI) to the extent practicable and appropriate, at the 
     discretion of the governing body, establishing advisory 
     committees to oversee key responsibilities related to program 
     governance and improvement of the Head Start program 
     involved.

       ``(2) Policy Council.
       ``(A) In general.--Each Head Start agency shall have a 
     policy council responsible for the direction of the Head 
     Start program, including program design and operation, and 
     long- and short-term planning goals and objectives taking 
     into account the annual communitywide strategic planning and 
     needs assessment and self-assessment.
       ``(B) Composition and selection.
       ``(i) The policy council shall be elected by parents of 
     children who are currently enrolled in the Head Start program 
     of the Head Start agency.
       ``(ii) The policy council shall be composed of--

       ``(I) parents of children who are currently enrolled in the 
     Head Start program of the Head Start agency (including any 
     delegate agency), who shall constitute a majority of the 
     members of the council; and
       ``(II) members at large of the community served by the Head 
     Start agency (including any delegate agency), who may include 
     parents of children who were formerly enrolled in the Head 
     Start program of the agency.

       ``(C) 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.
       ``(D) Responsibilities.--The policy council shall approve 
     and submit to the governing body decisions about the 
     following activities--
       ``(i) Activities to support the active involvement of 
     parents in supporting program operations, including policies 
     to ensure that the Head Start agency is responsive to 
     community and parent needs;
       ``(ii) Program recruitment, selection, and enrollment 
     priorities;
       ``(iii) Applications for funding and amendments to 
     applications for funding for programs under this subchapter, 
     prior to the submission of such applications described in 
     this clause.
       ``(iv) Budget planning for program expenditures, including 
     policies for reimbursement and participation in policy 
     council activities;
       ``(v) Bylaws for the operation of the policy council;
       ``(vi) Program personnel policies and decisions regarding 
     employment of program staff, consistent with paragraph 
     (l)(E)(iv)(IX), including standards of conduct for program 
     staff, contractors, and volunteers and criteria for the 
     employment and dismissal of program staff.
       ``(vii) Developing procedures for how members of the policy 
     council of the Head Start agency will be elected.
       ``(viii) Recommendations on the selection of delegate 
     agencies and the service areas of such agencies.
       ``(3) Policy committees.--Each delegate agency shall create 
     a policy committee, which shall--
       ``(A) be elected and comprised of members consistent with 
     paragraph (2)(B) (with respect to delegate agencies);
       ``(B) follow procedures to prohibit conflict of interest, 
     consistent with clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (2)(C) 
     (with respect to delegate agencies); and
       ``(C) be responsible for approval and submission of 
     decisions about activities as they relate to the delegate 
     agency, consistent with paragraph (2)(D) (with respect to 
     delegate agencies)
       ``(d) Program Governance Administration.--
       ``(1) Impasse policy.--The Secretary shall develop 
     policies, procedures, and guidance for Head Start agencies 
     concerning--
       ``(A) the resolution of internal disputes, including any 
     impasse in the governance of Head Start programs; and
       ``(B) the facilitation of meaningful consultation and 
     collaboration about decisions of the governing body and 
     policy council
       ``(2) Conduct of Responsibilities.--Each Head Start agency 
     shall ensure the sharing of accurate and regular information 
     for use by the governing body and the policy council about 
     program planning, policies, and Head Start agency operations, 
     including--
       ``(A) monthly financial statements, including credit card 
     expenditures;
       ``(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 such assessment;
       ``(G) the communitywide strategic planning and needs 
     assessment of the Head Start agency, including any applicable 
     updates;
       ``(H) communication and guidance from the Secretary; and
       ``(I) the program information reports.
       ``(3) 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.''
       The Conference Report prohibits members of the Policy 
     Council from receiving compensation for their role in serving 
     on the Policy Council, as well as prohibits such members from 
     receiving compensation for providing such services. In 
     implementing this provision, the Conferees recognize the 
     regular practice of Head Start agencies to reimburse members 
     of the Policy Council for reasonable costs (such as 
     transportation or child care) associated with their full 
     participation in the operation of such agencies, and for 
     their roles and responsibilities consistent with duties on 
     the Policy Council. In promulgating regulations under this 
     section, the Conferees urge the Secretary to continue to 
     provide for such reimbursements and recognize the necessity 
     of such reimbursements for the effective operation of Head 
     Start agencies. Moreover, the Conferees intend for 
     individuals serving on governing bodies as a result of 
     elected office or political appointment to be able to 
     continue to receive compensation directly related to that 
     elected office or political appointment.
       237. The House bill includes accounting experience. The 
     Senate amendment does not contain similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       238. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       239. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       240. The House bill requires selection of members based on 
     expertise in education, business administration and community 
     affairs. The Senate amendment requires selection of 
     additional members to reflect the community served, and 
     includes parents.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       241. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       242. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill includes additional 
     requirements.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       243. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       244. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment consolidates 
     training and technical assistance for both governing bodies 
     and policy councils. See note 281.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       245. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       246. The House bill requires activities to ensure 
     independent and informed governance. The Senate amendment 
     does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       247. The House bill requires oversight to ensure that the 
     Head Start agency is under the direction of the executive 
     director. The Senate amendment does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       248. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill provides for specific 
     audit and financing issues and creates a separate committee 
     within the governing body for these functions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       249. The House bill requires approval of all major policies 
     of the agency.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       250. The Senate amendment refers to policies and procedures 
     regarding hiring, firing, and salaries of management 
     personnel.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       251. The House bill refers to all major financial 
     expenditures.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       252. The House bill requires approval of the hiring or 
     firing of the Head Start Director.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       253. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.

[[Page H13497]]

       254. The House bill requires the governing body to oversee 
     the program planning of the Head Start agency. Senate 
     amendment does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       255. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       256. The Senate amendment requires approval of self-
     assessments, financial audits, and reviews. The House bill 
     does not contain a similar amendment.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       257. The House bill requires the establishment and revision 
     of written standards of conduct. The Senate amendment does 
     not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       258. The Senate amendment requires the governing body to 
     select delegate agencies and service areas. The House bill 
     does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       259. The Senate amendment requires the governing body to 
     establish procedures and criteria for recruitment, selection, 
     and enrollment. The House bill does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       260. The Senate amendment requires the governing body to 
     establish procedures for gathering information related to 
     program governance. The House bill does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       261. The Senate amendment requires review and approval of 
     the community assessment by the governing body. The House 
     bill does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       262. The Senate amendment requires an internal control 
     structure to facilitate responsibilities of Head Start's 
     governance structure. The House bill does not contain a 
     similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       263. The Senate amendment provides for the establishment of 
     a Committee to assist with the governance of Head Start 
     programs. The House bill does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       264. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       265. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       266. The House bill and Senate amendment require parents to 
     represent proportional components of programs. The Senate 
     amendment stipulates a process for selecting parents to serve 
     on the policy council.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       267. The Senate amendment includes members at large in 
     policy councils. The House bill does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       268. The House bill establishes terms for policy council 
     members. The Senate amendment does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       269. The Senate amendment prohibits conflicts of interest 
     within the policy council. The House bill does not contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       270. The House bill provides for the approval of decisions. 
     The Senate amendment does not contain similar language.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       271. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       272. The House bill requires delegate agencies to be 
     selected by the policy council. The Senate amendment does not 
     contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       273. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       274. The House bill provides authority to the policy 
     council for funding applications. The Senate amendment does 
     not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       275. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The Senate amendment provides greater detail 
     regarding responsibilities.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       276. The House bill provides authority for bylaws to the 
     policy council. The Senate amendment does not contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       277. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       278. The House bill provides authority for decisions 
     regarding employment to the policy council. The Senate 
     amendment does not contain similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       279. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       280. The House bill provides authority for program 
     responsiveness to the policy council. The Senate amendment 
     does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       281. House bill requires training for the policy council. 
     Senate amendment addresses training in same provision as for 
     governing body. See note 244.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       282. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill includes an impasse 
     policy. The Senate amendment requires procedures for agencies 
     under section 641(a)(2)(B)(iv).
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       283. The Senate amendment requires information sharing. The 
     House bill does not contain similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 236.
       284. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions leading to collaboration. Senate amendment 
     lists specific programs that the House bill does not.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       strike ``must'' and insert ``shall''
       insert ``, to the maximum extent practicable,'' after 
     ``entities''
       strike ``available'' and insert ``availability and quality 
     of''
       285. House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions but Senate amendment provision is located in 
     subsection (b).
       Senate recedes.
       286. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike headings.
       287. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment includes an 
     additional requirement to collaborate with elementary school 
     teachers.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike the heading and 
     to strike ``teaching strategies and options'' and insert 
     ``professional development and instructional strategies, as 
     appropriate''.
       288. The Senate amendment lists specific programs that the 
     Head Start agency must coordinate with. The House bill does 
     not include similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``(3) Coordinate activities and collaborate with programs 
     under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 
     (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), 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.), and other entities providing 
     early childhood education and development services, serving 
     the children and families served by the Head Start agency.''
       289. House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions. The House bill requires efforts to enhance 
     efficiency. The Senate amendment focuses on reducing 
     duplication of services.
       House recedes with an amendment to insert ``and enhance the 
     efficiency'' after ``duplication of services''.
       290. The House bill maintains current law of a provision 
     requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to 
     consult with the Secretary of Education to evaluate the 
     effectiveness of programs, disseminate effective policies and 
     activities, and provide technical assistance. The Senate 
     amendment does not include a similar provision.

[[Page H13498]]

       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike (A), and strike 
     the parenthesis in subparagraph (B) and to move paragraph to 
     new subsection at the end of section 642A.
       291. The House bill adds new heading. The Senate amendment 
     does not contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       292. The House bill maintains current law on maintaining 
     gains. The Senate amendment does not include this provision.
       Senate recedes.
       293. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     language but Senate amendment language is located in 
     subsection (b).
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert ``the'' before 
     ``standards''.
       294. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions but the Senate amendment provision is located in 
     subsection (b).
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``(3) implement a research-based early childhood curriculum 
     that--
       ``(A) promotes young children's school readiness in the 
     areas of language and cognitive development, early reading 
     and mathematics skills, socio-emotional development, physical 
     development, and approaches to learning.
       ``(B) is based on scientifically valid research and has 
     standardized training procedures and curriculum materials to 
     support implementation;
       ``(C) is comprehensive and linked to ongoing assessment, 
     with developmental and learning goals and measurable 
     objectives;
       ``(D) is focused on improving the learning environment, 
     teaching practices, family involvement, and child outcomes 
     across all areas of development; and
       ``(E) is aligned to the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework 
     developed by the Secretary and, as appropriate, to State 
     early learning standards;
       (4) implement effective interventions and support services 
     that help promote the school readiness of children 
     participating in the program;''
       295. The House bill calls for research-based assessment 
     methods and the Senate amendment does not include this 
     provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``(5) use research-based assessment methods that reflect 
     the characteristics described in section 641A(b)(2) in order 
     to support the educational instruction and school readiness 
     of children in the program.''
       296. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions but the Senate amendment provision is located in 
     subsection (b).
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``use research-based developmental screening tools that 
     have been demonstrated to be standardized, reliable, valid, 
     and accurate for the child being assessed, to the maximum 
     extent practicable, for the purpose of meeting the relevant 
     standards described in section 641(a)(1);''.
       297. The House bill and Senate amendment have similar 
     provisions but the Senate amendment includes a heading and is 
     located in a different subsection.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``adopt, in consultation with experts in child development 
     and with classroom teachers, an evaluation to assess whether 
     classroom teachers have mastered the functions described in 
     section 648A(a)(1),''
       298. The House bill calls for professional development 
     plans to improve teacher effectiveness. The Senate amendment 
     does not include this provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``adopt a'' and 
     insert ``inform''; strike ``plan that leads'' and insert 
     ``plans'' and insert ``, as appropriate.'' after ``plans''.
       299. House bill calls for measurable objectives. The Senate 
     amendment does not include this provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``establish goals and measurable objectives for the 
     provision of health, educational, nutritional, and social 
     services provided under this subchapter and related to the 
     program mission and to promote school readiness; and''.
       300. The House bill calls for the development of procedures 
     for identifying children as limited English proficient. The 
     Senate amendment does not include this provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``as'' and 
     insert ``who are''.
       301. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       302. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill includes children to be 
     serviced by such agency, and the results of the reviews 
     conducted under section 641A(c).
       Senate recedes.
       303. The House bill contains a provision on financial 
     management. The Senate amendment does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       Senate recedes.
     Section 10. Head Start transition and alignment with K-12 
         education
       304. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill focuses on promoting 
     continuity of services.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert ``(a) In 
     General.--''
       305. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       306. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       307. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``establishing on-going communications between the Head 
     Start agency and local education agency for developing 
     continuity of developmentally appropriate curricular 
     objectives (which for the purpose of the Head Start program 
     shall be aligned to the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework 
     and, as appropriate, State early learning standards) and for 
     shared expectations for children's learning and development 
     as they transition to school;''
       And to insert new subsection into section 657C--
       ``(c) Special rule.--Nothing in this subchapter shall 
     authorize a Head Start program or a local education agency to 
     require the other to select or implement a specific 
     curriculum or program of instruction.''
       308. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       309. The Senate amendment requires the establishment of 
     comprehensive transition policies. The House bill does not 
     contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       310. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes.
       311. The House bill includes a provision on assistance to 
     parents of LEP students. The Senate amendment does not 
     contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to--
       strike ``method of instruction'' and insert ``(A) 
     instructional''
       insert ``(B)'' before ``as appropriate''
       insert ``the'' after ``appropriate,''
       312. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment also requires that 
     the language needs of parents of limited English proficient 
     children be considered.
       House recedes.
       313. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes.
       314. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``the 
     education'' and insert ``educational''.
       315. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill includes grandparents and 
     kinship caregivers.
       Senate recedes.
       316. The Senate amendment provides for helping parents 
     understand the school in which their child will enroll. The 
     House bill does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       317. The House bill provides for increasing participation 
     of underserved populations. The Senate amendment does not 
     contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       318. The Senate amendment includes language, pre-literacy, 
     and premathematics competencies. The House bill does not 
     contain similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       319. The Senate amendment includes a technical 
     clarification. The House bill does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes.
     Section 11. Early childhood education, coordination, and 
         improvement
       320. The House bill includes local and State integration 
     requirements and a memoranda of understanding for each Head 
     Start agency at the local level. The Senate amendment does 
     not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to move to 
     section 642(d) with instructions and to strike and insert the 
     following:
       ``(5) Entering into a memorandum of understanding, not 
     later than 1 year after the effective date of this section, 
     with the appropriate local entity responsible for managing 
     publicly funded preschool programs in the service area of the 
     Head Start agency, that shall--
       ``(A) review each of the following activities and include 
     plans to coordinate the activities as appropriate, 
     regarding--
       ``(i) Educational activities, curricula, and instruction.
       ``(ii) Public information dissemination and access to 
     programs for families contacting any of the early childhood 
     programs.
       ``(iii) Selection priorities for eligible children to be 
     served by programs.
       ``(iv) Service delivery areas.
       ``(v) Staff training, including opportunities for joint 
     staff training on topics such as academic content standards, 
     instructional methods, curricula, and social and emotional 
     development.
       ``(vi) Program technical assistance.
       ``(vii) Provision of additional services to meet the needs 
     of working parents, as applicable.
       ``(viii) Planning and parent education for smooth 
     transitions to kindergarten as required in section 642A(3) 
     and 642A(6).
       ``(ix) Provision and use of facilities, transportation, and 
     other program elements.
       ``(x) Other elements mutually agreed to by the parties to 
     such memorandum;
       ``(B) be submitted to the Secretary and the State Director 
     of Head Start Collaboration not later than 30 days after 
     entering into such memorandum, except where there is an

[[Page H13499]]

     absence of publicly funded preschool in the service area of a 
     Head Start agency or where the appropriate entity responsible 
     for managing the state-funded preschool is unable or 
     unwilling to enter into such a memorandum, the Head Start 
     agency shall submit such information to the Secretary and the 
     State Director of Head Start Collaboration; and
       ``(C) shall be revised periodically and renewed biennially 
     by the parties to such memorandum, in alignment with the 
     beginning of the school year.
       321. House bill and Senate amendment each create State 
     Councils. The House bill places councils in section 642B and 
     the Senate amendment places councils in section 640(a)(5)(E).
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and inserts the following new section 642B--
       ``(a) Head Start Collaboration.--
       ``(1) From amounts made available under section 
     640(a)(2)(B)(vi), the Secretary shall award the collaboration 
     grants described in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4).
       ``(2)(A) The Secretary shall award, upon submission of a 
     written request, a collaboration grant to each State and to 
     each national administrative office serving Indian Head Start 
     programs and migrant or seasonal Head Start programs to 
     facilitate collaboration among Head Start agencies (including 
     Early Head Start agencies) and entities that carry out 
     activities designed to benefit low-income children from birth 
     to school entry, and their families. The national 
     administrative offices shall use the funds made available 
     through the grants to carry out the authorities and 
     responsibilities described in subparagraph (B) and paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), as appropriate.
       ``(B) Grants described in subparagraph (A) 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 children from birth to 
     school entry, and their families;
       ``(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 curricula used in Head Start 
     programs and continuity of services with the Head Start Child 
     Outcomes Framework and, as appropriate, State early learning 
     standards;
       ``(iv) promote better linkages between Head Start agencies 
     and other child and family agencies, including agencies that 
     provide health, mental health, or family services, 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 paragraph (4).
       ``(3) In order to improve coordination and delivery of 
     early childhood education and development to children in the 
     State, a State that receives a collaboration grant under 
     paragraph (2) shall
       ``(A) appoint or designate an individual to serve as, or 
     carry out the responsibilities of, the State Director of Head 
     Start Collaboration;
       ``(B) ensure that the State Director of Head Start 
     Collaboration holds a position with sufficient authority and 
     access to ensure that the collaboration described in 
     paragraph (2) is effective and involves a range of State 
     agencies; and
       ``(C) 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.
       ``(4) The State Director of Head Start Collaboration shall
       ``(A) not later than 1 year after the State receives a 
     collaboration grant under paragraph (2), conduct an 
     assessment that
       ``(i) addresses the needs of Head Start agencies in the 
     State with respect to collaboration, coordination and 
     alignment of services, and alignment of curricula and 
     assessments used in Head Start programs with the Head Start 
     Child Outcomes Framework and, as appropriate, State early 
     learning standards;
       ``(ii) shall be updated on an annual basis; and
       ``(iii) shall be made available to the general public 
     within the State;
       ``(B) develop a strategic plan that is based on the 
     assessment described in paragraph (A) that will--
       ``(i) enhance collaboration and coordination of Head Start 
     services by Head Start agencies with other entities providing 
     early childhood education and development (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 development 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 services described in this clause;
       ``(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 
     services;
       ``(iii) assist Head Start agencies to align curricula and 
     assessments used in Head Start programs with the Head Start 
     Child Outcomes Framework and, as appropriate, State early 
     learning standards; and
       ``(iv) enable Head Start agencies to better access 
     professional development opportunities for Head Start staff, 
     such as by working with Head Start agencies to enable the 
     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
       ``(v) enable the Head Start agencies to better conduct 
     outreach to eligible families;
       ``(C) 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 for elementary 
     school;
       ``(D) consult with the chief State school officer, local 
     educational agencies, and providers of early childhood 
     education and development, at both the State and local 
     levels;
       ``(E) promote partnerships 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;
       ``(F) promote partnerships between Head Start agencies and 
     other organizations in order to enhance Head Start program 
     quality, including partnerships to promote inclusion of more 
     books in Head Start classrooms;
       ``(G) identify other resources and organizations (both 
     public and private) for the provision of in-kind services to 
     Head Start agencies in the State; and
       ``(H) serve on the State Advisory Council in order to 
     assist the efforts of Head Start agencies to engage in 
     effective coordination and collaboration.
       ``(b) State Early Education and Care.--
       ``(1)(A) The Governor of the State shall--
       ``(i) designate or establish a council to serve as the 
     State Advisory Council 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 subparagraph 
     (D)(i).
       ``(B) The Governor may designate an existing entity in the 
     state to serve as the State Advisory Council, and shall 
     appoint such representatives to the State Advisory Council at 
     the Governor's discretion. In designating an existing entity, 
     the Governor shall take steps to ensure that membership 
     includes, to the extent possible, representatives consistent 
     with subparagraph (C).
       ``(C) Members of the State Advisory Council shall include, 
     to the maximum extent possible--
       ``(I) a representative of the state agency responsible for 
     child care;
       ``(II) a representative of the State educational agency;
       ``(III) a representative of local educational agencies;
       ``(IV) a representative of institutions of higher education 
     in the state;
       ``(V) a representative of local providers of early 
     childhood education and care;
       ``(VI) a representative from Head Start agencies located in 
     the State, including migrant and seasonal Head Start programs 
     and Indian Head Start programs;
       ``(VII) the State Director of Head Start Collaboration
       ``(VIII) 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.);
       ``(IX) a representative of the State agency responsible for 
     health or mental health care; and
       ``(X) representatives of other entities determined to be 
     relevant by the Governor of the state.
       ``(D) The State Advisory Council shall, in addition to any 
     responsibilities assigned to the Council by the Governor of 
     the State
       ``(I) conduct a periodic statewide needs assessment 
     concerning the quality and availability of early childhood 
     education and care for children from birth to school entry, 
     including an assessment of the availability of high quality 
     pre-kindergarten services for low-income children in the 
     state;
       ``(II) identify opportunities for, and barriers to, 
     collaboration and coordination among federally-funded and 
     State-funded child development, child care, and early 
     childhood education and care programs, including 
     collaboration and coordination among state agencies 
     responsible for administering such programs;
       ``(III) develop recommendations for increasing the overall 
     participation of children in existing federal, state, and 
     local early childhood education and child care programs, 
     including outreach to underrepresented and special 
     populations;

[[Page H13500]]

       ``(IV) develop recommendations regarding the establishment 
     of a unified data collection system for public early 
     childhood education and care throughout the State;
       ``(V) develop recommendations regarding a statewide 
     professional development and career advancement plan for 
     early childhood educators in the State;
       ``(VI) assess the capacity and effectiveness of 2- and 4-
     year public and private institutions of higher education in 
     the State toward supporting the development of early 
     childhood educators, including the extent to which such 
     institutions have in place articulation agreements, 
     professional development and career advancement plans, and 
     practica or internships for students to spend time in a Head 
     Start or prekindergarten program; and
       ``(VII) make recommendations for improvements in State 
     early learning standards and undertake efforts to develop 
     high quality comprehensive early learning standards, as 
     appropriate.
       ``(ii) The State Advisory Council shall hold public 
     hearings and provide an opportunity for public comment on the 
     activities described in clause (iv). The State Advisory 
     Council shall submit a statewide strategic report addressing 
     the activities described in clause (iv) 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.
       ``(2)(A) 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 developing and 
     implementing a plan pursuant to the responsibilities included 
     under subparagraph (E)(iv)(I). A State that receives funds 
     under (i) shall use such funds to facilitate the development 
     of high-quality systems of early childhood education and care 
     designed to improve school preparedness through one or more 
     of the following activities
       ``(i) promoting school preparedness of children from birth 
     through school entry, including activities to encourage 
     families and caregivers to engage in highly interactive, 
     developmentally and age-appropriate activities to improve 
     children's early social, emotional, and cognitive 
     development, support the transition of young children to 
     school, and foster parental and family involvement in the 
     early education of young children;
       ``(ii) supporting professional development, recruitment, 
     and retention initiatives for early childhood educators;
       ``(iii) enhancing existing early childhood education and 
     care programs and projects (in existence on the date on which 
     the grant involved is awarded), including quality improvement 
     activities authorized under the Child Care and Development 
     Block Grant Act of 1990; and
       ``(iv) carrying out other activities consistent with the 
     State's Early Education and Care plan, pursuant to paragraph 
     (iii).
       ``(B) To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
     subparagraph, a State shall prepare and submit to the 
     Secretary a plan and application, for a 3-year period, at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary shall require, including--
       ``(i) the statewide strategic report described in 
     subparagraph (E)(iv)(II), including a description of the 
     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 consistent with the 
     strategic report described in subparagraph (E)(iv)(II);
       ``(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.
       ``(C) The Federal share of the cost of activities proposed 
     to be conducted under clause (ii) shall be 30 percent, and 
     the State shall provide the non-Federal share.
       ``(D) 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.
       ``(E) 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. Each 
     report shall include--
       ``(i) a description of the activities and services carried 
     out under the grant, including the outcomes of such 
     activities and services in meeting the needs described in the 
     periodic needs assessment and statewide strategic report;
       ``(ii) information about how the State used such funds to 
     meet the goals of this subsection through activities to 
     develop or enhance high quality systems of early childhood 
     education, increase effectiveness of delivery systems and use 
     of funds, and enhance existing programs and services;
       ``(iii) information regarding the remaining needs described 
     in the periodic needs assessment and statewide strategic 
     report that have not yet been addressed by the State; and
       ``(iv) any other information that the Secretary may 
     require.
       ``(F) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to 
     provide the State Advisory Council with authority to modify, 
     supersede, or negate the requirements of this subchapter.''
       Section 643 should be amended by inserting at the end--
       ``This section shall not apply to contracts, agreements, 
     grants, loans, or other assistance for Indian Head Start 
     programs or migrant or seasonal Head Start programs.''
       322. The House bill and the Senate amendment require 
     different membership of the State council.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       323. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions for when an entity already exists.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       324. The House bill requires a 50 percent match and the 
     Senate amendment requires a 30 percent match.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       325. The Senate amendment specifies that the Governor can 
     give council additional responsibility. The House bill does 
     not have a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       326. The House bill and Senate amendment have similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       327. The House bill references working with State agencies. 
     The Senate amendment does not have a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       328. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       329. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       330. The House bill references identification of barriers. 
     The Senate amendment does not have a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       331. The House bill and Senate amendment have similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       332. The House bill references coordination with health 
     care and other services. The Senate amendment does not have a 
     similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       333. The House bill references system of training and 
     technical assistance. The Senate amendment does not have a 
     similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       334. The House bill references a plan for increased 
     participation of underrepresented children. The Senate 
     amendment does not have a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       335. The House bill and Senate amendment have similar 
     provisions
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       336. The House bill and Senate amendment have similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       337. The House bill clarifies the role of the State council 
     in relation to the Head Start program. The Senate amendment 
     does not have a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       338. The House bill and Senate amendment have similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       339. Senate amendment provides for public hearings on the 
     activities of the State council, and requires submission and 
     subsequent revision of the State council's plan. The House 
     bill does not include similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.

[[Page H13501]]

       340. The Senate amendment reserves $100 million from 
     appropriations in FY2008 to establish a competitive grant 
     program for States to further develop and implement plans 
     established by State Advisory Council on Early Childhood 
     Education and Care. The House bill reserves money from 
     training and technical assistance for ELC (see note 38).
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       341. The Senate amendment provides for one-time startup 
     grants to States, for the purposes of developing systems of 
     early childhood education and care and enhancing quality in 
     early childhood programs. The House bill does not contain a 
     similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
       342. The Senate amendment stipulates conditions for 
     eligibility for discretionary grants under this subparagraph. 
     The House bill does not include similar provisions. House 
     recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike and 
     insert, as amended, in note 321.
       343. The Senate amendment includes requirements for an 
     interim report to the Secretary. The House bill does not 
     include a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 321.
     Section 12. Submission of plans
       344. Senate amendment provides for the submission of plans 
     to Governors instead of Chief Executive Officer of the State 
     and shortens time for approval. House bill maintains current 
     law.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike (1)(B)
     Section 13. Administrative requirements and standards
       345. The House bill adds headers to subsection (a), 
     reconstructs current law, and includes requirement of a 
     public report. The Senate amendment maintains current law.
       Senate recedes.
       346. The Senate amendment includes a 10-program pilot 
     project on administrative costs in Head Start programs. The 
     House bill does not contain similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       347. The House bill adds a new requirement for facilities 
     plans and adds a heading to this subsection. The Senate 
     amendment maintains current law.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and replace (f)(2)(A) with--
       ``(A) a description of the efforts by the agency to 
     coordinate or collaborate with other providers in the 
     community to seek assistance, including financial assistance, 
     prior to the use of funds under this section;''.
     Section 14. Participation in Head Start programs
       348. The House bill allows programs to apply to the 
     Secretary to increase their income eligibility to 130 
     percent. The Senate amendment replaces the current threshold 
     of 100 percent of poverty with 130 percent, with assurances 
     from the agency that families below the poverty line are 
     prioritized.
       House recedes/Senate recedes to strike and insert--
       ``(a)(1)(A) The Secretary shall by regulation prescribe 
     eligibility for the participation of persons in Head Start 
     programs assisted under this subchapter.
       ``(B) Except as provided in paragraph (2), such regulation 
     shall provide--
       ``(i) that children from low income families shall be 
     eligible for participation in programs assisted under this 
     subchapter if their families' incomes are below the poverty 
     line, or if their families are eligible or, in the absence of 
     child care, would potentially be eligible for public 
     assistance;
       ``(ii) that homeless children shall be deemed to be 
     eligible for such participation;
       ``(iii) that programs assisted under this subchapter may 
     include--
     ``(I) to a reasonable extent (but not to exceed ten percent 
     of participants) participation of children in the area served 
     who would benefit from such programs but who are not eligible 
     under clause (i) or (ii); and
       ``(II) from the area served, an additional 35 percent of 
     participants who are not eligible under clause (i) or (ii) 
     and whose families have incomes below 130 percent of the 
     poverty line, if--

       ``(aa) the Head Start agency involved establishes and 
     implements outreach and enrollment policies and procedures 
     that ensure such agency is meeting the needs of children 
     eligible under clause (i) or (ii) (or subclause (I) if the 
     child involved has a disability) prior to meeting the needs 
     of children eligible under this subclause; and
       ``(bb) in prioritizing the selection of children and 
     families to be served, the Head Start agency establishes 
     criteria that provide that the agency will serve children 
     under clause (i) or (ii) prior to serving the children who 
     meet the criteria in this subclause.

       ``(iv) that any Head Start agency serving children eligible 
     under clause (iii)(II) shall report annually to the Secretary 
     the following information on--
       ``(I) how such agency is meeting the needs children 
     eligible under clause (i) or (ii), in the area served, 
     including local demographic data on families of children 
     eligible under clause (i) or (ii);
       ``(II) the outreach and enrollment policies and procedures 
     established by the agency that ensure the agency is meeting 
     the needs of children eligible under clause (i) or (ii) (or 
     clause (iii)(I) if the child involved has a disability) prior 
     to meeting the needs of children eligible under clause 
     (iii)(II);
       ``(III) the efforts, including outreach efforts (that are 
     appropriate to the community involved), of such agency to be 
     fully enrolled with children eligible under clause (i) or 
     (ii);
       ``(IV) the policies, procedures, and selection criteria 
     such agency is implementing to serve eligible children, 
     consistent with clause (iii)(II);
       ``(V) the agency's enrollment level and enrollment level 
     over fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the report 
     is submitted;
       ``(VI) the number of children served by the agency, 
     disaggregatcd by whether such children are eligible under 
     clause (i), clause (ii), clause (iii)(I), or clause 
     (iii)(II); and
       ``(VII) the eligibility criteria category of children on 
     the agency's waiting list;
       ``(VIII) that a child who has been determined to meet the 
     eligibility criteria described in this subparagraph and who 
     is participating in a Head Start program in a program year 
     shall be considered to continue to meet the eligibility 
     criteria through the end of the succeeding program year.
       ``(C) In determining, for purposes of this paragraph, 
     whether a child who has applied for enrollment in a Head 
     Start program meets the eligibility criteria, an entity may 
     consider evidence of family income during the 12 months 
     preceding the month in which the application is submitted, or 
     during the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which 
     the application is submitted, whichever more accurately 
     reflects the needs of the family at the time of 
     application.''
       Amend section 640(g) by inserting new paragraph--
       ``(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in using funds made 
     available for expansion under subsection (a)(4)(D), the 
     Secretary shall first allocate the funds to qualified 
     applicants proposing to use such funds to serve children from 
     families with incomes below the poverty line. Agencies that 
     receive such funds are subject to the eligibility and 
     enrollment requirements under section 645(a)(1).''
       Amend Section 650(a)(2) by adding at the end before the 
     period--
     ``and information on the number of children served under this 
     subsection, disaggregated by type of eligibility criterion.''
       The Conferees recognize that children from low-income 
     families just above the Federal poverty line would benefit 
     from participation in Head Start programs. Accordingly the 
     Conferees agreed that Head Start programs should have 
     additional flexibility to serve some children in families up 
     to 130 percent of the Federal poverty level. To ensure that 
     children at or below the 100 percent threshold receive 
     priority, the Conferees intend for Head Start grantees to 
     comply with the new reporting requirements to provide greater 
     accountability under this provision. Additionally, the 
     Conferees direct the Secretary to coordinate these additional 
     reporting requirements with other existing reporting 
     requirements so as not to impose any additional burden on 
     Head Start grantees. The Conferees also intend that these 
     reporting requirements not be construed as requiring an 
     application by the Head Start grantee or to give additional 
     authority to the Secretary to approve or disapprove a plan by 
     a Head Start grantee to make use of this flexibility.
       349. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     ``(A homeless child shall be deemed to meet the low income 
     criteria)'' and insert a new clause to read ``(iii) a 
     homeless child shall be deemed to be eligible for Head Start 
     services; and''
       350. The House bill and the Senate amendment include 
     language pertaining to military families.
       House recedes.
       351. The Senate amendment provides for conversion of Head 
     Start programs from part-day to full-day sessions. The House 
     bill does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       352. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     different provisions regarding serving additional infants and 
     toddlers.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to include the Senate 
     subparagraph (B) as a new subparagraph (C) and to strike 
     ``entity that receives assistance under section 645A, and 
     such funds under (i)'' in the House (C) and insert ``Early 
     Head Start Agency and'' and to insert in (i) ``such'' after 
     ``The amount of''.
       353. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       The intent of the Conferees in striking the language in 
     this provision is to provide agencies reasonable flexibility 
     on an eligible child's age of entry into a program. For many 
     years, programs have been allowed to enroll children who will 
     turn three by the date used by the local school system to 
     determine kindergarten eligibility. For example, a school 
     system could require a child to be five by November 1 to be 
     enrolled in kindergarten. A Head Start child turning three by 
     November 1 has always been considered age eligible and, in 
     this example, that child would be enrolled in Head Start for 
     two years before going on to kindergarten. The Conferees have 
     learned that the underlying provision is being interpreted to 
     mean the child must have reached his/her third birthday to be 
     Head Start eligible so this child

[[Page H13502]]

     could not be enrolled in Head Start when it opened in late 
     August but rather, would have to wait to be enrolled on or 
     after November 1, if there were a vacancy. In making a change 
     to this provision, the Conferees intend to continue 
     eligibility for children ages three through school entry and 
     provide appropriate flexibility to local Head Start agencies 
     as to exactly when a child turning three years old may begin. 
     But the change to this provision should not be interpreted to 
     permit Head Start agencies to enroll children under three 
     years of age as a common practice.
       354. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``tribe'' in both 
     places it appears and insert ``tribe or tribes''.
     Section 15. Early Head Start programs
       355. Both the House bill and the Senate amend the section 
     title but contain different titles. The House bill amends the 
     general purpose regarding Early Head Start. The Senate 
     amendment maintains current law.
       House recedes.
       356. The House bill and the Senate amendment maintain 
     current law.
       357. The House bill and the Senate amendment maintain 
     current law.
       358. The House bill and the Senate amendment maintain 
     current law.
       359. The Senate amendment makes technical and conforming 
     changes. The House bill does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       360. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert ``services'' 
     after ``development) and''.
       361. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       362. The House bill and Senate amendment maintain current 
     law.
       363. The House bill and Senate amendment maintain current 
     law.
       364. The Senate amendment includes requirements for 
     screening and referral for children exposed to trauma. The 
     House bill does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       365. The House bill and Senate amendment have similar 
     provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       366. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert ``and 
     development'' after ``education''.
       367. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``care'' and 
     insert ``development programs''
       368. The House bill and Senate amendment maintain current 
     law.
       369. The House bill and the Senate amendment maintain 
     current law.
       370. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert in paragraph 
     ``(2)'' ``and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs'' 
     after ``programs''.
       371. The House bill and the Senate amendment maintain 
     current law.
       372. The House bill and the Senate amendment maintain 
     current law.
       373. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert:
       ``(g) Monitoring, Training, Technical Assistance, and 
     Evaluation.--
       ``(1) Requirement.--In order to ensure the successful 
     operation of programs assisted under this section, the 
     Secretary shall use funds made available under section 
     640(a)(2)(E) to monitor the operation of such programs, and 
     funds made available under section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(1) to 
     provide training and technical assistance tailored to the 
     particular needs of such programs, consistent with section 
     640(c).
       ``(2) Training and technical assistance.--
       ``(A) Activities.--Of the portion set aside under section 
     640(a)(2)(C)(i)(I)--
       ``(i) not less than 50 percent shall be made available to 
     Early Head Start programs to use directly, which may include, 
     at their discretion, the establishment of local or regional 
     agreements with community experts, institutions of higher 
     education, or private consultants, for training and technical 
     assistance activities in order to make program improvements 
     identified by such agencies;
       ``(ii) not less than 25 percent shall be made available to 
     the Secretary to support the State-based training and 
     technical assistance system described in section 648(e), 
     including infant and toddler specialists, to support Early 
     Head Start agencies, consistent with subparagraph (B); and
       ``(iii) the remainder of such amount shall be made 
     available to the Secretary to assist Early Head Start 
     agencies in meeting and exceeding the standards described in 
     section 641A(a)(1) (directly, or through grants, contracts, 
     or other agreements or arrangements with an entity with 
     demonstrated expertise relating to infants, toddlers, and 
     families) by--

       ``(I) providing on-going training and technical assistance 
     to Early Head Start agencies, including developing training 
     and technical assistance materials and resources to support 
     program development and improvement and best practices in 
     providing services to children and families served by Early 
     Head Start programs;
       ``(II) supporting a national network of infant and toddler 
     specialists designed to improve the quality of Early Head 
     Start programs;
       ``(III) providing on-going training and technical 
     assistance on Early Head Start program development and 
     improvement for regional staff charged with monitoring and 
     overseeing the administration of the program carried out 
     under this section; and
       ``(VI) if funds remain after the activities described in 
     subclauses (I), (II), and (III) are carried out, carry out 1 
     more of the following activities:

       ``(aa) Providing support and program planning and 
     implementation assistance for new Early Head Start agencies, 
     including for agencies who want to use funds to serve infants 
     and toddlers as described in section 645(a)(5).
       ``(bb) Creating special training and technical assistance 
     initiatives targeted to serving high risk populations, such 
     as children in the child welfare system and homeless 
     children; and
       ``(cc) Providing professional development designed to 
     increase program participation for underserved populations of 
     eligible children.
       ``(B) Contracts.--For the purposes of delivering a State-
     based training and technical assistance system, as described 
     in subparagraph (A)(ii), that will meet the needs of Early 
     Head Start agencies and provide high quality, sustained, and 
     intensive training and technical assistance on programming 
     for infants and toddlers to Early Head Start agencies, and in 
     order to help such agencies meet or exceed the standards 
     described in section 641A(a)(1), the Secretary shall--
       ``(i) use funds reserved under subparagraph (A)(ii) in 
     combination with funds reserved in section 
     640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(bb) to ensure such contracts described in 
     section 648(e)(1) provide for a minimum of 1 full-time 
     specialist with demonstrated expertise in the development of 
     infants and toddlers; and
       ``(ii) ensure that such contracts and the services provided 
     in the contracts are integrated with and augment the 
     contracts awarded and services provided under section 
     648(e);''; and''
       374. The House bill and the Senate amendment have differing 
     timelines for establishing staff qualifications in Early Head 
     Start programs.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to read:
       ``(h) Center-Based Staff.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(1) ensure that, not later than September 30, 2010, all 
     teachers providing direct services to children and families 
     participating in Early Head Start programs located in Early 
     Head Start centers, have a minimum of a child development 
     associate credential, and have been trained (or have 
     equivalent course work) in early childhood development; and
       ``(2) establish staff qualification goals to ensure that 
     not later than September 30, 2012, all such teachers have 
     been trained (or have equivalent course work) in early 
     childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler 
     development.''
       375. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       376. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment includes additional 
     language concerning the use of research-based strategies.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike subparagraph (D) 
     and insert--
       ``(D) methods to help parents promote emergent literacy in 
     their children from birth though age 3, including use of 
     research-based strategies to support the development of 
     literacy and language skills for children who are limited 
     English proficient;''.
       377. The House bill and the Senate amendment have different 
     language concerning health and developmental services.
       Senate recedes.
     Section 16. Appeals, notice, and hearing
       378. The House bill amends current law to require that if 
     financial assistance is terminated or reduced, there shall be 
     the opportunity to appeal the action.
       House recedes.
       379. The Senate amendment amends current law to provide 
     permissive authority to the Secretary for the termination or 
     reduction of financial assistance, including appeal 
     procedures. The House bill does not include a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike in paragraph 
     (4)(C) ``except that such fees shall be reimbursed by the 
     Secretary if the agency prevails in such decision'' and 
     insert in paragraph (4)(C) after ``legal fees'', ``or other 
     costs incurred'' and to insert new paragraph ``(6) In cases 
     where a Head Start agency prevails in a decision under (4), 
     the Secretary may determine and provide a reimbursement to 
     the Head Start agency for fees deemed reasonable and 
     customary.''.
     Section 17. Records and audits
       380. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment refers to financial 
     audit throughout the bill.
       Senate recedes
       381. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill includes additional 
     requirements.
       Senate recedes.
     Section 18. Technical assistance and training
       382. The House bill and Senate amendment maintain current 
     law for current subsections (a) and (b) except the Senate 
     amendment makes minor language changes.

[[Page H13503]]

       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert the following--
       Amend section 648 to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 648. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.

       ``(a) Secretarial Training and Technical Assistance.--
       ``(1) Authority.--From the funds provided under section 
     640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(cc), the Secretary shall provide, 
     directly or through grants, contracts, or other agreements or 
     arrangements as the Secretary considers appropriate, 
     technical assistance and training for Head Start programs for 
     the purposes of improving program quality and helping prepare 
     children to succeed in school.
       ``(2) Process.--The process for determining the technical 
     assistance and training activities to be carried out under 
     this section shall--
       ``(A) ensure that the needs of local Head Start agencies 
     and programs relating to improving program quality and to 
     program expansion are addressed to the maximum extent 
     practicable; and
       ``(B) incorporate mechanisms to ensure responsiveness to 
     local needs, including an ongoing procedure for obtaining 
     input from the individuals and agencies carrying out Head 
     Start programs;
       ``(3) Activities.--In providing training and technical 
     assistance and for allocating resources for such assistance 
     under this section, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) give priority consideration to--
       ``(i) activities to correct program and management 
     deficiencies identified through reviews carried out pursuant 
     to section 641A(c) (including the provision of assistance to 
     local programs in the development of quality improvement 
     plans under section 641A(d)(2));
       ``(ii) assisting Head Start agencies in ensuring the school 
     readiness of children; and
       ``(iii) activities that supplement those funded with 
     amounts provided under section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(bb) to 
     address the training and career development needs of 
     classroom staff (including instruction for providing services 
     to children with disabilities, and for activities described 
     in section 1222(d) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
     Act of 1965), and non-classroom staff, including home 
     visitors and other staff working directly with families, 
     including training relating to increasing parent involvement 
     and services designed to increase family literacy and improve 
     parenting skills; and
       ``(B) to the maximum extent practicable--
       ``(i) assist Head Start agencies in the development of 
     collaborative initiatives with States and other entities 
     within the States, to foster effective professional 
     development systems for early childhood education and 
     development services;
       ``(ii) provide technical assistance and training, either 
     directly or through a grant, contract, or cooperative 
     agreement with an entity that has experience in the 
     development and operation of successful family literacy 
     services programs, for the purpose of--

       ``(I) assisting Head Start agencies providing family 
     literacy services, in order to improve the quality of such 
     family literacy services; and
       ``(II) enabling those Head Start agencies that demonstrate 
     effective provision of family literacy services, based on 
     improved outcomes for children and their parents, to provide 
     technical assistance and training to other Head Start 
     agencies and to service providers that work in collaboration 
     with such agencies to provide family literacy services;
       ``(iii) assist Head Start agencies and programs in 
     conducting and participating in community-wide strategic 
     planning and needs assessments, including the needs of 
     homeless children and their families, and in conducting self-
     assessments;
       ``(iv) assist Head Start agencies and programs in 
     developing and implementing full-working-day and full-
     calendar-year programs where community need is clearly 
     identified and making the transition to such programs, with 
     particular attention to involving parents and programming for 
     children throughout the day, and assist the agencies and 
     programs in expediting the sharing of information about 
     innovative models for providing full-working-day, full 
     calendar year services for children;
       ``(v) 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, in accordance with 
     section 645(a)(5);
       ``(vi) assist Head Start agencies and programs in the 
     development of sound management practices, including 
     financial management procedures;
       ``(vii) assist in efforts to secure and maintain adequate 
     facilities for Head Start programs;
       ``(viii) assist Head Start agencies in developing 
     innovative program models, including mobile and home-based 
     programs;
       ``(ix) provide support for Head Start agencies (including 
     policy councils and policy committees) that meet the 
     standards described in section 641A(a) but that have, as 
     documented by the Secretary through reviews conducted 
     pursuant to section 641A(c), programmatic, quality, and 
     fiscal issues to address;
       ``(x) assist Head Start agencies and programs in improving 
     outreach to, increasing program participation of, and 
     improving the quality of services available to meet the 
     unique needs of--

       ``(I) homeless children;
       ``(II) limited English proficient children and their 
     families, 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;
       ``(III) children with disabilities, particularly if such 
     program's enrollment opportunities or funded enrollment for 
     children with disabilities is less than 10 percent;

       ``(xi) assist Head Start agencies and programs to increase 
     the capacity of classroom staff to meet the needs of eligible 
     children in Head Start classrooms that are serving both 
     children with disabilities and children without disabilities;
       ``(xii) assist Head Start agencies and programs to address 
     the unique needs of programs located in rural communities, 
     including--

       ``(I) removing barriers related to the recruitment and 
     retention of Head Start teachers in rural communities;
       ``(II) developing innovative and effective models of 
     professional development for improving staff qualifications 
     and skills for staff living in rural communities;
       ``(III) removing barriers related to outreach efforts to 
     eligible families in rural communities;
       ``(IV) removing barriers to parent involvement in Head 
     Start programs in rural communities;
       ``(V) removing barriers to providing home visiting services 
     in rural communities; and
       ``(VI) removing barriers to obtaining health screenings for 
     Head Start participants in rural communities;

       ``(xiii) 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;
       ``(xiv) provide activities that help ensure that Head Start 
     programs have qualified staff who can promote prevention of 
     childhood obesity by integrating developmentally appropriate 
     research-based initiatives that stress the importance of 
     physical activity and healthy, nutritional choices in daily 
     classroom and family routines;
       ``(xv) 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.''; and
       ``(xvi) assisting Head Start agencies in selecting and 
     using the measures described in section 641A(b).
       ``(b) Additional Support.--The Secretary shall provide, 
     either directly or through grants, contracts or other 
     arrangements, funds from section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(cc) to--
       ``(1) support an organization to administer a centralized 
     child development and national assessment program leading to 
     recognized credentials for personnel working in early 
     childhood development and child care programs; and
       ``(2) support training for personnel--
       ``(A) providing services to limited English proficient 
     children and their families (including services to promote 
     the acquisition of the English language);
       ``(B) providing services to children determined to be 
     abused or neglected or children referred by or receiving 
     child welfare services;
       ``(C) in helping children cope with community violence;
       ``(D) to recognize common health, including mental health, 
     problems in children for appropriate referral;
       ``(E) to address the needs of children with disabilities 
     and their families;
       ``(F) to address the needs of migrant and seasonal 
     farmworker families; and
       ``(G) to address the needs of homeless families.
       ``(c) Outreach.--The Secretary shall develop and implement 
     a program of outreach to recruit and train professionals from 
     diverse backgrounds to become Head Start teachers in order to 
     reflect the communities in which Head Start children live and 
     to increase the provision of quality services and instruction 
     to children with diverse backgrounds.
       ``(d) Funds to Agencies.--Funds made available under 
     section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(aa) shall be used by a Head Start 
     agency to provide high quality, sustained, and intensive 
     training and technical assistance as follows:
       ``(1) For 1 or more of the following:
       ``(A) Activities that ensure that Head Start programs meet 
     or exceed the standards described in section 641A(a)(1).
       ``(B) 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 and their families.
       ``(C) Activities to improve the management and 
     implementation of Head Start services and systems, including 
     direct training for expert consultants working with staff.
       ``(D) 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

[[Page H13504]]

     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).
       ``(E) 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.
       ``(F) 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.
       ``(G) 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.
       ``(H) 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.
       ``(I) Additional activities deemed appropriate to the 
     improvement of Head Start agencies' programs, as determined 
     by the agencies' technical assistance and training plans.
       ``(2) To support enhanced early language and literacy 
     development of children in Head Start programs, and to 
     provide the children with high-quality oral language skills, 
     and with environments that are rich in literature in which to 
     acquire language and early literacy skills, each Head Start 
     agency, in consultation with the State-based training and 
     technical assistance system, as appropriate, shall ensure 
     that--
       ``(A) all of the agency's Head Start teachers receive 
     ongoing training in language and emergent literacy (referred 
     to in this subsection as 'literacy training'), and including 
     appropriate curricula and assessment to improve instruction 
     and learning;
       ``(B) such literacy training shall include training in 
     methods to promote vocabulary development and phonological 
     awareness (including phonemic awareness) in a 
     developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate 
     manner and support children's development in their native 
     language;
       ``(C) the literacy training shall include training in how 
     to work with parents to enhance positive language and early 
     literacy development at home;
       ``(D) the literacy training shall include specific methods 
     to best address the needs of children who are limited English 
     proficient;
       ``(E) 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; and
       ``(F) the literacy training shall be tailored to the early 
     childhood literacy background and experience of the teachers 
     involved.

     ``except that funds made available under section 
     640(a)(2)(C)(i)(ll)(aa) shall not be used for long-distance 
     travel expenses for training activities available locally or 
     regionally or for training activities substantially similar 
     to locally or regionally available training activities.
       (e) State-Based Training and Technical Assistance System.--
     For the purposes of delivering a State-based training and 
     technical assistance system (which may include a consortium 
     of 2 or more states within a region), as described in section 
     640(a)(C)(i)(II)(bb), that will meet the needs of local 
     grantees, as determined by such grantees, and provide high 
     quality, sustained, and intensive training and technical 
     assistance to Head Start programs in order to improve their 
     capacity to deliver services that meet or exceed the program 
     performance standards described in section 641 A(a)( I), the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(1) enter into contracts in each State with I or more 
     entities who have a demonstrated expertise in supporting the 
     delivery of high quality early childhood education and 
     development programs, except that contracts for a consortium 
     of 2 or more States within a geographic region may be entered 
     into if such a system is more appropriate to better meet the 
     needs of local grantees within a region, as determined by 
     such grantees;
       ``(2) ensure that the entities described in subparagraph 
     (1) determine the types of services to be provided through 
     consultation with--
       ``(A) local Head Start agencies (including Indian Head 
     Start agencies and migrant or seasonal Head Start agencies, 
     as appropriate);
       ``(B) the State Head Start collaboration office; and
       ``(C) the State Head Start Association;
       (3) encourage States to supplement the funds authorized in 
     section 640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(bb) 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 development within a State;
       ``(4) provide 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, not 
     later than 90 days after the end of the fiscal year, 
     summarizing the funding for such contracts and the 
     activities carried out thereunder;
       ``(5) periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the 
     delivery of services in each State in promoting program 
     quality; and
       ``(6) ensure that in entering into such contracts as 
     described in paragraph (I), such entities will address the 
     needs of grantees in both urban and rural communities.
       ``(f) Indoor Air Quality.--The Secretary shall consult with 
     appropriate Federal agencies and other experts, as 
     appropriate, on issues of air quality related to children's 
     health and inform Head Start agencies of existing programs or 
     combination of programs that provide methods for improving 
     indoor air quality.
       ``(g) Career Advancement Partnership Program.
       ``(1) Authority.-- From amounts allocated under section 
     640(a)(2)(C)(i)(II)(ce) the Secretary is authorized to award 
     demonstration grants, for a period of not less than 5 years, 
     to historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-
     serving institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities--
       ``(A) implement education programs that increase the number 
     of associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees in early 
     childhood education and related fields that are earned by 
     Head Start agency staff members, parents of children served 
     by such agencies, and members of the communities involved;
       ``(B) provide assistance for stipends and costs related to 
     tuition, fees, and books for enrolling Head Start agency 
     staff members, parents of children served by such an agency, 
     and members of the communities involved in courses required 
     to complete the degree and certification requirement to 
     become teachers in early childhood education and related 
     fields;
       ``(C) develop program curricula to promote high quality 
     services and instruction to children with diverse 
     backgrounds, including
       ``(i) in the case of historically Black colleges and 
     universities, to help Head Start Agency staff members develop 
     skills and expertise needed to teach in programs serving 
     large numbers of African American children;
       ``(ii) in the case of Hispanic-serving institutions, 
     programs to help Head Start Agency staff members develop 
     skills and expertise needed to teach in programs serving 
     large numbers of Hispanic students, including programs to 
     develop the linguistic skills and expertise needed to teach 
     in programs serving a large number of children with limited 
     English proficiency; and
       ``(iii) in the case of Tribal Colleges and Universities, to 
     help Head Start Agency staff members develop skills and 
     expertise needed to teach in programs serving large numbers 
     of Indian students, including programs concerning tribal 
     culture and language;
       ``(D) provide other activities to upgrade the skills and 
     qualifications of educational personnel to meet the 
     professional standards in subsection (a) to better promote 
     high quality services and instruction to students and parents 
     from populations served by historically Black colleges and 
     universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or Tribal 
     Colleges and Universities;
       ``(E) to provide technology literacy programs for Indian 
     Head Start agency staff members and families of children 
     served by such agency; and
       ``(F) to develop and implement the programs described under 
     subparagraph (A) in technology-mediated formats, including 
     through such means as distance learning and use of advanced 
     technology, as appropriate.
       ``(2) Other assistance.--The Secretary shall, using 
     resources within the Department of Health and Human 
     Services--
       ``(A) provide appropriate technical assistance to 
     historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-
     serving institutions, and Tribal Colleges or Universities 
     receiving grants under this section, including coordinating 
     with the White House Initiative on historically Black 
     colleges and universities; and
       ``(B) ensure that the American Indian Programs Branch of 
     the Office of Head Start of the Administration for Children 
     and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services 
     can effectively administer the programs under this section 
     and provide appropriate technical assistance to Tribal 
     Colleges and Universities under this section.
       ``(3) Application.--Each historically Black college or 
     university, Hispanic-serving institution, or Tribal College 
     or University desiring a grant under this section shall 
     submit an application, in partnership with at least 1 Head 
     Start agency enrolling large numbers of students from the 
     populations served by historically Black colleges or 
     universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, or Tribal 
     Colleges and Universities, to the Secretary, at such time, in 
     such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
     may require, including a certification that the institution 
     of higher education has established a formal partnership with 
     I or more Head Start agencies for the purposes of conducting 
     the activities described in paragraph (1).
       ``(4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) The term `Hispanic-serving institution' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 502 of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. I 101 a).

[[Page H13505]]

       ``(B) The term `historically Black college or university' 
     has the meaning given the term `part B institution' in 
     section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1061(2)).
       ``(C) The term `Tribal College or University' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 312b of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).
       ``(5) Teaching requirement.--A student at an institution 
     receiving a grant under this subsection who receives 
     assistance under a program funded under this subsection shall 
     teach in a center-based Head Start program for a period of 
     time equivalent to the period for which they received 
     assistance or shall repay such assistance.''.
       Head Start offers a supportive educational setting for many 
     homeless children; yet barriers may limit homeless children's 
     access to, and participation in, this valuable program. The 
     Conferees have included provisions to enhance services for 
     homeless children and increase their participation in Head 
     Start programs. The Conferees encourage the Secretary, in 
     developing and implementing the training and technical 
     assistance system required under this Act, to support 
     activities designed to improve services for homeless 
     children. In providing such services, the Conferees encourage 
     the Secretary to work with organizations specializing in 
     improving services to homeless children in early education 
     programs.
       383. The Senate amendment makes changes to paragraph (2) 
     and the House bill maintains current law.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       384. The Senate amendment makes changes to (3) and the 
     House bill maintains current law.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       385. The House bill and Senate amendment make similar 
     modifications to (5) and maintain current law for (6).
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       386. Senate amendment makes modifications to (7) to include 
     support in program planning for agencies serving infants and 
     toddlers. House bill and Senate amendment maintain current 
     law for (8)-(11).
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       387. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       388. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       389. House bill adds provision relating to toxic stress. 
     Senate amendment does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       390. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       391. House bill contains provision related to rural 
     communities. Senate amendment does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382. 395a. The House bill and 
     Senate amendment contain similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       392. The Senate amendment contains provision regarding 
     training for governing bodies. The
       House bill does not contain similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       393. The Senate amendment contains a provision for self-
     assessments. The House bill does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       394. The Senate amendment contains provision on childhood 
     obesity. The House bill does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       395. The Senate amendment contains a provision on Indian 
     Head Start agencies. The House bill does not contain a 
     similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       396. The House bill maintains current law and the Senate 
     amendment adds language on CBO's.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       397. The Senate amendment makes change in referencing child 
     care programs. The House bill and Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions adding language about child welfare 
     services.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       398. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       399. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       400. The House bill contains an outreach program for male 
     Head Start teachers of color. The Senate amendment does not 
     include a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       401. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       402. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       403. The House bill contains requirement for Secretary to 
     work with tribal colleges. The Senate amendment does not 
     contain similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to insert 
     into section 649.
       404. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions except the Senate amendment places in 
     Section 640(1) and the House bill places in Section 648.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to insert 
     into section 649.
       405. House bill contains provision on eligible entities. 
     Senate amendment does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       406. The House bill and Senate amendment both add 
     specifications for the State-based TA system.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       407. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       408. The House bill includes provisions to develop an on-
     line, graduate professional development program. The Senate 
     amendment does not contain similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       409. The House bill includes requirements regarding air 
     quality in Head Start agencies. The Senate amendment does not 
     contain similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       410. The House bill and Senate amendment contain similar 
     provisions except the Senate language is in section 648B.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       411. The House bill contains a new demonstration program 
     with HSIs. The Senate amendment does not include a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
       412. The House bill requires partnerships with HBCUs. The 
     Senate amendment does not contain similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert, as amended, in note 382.
     Section 19. Staff qualifications and development
       413. The House bill and Senate amendment maintain current 
     law except House bill adds language about math and science.
       Senate recedes.
       414. The House bill sets a national average requirement for 
     teacher's qualifications and the Senate amendment sets a goal 
     for teacher qualifications in each State.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       (2) Degree requirements.--
       (A) Head start teachers.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
     not later than September 30, 2013 at least 50 percent of Head 
     Start teachers nationwide in center-based programs have--
       ``(i) a baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood 
     education; or
       ``(ii) a baccalaureate or advanced degree and coursework 
     equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, 
     with experience teaching preschool-age children.
       ``(B) Additional staff.--The Secretary shall ensure that, 
     not later than September 30, 2013, all--
       ``(i) Head Start education coordinators, including those 
     that serve as curriculum specialists, nationwide in center-
     based programs--
       ``(I) have the capacity to offer assistance to other 
     teachers in the implementation and adaptation of curricula to 
     the group and individual needs of children in a Head Start 
     classroom; and
       ``(II) have--

       ``(aa) a baccalaureate or advanced degree in early 
     childhood education; or
       ``(bb) a baccalaureate or advanced degree and coursework 
     equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, 
     with experience in teaching preschool-age children; and

[[Page H13506]]

       ``(ii) 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.
       ``(C) Progress.--
       ``(i) Implementation.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(I) Require Head Start agencies to--

       ``(aa) describe continuing progress each year toward 
     achieving the goals described in (A) and (B); and
       ``(bb) annually submit to the Secretary a report indicating 
     the number and percentage of personnel described in 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B) in center-based programs with child 
     development associate credentials or associate, 
     baccalaureate, or advanced degrees;

       ``(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; and
       ``(III) Not impose any penalties or sanctions on any 
     individual Head Start agency, program or staff in the 
     monitoring of local agencies and programs under this 
     subchapter not meeting the requirements of subparagraph (A) 
     or (B).
       ``(D) Construction.--In this paragraph 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.
       ``(3) Alternative credentialing requirements.--The 
     Secretary shall ensure that, for center-based programs, each 
     Head Start classroom that does not have a teacher that meets 
     the qualifications described in clause (i) or (ii) of 
     paragraph (2)(A) is assigned one teacher who has the 
     following during the period specified;
       ``(A) Through September 30, 2011--
       ``(i) a child development associate credential that is 
     appropriate to the age of children being served in center-
     based programs;
       ``(ii) a State-awarded certificate for preschool teachers 
     that meets or exceeds the requirements for a child 
     development associate credential;
       ``(iii) an associate degree in early childhood education;
       ``(iv) an associate degree in a related field and 
     coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood 
     education, with experience teaching preschool-age children;
       ``(v) a baccalaureate degree and has been admitted into the 
     Teach For America program, passed a rigorous early childhood 
     content exam such as the Praxis II, participated in a Teach 
     For America summer training institute that includes teaching 
     preschool children, and is receiving ongoing professional 
     development and support from Teach For America's professional 
     staff.
       ``(B) As of October 1, 2011--
       ``(i) an associate degree in early childhood education;
       ``(ii) an associate degree in a related field and 
     coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood 
     education, with experience teaching preschool-age children; 
     or
       ``(iii) a baccalaureate degree and has been admitted into 
     the Teach For America program, passed a rigorous early 
     childhood content exam, such as the Praxis II, participated 
     in a Teach For America's professional staff.
       ``(4) Waiver.--On request, the Secretary shall grant--
       ``(A) through September 30, 2011, a 180-day waiver ending 
     on or before September 30, 2011, of the requirements of 
     paragraph (3)(A) for a Head Start agency that can demonstrate 
     that the agency has attempted unsuccessfully to recruit an 
     individual who has the qualifications described in clauses 
     (i) through (iv) of paragraph (3)(A) with respect to an 
     individual who--
       ``(i) is enrolled in a program that grants a credential, 
     certificate, or degree described in clauses (i) through (iv) 
     of paragraph (3)(A); and
       ``(ii) will receive such credential, certificate, or degree 
     under the teens of such program not later than 180 days after 
     beginning employment as a teacher with such agency; and
       ``(B) as of October 1, 2011, a 3-year waiver of the 
     requirements of paragraph (3)(B) for a Head Start agency that 
     can demonstrate that--
       ``(i) the agency has attempted unsuccessfully to recruit an 
     individual who has the qualifications described in clause (i) 
     or (ii) of such paragraph, with respect to an individual who 
     is enrolled in a program that grants a degree described in 
     clause (i) or (ii) of such paragraph and will receive such 
     degree in a reasonable time; and
       ``(ii) each Head Start classroom has a teacher who has, at 
     a minimum--
       ``(I) a child development associate credential that is 
     appropriate to the age of children being served in center-
     based programs; or
       ``(II) a State-awarded certificate for preschool teachers 
     that meets or exceeds the requirements for a child 
     development associate credential.''
       415. The Senate amendment includes qualification 
     requirements for curriculum specialists and education 
     coordinators. The House bill does not have a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike.
       416. The Senate amendment includes qualifications for 
     teaching assistants. The House bill does not include a 
     similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike.
       417. The Senate amendment contains a requirement for 
     professional development. The House bill does not contain a 
     similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to insert 
     ``by the program'' after the word ``evaluated''.
       418. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike.
       419. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     minimum degree requirement for teachers but have different 
     dates of enactment and different populations of teachers.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike.
       424a. The House bill and the Senate amendment both contain 
     service requirements in exchange for financial assistance 
     from Head Start programs.
       House recedes.
       424b. Senate amendment includes Head Start centers in 
     addition to Head Start agencies. The House bill does not 
     include a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       425. The House bill includes provisions prohibiting funds 
     being used at diploma mills. The Senate amendment does not 
     contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       426. The House bill includes provisions for Teach for 
     America while the Senate amendment does not include a similar 
     provision.
       Senate recedes.
       427. The House bill and the Senate amendment make changes 
     to current requirements for family service workers.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert a new paragraph 
     (5) to read:
       ``(5) promote the use of appropriate strategies to meet the 
     needs of special populations (including populations of 
     limited English proficient children);''.
       428. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to insert at the end: 
     ``The agency and the employee shall implement the plan to the 
     extent feasible and practicable.''
       429. The House bill requires procedures prior to the hire 
     of an individual in Head Start programs.
       The Senate amendment does not include a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       430. The House bill contains a loan forgiveness program for 
     Head Start teachers. The Senate amendment does not include a 
     similar provision.
       House recedes.
     Section 20. Research, demonstrations, and evaluation
       431. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill requires ideas to be based 
     on scientifically-based research.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike ``based 
     research'' and insert ``valid research''.
       432. The House bill and the Senate amendment make technical 
     conforming changes.
       433. The Senate amendment includes provisions to promote 
     good oral health and vision. The House bill does not include 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes.
       434. The Senate amendment makes this technical and 
     conforming change, similar throughout the bill. The House 
     bill does not include similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with and amendment to use 
     ``early childhood education and development services or 
     programs''.
       435. The Senate amendment makes a technical change to 
     redesignate paragraphs. The House bill does not include a 
     similar provision.
       436. The House bill strikes the use of SIPP, NLSY, and SPD 
     for gathering data and conducting analysis on Head Start. The 
     Senate amendment does not include similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       437. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with amendment to strike and insert--
       ``(10)(A) contribute to understanding the impact of Head 
     Start services delivered in classrooms which include both 
     children with disabilities and children without disabilities 
     on all of the children; and
       (B) disseminate promising practices for increasing the 
     availability and quality of such services and such 
     classrooms.'';
       438. The Senate amendment makes technical changes to 
     redesignate paragraphs. The House bill does not contain a 
     similar provision.
       439. The Senate amendment makes conforming changes, similar 
     throughout the bill. The House bill does not contain a 
     similar provision.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to use 
     ``early childhood education and development services or 
     programs''.
       440. The Senate amendment makes conforming changes, similar 
     throughout the bill. The House bill does not contain a 
     similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       441. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.

[[Page H13507]]

       442. The Senate amendment makes conforming changes, similar 
     throughout the bill. The House bill does not contain similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to use term 
     ``early childhood education and development services and 
     programs''.
       443. The House bill and the Senate amendment include 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       444. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill provides for the study not 
     less than one year after the date of enactment.
       Senate recedes.
       445. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The Senate amendment modifies the issue 
     date for the report, from 2008 to 2011.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``2011'' and 
     insert ``2010''.
       446. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       447. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes.
       448. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       449. The House bill includes a provision to address home 
     languages. The Senate amendment does not include a similar 
     provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``the languages in which Head Start and Early Head Start 
     teachers are fluent, in relation to the population, and 
     instructional needs, of the children served''
       450. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       451. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     identical provisions.
       452. The Senate amendment provides for a research study of 
     diverse populations in Head Start programs. The House bill 
     does not contain a similar amendment.
       House recedes.
       453. The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to base 
     any revisions or development of assessments on the NAS panel 
     study. The House bill does not contain similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to--
       in (j)(1)(A) to strike ``the'' before ``Head Start''
       in (j)(1)(B) to strike ``develop as necessary'' and to 
     insert ``, consistent with section 641(a)(2)(C)(ii)'' after 
     ``described in section 641A'' in (j)(2) strike the header 
     ``DEVELOPMENT AND REFINEMENT'' and insert ``INFORM AND 
     REVISE'' and strike ``developing and revising'' and insert 
     ``informing and revising''
       454. The House bill includes provisions to address 
     hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Senate amendment does not 
     contain similar provisions.
       Senate recedes with amendment to strike and insert--
       ``(m) Program Emergency Preparedness.--
       ``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this subsection is to 
     evaluate the emergency preparedness of the Head Start, 
     including Early Head Start programs and make recommendations 
     for how Head Start shall enhance its readiness to respond to 
     an emergency.
       ``(2) Study.--The Secretary shall evaluate the preparedness 
     of the Head Start, Early Head Start programs to respond 
     appropriately in the event of a large-scale emergency, such 
     as the hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, the terrorist 
     attacks of September 11th, 2001 or other incidents where 
     assistance may be warranted under the Robert T. Stafford 
     Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 
     et seq.).
       ``(3) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after 
     the date of the enactment of the Improving Head Start for 
     School Readiness Act of 2007, the Secretary shall prepare and 
     submit to Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report containing the 
     results of the evaluation required under paragraph (2), 
     including--
       ``(A) recommendations for improvements to Federal, state, 
     and local preparedness and response capabilities to large-
     scale emergencies, including those that were developed in 
     response to hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, as they 
     relate to Head Start and Early Head Start programs, and the 
     Secretary's plans to implement such recommendations;
       ``(B) an evaluation of Head Start procedures for informing 
     families of children in Head Start about the program 
     protocols for response to a large-scale emergency, including 
     procedures for communicating with such families in the event 
     of a large-scale emergency;
       ``(C) an evaluation of such procedures for staff training 
     on state and local evacuation and emergency protocols; and
       ``(D) an evaluation of procedures for Head Start agencies 
     and the Secretary to coordinate with appropriate Federal, 
     state, and local emergency management agencies in the event 
     of a large scale emergency and recommendations to improve 
     such procedures.''
     Section 21. Reports
       455. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to insert ``, homeless 
     children, children in foster care'' after ``proficient 
     children''.
       456. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       Senate recedes.
       457. The Senate amendment includes vision care. The House 
     bill does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       458. The Senate amendment makes conforming changes. The 
     House bill does not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike modification to 
     (D)(ii).
       459. The Senate amendment makes conforming changes. The 
     House bill does not include a similar provision.
       460. The House bill includes a report on the expenditures 
     of HHS, under section 640(a)(2). The Senate amendment does 
     not contain a similar provision.
       House recedes.
       461. The House bill includes a report on fiscal protocol. 
     The Senate amendment does not contain a similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
       462. The House bill includes a report on the use of IEPs. 
     The Senate amendment does not contain similar provisions.
       House recedes/Senate recedes with an amendment to strike 
     and insert--
       ``(e) Disability-Related Services.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall track the provision 
     of disability-related services for children, in order to--
       ``(A) determine whether Head Start agencies are making 
     timely referrals to the State or local agency responsible for 
     providing services under Section 619 or Part C of the 
     Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 
     1431 et seq.);
       ``(B) identify barriers to timely evaluations and 
     eligibility determination by the State and local agency 
     responsible for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; 
     and
       ``(C) determine under what circumstances and for what 
     length of time Head Start agencies are providing disability-
     related services for children who have not been determined to 
     be eligible children with disabilities under the Individuals 
     with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).
       ``(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness 
     Act of 2007, the Secretary shall provide 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 on the activities described 
     in paragraph (1).
       463. The House bill includes a report on obesity 
     prevention. The Senate amendment does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``(f) Evaluation and Recommendations Regarding Obesity 
     Prevention.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Education and 
     Labor of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
     Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report 
     on the Secretary's progress on assisting program efforts to 
     prevent and reduce obesity in children who participate in 
     Head Start programs, including progress on implementing 
     initiatives within the Head Start program to prevent and 
     reduce obesity in such children.''
     Section 22. Comparability of wages
       464. The House bill and the Senate amendment change section 
     structure and House bill adds a heading.
       House recedes with an amendment to insert a heading for 
     subsection (a) to read ``Comparability of Wages''.
       465. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill adds a heading.
       Senate recedes with an amendment to strike and insert--
       ``(b) Limitation.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, no Federal funds may be used to pay any part of the 
     compensation of an individual employed by a Head Start 
     agency, if such compensation, including non-Federal funds, 
     exceeds an amount equal to the rate payable for level iI of 
     the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       ``(2) Compensation.--In this subsection, the term 
     `compensation'--
       ``(A) includes salary, bonuses, periodic payments, 
     severance pay, the value of any vacation time, the value of a 
     compensatory or paid leave benefit not excluded by 
     subparagraph (B), and the fair market of any employee 
     perquisite or benefit not excluded by subparagraph (B); and
       ``(B) excludes any Head Start agency expenditure for a 
     health, medical, life insurance, disability, retirement, or 
     any other employee welfare or pension benefit.''.
       466. The House bill includes a limitation on Head Start 
     funds. The Senate amendment does not contain a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes.
     Section 23. Limitation with respect to certain unlawful 
         activities
       467. The Senate amendment makes a technical change. The 
     House bill does not include a similar provision.
       House recedes.
     Section 24. Political activities
       468. The Senate amendment permits voter registration in 
     Head Start agencies. The House bill does not include a 
     similar provision.
       House recedes with an amendment to insert at the end of (b)

[[Page H13508]]

       ``No funds appropriated under this subchapter may be used 
     to conduct voter registration activities. Nothing in this 
     subchapter prohibits the availability of Head Start 
     facilities during hours of operation for the use of any non-
     partisan organization do increase the number of eligible 
     citizens who register to vote in elections for Federal 
     office.''
       The Conferees intend to continue the prohibition against 
     Head Start teachers, employees and administrators from 
     conducting voter registration activity on-site during hours 
     of operation. Although they may participate in civic 
     activities on their own time, the Conferees believe that the 
     focus of Head Start employees during work hours should remain 
     on improving the school readiness of Head Start children. 
     Outside, nonpartisan organizations, however, are permitted 
     under this section to use Head Start facilities non-
     intrusively to conduct voter registration.
       469. The Senate amendment makes a conforming change to the 
     Children's Health Act. The House bill does not include a 
     similar provision.
       Senate recedes.
     Section 25. Parental consent requirement for health services
       470. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions.
       House recedes.
     Section 26. Centers of excellence in early childhood
       471. The Senate amendment includes an authorization for the 
     creation of Centers of Excellence for Head Start centers to 
     be nominated by the Governor and designated by the Secretary 
     to serve as model Head Start programs. The House bill does 
     not include similar provisions.
       House recedes with an amendment to--
       insert ``(other than section 657B)'' after ``subchapter'' 
     in Section 639; and
       strike and insert into a new section as follows:

     ``SEC. 657B. 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 section, 
     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, after selection 
     for nomination by such Governor through a competitive 
     process, 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 involved has significantly improved the school 
     readiness of children who have participated in the program;
       ``(ii) evidence that the program meets or exceeds standards 
     described section 641A(a)(I), as evidenced by the results of 
     monitoring reviews described in section 641A(c), and has no 
     findings of deficiencies in the preceding three years;
       ``(iii) evidence that the program is making progress toward 
     meeting the requirements described in section 648A;
       ``(iv) An assurance that the Head Start agency will develop 
     a collaborative partnership with the State (or a State 
     agency) and other providers of early childhood education and 
     development programs and services in the local community 
     involved to conduct activities under (d)(1);
       ``(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 
     development to children and families in the community served 
     by the agency, and carry out the activities described under 
     subsection (d)(1)(A); and
       ``(vi) a description of how the center involved, in order 
     to expand accessibility and continuity of quality early 
     childhood education and development services and programs, 
     will coordinate activities, as appropriate, 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) the Early Head Start programs carried out under 
     section 645A;
       ``(III) 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.);
       ``(IV) other preschool programs carried out under title I 
     of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);
       ``(V) programs carried out under section 619 and part C of 
     the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1419, 1431 et seq.);
       ``(VI) State prekindergarten programs; and
       ``(VII) other programs of early childhood education and 
     development.

       ``(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 agencies 
     that, through their applications, demonstrate that their 
     programs 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 agencies that serve large proportions of 
     limited English proficient children or other underserved 
     populations, and may make bonus grants to agencies that do an 
     exceptional job meeting the needs of children in such 
     populations.
       ``(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 
     (l)(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 no less than 15% of the funds made 
     available through the bonus grant to disseminate to other 
     Head Start agencies in the State involved, best practices for 
     achieving early academic success, including--
       ``(i) best practices for achieving school readiness, 
     including developing early literacy and mathematics skills, 
     for children at risk for school difficulties;
       ``(ii) best practices for achieving the acquisition of the 
     English language for limited English proficient children, if 
     appropriate to the population served; and
       ``(iii) best practices for providing high-quality 
     comprehensive services 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 
     development programs and services 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 professional development for Head Start 
     teachers and staff, including joint 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 development programs;
       ``(v) to provide effective transitions between Head Start 
     programs and elementary schools and to facilitate ongoing 
     communication between Head Start and elementary school 
     teachers concerning children receiving Head Start services to 
     improve their ability to work effectively 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.
       ``(e) Research and Reports.--

[[Page H13509]]

       ``(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 use 
     the funds received under this section 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 
     development programs in the communities involved to meet 
     measurable improvement goals, particularly in the area of 
     school readiness.
       ``(2) Research 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).
       ``(3) Reports to the secretary.--Centers of excellence 
     shall annually submit to the Secretary, at such time and in 
     such manner as the Secretary may require, a report containing 
     a description of the activities the center carried out with 
     funds received under this section, including a description of 
     how such funds improved services for children and families.
       ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary 
     for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to make bonus 
     grants to centers of excellence under subsection (b) to carry 
     out activities described in subsection (d) and research 
     activities described in subsection (e).''.
     Section 27. General provisions
       472. The House bill and the Senate amendment contain 
     similar provisions. The House bill requires written consent 
     for each specific health care service. The Senate amendment 
     also requires consent for referral to services.
       House recedes with an amendment to strike ``Rule of 
     Construction'' and insert ``General Provisions''.
       473. The House bill requires consent for any health care 
     services. The Senate amendment does not include similar 
     provisions.
       House recedes.
     Section 28. Compliance with Improper Payments Information Act 
         of 2002
       474. The Senate amendment includes a provision on improper 
     payments. The House bill does not include a similar 
     provision.
       House recedes.


                     Compliance with House Rule XXI

       Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House 
     of Representatives, this conference report contains no 
     congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited 
     tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of 
     rule XXI.

     George Miller,
     Dale E. Kildee,
     Lynn Woolsey,
     Danny K. Davis,
     Raul M. Grijalva,
     Linda T. Sanchez,
     John P. Sarbanes,
     Joe Sestak,
     David Loebsack,
     Mazie K. Hirono,
     Carol Shea-Porter,
     Howard ``Buck'' McKeon,
     Michael N. Castle,
     Luis Fortuno,
     Ric Keller,
     Joe Wilson,
     C. W. Boustany,
     Dean Heller,
                                Managers on the Part of the House.

     Ted Kennedy,
     Chris Dodd,
     Tom Harkin,
     Barbara A. Mikulski,
     Jeff Bingaman,
     Patty Murray,
     Jack Reed,
     Hillary Rodham Clinton,
     Barack Obama,
     Bernard Sanders,
     Sherrod Brown,
     Michael B. Enzi,
     Judd Gregg,
     Lamar Alexander,
     Richard Burr,
     Johnny Isakson,
     Lisa Murkowski,
     Orrin Hatch,
     Pat Roberts,
     Wayne Allard,
     Managers on the Part of the Senate.

                          ____________________