[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19910]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      SCHOOL READINESS ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2210) to 
     authorize the Head Start Act to improve the school readiness 
     of disadvantaged children, and for other purposes:

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2210, the 
School Readiness Act, because, on balance, this legislation will not 
benefit vulnerable children and families in Connecticut.
  Since its inception in 1965, Head Start has been helping low-income 
children in Connecticut start kindergarten with the skills necessary 
for success. The program not only prepares children for school by 
providing a solid foundation in cognitive learning and socialization 
skills, but also makes them ``ready to learn'' by providing 
comprehensive health, dental and nutritional services. By focusing on 
the whole child, Head Start children start school more eager and able 
to learn.
  I do not support the School Readiness Act because in my judgment, the 
state demonstration project contained in the bill could dilute the 
comprehensive services and parental involvement Head Start children 
depend on. The bill's loosely-defined performance standards give states 
overly-broad flexibility to meet federal guidelines. Consequently, 
vulnerable children and their families may not be guaranteed the 
services necessary to overcome barriers to success, or the same level 
of services they currently receive.
  There are a number of laudable provisions in H.R. 2210 which will 
strengthen and improve Head Start. I support efforts to raise academic 
standards and improve teacher quality to ensure children are given 
every opportunity to be productive students and citizens. 
Unfortunately, H.R. 2210 does not guarantee that vulnerable children 
will continue to receive the type and scope of services necessary to 
start kindergarten ready and able to learn.
  Early childhood is a critical time for children to develop the 
physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills they will need for the 
rest of their lives. A child who enters school without these skills 
runs a significant risk of starting behind and staying behind. We must 
ensure all children have an unfettered start and an equal opportunity 
to achieve in both school and life.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose any reduction in Head 
Start standards, accountability and performance.

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