[House Report 108-232]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



108th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    108-232
======================================================================
 
 PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2210, SCHOOL READINESS ACT OF 2003

                                _______
                                

  July 24 (legislative day of July 23), 2003.--Referred to the House 
                   Calendar and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

Mr. Pryce of Ohio, from the Committee on Rules, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                       [To accompany H. Res. 336]

    The Committee on Rules, having had under consideration 
House Resolution 336, by a non-record vote, report the same to 
the House with the recommendation that the resolution be 
adopted.

                SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS OF THE RESOLUTION

    The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2210, the 
School Readiness Act of 2003, under a structured rule. The rule 
provides one hour of general debate equally divided and 
controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on Education and the Workforce.
    The rule provides that in lieu of the amendment recommended 
by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in 
the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill 
for the purpose of amendment, the amendment in the nature of a 
substitute printed in part A of this report, and provides that 
it shall be considered as read. The rule waives all points of 
order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
printed in part A of this report.
    The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in 
part B of this report. The rule provides that the amendments 
printed in part B of this report shall be considered only in 
the order printed in this report, may be offered only by a 
Member designated in this report, shall be considered as read, 
shall be debatable for the time specified in this report 
equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an 
opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be 
subject to a demand for a division of the question in the House 
or in the Committee of the Whole.
    The rule provides that after a motion that the Committee 
rise has been rejected on a legislative day, the Chairman of 
the Committee of the Whole may entertain another such motion on 
that day only if offered by the chairman of the Committee on 
Education and the Workforce or the Majority Leader or a 
designee.
    The rule further provides that after a motion to strike out 
the enacting words of the bill (as described in clause 9 of 
rule XVIII) has been rejected, the Chairman may not entertain 
another such motion during further consideration of the bill.
    Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or 
without instructions.

                            COMMITTEE VOTES

    Pursuant to clause 3(b) of House rule XIII the results of 
each record vote on an amendment or motion to report, together 
with the names of those voting for and against, are printed 
below:

Rules Committee record vote No. 183

    Date: July 23, 2003.
    Measure: H.R. 2210--School Readiness Act of 2003.
    Motion by: Mr. Frost.
    Summary of motion: To report an open rule.
    Results: Defeated 4 to 9.
    Vote by Members: Goss--Nay; Linder--Nay; Pryce--Nay; Diaz-
Balart--Nay; Hastings (WA)--Nay; Myrick--Nay; Sessions--Nay; 
Reynolds--Nay; Frost--Yea; Slaughter--Yea; McGovern--Yea; 
Hastings (FL)--Yea; Dreier--Nay.

Rules Committee record vote No. 184

    Date: July 23, 2003.
    Measure: H.R. 2210--School Readiness Act of 2003.
    Motion by: Mr. Frost.
    Summary of motion: To make an order and provide the 
appropriate waivers for a new amendment in the nature of a 
substitute offered by Representative Miller of California.
    Results: Defeated 4 to 9.
    Vote by Members: Goss--Nay; Linder--Nay; Pryce--Nay; Diaz-
Balart--Nay; Hastings (WA)--Nay; Myrick--Nay; Sessions--Nay; 
Reynolds--Nay; Frost--Yea; Slaughter--Yea; McGovern--Yea; 
Hastings (FL)--Yea; Dreier--Nay.

Rules Committee record vote No. 185

    Date: July 23, 2003.
    Measure: H.R. 2210--School Readiness Act of 2003.
    Motion by: Mr. Frost.
    Summary of motion: To strike the restrictive provisions 
limiting motions to rise and motions to strike the enacting 
words of the bill.
    Results: Defeated 4 to 9.
    Vote by Members: Goss--Nay; Linder--Nay; Pryce--Nay; Diaz-
Balart--Nay; Hastings (WA)--Nay; Myrick--Nay; Sessions--Nay; 
Reynolds--Nay; Frost--Yea; Slaughter--Yea; McGovern--Yea; 
Hastings (FL)--Yea; Dreier--Nay.

Rules Committee record vote No. 186

    Date: July 23, 2003.
    Measure: H.R. 2210--School Readiness Act of 2003.
    Motion by: Mr. McGovern.
    Summary of motion: To extend general debate to two hours 
and extend debate on the amendment in the nature of a 
substitute offered by Representative Miller of California to 
two hours.
    Results: Defeated 4 to 9.
    Vote by Members: Goss--Nay; Linder--Nay; Pryce--Nay; Diaz-
Balart--Nay; Hastings (WA)--Nay; Myrick--Nay; Sessions--Nay; 
Reynolds--Nay; Frost--Yea; Slaughter--Yea; McGovern--Yea; 
Hastings (FL)--Yea; Dreier--Nay.

Rules Committee record vote No. 187

    Date: July 23, 2003.
    Measure: H.R. 2210--School Readiness Act of 2003.
    Motion by: Mr. McGovern.
    Summary of motion: To make in order and provide the 
appropriate waivers for the amendment offered by Representative 
Waters which allows parents to count the hours they volunteer 
in a Head Start classroom against welfare work requirements.
    Results: Defeated 4 to 9.
    Vote by Members: Goss--Nay; Linder--Nay; Pryce--Nay; Diaz-
Balart--Nay; Hastings (WA) Nay; Myrick--Nay; Sessions--Nay; 
Reynolds--Nay; Frost--Yea; Slaughter--Yea; McGovern--Yea; 
Hastings (FL)--Yea; Dreier--Nay.

Rules Committee record vote No. 188

    Date: July 23, 2003.
    Measure: H.R. 2210--School Readiness Act of 2003.
    Motion by: Mr. Hastings of Florida.
    Summary of motion: To make in order and provide the 
appropriate waivers for the amendment offered by Representative 
Van Hollen which provides for full funding of Head Start and 
double enrollment in Early Head Start over the next five years.
    Results: Defeated 4 to 9.
    Vote by Members: Goss--Nay; Linder--Nay; Pryce--Nay; Diaz-
Balart--Nay; Hastings (WA) Nay; Myrick--Nay; Sessions--Nay; 
Reynolds--Nay; Frost--Yea; Slaughter--Yea; McGovern--Yea; 
Hastings (FL)--Yea; Dreier--Nay.

Rules Committee record vote No. 189

    Date: July 23, 2003.
    Measure: H.R. 2210--School Readiness Act of 2003.
    Motion by: Mr. Hastings of Florida.
    Summary of motion: To make in order and provide the 
appropriate waivers for the amendment offered by Representative 
Waters which strikes Title II--State Demonstration Program.
    Results: Defeated 4-9.
    Vote by Members: Goss--Nay; Linder--Nay; Price--Nay; Diaz-
Balart--Nay; Hastings (WA)--Nay; Myrick--Nay; Sessions--Nay; 
Reynolds--Nay; Frost--Yea; Slaughter--Yea; McGovern--Yea; 
Hastings (FL)--Yea; Dreier--Nay.

Rules Committee record vote No. 190

    Date: July 23, 2003.
    Measure: H.R. 2210--School Readiness Act of 2003.
    Motion by: Mr. Hastings of Florida.
    Summary of motion: To make in order and provide the 
appropriate waivers for the following amendments en bloc: 
Amendments offered by Representatives Berkley, Faleomavaega, 
Hill, Jackson-Lee, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Kennedy of Rhode 
Island, Kildee, two amendments offered by Representative Kind, 
two amendments offered by Representative McCollum, and 
amendments offered by Representatives Schiff, Waters, and 
Woolsey.
    Results: Defeated 4 to 9.
    Vote by Members: Goss--Nay; Linder--Nay; Price--Nay; Diaz-
Balart--Nay; Hastings (WA)--Nay; Myrick--Nay; Sessions--Nay; 
Reynolds--Nay; Frost--Yea; Slaughter--Yea; NcGovern--Yea; 
Hastings (FL)--Yea; Dreier--Nay.

           PART A--SUMMARY OF AMENDMENT CONSIDERED AS ADOPTED

    Castle #27: Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. 
Retains authorization level for fiscal year 2004 at $6.87 
billion, while fiscal years 2005-2008 change from ``such sums'' 
to the following specific spending levels: $6,988,750,000 for 
the fiscal year 2005, $7,106,500,000 for the fiscal year 2006, 
$7,245,000,000 for the fiscal year 2007, and $7,427,000,000 for 
the fiscal year 2008. Specifies that a State would have school 
readiness standards in place in fiscal year 2003 in order to 
qualify for the eight-state State Demonstration Program. A 
state that currently has such standards under development, but 
has not completed them yet, would not qualify. Specifies that 
all States participating in the eight-state Demonstration 
Program would continue to fund all current Head Start grantees 
for the full 5 years of the Demonstration Program, provided 
that the grantees comply with all of the requirements in the 
state plan and have no uncorrected substantial deficiencies on 
HHS monitoring reports within the last five years. Specifies 
that HHS would set-aside one percent of funding for training 
and technical assistance. An additional one percent of funds 
would be set aside, with not less than 25 percent of that one 
percent being used to expand services for the children of 
migrant and seasonal workers and not less than 60 percent of 
that one percent being used for quality improvement purposes. 
Reaffirms the following guidelines for states participating in 
the eight-state Demonstration Project: (1) States would 
maintain or increase fiscal year 2003 State funding levels; (2) 
States would provide an additional financial contribution, 
equal to 5% of their federal Head Start allotment; (3) Head 
Start funds would only be used for Head Start-related uses; (4) 
All comprehensive health and nutritional services currently 
provided by Head Start would continue to be provided; (5) 
Parental involvement strategies would be developed; (6) State 
teacher quality standards would meet or exceed the new 
requirements for Head Start programs administered by the 
federal government; (7) Quality standards would be enforced for 
Head Start programs aligned with K-12 educational standards, 
and will generally meet or exceed the Federal Head Start 
performance standards; and (8) States would continue to provide 
services that are at least as extensive, and are provided to at 
least as many low-income children and families, as they did in 
fiscal year 2003.

       PART B--SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS MADE IN ORDER UNDER THE RULE

    1. Woolsey/Edwards/Frank/Scott (VA)/Van Hollen: Restores 
civil rights protections to Head Start teachers. (20 minutes)
    2. Miller, George (CA): Amendment in the Nature of a 
Substitute. Identical to the base bill, and keeps all the 
changes to Title I. Retains longstanding civil rights 
protections currently guaranteed to Head Start teachers, 
parents, and volunteers. Removes the block grant from the 
underlying bill. (60 minutes)

            PART A--TEXT OF AMENDMENT CONSIDERED AS ADOPTED

  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``School Readiness Act of 
2003''.

      TITLE I--HEAD START REAUTHORIZATION AND PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 101. 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 school 
readiness by enhancing the development of low-income children, 
through educational instruction in prereading skills, 
premathematics skills, and language, and 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. 102. DEFINITIONS.

  Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended 
as follows:
          (1) In paragraph (17) by striking ``, but for fiscal 
        years'' and all that follows down to the period.
          (2) By adding the following at the end thereof:
          ``(18) The term `eligible entities' means an 
        institution of higher education or other agency with 
        expertise in delivering training in early childhood 
        development, family support, and other assistance 
        designed to improve the quality of early childhood 
        educations programs.
          ``(19) The term `homeless children' has the meaning 
        given such term in subtitle B of title VII of the 
        McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 
        et seq.).''.

SEC. 103. AUTHORIZATION.

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

``SEC. 639. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
for carrying out the provisions of this subchapter 
$6,870,000,000 for the fiscal year 2004, $6,988,750,000 for 
fiscal year 2005, $7,106,500,000 for fiscal year 2006, 
$7,245,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and $7,427,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2008.
  ``(b) Specific Programs.--From the amount appropriated under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall make available not more 
than $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, and such sums as may be 
necessary for fiscal year 2005 through 2008 to carry out such 
other research, demonstration, and evaluation activities, 
including longitudinal studies, under section 649.
          ``(1) not more than $7,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2004 through 2008 to carry out impact studies 
        under section 649(g); and
          ``(2) not more than $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, 
        and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal 
        years 2005 through 2008, to carry out other research, 
        demonstration, and evaluation activities, including 
        longitudinal studies, under section 649.
  ``(c) Administrative Expenses.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 
2008 to assist participating States with the administrative 
expenses associated with implementing a program under section 
643A.''.

SEC. 104. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS; LIMITATIONS ON ASSISTANCE.

  Section 640 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835) is amended 
as follows:
          (1) In subsection (a)(2):
                  (A) By striking ``1998'' in subparagraph (A) 
                and inserting ``2003''.
                  (B) By amending subparagraph (B) to read as 
                follows:
          ``(B) payments, subject to paragraph (7) to Guam, 
        American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
        Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands of the United 
        States;''.
          (2) By striking the last sentence of paragraph (2) of 
        subsection (a).
          (3)(A) By amending subsection (a)(2)(C) to read as 
        follows:
          ``(C) training and technical assistance activities 
        that are sufficient to meet the needs associated with 
        program expansion and to foster program and management 
        improvement as described in section 648 of this 
        subchapter, in an amount for each fiscal year which is 
        equal to one percent of the amount appropriated for 
        such fiscal year, of which--
                  ``(i) not less than 50 percent shall be made 
                available to local Head Start agencies to 
                comply with the standards described in section 
                641A(a)(1), of which not less than 50 percent 
                shall be used to comply with the standards 
                described in section 641A(a)(1)(B) and for the 
                uses described in clauses (iii), (iv), and 
                (vii) of subsection (a)(3)(B);
                  ``(ii) not less than 30 percent shall be made 
                available to support a State system of early 
                childhood education training and technical 
                assistance;
                  ``(iii) not less than 20 percent shall be 
                made available to the Secretary to assist local 
                programs in meeting the standards described in 
                section 641A(a)(1); and
                  ``(iv) not less than $3,000,000 of the amount 
                in clause (iii) appropriated for such fiscal 
                year shall be made available to carry out 
                activities described in section 648(c)(4);''.
          (B) By inserting the following at the end of 
        subsection (a)(2):
``Of an additional one percent of the amount appropriated for 
such fiscal year, the Secretary shall use not less than 25 
percent of such funds to fund the expansion of services to 
migrant and seasonal Head Start children. If sufficient migrant 
and seasonal eligible children are not available to use such 
funds, then enrollment priority shall be given to other 
disadvantaged populations referred to in subparagraph (A). Not 
less than 60 percent of such one percent amount shall be used 
to fund quality improvement activites as described in sec 
640(a)(3)(B) and (C)''.
          (4) In subsection (a)(3)(A) by inserting at the end 
        thereof:
  ``(iii) After the reservation of amounts under paragraph (2) 
and the 60 percent amount referred to in subparagraph (A) of 
this paragraph, a portion of the remaining funds shall be made 
available for quality to expand services to underserved 
populations, such as children receiving services under the 
Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start 
programs.''.
          (5) In subsection (a)(3)(A)(i)(I) by striking 
        ``1999'' and all that follows down to the semicolon and 
        inserting ``2004 through 2008''.
          (6) By amending subsection (a)(3)(B) to read as 
        follows:
  ``(B) Funds reserved under this paragraph (referred to in 
this paragraph as `quality improvement funds') shall be used to 
accomplish any or all of the following goals:
          ``(i) Ensuring that Head Start programs meet or 
        exceed standards pursuant to section 641A(a)(1).
          ``(ii) Ensuring that such programs have adequate 
        numbers of qualified staff, and that such staff is 
        furnished adequate training, including developing 
        skills to promote the development of language skills, 
        premathematic skills, and prereading in young children 
        and in working with children with non-English language 
        background, children referred by child welfare 
        services, and children with disabilities, when 
        appropriate.
          ``(iii) Developing and financing the salary scales 
        described under section 644(a) and section 653, in 
        order to ensure that salary levels and benefits are 
        adequate to attract and retain qualified staff for such 
        programs.
          ``(iv) Using salary increases to improve staff 
        qualifications, and to assist with the implementation 
        of programs specifically designed to enable lead 
        instructors to become more effective educators, for the 
        staff of Head Start programs, and to encourage the 
        staff to continually improve their skills and expertise 
        by informing the staff of the availability of Federal 
        and State incentive and loan forgiveness programs for 
        professional development.
          ``(v) Improving community-wide strategic planning and 
        needs assessments for such programs and collaboration 
        efforts for such programs, including collaborations to 
        increase program participation by underserved 
        populations of eligible children.
          ``(vi) 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 
        their parents.
          ``(vii) Ensuring that such programs have qualified 
        staff that can promote language skills and literacy 
        growth of children and that can provide children with a 
        variety of skills that have been identified, through 
        scientifically based reading research, as predictive of 
        later reading achievement.
          ``(viii) Providing assistance to complete post-
        secondary course work needed to attain baccalaureate 
        degrees in early childhood education.
          ``(ix) Making such other improvements in the quality 
        of such programs as the Secretary may designate.
          ``(x) To promote the regular attendance and stability 
        of highly mobile children, including migrant and 
        homeless children.''.
          (7) By amending subsection (a)(3)(C) to read as 
        follows:
  ``(C) Quality improvement funds shall be used to carry out 
any or all of the following activities:
          ``(i)(I) Not less than one-half of the amount 
        reserved under this paragraph, to improve the 
        compensation (including benefits) of classroom teachers 
        and other staff of Head Start agencies providing 
        instructional services and thereby enhancing 
        recruitment and retention of qualified staff, including 
        recruitment and retention pursuant to achieving the 
        requirements set forth in section 648A(a). The 
        expenditure of funds under this clause shall be subject 
        to section 653. Salary increases, in excess of cost-of-
        living allowance, provided with such funds shall be 
        subject to the specific standards governing salaries 
        and salary increases established pursuant to section 
        644(a).
          ``(II) If a Head Start agency certifies to the 
        Secretary for such fiscal year that part of the funds 
        set aside under subclause (I) to improve wages cannot 
        be expended by such agency to improve wages because of 
        the operation of section 653, then such agency may 
        expend such part for any of the uses specified in this 
        subparagraph (other than wages).
          ``(III) From the remainder of the amount reserved 
        under this paragraph (after the Secretary carries out 
        subclause (I)), the Secretary shall carry out any or 
        all of the activities described in clauses (ii) through 
        (vii), placing the highest priority on the activities 
        described in clause (ii).
          ``(ii) To train classroom teachers and other staff to 
        meet the education standards described in section 
        641A(a)(1)(B), through activities--
                  ``(I) to promote children's language and 
                prereading growth, through techniques 
                identified through scientifically based reading 
                research;
                  ``(II) to promote the acquisition of the 
                English language for non-English background 
                children and families;
                  ``(III) to foster children's school readiness 
                skills through activities described in section 
                648A(a)(1); and
                  ``(IV) to educate and provide training 
                necessary to improve the qualifications 
                particularly with respect to such assistance to 
                enable more instructors to meet the degree 
                requirements under section 648A(a)(2)(A) and to 
                support staff training, child counseling, and 
                other services necessary to address the 
                problems of children participating in Head 
                Start programs, including children from 
                dysfunctional families, children who experience 
                chronic violence in their communities, and 
                children who experience substance abuse in 
                their families.
          ``(iii) To employ additional Head Start staff, 
        including staff necessary to reduce the child-staff 
        ratio lead instructors who meet the qualifications of 
        section 648A(a) and staff necessary to coordinate a 
        Head Start program with other services available to 
        children participating in such program and to their 
        families.
          ``(iv) To pay costs incurred by Head Start agencies 
        to purchase insurance (other than employee benefits) 
        and thereby maintain or expand Head Start services.
          ``(v) To supplement amounts provided under paragraph 
        (2)(C) to provide training necessary to improve the 
        qualifications of the staff of the Head Start agencies, 
        and to support staff training, child counseling, and 
        other services necessary to address the problems of 
        children participating in Head Start programs, 
        including children from dysfunctional families, 
        children who experience chronic violence in their 
        communities, and children who experience substance 
        abuse in their families.
          ``(vi) To conduct outreach to homeless families in an 
        effort to increase the program participation of 
        eligible homeless children.
          ``(vii) Such other activities as the Secretary may 
        designate.
          ``(viii) To conduct outreach to migrant and seasonal 
        farm-working families and families with children with a 
        limited English proficiency.''.
          (8) In subsection (a)(4) by striking ``1998'' in 
        subparagraph (A) and inserting ``2003''.
          (9) In subsection (a)(5)(B)--
                  (A) by striking ``may'' and inserting 
                ``shall''; and
                  (B) by inserting ``early childhood 
                education'' after ``regarding''.
          (10) By amending subsection (a)(5)(C) to read as 
        follows:
  ``(C) In order to improve results for children, a State that 
receives a grant under subparagraph (B) shall--
          ``(i) appoint an individual to serve as the State 
        Director of Collaboration between--
                  ``(I) the appropriate regional office of the 
                Administration for Children and Families;
                  ``(II) the State educational agency;
                  ``(III) the State Department of Health and 
                Human Services;
                  ``(IV) the State agency that oversees child 
                care;
                  ``(V) the State agency that assists children 
                with developmental disabilities;
                  ``(VI) the State Head Start Association;
                  ``(VII) the State network of child care 
                resource and referral agencies;
                  ``(VIII) local educational agencies;
                  ``(IX) community-based and faith-based 
                organizations;
                  ``(X) State representatives of migrant and 
                seasonal Head Start programs;
                  ``(XI) State representatives of Indian Head 
                Start programs;
                  ``(XII) State and local providers of early 
                childhood education and child care; and
                  ``(XIII) other entities carrying out programs 
                serving low-income children and families in the 
                State;
          ``(ii) ensure that the State Director of 
        Collaboration holds a position with sufficient 
        authority and access to ensure that the collaboration 
        described in subparagraph (B) is effective and involves 
        a range of State agencies;
          ``(iii) involve the entities described in section 
        clause (i) to develop a strategic plan for the 
        coordinated outreach to identify eligible children and 
        implementation strategies based on a needs assessment 
        conducted by the Office of the State Director of 
        Collaboration which shall include an assessment of the 
        availability of high quality prekindergarten services 
        for low-income children in the State. Such assessment 
        shall be completed within one year after the date of 
        enactment of the `School Readiness Act of 2003' and be 
        updated on an annual basis and shall be made available 
        to the general public within the State;
          ``(iv) ensure that the collaboration described in 
        subparagraph (B) involves coordination of Head Start 
        services with health care, welfare, child care, child 
        protective services, education, and community service 
        activities, family literacy services, activities 
        relating to children with disabilities (including 
        coordination of services with those State officials who 
        are responsible for administering part C and section 
        619 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
        Act), and services for homeless children (including 
        coordination of services with the Office of Coordinator 
        for Education of Homeless Children and Youth designated 
        under section 722 (g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento 
        Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001;
          ``(v) consult with the chief State school officer, 
        local educational agencies, and representatives of 
        local Head Start agencies and providers of early 
        childhood education and care in unified planning 
        regarding early care and education services at both the 
        State and local levels, including collaborative efforts 
        to develop school readiness standards; and
          ``(vi) consult with the chief State school officer, 
        local educational agencies, State child care 
        administrators, State human services administrators, 
        representatives of local resource and referral 
        agencies, local early childhood councils, providers of 
        early childhood education and care and other relevant 
        State and local agencies, and representatives of the 
        State Head Start Associations to plan for the provision 
        of full-working-day, full calendar year early care and 
        education services for children.''.
          (11) By amending clause (i) of subsection (a)(5)(D) 
        by inserting ``and providers of services supporting 
        early childhood education and child care'' after 
        ``Associations''.
          (12) By amending subsection (a)(6)(A) to read as 
        follows:
  ``(A) From amounts reserved and allotted pursuant to 
paragraphs (2) and (4), the Secretary shall use, for grants for 
programs described in section 645A(a) of this subchapter, a 
portion of the combined total of such amounts equal to at least 
10 percent for fiscal years 2004 through 2008, of the amount 
appropriated pursuant to section 639(a), except as provided in 
subparagraph (B).''
          (13) By inserting the following before the period at 
        the end of subsection (f): ``, including models that 
        leverage the existing capacity and capabilities of the 
        delivery system of early childhood education and child 
        care''.
          (14) By inserting the following after ``manner that 
        will'' in subsection (g)(2)(G): ``leverage the existing 
        delivery systems of such services and''.
          (15) By amending subsection (g)(2)(C) to read as 
        follows:
          ``(C) the extent to which the applicant has 
        undertaken community-wide strategic planning and needs 
        assessments involving other community organizations and 
        public agencies serving children and families 
        (including organizations and agencies providing family 
        support services and protective services to children 
        and families, and organizations serving families in 
        whose homes English is not the language customarily 
        spoken), and organizations and public entities serving 
        children with disabilities and homeless children 
        (including the local educational agency liaison 
        designated under section 722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the 
        McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance 
        Improvements Act of 2001);''.
          (16) By inserting in subsection (g)(2)(H) after 
        ``serving the community involved'' the following: ``, 
        including the liaison designated under section 
        722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
        Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001,''.
          (17) By adding the following new subsections at the 
        end thereof:
  ``(m) Enrollment of Homeless Children.--The Secretary shall 
by regulation prescribe policies and procedures to remove 
barriers to the enrollment and participation of eligible 
homeless children in Head Start programs. Such regulations 
shall require Head Start agencies to:
          ``(1) implement policies and procedures to ensure 
        that eligible homeless children are identified and 
        prioritized for enrollment,
          ``(2) allow homeless families 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) coordinate individual Head Start centers and 
        programs with efforts to implement Subtitle VII-B of 
        the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
  ``(n) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to require a State to establish a program of early 
education for children in the State, to require any child to 
participate in a program of early education, to attend school, 
or to participate in any initial screening prior to 
participation in such program, except as provided under section 
612(a)(3), (consistent with section 614(a)(1)(C)), of the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
  ``(o) Materials.--All curricula and instructional materials 
funded under this subchapter shall be scientifically based and 
age appropriate. Parents shall have the ability to inspect, 
upon request, any curricula or instructional materials.''.

SEC. 105. DESIGNATION OF AGENCIES.

  Section 641 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836) is amended 
as follows:
          (1) In subsection (a)--
                  (A) by inserting after ``community'' in the 
                first place it appears ``, including a 
                community-based or faith-based organization'';
                  (B) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)'';
                  (C) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) 
                as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; and
                  (D) by adding the following at the end 
                thereof:
  ``(2) In order to be designated as a Head Start agency and to 
receive a grant under this subchapter, a grantee shall 
establish grantee-determined goals for improving the school 
readiness of children participating in a program under this 
subchapter, which shall include goals for--
          ``(A) educational instruction in prereading, 
        premathematical, and language skills; and
          ``(B) the provision of health, educational, 
        nutritional, social, and other services.
  ``(3) In order to receive a grant subsequent to the initial 
grant provided following the date of enactment of this 
subchapter, the grantee shall demonstrate that it has met the 
goals described in paragraph (2).
  ``(4) Progress in meeting such goals shall not be measured 
primarily or solely by the results of assessments.''
          (2) By amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
  ``(c) In the administration of the provisions of this 
section, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the chief 
executive officer of the State involved if such State expends 
non-Federal funds to carry out Head Start programs, give 
priority in the designation of Head Start agencies to any local 
public or private nonprofit or for-profit agency which is 
receiving funds under any Head Start program on the date of the 
enactment of this Act that fulfills the program and financial 
management requirements, standards described in section 
641A(a)(1), results-based performance measures developed by the 
Secretary under section 641A(b), or other requirements 
established by the Secretary.''.
          (3) By amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
  ``(d) If no entity in a community is entitled to the priority 
specified in subsection (c), then the Secretary may designate a 
Head Start agency from among qualified applicants in such 
community. In selecting from among qualified applicants for 
designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall give 
priority to any qualified agency that functioned as a Head 
Start delegate agency in the community and carried out a Head 
Start program that the Secretary determines met or exceeded 
such performance standards and such results-based performance 
measures. In selecting from among qualified applicants for 
designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall 
consider the effectiveness of each such applicant to provide 
Head Start services, based on--
          ``(1) any past performance of such applicant in 
        providing services comparable to Head Start services, 
        including how effectively such applicant provided such 
        comparable services;
          ``(2) the capacity of such applicant to serve 
        eligible children with scientifically-based programs 
        that promote school readiness of children participating 
        in the program;
          ``(3) the plan of such applicant to meet standards 
        set forth in section 641A(a)(1), with particular 
        attention to the standards set forth in subparagraphs 
        (A) and (B) of such section;
          ``(4) the plan of such applicant to provide 
        comprehensive health, nutritional, educational, social, 
        and other services needed to prepare children to 
        succeed in school;
          ``(5) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the 
        Head Start program it proposes to carry out with other 
        preschool programs, including Early Reading First and 
        Even Start programs under title I, part B, subparts 1 
        and 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965; other preschool programs carried out under title 
        I of the Act; programs under part C and section 619 of 
        the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; State 
        prekindergarten programs; and with the educational 
        programs such children will enter at the age of 
        compulsory school attendance;
          ``(6) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the 
        Head Start program it proposes to carry out with 
        private entities with resources available to assist the 
        Head Start Program meet its program needs;
          ``(7) the plan of such applicant--
                  ``(A) to seek the involvement of parents of 
                participating children in activities (at home 
                and in the center involved where practicable) 
                designed to help such parents become full 
                partners in the education of their children;
                  ``(B) to afford such parents the opportunity 
                to participate in the development, conduct, and 
                overall performance of the program at the local 
                level;
                  ``(C) to offer (directly or through referral 
                to local entities, such as entities carrying 
                out Even Start programs under part B of chapter 
                1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2741 et seq.), 
                public and school libraries, and family support 
                programs) to such parents--
                          ``(i) family literacy services; and
                          ``(ii) parenting skills training;
                  ``(D) to offer to parents of participating 
                children substance abuse counseling (either 
                directly or through referral to local 
                entities), including information on drug-
                exposed infants and fetal alcohol syndrome;
                  ``(E) at the option of such applicant, to 
                offer (directly or through referral to local 
                entities) to such parents--
                          ``(i) training in basic child 
                        development;
                          ``(ii) assistance in developing 
                        communication skills;
                          ``(iii) opportunities for parents to 
                        share experiences with other parents; 
                        or
                          ``(iv) any other activity designed to 
                        help such parents become full partners 
                        in the education of their children;
                  ``(F) to provide, with respect to each 
                participating family, a family needs assessment 
                that includes consultation with such parents 
                about the benefits of parent involvement and 
                about the activities described in subparagraphs 
                (C) (D), and (E) in which such parents may 
                choose to become involved (taking into 
                consideration their specific family needs, work 
                schedules, and other responsibilities); and
                  ``(G) to extend out reach to fathers in order 
                to strengthen the role of fathers in families 
                by working directly with fathers and father-
                figures through such activities as including 
                fathers in home visits; implementing father 
                outreach efforts, providing opportunities for 
                direct father-child interactions; and targeting 
                increased male participation in the program;
          ``(8) the ability of such applicant to carry out the 
        plans described in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4);
          ``(9) other factors related to the requirements of 
        this subchapter;
          ``(10) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs 
        of non-English background children and their families, 
        including needs related to the acquisition of the 
        English language;
          ``(11) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs 
        of children with disabilities;
          ``(12) the plan of such applicant who chooses to 
        assist younger siblings of children who will 
        participate in the proposed Head Start program to 
        obtain health services from other sources;
          ``(13) the plan of such applicant to collaborate with 
        other entities carrying out early childhood education 
        and child care programs in the community; and
          ``(14) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs 
        of homeless children.''.

SEC. 106. QUALITY STANDARDS; MONITORING OF HEAD START AGENCIES AND 
                    PROGRAMS.

  Section 641A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a) is 
amended as follows:
          (1) In subsection (a)(1)(B) by amending clause (ii) 
        to read as follows:
                  ``(ii) additional education standards to 
                ensure that the children participating in the 
                program, at a minimum develop and demonstrate--
                          ``(I) language skills;
                          ``(II) prereading knowledge and 
                        skills, including interest in and 
                        appreciation of books, reading and 
                        writing either alone or with others;
                          ``(III) premathematics knowledge and 
                        skills, including aspects of 
                        classification, seriation, number, 
                        spatial relations, and time;
                          ``(IV) cognitive abilities related to 
                        academic achievement;
                          ``(V) social and emotional 
                        development important for environments 
                        constructive for child development, 
                        early learning, and school success; and
                          ``(VI) in the case of limited-English 
                        proficient children, progress toward 
                        acquisition of the English language.''.
          (2) By amending subsection (a)(2)(B) to read as 
        follows:
                  ``(B) take into consideration--
                          ``(i) past experience with use of the 
                        standards in effect under this 
                        subchapter on October 27, 1998;
                          ``(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) developments concerning best 
                        practices with respect to early 
                        childhood education and development, 
                        children with disabilities, family 
                        services, program administration, and 
                        financial management;
                          ``(iv) projected needs of an 
                        expanding Head Start program;
                          ``(v) guidelines and standards 
                        currently in effect or under 
                        consideration that promote child health 
                        services, and projected needs of 
                        expanding Head Start programs;
                          ``(vi) changes in the population of 
                        children who are eligible to 
                        participate in Head Start programs, 
                        including the language background and 
                        family structure of such children;
                          ``(vii) the need for, and state-of-
                        the-art developments relating to, local 
                        policies and activities designed to 
                        ensure that children participating in 
                        Head Start programs make a successful 
                        transition to schools; and
                          ``(viii) the unique challenges faced 
                        by individual programs, including those 
                        that are seasonal or short term, and 
                        those that serve rural populations; 
                        and''.
          (3) In subsection (a)(2)(C)(ii) by striking all that 
        follows ``in effect on'' down to the period and 
        inserting ``October 27, 1998''.
          (4) By amending subsection (b)(2) to read as follows:
          ``(2) Characteristics of measures.--The performance 
        measures developed under this subsection shall--
                  ``(A) be used to assess the impact of the 
                various services provided by Head Start 
                programs and, to the extent the Secretary finds 
                appropriate, administrative and financial 
                management practices of such programs;
                  ``(B) be adaptable for use in self-
                assessment, peer review, and program evaluation 
                of individual Head Start agencies and programs;
                  ``(C) be developed for other program purposes 
                as determined by the Secretary;
                  ``(D) be appropriate for the population 
                served; and
                  ``(E) be reviewed no less than every 4 years, 
                based on advances in the science of early 
                childhood development.
        The performance measures shall include the performance 
        standards described in subsection (a)(1)(A) and (B).''.
          (5) By amending subsection (b)(4) to read as follows:
          ``(4) Educational measures.--Results based measures 
        shall be designed for the purpose of promoting the 
        competencies of children participating in Head Start 
        programs specified in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii), with an 
        emphasis on measuring those competencies that have a 
        strong scientifically-based predictability of a child's 
        school readiness and later performance in school.''.
          (6) In subsection (c)(1)(C) by striking ``the 
        standards'' and inserting ``one or more of the 
        performance measures developed by the Secretary under 
        subsection (b)''.
          (7) By amending subsection (c)(2) to read as follows:
          ``(2) Conduct of reviews.--The Secretary shall ensure 
        that reviews described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) 
        of paragraph (1)--
                  ``(A) that incorporate a monitoring visit, do 
                so without prior notice of the visit to the 
                local agency or program;
                  ``(B) are conducted by review teams that 
                shall include individuals who are knowledgeable 
                about Head Start programs and, to the maximum 
                extent practicable, the diverse (including 
                linguistic and cultural) needs of eligible 
                children (including children with disabilities) 
                and limited-English proficient children and 
                their families;
                  ``(C) include as part of the reviews of the 
                programs, a review and assessment of program 
                effectiveness, as measured in accordance with 
                the results-based performance measures 
                developed by the Secretary pursuant to 
                subsection (b) and with the standards 
                established pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and 
                (B) of subsection (a)(1);
                  ``(D) seek information from the communities 
                and the States involved about the performance 
                of the programs and the efforts of the Head 
                Start agencies to collaborate with other 
                entities carrying out early childhood education 
                and child care programs in the community;
                  ``(E) seek information from the communities 
                where Head Start programs exist about 
                innovative or effective collaborative efforts, 
                barriers to collaboration, and the efforts of 
                the Head Start agencies and programs to 
                collaborate with the entities carrying out 
                early childhood education and child care 
                programs in the community;
                  ``(F) include as part of the reviews of the 
                programs, a review and assessment of whether a 
                program is in conformity with the income 
                eligibility requirements, as defined in section 
                645 and regulations promulgated thereunder;
                  ``(G) include as part of the reviews of the 
                programs, a review and assessment of whether 
                programs have adequately addressed the 
                population and community needs (including 
                populations of children with a limited English 
                proficiency and children of migrant and 
                seasonal farm-working families); and
                  ``(H) include as part of the review the 
                extent to which the program addresses the 
                community needs and strategic plan identified 
                in section 640(g)(2)(C).''.
          (8) By amending so much of subsection (d)(1) as 
        precedes subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
          ``(1) Determination.--If the Secretary determines, on 
        the basis of a review pursuant to subsection (c), that 
        a Head Start agency designated pursuant to section 641 
        fails to meet the standards described in subsection (a) 
        or results-based performance measures developed by the 
        Secretary under subsection (b), or fails to adequately 
        address the community needs and strategic plan 
        identified in 640(g)(2)(C), the Secretary shall--''
          (9) By amending subsection (d)(2) to read as follows:
          ``(2) Quality improvement plan.--
                  ``(A) Agency and program responsibilities.--
                In order to retain a designation as a Head 
                Start agency under this subchapter, or in the 
                case of a Head Start Program, in order to 
                continue to receive funds from such agency, a 
                Head Start agency, or Head Start program that 
                is the subject of a determination described in 
                paragraph (1) (other than an agency or program 
                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 which shall be 
                        subject to the approval of the 
                        Secretary, or in the case of a program, 
                        the sponsoring agency, and which 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) eliminate each deficiency 
                        identified, not later than the date for 
                        elimination of such deficiency 
                        specified in such plan (which shall not 
                        be later than 1 year after the date the 
                        agency or program received notice of 
                        the determination and of the specific 
                        deficiency to be corrected).
                  ``(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 for program 
                improvement.--Not later than 30 days after 
                receiving from a Head Start program, a proposed 
                quality improvement plan pursuant to 
                subparagraph (A), the sponsoring agency shall 
                either approve such proposed plan or specify 
                the reasons why the proposed plan cannot be 
                approved.''.
          (10) In subsection (d)(3) by inserting ``and 
        programs'' after ``agencies''.
          (11) Subsection (e) is amended to read as follows:
  ``(e) Summaries of Monitoring Outcomes.--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 (d), during such fiscal 
year. Such information shall be made available to all parents 
with students receiving assistance under this Act in a 
understandable and uniform format, and to the extent 
practicable, provided in a language that the parents can 
understand, and in addition, make the information widely 
available through public means such as distribution through 
public agencies, and at a minimum posting such information on 
the Internet immediately upon publication.''.

SEC. 107. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGENCIES.

  Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837(b)) is 
amended as follows:
          (1) By amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
  ``(b) In order to be so designated, a Head Start agency shall 
also--
          ``(1) establish a program with standards set forth in 
        section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to the 
        standards set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
        such section;
          ``(2) demonstrate capacity to serve eligible children 
        with scientifically-based curricula and other 
        interventions that help promote the school readiness of 
        children participating in the program;
          ``(3) establish effective procedures by which parents 
        and area residents concerned will be enabled to 
        directly participate in decisions that influence the 
        character of programs affecting their interests;
          ``(4) provide for their regular participation in the 
        implementation of such programs;
          ``(5) provide technical and other support needed to 
        enable parents and area residents to secure on their 
        own behalf available assistance from public and private 
        sources;
          ``(6) 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 to afford such parents the 
        opportunity to participate in the development, conduct, 
        and overall performance of the program at the local 
        level;
          ``(7) conduct outreach to schools in which Head Start 
        children enroll, local educational agencies, the local 
        business community, community-based organizations, 
        faith-based organizations, museums, and libraries to 
        generate support and leverage the resources of the 
        entire local community in order to improve school 
        readiness;
          ``(8) offer (directly or through referral to local 
        entities, such as entities carrying out Even Start 
        programs under part B of chapter 1 of title I of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 2741 et seq.)), to parents of participating 
        children, family literacy services and parenting skills 
        training;
          ``(9) offer to parents of participating children 
        substance abuse counseling (either directly or through 
        referral to local entities), including information on 
        drug-exposed infants and fetal alcohol syndrome;
          ``(10) at the option of such agency, offer (directly 
        or through referral to local entities), to such 
        parents--
                  ``(A) training in basic child development;
                  ``(B) assistance in developing communication 
                skills;
                  ``(C) opportunities to share experiences with 
                other parents;
                  ``(D) regular in-home visitation; or
                  ``(E) any other activity designed to help 
                such parents become full partners in the 
                education of their children;
          ``(11) provide, with respect to each participating 
        family, a family needs assessment that includes 
        consultation with such parents about the benefits of 
        parent involvement and about the activities described 
        in paragraphs (4) through (7) in which such parents may 
        choose to be involved (taking into consideration their 
        specific family needs, work schedules, and other 
        responsibilities);
          ``(12) consider providing services to assist younger 
        siblings of children participating in its Head Start 
        program to obtain health services from other sources;
          ``(13) perform community outreach to encourage 
        individuals previously unaffiliated with Head Start 
        programs to participate in its Head Start program as 
        volunteers; and
          ``(14)(A) inform custodial parents in single-parent 
        families that participate in programs, activities, or 
        services carried out or provided under this subchapter 
        about the availability of child support services for 
        purposes of establishing paternity and acquiring child 
        support; and
          ``(B) refer eligible parents to the child support 
        offices of State and local governments.''.
          (2) Amend subsection (c) to read as follows:
  ``(c) The head of each Head Start agency shall coordinate and 
collaborate with the State agency responsible for administering 
the State program carried out under the Child Care and 
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), 
and other early childhood education and development programs, 
including programs under subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento 
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431-11435), Even Start 
programs under part B of chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2741 et seq.), 
and programs under Part C and section 619 of the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431-1445, 1419), 
and the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 
5106a), serving the children and families served by the Head 
Start agency to carry out the provisions of this subchapter.''.
          (3) In subsection (d) by redesignating paragraphs (2) 
        through (4) as paragraph (3) through (5) and inserting 
        the following new paragraph after paragraph (1):
  ``(2) In communities where both public prekindergarten 
programs and Head Start programs operate, a Head Start agency 
shall coordinate with the local educational agency or other 
public agency responsible for the operation of the 
prekindergarten program and providers of prekindergarten, 
including for outreach to identify eligible children.''.
  (5) In paragraph (3) (as redesignated) of subsection (d), 
strike ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A) and insert the 
following after subparagraph (A) and redesignate subparagraph 
(B) as (C):
                  ``(B) collaborating to increase the program 
                participation of underserved populations of 
                eligible children; and''.

SEC. 108. HEAD START ALIGNMENT WITH K-12 EDUCATION.

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

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

          (2) In paragraph (2) after ``social workers,'' insert 
        the following: ``McKinney-Vento liaisons as established 
        under section 722 (g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento 
        Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 
        2001,''.
          (3) Add the following new paragraph after paragraph 
        (2) and redesignated paragraphs (3) through (7) as (4) 
        through (8):
          ``(3) developing continuity of developmentally 
        appropriate curricula between Head Start and local 
        educational agencies to ensure an effective transition 
        and appropriate shared expectations for children's 
        learning and development as they make such transition 
        to school;''.
          (4) Paragraph (6)(as redesignated by paragraph (3) of 
        this section) is amended to read as follows:
          ``(6) 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 
        and family outreach and support efforts under subtitle 
        VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act;''.
          (4) In paragraph (7)(as redesignated by paragraph (3) 
        of this section) by inserting ``and continuity in 
        parental involvement activities'' after ``developmental 
        continuity''.
          (5) Strike ``and'' at the end of paragraph (7)(as 
        redesignated by paragraph (3) of this section) and 
        strike the period at the end of paragraph (8)(as 
        redesignated by paragraph (3) of this section) and 
        insert a semicolon.
          (6) Add the following after paragraph (8):
          ``(9) helping parents 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; and
          ``(10) developing and implementing a system to 
        increase program participation of underserved 
        populations of eligible children.''.

SEC. 109. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS.

  Section 644 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9839) is amended 
in subsection (f)(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through 
(E) as (B) through (F) and inserting the following new 
subparagraph before subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated):
          ``(A) a description of the consultation conducted by 
        the Head Start agency with the providers in the 
        community demonstrating capacity and capability to 
        provide services under this Act, and of the potential 
        for collaboration with such providers and the cost 
        effectiveness of such collaboration as opposed to the 
        cost effectiveness of the purchase of a facility;''

SEC. 110. ELIGIBILITY.

  Section 645(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) is 
amended as follows:
          (1) By striking ``to a reasonable extent'' in 
        paragraph (1)(B)(i) and inserting ``not to exceed 10 
        percent of the total enrollment'' and by striking 
        ``benefit from such programs'' and inserting ``benefit 
        from such programs, including children referred by 
        child welfare services,'' .
          (2) By adding the following new paragraph at the end 
        thereof:
  ``(3) The amount of a basic allowance provided under section 
403 of title 37, United States Code, on behalf of an individual 
who is a member of the uniformed services for housing that is 
acquired or constructed under the authority of subchapter IV of 
chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, or any other 
related provision of law, shall not be considered to be income 
for purposes of determining the eligibility of a child of the 
individual for programs assisted under this subchapter.''.

SEC. 111. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.

  (a) In General.--Section 645A of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9643) is amended as follows:
          (1) By amending paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection 
        (b) to read as follows:
          ``(4) provide services to parents to support their 
        role as parents (including parenting skills training 
        and training in basic child development) and to help 
        the families move toward self-sufficiency (including 
        educational and employment services as appropriate);
          ``(5) coordinate services with services (including 
        home-based services) provided by programs in the State 
        and programs in the community (including programs for 
        infants and toddlers with disabilities) to ensure a 
        comprehensive array of services (such as health and 
        mental health services, and family support 
        services);''.
          (2) By amending paragraph (8) of subsection (b) to 
        read as follows:
          ``(8) ensure formal linkages with the agencies and 
        entities described in section 644(b) of the Individuals 
        with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1444(b)) and 
        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.) and the agency responsible for administering the 
        Section 106 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a); and''.
          (3) In subsection (g)(2)(B) by striking ``and'' at 
        the end of clause (iii), by striking the period at the 
        end of clause (iv) and inserting ``; and'' and by 
        inserting the following at the end:
                          ``(v) providing professional 
                        development designed to increase 
                        program participation for underserved 
                        populations of eligible children.''.
  (b) Migrant and Seasonal Programs.--Section 645A(d)(1) of the 
Head Start Act (42 US.C. 9643(d)(1)) is amended to read as 
follows:
          ``(1) entities operating Head Start programs under 
        this subpart, including migrant and seasonal Head Start 
        programs; and''.
  (c) Community- and Faith-Based Organizations.--Section 
645A(d)(2) of the Head Start Act (42 US.C. 9643(d)(21)) is 
amended by inserting ``, including community- and faith-based 
organizations'' after ``entities'' in the second place it 
appears.

SEC. 112. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.

  Section 648 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) is amended 
as follows:
          (1) By inserting the following new subsection after 
        subsection (a) and redesignating subsections (b) 
        through (e) as subsections (c) through (f):
  ``(b) The Secretary shall make available to each State the 
money reserved in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) to support a State-
based system delivering training and technical assistance that 
improves the capacity of Head Start programs within a State to 
deliver services in accordance with the Head Start standards in 
section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to the standards 
set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such section. The 
Secretary shall--
          ``(1) ensure eligible entities within a State are 
        chosen by the Secretary, in consultation with the State 
        Collaboration Board described in section 
        640(a)(5)(C)(i), through a competitive bid process;
          ``(2) ensure that existing agencies with demonstrated 
        expertise in providing high quality training and 
        technical assistance to improve the delivery of Head 
        Start services, including the State Head Start 
        Association, State agencies, migrant and seasonal Head 
        Start programs operating in the State, and other 
        entities currently providing training and technical 
        assistance in early education, be included in the 
        planning and coordination of the State system of 
        training and technical assistance; and
          ``(3) encourage States to supplement the funds 
        authorized in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) with State, 
        Federal, or local funds other than Head Start funds, to 
        expand activities beyond Head Start agencies to include 
        other providers of other early childhood services 
        within a State.''.
          (2) In subsection (d) (as redesignated):
                  (A) In paragraph (2), after ``disabilities'' 
                insert ``and for activities described in 
                section 1221(b)(3) of the Elementary and 
                Secondary Education Act of 1965''.
                  (B) In paragraph (5) after ``assessment'' 
                insert ``, including the needs of homeless 
                children and their families''.
                  (C) By striking ``and'' at the end of 
                paragraph (10), by striking the period at the 
                end of paragraph (11) and inserting ``; and'' 
                and by inserting the following at the end:
          ``(12) assist Head Start agencies and programs in 
        increasing program participation of eligible homeless 
        children.''.
          (3) In subsection (e) (as redesignated by paragraph 
        (1)) by inserting ``, including community- and faith-
        based organizations'' after ``entities''.
          (4) By amending subsection (f) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1)) to read as follows:
  ``(f) The Secretary shall provide, either directly or through 
grants or other arrangements, funds from programs authorized 
under this subchapter to 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, training 
for personnel providing services to non-English language 
background children (including services to promote the 
acquisition of the English language), training for personnel 
providing services to children determined to be abused or 
neglected, training for personnel providing services to 
children referred by or receiving child welfare services, 
training for personnel in helping children cope with community 
violence, and resource access projects for personnel working 
with disabled children.''.
          (5) Insert at the end of the section:
  ``(g) Helping Personnel Better Serve Migrant and Seasonal 
Farm-working Communities and Homeless Families.--The Secretary 
shall provide, either directly or through grants, or other 
arrangements, funds for training of Head Start personnel in 
addressing the unique needs of migrant and seasonal working 
families, families with a limited English proficiency, and 
homeless families.
  ``(h) Authorized Activities.--The majority of funds expended 
under this section shall be used to provide high quality, 
sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused training and 
technical assistance in order to have a positive and lasting 
impact on classroom instruction. Funds shall be used to carry 
out activities related to any or all of the following:
          ``(1) Education and early childhood development.
          ``(2) Child health, nutrition, and safety.
          ``(3) Family and community partnerships.
          ``(4) Other areas that impact the quality or overall 
        effectiveness of Head Start programs.
  ``(i) Prohibition on Use of Funds.--Funds under this 
subchapter used for training shall be used for needs identified 
annually by a grant applicant or delegate agency in their 
program improvement plan, except that funds 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.
  ``(j) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
`eligible entities' means an institution of higher education or 
other entity with expertise in delivering training in early 
childhood development, family support, and other assistance 
designed to improve the delivery of Head Start services.''.

SEC. 113. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT.

  Section 648A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a) is 
amended as follows:
          (1) By amending paragraph (2) of subsection (a) to 
        read as follows:
          ``(2) Degree requirements.--
                  ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure 
                that not later than September 30, 2008, at 
                least 50 percent of all 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 in a field related to early 
                        childhood education, with experience in 
                        teaching preschool children.
                  ``(B) Progress.--Each Head State agency shall 
                provide to the Secretary a report indicating 
                the number and percentage of classroom 
                instructors with child development associate 
                credentials and associate, baccalaureate, or 
                advanced degrees. The Secretary shall compile 
                all program reports and make them available to 
                the Committee on Education and the Workforce of 
                the United States House of Representatives and 
                the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                Pensions of the United States Senate.
                  ``(C) Requirement for new head start 
                teachers.--Within 3 years after the date of 
                enactment of this clause, the Secretary shall 
                require that all Head Start teachers nationwide 
                in center-based programs hired following the 
                date of enactment of this subparagraph--
                          ``(i) have an associate, 
                        baccalaureate, or advanced degree in 
                        early childhood education;
                          ``(ii) have an associate, 
                        baccalaureate, or advanced degree in a 
                        field related to early childhood 
                        education, with experience in teaching 
                        preschool children; or
                          ``(iii) be currently enrolled in a 
                        program of study leading to an 
                        associate degree in early childhood 
                        education and agree to complete degree 
                        requirements within 3 years from the 
                        date of hire.
                  ``(D) Service requirements.--The Secretary 
                shall establish requirements to ensure that 
                individuals who receive financial assistance 
                under this Act in order to comply with the 
                requirements under section 648A(a)(2) shall 
                subsequently teach in a Head Start center for a 
                period of time equivalent to the period for 
                which they received assistance or repay the 
                amount of the funds.''.
          (2) By adding the following at the end thereof:
  ``(f) Professional Development Plans.--Every Head Start 
agency and program shall create, in consultation with an 
employee, a professional development plan for all full-time 
employees who provide direct services to children.''.

SEC. 114. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EVALUATION.

  Section 649 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9844) is amended 
as follows:
          (1) By amending subsection (a)(1)(B) to read as 
        follows:
                  ``(B) use the Head Start programs to develop, 
                test, and disseminate new ideas and approaches 
                for addressing the needs of low-income 
                preschool children (including children with 
                disabilities and children determined to be 
                abused or neglected) 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.''.
          (1) By striking paragraph (9) of subsection (d) and 
        inserting ``(9) Repealed.--''.
          (2) By striking clause (i) of subsection (g)(1)(A) 
        and redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) 
        and (ii).
          (3) In subsection (g)(7)(C)(i) by striking ``1999'' 
        and inserting ``2003'', striking ``2001'' and inserting 
        ``2005'', and striking ``2003'' and inserting ``2006''.
          (4) By amending subsection (h) to read as follows:
  ``(h) NAS Study.--
          ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use funds 
        allocated in section 640(a)(2)(C)(iii) to contract with 
        the National Academy of Sciences for the Board on 
        Children, Youth, and Families of the National Research 
        Council to establish an independent panel of experts to 
        review and synthesize research, theory and applications 
        in the social, behavioral and biological sciences and 
        shall make recommendations on early childhood pedagogy 
        with regard to each of the following:
                  ``(A) Age and developmentally appropriate 
                Head Start academic requirements and outcomes, 
                including but not limited to the domains in 
                641A(a)(B).
                  ``(B) Differences in the type, length, mix 
                and intensity of services necessary to ensure 
                that children from challenging family and 
                social backgrounds including: low-income 
                children, children of color, children with 
                special needs, and children with limited 
                English proficiency enter kindergarten ready to 
                succeed.
                  ``(C) Appropriate assessments of young 
                children for the purposes of improving 
                instruction, services, and program quality, 
                including systematic observation assessment in 
                a child's natural environment, parent and 
                provider interviews, and accommodations for 
                children with disabilities and appropriate 
                assessments for children with special needs, 
                including English language learners.
          ``(2) Composition.--The panel shall consist of 
        multiple experts in each of the following areas:
                  ``(A) Child development and education, 
                including cognitive, social, emotional, 
                physical, approaches to learning, and other 
                domains of child development and learning.
                  ``(B) Professional development, including 
                teacher preparation, to individuals who teach 
                young children in programs.
                  ``(C) Assessment of young children, including 
                screening, diagnostic and classroom-based 
                instructional assessment; children with special 
                needs, including children with disabilities and 
                limited English proficient children.
          ``(3) Timing.--The National Academy of Sciences and 
        the Board shall establish the panel not later than 90 
        days after the date of enactment of this paragraph. The 
        panel should complete its recommendations within 18 
        months of its convening.
          ``(4) Application of panel report.--The results of 
        the panel study shall be used as guidelines by the 
        Secretary to develop, inform and revise, where 
        appropriate, the Head Start education performance 
        measures and standards and the assessments utilized in 
        the Head Start program.''.

SEC. 115. REPORTS.

  Section 650 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9845) is amended 
as follows:
          (1) The first sentence of subsection (a) is amended 
        to read as follows: ``At least once during every 2-year 
        period, the Secretary shall prepare and submit, to the 
        Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House 
        of Representatives and the Committee on Health, 
        Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate, a report 
        concerning the status of children (including disabled, 
        homeless, and non-English language background children) 
        in Head Start programs, including the number of 
        children and the services being provided to such 
        children.''.
          (2) Paragraph (8) of subsection (a) is amended by 
        inserting ``, homelessness'' after ``background''.

SEC. 116. HEAD START NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISIONS.

  Section 654 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9849) is amended 
to read as follows:

``SEC. 654. NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISIONS.

  ``(a)(1) The Secretary shall not provide financial assistance 
for any program, project, or activity under this subchapter 
unless the grant or contract with respect thereto specifically 
provides that no person with responsibilities in the operation 
thereof will discriminate with respect to any such program, 
project, or activity because of race, creed, color, national 
origin, sex, political affiliation, or beliefs.
  ``(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a recipient of 
financial assistance under this subchapter that is a religious 
corporation, association, educational institution, or society, 
with respect to the employment of individuals of a particular 
religion to perform work connected with the carrying on by such 
corporation, association, educational institution, or society 
of its activities. Such recipients shall comply with the other 
requirements contained in this subsection.
  ``(b) No person in the United States shall on the ground of 
sex be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits 
of, be subjected to discrimination under, or be denied 
employment in connection with any program or activity receiving 
assistance under this subchapter. The Secretary shall enforce 
the provisions of the preceding sentence in accordance with 
section 602 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Section 603 of 
such Act shall apply with respect to any action taken by the 
Secretary to enforce such sentence. This section shall not be 
construed as affecting any other legal remedy that a person may 
have if such person is excluded from participation in, denied 
the benefit of, subjected to discrimination under, or denied 
employment (except as provided in subsection (a)(2)), in the 
administration of any program, project, or activity receiving 
assistance under this subchapter.
  ``(c) The Secretary shall not provide financial assistance 
for any program, project, or activity under this subchapter 
unless the grant or contract relating to the financial 
assistance specifically provides that no person with 
responsibilities in the operation of the program, project, or 
activity will discriminate against any individual because of a 
handicapping condition in violation of section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, except as provided in subsection 
(a)(2).''.

SEC. 117. EFFECTIVE DATE.

  The amendments made by this Act shall be effective with 
respect to fiscal years beginning on and after October 1, 2003.

                 TITLE II--STATE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

SEC. 201. STATE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

  The Head Start Act is amended by inserting after section 643 
the following new section:

``SEC. 643A. STATE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

  ``(a) Grants.--
          ``(1) In general.--
                  ``(A) Eligible States.--In the case of each 
                eligible State that submits to the Secretary an 
                application that fulfills the requirements of 
                this section, the Secretary, from amounts 
                appropriated under section 639(a), shall make a 
                grant to the State to carry out a State 
                demonstration program under this section, 
                except that the Secretary shall not make such 
                grants to more than 8 eligible States.
                  ``(B) Determination.--The Secretary shall 
                make awards to those States that demonstrate--
                          ``(i) that the State standards 
                        generally meet or exceed the standards 
                        that ensure the quality and 
                        effectiveness of programs operated by 
                        Head Start agencies;
                          ``(ii) the capacity to deliver high 
                        quality early childhood education 
                        services to prepare children, including 
                        low-income children, for school; and
                          ``(iii)-success in improving the 
                        school readiness of children.
          ``(2) State eligibility.--A State shall be eligible 
        to participate in the program under this section if it 
        meets each of the following criteria:
                  ``(A) The State has an existing State 
                supported system providing public 
                prekindergarten to children prior to entry into 
                kindergarten.
                  ``(B) The State has implemented standards as 
                of fiscal year 2003 for school readiness that 
                include standards for language, prereading and 
                premathematics development for prekindergarten 
                that are aligned with State kindergarten 
                through twelfth grade academic content 
                standards and which shall apply to all programs 
                receiving funds under this part or provides an 
                assurance that such standards will be aligned 
                by the end of the second fiscal year of 
                participation.
                  ``(C) State and locally appropriated funds 
                for prekindergarten services and Head Start 
                services in the base year under this section 
                shall not be less than 50 percent of the 
                Federal funds that the grantees in the State 
                received under this Act in the base year for 
                services to Head Start eligible children, 
                excluding amounts for services provided under 
                section 645A.
                  ``(D) The State has established a means for 
                inter-agency coordination and collaboration in 
                the development of the plan under subsection 
                (h).
  ``(b) Lead Agency.--A program under this section shall be 
administered by a State governmental entity designated by the 
Chief Executive Officer of the State as the lead State agency.
  ``(c) State Operation of Program.--The State may conduct all 
or any part of the program under this section (including the 
activities specified in subsection (g)) directly or by grant, 
contract, or cooperative agreement.
  ``(d) Transition.--
          ``(1) In general.--For 60 months after the effective 
        date of this section, the State shall continue to 
        provide funds to each local grantee who--
                  ``(A) was receiving funds under this 
                subchapter, as in effect prior to the date of 
                enactment of this section, and
                  ``(B) is serving the geographic area covered 
                by the plan in section 643A(h).
        Such continuing grants shall be made in accordance with 
        the terms of the grant made to the local grantee 
        immediately prior to such date of enactment. This 
        paragraph shall not apply to a grant applicant who has 
        experienced substantial uncorrected deficiencies on 
        Department of Health and Human Services monitoring 
        reports during any year of the most recent 5-year 
        period, or to a grantee that, as determined by the 
        State, does not comply with the State plan described in 
        subsection 643A(h) submitted to the Secretary.
  ``(e) Federal Financial Assistance.--
          ``(1) Allocation of federal allotments to state 
        programs.--From each total amount described in 
        paragraph (2) allotted to a State for a fiscal year, 
        the Secretary shall pay to a State with a program 
        approved under this section for such fiscal year an 
        amount equal to--
                  ``(A) if the State program is statewide, 100 
                percent of such total amount; and
                  ``(B) if the State program is limited to a 
                geographic area or areas, the sum of--
                          ``(i) an amount equal to the amount 
                        received by grantees in such geographic 
                        area or areas for the Federal fiscal 
                        year preceding the first fiscal year of 
                        the State program under this section; 
                        plus
                          ``(ii) an amount bearing the same 
                        ratio to the excess (if any) above the 
                        total amount for such preceding fiscal 
                        year as the number of children less 
                        than 5 years of age from families whose 
                        income is below the poverty line in the 
                        geographic area or areas included in 
                        the program bears to the total number 
                        of such children in the State (as 
                        determined using the same data used 
                        pursuant to section 640(a)(4)(B)).
          ``(2) Funds allocated.--For purposes of paragraph 
        (1), amounts described in this paragraph are:
                  ``(A) Basic state allotments.--Amounts 
                allotted to States pursuant to section 
                640(a)(4), including amounts reserved pursuant 
                to section 640(a)(5), excluding amounts for 
                services provided under section 645A.
                  ``(B) State allotments of expansion funds.--
                Amounts allotted to States pursuant to section 
                640(a)(3)(D)(i)(I) for program expansion.
                  ``(C) Quality improvement funds.--Quality 
                improvement funds (if any) reserved pursuant to 
                section 640(a)(3).
                  ``(D) Training and technical assistance 
                funds.--An amount bearing the same ratio to the 
                amount set aside for training and technical 
                assistance activities pursuant to section 
                640(a)(2)(C)(i) and (ii) as the State's share 
                of amounts allotted under section 640(a)(4)(B) 
                bears to the total amount so allotted (and for 
                purposes of subparagraph (A), such amount shall 
                be considered an amount allotted to the State 
                for the fiscal year).
          ``(3) Non-federal match.--(A) In determining the 
        amount of Federal and non-Federal contributions for 
        purposes of this section, the amounts required to be 
        expended by the State under subsection (h)(14)(B) 
        (relating to maintenance of effort) shall be excluded.
          ``(B) Financial assistance made available to a State 
        under this subchapter shall be in an amount equal to 95 
        percent of the total amount expended for such programs. 
        The Secretary shall require non-Federal contributions 
        in an amount equal to 5 percent of the total amount 
        expended under this subchapter for such programs.
          ``(C) Non-Federal contributions may be made in cash 
        or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, 
        equipment, or services.
          ``(4) Combined operations with other early childhood 
        education programs.--A State may combine funds for a 
        program under this section with funds for other early 
        childhood programs serving children in the same age 
        group, as long as all applicable requirements of this 
        subchapter are met with respect to either--
                  ``(A) the entire combined program; or
                  ``(B) each child served in such combined 
                program for whom the services provided are 
                funded from appropriations under this 
                subchapter or non-Federal matching 
                contributions under this subchapter.
          ``(5) Use of funds without regard to allotment 
        purposes.--A State may use funds received pursuant to 
        this section for any program purpose set forth in 
        section 636, without regard to the purposes for such 
        funds specified in section 640.
          ``(6) Other funds.--Funds received under this section 
        shall not supplant any non-Federal, State or local 
        funds that would otherwise be used for activities 
        authorized under this section or similar activities 
        carried out in the State.
  ``(f) Coordination and Choice.--
          ``(1) In general.--A State demonstration Program 
        shall be coordinated with the education programs of 
        local educational agencies in the State to ensure that 
        the program is effectively designed to develop in 
        children in the program the knowledge and behaviors 
        necessary to transition successfully to kindergarten 
        and to succeed in school.
          ``(2) Programs concerned.--
                  ``(A) Required programs.--Such coordination 
                shall occur regarding the implementation of the 
                following:
                          ``(i) The Early Reading First and 
                        Even Start programs under title I, part 
                        B, subparts 2 and 3 of the Elementary 
                        and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 
                        and other preschool programs carried 
                        out under title I of that Act.
                          ``(ii) State prekindergarten 
                        programs.
                          ``(iii) The Ready-to-Learn Television 
                        Program under subpart 3 of Part D of 
                        title II of the Elementary and 
                        Secondary Education Act.
                  ``(B) Optional programs.--Such coordination 
                may occur regarding the implementation of the 
                following:
                          ``(i) Programs under the Child Care 
                        and Development Block Grant Act.
                          ``(ii) Other publicly funded early 
                        childhood education programs.
          ``(3) Parental choice.--The program shall allow 
        parents to choose the preschool program for their 
        child.
  ``(g) Required Services.--With funds under this section, the 
State shall provide services described in section 641A at least 
as extensive as were provided, and to at least as many low-
income children and families in each fiscal year as were 
provided such services, with such funds in the base year in the 
State (or, if applicable, in the geographic area included in 
the State program). A program under this section shall include 
the following comprehensive activities designed to promote 
school readiness and success in school:
          ``(1) Child development and education.--Activities 
        with enrolled children that promote--
                  ``(A) cognitive development, language 
                development, prereading, and premathematics 
                knowledge and skills;
                  ``(B) physical development, health, and 
                nutrition (including through coordination with, 
                and referral of children and families to local 
                health service entities; and
                  ``(C) social development important for 
                environments constructive for child 
                development, early learning, and school 
                success.
          ``(2) Parent education and involvement.--Activities 
        with the parents of enrolled children directed at 
        enhancing and encouraging--
                  ``(A) involvement in, and ability to support, 
                their children's educational development;
                  ``(B) parenting skills and understanding of 
                child development; and
                  ``(C) ability to participate effectively in 
                decisions relating to the education of their 
                children.
          ``(3) Social and family support services.--Activities 
        directed at securing appropriate social and family 
        support services for enrolled children and their 
        families, primarily through referral and coordination 
        with local, State, and Federal entities that provide 
        such services.
          ``(4) Head start services.--For purposes of paragraph 
        (1) Head Start services furnished in a State program 
        under this section shall include all Head Start 
        services, other than--
                  ``(A) Indian Head Start programs and migrant 
                and seasonal Head Start programs supported with 
                funds reserved under section 640(a)(2)(A); and
                  ``(B) Early Head Start services provided 
                under section 645A.
  ``(h) State Plan.--A State proposing to administer a program 
under this section shall submit a State plan to the Secretary. 
The State plan shall include the following:
          ``(1) Lead state agency.--The plan shall identify the 
        entity designated by the Chief Executive Officer of the 
        State as the lead State agency.
          ``(2) Geographic area.--The plan shall specify 
        whether the program is statewide, and, if it is not, 
        identify the geographic area or areas covered by the 
        plan. A geographic area may be a city, county, standard 
        metropolitan statistical area, or such other geographic 
        area in the State.
          ``(3) Program period.--A State program under this 
        section shall be in effect for 5 Federal fiscal years.
          ``(4) Program description.--The plan shall describe 
        the services under subsection (f) to be provided in the 
        program and arrangements the State proposes to use to 
        provide the services specified in subsection (g), 
        including how the State will leverage existing delivery 
        systems for such services.
          ``(5) Needs assessment.--The plan shall describe the 
        results of a State needs assessment and shall provide 
        an assurance that the State will use the results to 
        identify the needs for early childhood education 
        services within a State or geographic area to be served 
        and is targeting services to those areas of greatest 
        need and to expand and improve services to 
        disadvantaged children in the State.
          ``(6) Assurance of compliance.--The plan shall 
        provide an assurance that the State program will comply 
        with the requirements of this section, including each 
        of the following:
                  ``(A) Priority for low-income children.--
                Requirements established pursuant to section 
                645(a) concerning the eligibility and priority 
                of individuals for participation in Head Start 
                programs.
                  ``(B) Continuation for existing providers.--
                An applicant who received funds under this 
                subchapter in prior fiscal years and has not 
                corrected any substantial deficiencies 
                identified in the past 5 years shall not be 
                eligible to receive any grants, contract, or 
                cooperative agreements under this section.
                  ``(C) Participation of children with 
                disabilities.--Requirements pursuant to section 
                640(d) concerning Head Start enrollment 
                opportunities and services for children with 
                disabilities.
                  ``(D) Provisions concerning fees and 
                copayments.--The provisions of section 645(b) 
                concerning the charging of fees and the 
                circumstances under which copayments are 
                permissible.
                  ``(E) Federal share; state and local 
                matching.--The provisions of section 640(b) 
                limiting Federal financial assistance for Head 
                Start programs, and providing for non-Federal 
                contributions.
                  ``(F) Administrative costs.--The provisions 
                of section 644(b) limiting the share of program 
                funds that may be used for developing and 
                administering a program.
                  ``(G) Federal property interest.--Applicable 
                provisions of this subchapter regarding the 
                Federal Government interest in property 
                (including real property) purchased, leased, or 
                renovated with Federal funds.
          ``(7) Identification of barriers.--The plan shall 
        identify barriers in the State to the effective use of 
        Federal, State, and local public funds, and private 
        funds, for early education and care that are available 
        to the State on the date on which the application is 
        submitted.
          ``(8) State guidelines for school readiness.--The 
        plan shall include--
                  ``(A) a State definition of school readiness;
                  ``(B) a description of the State's general 
                goals for school readiness, including how the 
                State intends to--
                          ``(i) promote and maintain ongoing 
                        communication and collaboration between 
                        providers of early care and education 
                        and local educational agencies in the 
                        State;
                          ``(ii) align early childhood and 
                        kindergarten curricula to ensure 
                        program continuity; and
                          ``(iii) ensure that children 
                        successfully transition to 
                        kindergarten.
          ``(9) Teacher qualifications.--The plan shall assure 
        that the qualifications and credentials for early 
        childhood teachers meet or exceed the standards in 
        section 648A(a)(2)(A), (B), and (C).
          ``(10) Professional development.--The plan shall 
        provide a description of the State plan for assuring 
        the ongoing professional development of early childhood 
        educators and administrators including how the State 
        intends to--
                  ``(A) improve the competencies of early 
                childhood educators in meeting the cognitive 
                and other developmental needs of young children 
                through effective instructional strategies, 
                methods, and skills;
                  ``(B) develop and implement initiatives to 
                effectively recruit and promote the retention 
                of well-qualified early childhood educators;
                  ``(C) encourage institutions of higher 
                education, providers of community-based 
                training, and other qualified providers to 
                develop high-quality programs to prepare 
                students to be early childhood education 
                professionals; and
                  ``(D) improve the quality of professional 
                development available to meet the needs of 
                teachers that serve preschool children.
          ``(11) Quality standards.--The State shall describe 
        the State's standards, applicable to all agencies, 
        programs, and projects that receive funds under this 
        subchapter, including a description of--
                  ``(A) standards with respect to services 
                required to be provided, including health, 
                parental involvement, nutritional, social, 
                transition activities described in section 
                642(d) of this subchapter, and other services;
                  ``(B)(i) education standards to promote the 
                school readiness of children participating in a 
                State program under Title II of this 
                subchapter; and
                  ``(ii) additional education standards to 
                ensure that the children participating in the 
                program, at a minimum develop and demonstrate--
                          ``(I) language skills;
                          ``(II) prereading knowledge and 
                        skills, including interest in and 
                        appreciation of books, reading and 
                        writing either alone or with others;
                          ``(III) premathematics knowledge and 
                        skills, including aspects of 
                        classification, seriation, number, 
                        spatial relations, and time;
                          ``(IV) cognitive abilities related to 
                        academic achievement;
                          ``(V) social development important 
                        for environments constructive for child 
                        development, early learning, and school 
                        success; and
                          ``(VI) in the case of limited-English 
                        proficient children, progress toward 
                        acquisition of the English language;
                  ``(C) the State's minimum standards for early 
                childhood teacher credentials and 
                qualifications;
                  ``(D) the student-teacher ratio for each age-
                group served;
                  ``(E) administrative and financial management 
                standards;
                  ``(F) standards relating to the condition and 
                location of facilities for such agencies, 
                programs, and projects; and
                  ``(G) such other standards as the State finds 
                to be appropriate.
          ``(12) State accountability system.--
                  ``(A) In general.--The State plan shall--
                          ``(i) ensure that individual 
                        providers are achieving results in 
                        advancing the knowledge and behaviors 
                        identified by the State as 
                        prerequisites for kindergarten success; 
                        and
                          ``(ii) specify the measures the State 
                        will use to evaluate the progress 
                        toward achieving such results and the 
                        effectiveness of the State program 
                        under this section, and of individual 
                        providers in such program.
                  ``(B) Publication of results.--
                          ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause 
                        (ii), the results shall be made 
                        publicly available in the communities 
                        served by the program.
                          ``(ii) Confidentiality safeguards.--
                        The system shall have in effect privacy 
                        safeguards ensuring that information on 
                        children included in data and results 
                        made public in accordance with clause 
                        (i) shall be in aggregated form, and 
                        shall not include information allowing 
                        identification of individual children.
          ``(13) Transition plan.--The initial State plan shall 
        make provision for transition from the direct Federal 
        program under section 640 to the demonstration program.
          ``(14) Cooperation with research studies.--The plan 
        shall provide assurances that the State will cooperate 
        with research activities described in section 649.
          ``(15) Maintenance of effort.--The State plan shall--
                  ``(A) contain a commitment to provide data, 
                at such times and in such format as the 
                Secretary requires, concerning non-Federal 
                expenditures and numbers of children and 
                families served in preschool and Head Start 
                programs during the base year and each fiscal 
                year covered under the State plan, sufficient 
                to satisfy the Secretary that the State program 
                will meet its obligation with respect to the 
                maintenance of effort requirement under 
                subparagraph (B); and
                  ``(B) assure that the resources (which may be 
                cash or in-kind) contributed by the State 
                government to child care for preschool-aged 
                children and other preschool programs, 
                including Head Start, in the State (or, if 
                applicable, in the geographic area included in 
                the State program) for each fiscal year in 
                which the program under this section is in 
                effect shall be in an amount at least equal to 
                the total amount of such State governmental 
                resources contributed to support such programs 
                in the State (or geographic area) for the base 
                year.
          ``(16) Training and Technical Assistance.--The State 
        plan shall describe the training and technical 
        assistance activities that shall provide high quality, 
        sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused training 
        and technical assistance in order to have a positive 
        and lasting impact on classroom instruction.
  ``(i) Records, Reports and Audits.--The State agency 
administering the State program, and each entity participating 
as a Head Start service provider, shall maintain such records, 
make such reports, and cooperate with such audits as the 
Secretary may require for oversight of program activities and 
expenditures.
  ``(j) Inapplicability of Provisions Concerning Priority in 
Agency Designation.--The provisions of subsections (c) and (d) 
of section 641 (concerning priority in designation of Head 
Start agencies, successor agencies, and delegate agencies) 
shall not apply to a State program under this section.
  ``(k) Consultation.--A State proposing to administer a 
program under this section shall submit, with the plan under 
this section, assurances that the plan was developed through 
timely and meaningful consultation with appropriate public and 
private sector entities, including--
          ``(1) representatives of agencies responsible for 
        administering early education and care programs in the 
        State, including Head Start providers;
          ``(2) parents;
          ``(3) the State educational agency and local 
        educational agencies;
          ``(4) early childhood education professionals;
          ``(5) kindergarten teachers and teachers in grades 1 
        through 4;
          ``(6) child welfare agencies;
          ``(7) child care resource and referral agencies;
          ``(8) child care providers; and
          ``(9) a wide array of persons interested in and 
        involved with early care and early education issues in 
        the State, such as representatives of--
                  ``(A) health care professionals;
                  ``(B) the State agency with responsibility 
                for the special supplemental nutrition program 
                for women, infants, and children established by 
                section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966;
                  ``(C) institutions of higher education;
                  ``(D) community-based and faith-based 
                organizations;
                  ``(E) the business community;
                  ``(F) State legislators and local officials;
                  ``(G) museums and libraries;
                  ``(H) other relevant entities in the State; 
                and
                  ``(I) other agencies that provide resources 
                for young children.
  ``(l) State Plan Submission.--An application shall be 
submitted by a State pursuant to this section to the Secretary, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Education, and shall be 
deemed to be approved by the Secretary unless the Secretary 
makes a written determination, prior to the expiration of a 
reasonable time beginning on the date on which the Secretary 
received the application, that the application is not in 
compliance with this section.
  ``(m) Treatment of Funds.--If a State or local government 
contributes its own funds to supplement activities carried out 
under the applicable programs, the State or local government 
has the option to separate out the Federal funds or commingle 
them. If the funds are commingled, the provisions of this 
subchapter shall apply to all of the commingled funds in the 
same manner, and to the same extent, as the provisions apply to 
the Federal funds.
  ``(n) Federal Oversight Authority; Corrective Action; 
Withdrawal of Approval.--
          ``(1) Federal oversight.--The Secretary shall retain 
        the authority to oversee the operation of the State 
        program under this section, including through review of 
        records and reports, audits, and onsite inspection of 
        records and facilities and monitoring of program 
        activities and operations.
          ``(2) Correction of deficiencies.--If the Secretary 
        determines that a State program under this section 
        substantially fails to meet the requirements of this 
        section, the Secretary shall notify the State of the 
        deficiencies identified and require corrective action 
        as follows:
                  ``(A) Deficiencies causing immediate 
                jeopardy.--The Secretary shall require 
                immediate corrective action to eliminate a 
                deficiency that the Secretary finds threatens 
                the health or safety of staff or program 
                participants or poses a threat to the integrity 
                of Federal funds.
                  ``(B) Other deficiencies.--The Secretary, 
                taking into consideration the nature and 
                magnitude of a deficiency not described in 
                subparagraph (A), and the time reasonably 
                required for correction, may--
                          ``(i) require the State to correct 
                        the deficiency within 90 days after 
                        notification under this paragraph; or
                          ``(ii) require the State to implement 
                        a quality improvement plan designed to 
                        correct the deficiency within one year 
                        from identification of the deficiency.
          ``(3) Withdrawal of approval.--If the deficiencies 
        identified under paragraph (2) are not corrected by the 
        deadlines established by the Secretary, the Secretary 
        shall initiate proceedings to withdraw approval of the 
        State program under this section.
          ``(4) Procedural rights.--A State subject to adverse 
        action under this subsection shall have the same 
        procedural rights as a Head Start agency subject to 
        adverse action under section 641A.
  ``(o) Independent Evaluation.--
          ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall contract with 
        an independent organization outside of the Department 
        to design and conduct a multi-year, rigorous, 
        scientifically valid, quantitative evaluation of the 
        State demonstration program.
          ``(2) Process.--The Secretary shall award a contract 
        within 180 days of the date of enactment of the School 
        Readiness Act of 2003, to an organization that is 
        capable of designing and carrying out an independent 
        evaluation described in this subsection.
          ``(3) Analysis.--The evaluation shall include an 
        analysis of each State participating in the State 
        demonstration program, including--
                  ``(A) A quantitative description of the State 
                prekindergarten program and Head Start programs 
                within such State, as such programs existed 
                prior to participation in the State 
                demonstration program, including:
                          ``(i) data on the characteristics of 
                        the children served, including the 
                        overall number and percentages of 
                        children served disaggregated by 
                        socioeconomic status, race and 
                        ethnicity of those served;
                          ``(ii) the quality and 
                        characteristics of the services 
                        provided to such children; and
                          ``(iii) the education attainment of 
                        instructional staff.
                  ``(B) A quantitative and qualitative 
                description of the State program after each 
                year of participation in the State 
                demonstration, which shall include each of the 
                following:
                          ``(i) A description of changes in the 
                        administration of the State program, 
                        including the Head Start program, 
                        within such State.
                          ``(ii) The rate of progress of the 
                        State in improving the school readiness 
                        of disadvantaged children in the key 
                        domains of development.
                          ``(iii) Data as described in 
                        subparagraph (A), as updated annually.
                          ``(iv) The extent to which each State 
                        has met the goals established by such 
                        State with respect to annual goals as 
                        described under section 643(h)(10).
          ``(4) Report.--(A) The Secretary shall provide an 
        interim report on the progress of such evaluation and 
        of the progress of States participating in the State 
        demonstration in increasing the availability of high 
        quality prekindergarten services for low-income 
        children not later than October 1, 2006 to the 
        Committee on Education and the Workforce in the House 
        of Representatives and the Committee on Health, 
        Education, Labor, and Pensions in the Senate.
          ``(B) The Secretary shall provide a final report to 
        the Committee on Education and the Workforce in the 
        House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, 
        Education, Labor, and Pensions in the Senate, not later 
        than October 1, 2007, which shall include an overall 
        evaluation of the State demonstration program, 
        including an assessment of its success in increasing 
        the overall availability of high quality 
        prekindergarten services for low income children in 
        each of the participating States as compared to a 
        representative sample of non-participating States.
  ``(p) State Participation Agreement.--Following the 
submission of an application fulfilling all requirements of 
this section, a State that meets all eligibility requirements 
set forth in section 643A(a)(2) and is selected by the 
Secretary to participate in the demonstration program under 
this section shall:
          ``(1) maintain or increase fiscal year 2003 State 
        funding levels for early childhood education;
          ``(2) provide an additional contribution of non-
        federal funds equal to five percent of the State's 
        federal Head Start allotment;
          ``(3) use Head Start funding only for the purposes of 
        Head Start as described in section 636;
          ``(4) provide all comprehensive social services 
        currently available to Head Start children, including 
        health and nutrition;
          ``(5) develop a strategy to maximize parental 
        involvement to enable parents to become full partners 
        in the education of their children;
          ``(6) demonstrate that the qualifications and 
        credentials for early childhood teachers meet or exceed 
        the standards in section 648A(a)(2)(A), (B), and (C);
          ``(7) enforce quality standards for school readiness 
        that are aligned with K-12 educational standards and 
        generally meet or exceed the Federal Head Start 
        performance standards;
          ``(8) continue funding, for a period of 60 months, 
        all current Head Start grantees as described in section 
        643A(d);
          ``(9) provide services described in section 641A that 
        are at least as extensive as were provided, and to at 
        least as many low-income children and families in the 
        State, in each fiscal year as were provided such 
        services in the base year;
          ``(10) establish a comprehensive collaboration effort 
        to integrate Head Start, state-funded pre-kindergarten 
        programs, Even Start, Title I preschool, and Early 
        Reading First;
          ``(11) participate in independent evaluations of the 
        demonstration program authorized under this subchapter; 
        and
          ``(12) submit to Federal oversight by the 
        Secretary.''.
  ``(q) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
`base year' means the fiscal year 2003.''.

        PART B--TEXT OF AMENDMENTS MADE IN ORDER UNDER THE RULE


1. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Woolsey of California, 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 20 Minutes

    Page 57, strike lines 6 through 14.
                              ----------                              


    2. An Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute To Be Offered by 
Representative George Miller of California, or His Designee, Debatable 
                              for One Hour

  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``School Readiness Act of 
2003''.

SEC. 2. 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 school 
readiness by enhancing the development of low-income children, 
through educational instruction in prereading skills, 
premathematics skills, and language, and 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.

  Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended 
as follows:
          (1) In paragraph (17) by striking ``, but for fiscal 
        years'' and all that follows down to the period.
          (2) By adding the following at the end thereof:
          ``(18) The term `eligible entities' means an 
        institution of higher education or other agency with 
        expertise in delivering training in early childhood 
        development, family support, and other assistance 
        designed to improve the quality of early childhood 
        educations programs.
          ``(19) The term `homeless children' has the meaning 
        given such term in subtitle B of title VII of the 
        McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 
        et seq.).''.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION.

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

``SEC. 639. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
for carrying out the provisions of this subchapter 
$6,870,000,000 for the fiscal year 2004 and such sums as may be 
necessary for fiscal years 2005 through 2008.
  ``(b) Specific Programs.--From the amount appropriated under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall make available not more 
than $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, and such sums as may be 
necessary for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2008, to carry 
out such other research, demonstration, and evaluation 
activities, including longitudinal studies, under section 649.
          ``(1) not more than $7,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2004 through 2008 to carry out impact studies 
        under section 649(g); and
          ``(2) not more than $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, 
        and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal 
        years 2005 through 2008, to carry out other research, 
        demonstration, and evaluation activities, including 
        longitudinal studies, under section 649.
  ``(c) Administrative Expenses.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 
2008 to assist participating States with the administrative 
expenses associated with implementing a program under section 
643A.''.

SEC. 5. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS; LIMITATIONS ON ASSISTANCE.

  Section 640 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835) is amended 
as follows:
          (1) In subsection (a)(2):
                  (A) By striking ``1998'' in subparagraph (A) 
                and inserting ``2003''.
                  (B) By amending subparagraph (B) to read as 
                follows:
          ``(B) payments, subject to paragraph (7) to Guam, 
        American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
        Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands of the United 
        States;''.
          (2) By striking the last sentence of paragraph (2) of 
        subsection (a).
          (3)(A) By amending subsection (a)(2)(C) to read as 
        follows:
          ``(C) training and technical assistance activities 
        that are sufficient to meet the needs associated with 
        program expansion and to foster program and management 
        improvement as described in section 648 of this 
        subchapter, in an amount for each fiscal year which is 
        not less than one percent, and shall not exceed 2 
        percent, of the amount appropriated for such fiscal 
        year, of which--
                  ``(i) not less than 50 percent shall be made 
                available to local Head Start agencies to 
                comply with the standards described in section 
                641A(a)(1), of which not less than 50 percent 
                shall be used to comply with the standards 
                described in section 641A(a)(1)(B) and for the 
                uses described in clauses (iii), (iv), and 
                (vii) of subsection (a)(3)(B);
                  ``(ii) not less than 30 percent shall be made 
                available to support a State system of early 
                childhood education training and technical 
                assistance;
                  ``(iii) not less than 20 percent shall be 
                made available to the Secretary to assist local 
                programs in meeting the standards described in 
                section 641A(a)(1); and
                  ``(iv) not less than $3,000,000 of the amount 
                in clause (iii) appropriated for such fiscal 
                year shall be made available to carry out 
                activities described in section 648(c)(4);''.
          (B) By inserting the following at the end of 
        subsection (a)(2):
``If less than 2 percent of the amount appropriated for such 
fiscal year is made available for the activities authorized in 
subparagraph (C), then the Secretary is authorized to use at 
least 25 percent of such funds to fund migrant and seasonal 
Head Start programs for expansion of services. If sufficient 
migrant and seasonal eligible children are not available to use 
such funds, then enrollment priority shall be given to other 
disadvantaged populations referred to in subparagraph (A).''.
          (4) In subsection (a)(3)(A) by inserting at the end 
        thereof:
  ``(iii) After the reservation of amounts under paragraph 
(2)(including the 2 percent amount referred to in paragraph 
(2)(C)) and the 60 percent amount referred to in subparagraph 
(A) of this paragraph, a portion of the remaining funds shall 
be made available to expand services to underserved 
populations, such as children receiving services under the 
Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start 
programs.''.
          (5) In subsection (a)(3)(A)(i)(I) by striking 
        ``1999'' and all that follows down to the semicolon and 
        inserting ``2004 through 2008''.
          (6) By amending subsection (a)(3)(B) to read as 
        follows:
  ``(B) Funds reserved under this paragraph (referred to in 
this paragraph as `quality improvement funds') shall be used to 
accomplish any or all of the following goals:
          ``(i) Ensuring that Head Start programs meet or 
        exceed standards pursuant to section 641A(a)(1).
          ``(ii) Ensuring that such programs have adequate 
        numbers of qualified staff, and that such staff is 
        furnished adequate training, including developing 
        skills to promote the development of language skills, 
        premathematic skills, and prereading in young children 
        and in working with children with non-English language 
        background, children referred by child welfare 
        services, and children with disabilities, when 
        appropriate.
          ``(iii) Developing and financing the salary scales 
        described under section 644(a) and section 653, in 
        order to ensure that salary levels and benefits are 
        adequate to attract and retain qualified staff for such 
        programs.
          ``(iv) Using salary increases to improve staff 
        qualifications, and to assist with the implementation 
        of programs specifically designed to enable lead 
        instructors to become more effective educators, for the 
        staff of Head Start programs, and to encourage the 
        staff to continually improve their skills and expertise 
        by informing the staff of the availability of Federal 
        and State incentive and loan forgiveness programs for 
        professional development.
          ``(v) Improving community-wide strategic planning and 
        needs assessments for such programs and collaboration 
        efforts for such programs, including collaborations to 
        increase program participation by underserved 
        populations of eligible children.
          ``(vi) 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 
        their parents.
          ``(vii) Ensuring that such programs have qualified 
        staff that can promote language skills and literacy 
        growth of children and that can provide children with a 
        variety of skills that have been identified, through 
        scientifically based reading research, as predictive of 
        later reading achievement.
          ``(viii) Providing assistance to complete post-
        secondary course work needed to attain baccalaureate 
        degrees in early childhood education.
          ``(ix) Making such other improvements in the quality 
        of such programs as the Secretary may designate.
          ``(x) To promote the regular attendance and stability 
        of highly mobile children, including migrant and 
        homeless children.''.
          (7) By amending subsection (a)(3)(C) to read as 
        follows:
  ``(C) Quality improvement funds shall be used to carry out 
any or all of the following activities:
          ``(i)(I) Not less than one-half of the amount 
        reserved under this paragraph, to improve the 
        compensation (including benefits) of classroom teachers 
        and other staff of Head Start agencies providing 
        instructional services and thereby enhancing 
        recruitment and retention of qualified staff, including 
        recruitment and retention pursuant to achieving the 
        requirements set forth in section 648A(a). The 
        expenditure of funds under this clause shall be subject 
        to section 653. Salary increases, in excess of cost-of-
        living allowance, provided with such funds shall be 
        subject to the specific standards governing salaries 
        and salary increases established pursuant to section 
        644(a).
          ``(II) If a Head Start agency certifies to the 
        Secretary for such fiscal year that part of the funds 
        set aside under subclause (I) to improve wages cannot 
        be expended by such agency to improve wages because of 
        the operation of section 653, then such agency may 
        expend such part for any of the uses specified in this 
        subparagraph (other than wages).
          ``(III) From the remainder of the amount reserved 
        under this paragraph (after the Secretary carries out 
        subclause (I)), the Secretary shall carry out any or 
        all of the activities described in clauses (ii) through 
        (vii), placing the highest priority on the activities 
        described in clause (ii).
          ``(ii) To train classroom teachers and other staff to 
        meet the education standards described in section 
        641A(a)(1)(B), through activities--
                  ``(I) to promote children's language and 
                prereading growth, through techniques 
                identified through scientifically based reading 
                research;
                  ``(II) to promote the acquisition of the 
                English language for non-English background 
                children and families;
                  ``(III) to foster children's school readiness 
                skills through activities described in section 
                648A(a)(1); and
                  ``(IV) to educate and provide training 
                necessary to improve the qualifications 
                particularly with respect to such assistance to 
                enable more instructors to meet the degree 
                requirements under section 648A(a)(2)(A) and to 
                support staff training, child counseling, and 
                other services necessary to address the 
                problems of children participating in Head 
                Start programs, including children from 
                dysfunctional families, children who experience 
                chronic violence in their communities, and 
                children who experience substance abuse in 
                their families.
          ``(iii) To employ additional Head Start staff, 
        including staff necessary to reduce the child-staff 
        ratio lead instructors who meet the qualifications of 
        section 648A(a) and staff necessary to coordinate a 
        Head Start program with other services available to 
        children participating in such program and to their 
        families.
          ``(iv) To pay costs incurred by Head Start agencies 
        to purchase insurance (other than employee benefits) 
        and thereby maintain or expand Head Start services.
          ``(v) To supplement amounts provided under paragraph 
        (2)(C) to provide training necessary to improve the 
        qualifications of the staff of the Head Start agencies, 
        and to support staff training, child counseling, and 
        other services necessary to address the problems of 
        children participating in Head Start programs, 
        including children from dysfunctional families, 
        children who experience chronic violence in their 
        communities, and children who experience substance 
        abuse in their families.
          ``(vi) To conduct outreach to homeless families in an 
        effort to increase the program participation of 
        eligible homeless children.
          ``(vii) Such other activities as the Secretary may 
        designate.
          ``(viii) To conduct outreach to migrant and seasonal 
        farm-working families and families with children with a 
        limited English proficiency.''.
          (8) In subsection (a)(4) by striking ``1998'' in 
        subparagraph (A) and inserting ``2003''.
          (9) In subsection (a)(5)(B)--
                  (A) by striking ``may'' and inserting 
                ``shall''; and
                  (B) by inserting ``early childhood 
                education'' after ``regarding''.
          (10) By amending subsection (a)(5)(C) to read as 
        follows:
  ``(C) In order to improve results for children, a State that 
receives a grant under subparagraph (B) shall--
          ``(i) appoint an individual to serve as the State 
        Director of Collaboration between--
                  ``(I) the appropriate regional office of the 
                Administration for Children and Families;
                  ``(II) the State educational agency;
                  ``(III) the State Department of Health and 
                Human Services;
                  ``(IV) the State agency that oversees child 
                care;
                  ``(V) the State agency that assists children 
                with developmental disabilities;
                  ``(VI) the State Head Start Association;
                  ``(VII) the State network of child care 
                resource and referral agencies;
                  ``(VIII) local educational agencies;
                  ``(IX) community-based and faith-based 
                organizations;
                  ``(X) State representatives of migrant and 
                seasonal Head Start programs;
                  ``(XI) State representatives of Indian Head 
                Start programs;
                  ``(XII) State and local providers of early 
                childhood education and child care; and
                  ``(XIII) other entities carrying out programs 
                serving low-income children and families in the 
                State;
          ``(ii) ensure that the State Director of 
        Collaboration holds a position with sufficient 
        authority and access to ensure that the collaboration 
        described in subparagraph (B) is effective and involves 
        a range of State agencies;
          ``(iii) involve the entities described in section 
        clause (i) to develop a strategic plan for the 
        coordinated outreach to identify eligible children and 
        implementation strategies based on a needs assessment 
        conducted by the Office of the State Director of 
        Collaboration which shall include an assessment of the 
        availability of high quality prekindergarten services 
        for low-income children in the State. Such assessment 
        shall be completed within one year after the date of 
        enactment of the `School Readiness Act of 2003' and be 
        updated on an annual basis and shall be made available 
        to the general public within the State;
          ``(iv) ensure that the collaboration described in 
        subparagraph (B) involves coordination of Head Start 
        services with health care, welfare, child care, child 
        protective services, education, and community service 
        activities, family literacy services, activities 
        relating to children with disabilities (including 
        coordination of services with those State officials who 
        are responsible for administering part C and section 
        619 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
        Act), and services for homeless children (including 
        coordination of services with the Office of Coordinator 
        for Education of Homeless Children and Youth designated 
        under section 722 (g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento 
        Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001;
          ``(v) consult with the chief State school officer, 
        local educational agencies, and representatives of 
        local Head Start agencies and providers of early 
        childhood education and care in unified planning 
        regarding early care and education services at both the 
        State and local levels, including collaborative efforts 
        to develop school readiness standards; and
          ``(vi) consult with the chief State school officer, 
        local educational agencies, State child care 
        administrators, State human services administrators, 
        representatives of local resource and referral 
        agencies, local early childhood councils, providers of 
        early childhood education and care and other relevant 
        State and local agencies, and representatives of the 
        State Head Start Associations to plan for the provision 
        of full-working-day, full calendar year early care and 
        education services for children.''.
          (11) By amending clause (i) of subsection (a)(5)(D) 
        by inserting ``and providers of services supporting 
        early childhood education and child care'' after 
        ``Associations''.
          (12) By amending subsection (a)(6)(A) to read as 
        follows:
  ``(A) From amounts reserved and allotted pursuant to 
paragraphs (2) and (4), the Secretary shall use, for grants for 
programs described in section 645A(a) of this subchapter, a 
portion of the combined total of such amounts equal to at least 
10 percent for fiscal years 2004 through 2008, of the amount 
appropriated pursuant to section 639(a), except as provided in 
subparagraph (B).''
          (13) By inserting the following before the period at 
        the end of subsection (f): ``, including models that 
        leverage the existing capacity and capabilities of the 
        delivery system of early childhood education and child 
        care''.
          (14) By inserting the following after ``manner that 
        will'' in subsection (g)(2)(G): ``leverage the existing 
        delivery systems of such services and''.
          (15) By amending subsection (g)(2)(C) to read as 
        follows:
          ``(C) the extent to which the applicant has 
        undertaken community-wide strategic planning and needs 
        assessments involving other community organizations and 
        public agencies serving children and families 
        (including organizations and agencies providing family 
        support services and protective services to children 
        and families, and organizations serving families in 
        whose homes English is not the language customarily 
        spoken), and organizations and public entities serving 
        children with disabilities and homeless children 
        (including the local educational agency liaison 
        designated under section 722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the 
        McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance 
        Improvements Act of 2001);''.
          (16) By inserting in subsection (g)(2)(H) after 
        ``serving the community involved'' the following: ``, 
        including the liaison designated under section 
        722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
        Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001,''.
          (17) By adding the following new subsections at the 
        end thereof:
  ``(m) Enrollment of Homeless Children.--The Secretary shall 
by regulation prescribe policies and procedures to remove 
barriers to the enrollment and participation of eligible 
homeless children in Head Start programs. Such regulations 
shall require Head Start agencies to:
          ``(1) implement policies and procedures to ensure 
        that eligible homeless children are identified and 
        prioritized for enrollment,
          ``(2) allow homeless families 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) coordinate individual Head Start centers and 
        programs with efforts to implement Subtitle VII-B of 
        the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
  ``(n) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed to require a State to establish a program of early 
education for children in the State, to require any child to 
participate in a program of early education, to attend school, 
or to participate in any initial screening prior to 
participation in such program, except as provided under section 
612(a)(3), (consistent with section 614(a)(1)(C)), of the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
  ``(o) Materials.--All curricula and instructional materials 
funded under this subchapter shall be scientifically based and 
age appropriate. Parents shall have the ability to inspect, 
upon request, any curricula or instructional materials.''.

SEC. 6. DESIGNATION OF AGENCIES.

  Section 641 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836) is amended 
as follows:
          (1) In subsection (a)--
                  (A) by inserting after ``community'' in the 
                first place it appears ``, including a 
                community-based or faith-based organization'';
                  (B) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)'';
                  (C) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) 
                as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; and
                  (D) by adding the following at the end 
                thereof:
  ``(2) In order to be designated as a Head Start agency and to 
receive a grant under this subchapter, a grantee shall 
establish grantee-determined goals for improving the school 
readiness of children participating in a program under this 
subchapter, which shall include goals for--
          ``(A) educational instruction in prereading, 
        premathematical, and language skills; and
          ``(B) the provision of health, educational, 
        nutritional, social, and other services.
  ``(3) In order to receive a grant subsequent to the initial 
grant provided following the date of enactment of this 
subchapter, the grantee shall demonstrate that it has met the 
goals described in paragraph (2).
  ``(4) Progress in meeting such goals shall not be measured 
primarily or solely by the results of assessments.''
          (2) By amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
  ``(c) In the administration of the provisions of this 
section, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the chief 
executive officer of the State involved if such State expends 
non-Federal funds to carry out Head Start programs, give 
priority in the designation of Head Start agencies to any local 
public or private nonprofit or for-profit agency which is 
receiving funds under any Head Start program on the date of the 
enactment of this Act that fulfills the program and financial 
management requirements, standards described in section 
641A(a)(1), results-based performance measures developed by the 
Secretary under section 641A(b), or other requirements 
established by the Secretary.''.
          (3) By amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
  ``(d) If no entity in a community is entitled to the priority 
specified in subsection (c), then the Secretary may designate a 
Head Start agency from among qualified applicants in such 
community. In selecting from among qualified applicants for 
designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall give 
priority to any qualified agency that functioned as a Head 
Start delegate agency in the community and carried out a Head 
Start program that the Secretary determines met or exceeded 
such performance standards and such results-based performance 
measures. In selecting from among qualified applicants for 
designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall 
consider the effectiveness of each such applicant to provide 
Head Start services, based on--
          ``(1) any past performance of such applicant in 
        providing services comparable to Head Start services, 
        including how effectively such applicant provided such 
        comparable services;
          ``(2) the capacity of such applicant to serve 
        eligible children with scientifically-based programs 
        that promote school readiness of children participating 
        in the program;
          ``(3) the plan of such applicant to meet standards 
        set forth in section 641A(a)(1), with particular 
        attention to the standards set forth in subparagraphs 
        (A) and (B) of such section;
          ``(4) the plan of such applicant to provide 
        comprehensive health, nutritional, educational, social, 
        and other services needed to prepare children to 
        succeed in school;
          ``(5) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the 
        Head Start program it proposes to carry out with other 
        preschool programs, including Early Reading First and 
        Even Start programs under title I, part B, subparts 1 
        and 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965; other preschool programs carried out under title 
        I of the Act; programs under part C and section 619 of 
        the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; State 
        prekindergarten programs; and with the educational 
        programs such children will enter at the age of 
        compulsory school attendance;
          ``(6) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the 
        Head Start program it proposes to carry out with 
        private entities with resources available to assist the 
        Head Start Program meet its program needs;
          ``(7) the plan of such applicant--
                  ``(A) to seek the involvement of parents of 
                participating children in activities (at home 
                and in the center involved where practicable) 
                designed to help such parents become full 
                partners in the education of their children;
                  ``(B) to afford such parents the opportunity 
                to participate in the development, conduct, and 
                overall performance of the program at the local 
                level;
                  ``(C) to offer (directly or through referral 
                to local entities, such as entities carrying 
                out Even Start programs under part B of chapter 
                1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2741 et seq.), 
                public and school libraries, and family support 
                programs) to such parents--
                          ``(i) family literacy services; and
                          ``(ii) parenting skills training;
                  ``(D) to offer to parents of participating 
                children substance abuse counseling (either 
                directly or through referral to local 
                entities), including information on drug-
                exposed infants and fetal alcohol syndrome;
                  ``(E) at the option of such applicant, to 
                offer (directly or through referral to local 
                entities) to such parents--
                          ``(i) training in basic child 
                        development;
                          ``(ii) assistance in developing 
                        communication skills;
                          ``(iii) opportunities for parents to 
                        share experiences with other parents; 
                        or
                          ``(iv) any other activity designed to 
                        help such parents become full partners 
                        in the education of their children;
                  ``(F) to provide, with respect to each 
                participating family, a family needs assessment 
                that includes consultation with such parents 
                about the benefits of parent involvement and 
                about the activities described in subparagraphs 
                (C) (D), and (E) in which such parents may 
                choose to become involved (taking into 
                consideration their specific family needs, work 
                schedules, and other responsibilities); and
                  ``(G) to extend out reach to fathers in order 
                to strengthen the role of fathers in families 
                by working directly with fathers and father-
                figures through such activities as including 
                fathers in home visits; implementing father 
                outreach efforts, providing opportunities for 
                direct father-child interactions; and targeting 
                increased male participation in the program;
          ``(8) the ability of such applicant to carry out the 
        plans described in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4);
          ``(9) other factors related to the requirements of 
        this subchapter;
          ``(10) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs 
        of non-English background children and their families, 
        including needs related to the acquisition of the 
        English language;
          ``(11) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs 
        of children with disabilities;
          ``(12) the plan of such applicant who chooses to 
        assist younger siblings of children who will 
        participate in the proposed Head Start program to 
        obtain health services from other sources;
          ``(13) the plan of such applicant to collaborate with 
        other entities carrying out early childhood education 
        and child care programs in the community; and
          ``(14) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs 
        of homeless children.''.

SEC. 7. QUALITY STANDARDS; MONITORING OF HEAD START AGENCIES AND 
                    PROGRAMS.

  Section 641A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a) is 
amended as follows:
          (1) In subsection (a)(1)(B) by amending clause (ii) 
        to read as follows:
                  ``(ii) additional education standards to 
                ensure that the children participating in the 
                program, at a minimum develop and demonstrate--
                          ``(I) language skills;
                          ``(II) prereading knowledge and 
                        skills, including interest in and 
                        appreciation of books, reading and 
                        writing either alone or with others;
                          ``(III) premathematics knowledge and 
                        skills, including aspects of 
                        classification, seriation, number, 
                        spatial relations, and time;
                          ``(IV) cognitive abilities related to 
                        academic achievement;
                          ``(V) social and emotional 
                        development important for environments 
                        constructive for child development, 
                        early learning, and school success; and
                          ``(VI) in the case of limited-English 
                        proficient children, progress toward 
                        acquisition of the English language.''.
          (2) By amending subsection (a)(2)(B) to read as 
        follows:
                  ``(B) take into consideration--
                          ``(i) past experience with use of the 
                        standards in effect under this 
                        subchapter on October 27, 1998;
                          ``(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) developments concerning best 
                        practices with respect to early 
                        childhood education and development, 
                        children with disabilities, family 
                        services, program administration, and 
                        financial management;
                          ``(iv) projected needs of an 
                        expanding Head Start program;
                          ``(v) guidelines and standards 
                        currently in effect or under 
                        consideration that promote child health 
                        services, and projected needs of 
                        expanding Head Start programs;
                          ``(vi) changes in the population of 
                        children who are eligible to 
                        participate in Head Start programs, 
                        including the language background and 
                        family structure of such children;
                          ``(vii) the need for, and state-of-
                        the-art developments relating to, local 
                        policies and activities designed to 
                        ensure that children participating in 
                        Head Start programs make a successful 
                        transition to schools; and
                          ``(viii) the unique challenges faced 
                        by individual programs, including those 
                        that are seasonal or short term, and 
                        those that serve rural populations; 
                        and''.
          (3) In subsection (a)(2)(C)(ii) by striking all that 
        follows ``in effect on'' down to the period and 
        inserting ``October 27, 1998''.
          (4) By amending subsection (b)(2) to read as follows:
          ``(2) Characteristics of measures.--The performance 
        measures developed under this subsection shall--
                  ``(A) be used to assess the impact of the 
                various services provided by Head Start 
                programs and, to the extent the Secretary finds 
                appropriate, administrative and financial 
                management practices of such programs;
                  ``(B) be adaptable for use in self-
                assessment, peer review, and program evaluation 
                of individual Head Start agencies and programs;
                  ``(C) be developed for other program purposes 
                as determined by the Secretary;
                  ``(D) be appropriate for the population 
                served; and
                  ``(E) be reviewed no less than every 4 years, 
                based on advances in the science of early 
                childhood development.

        The performance measures shall include the performance 
        standards described in subsection (a)(1)(A) and (B).''.
          (5) By amending subsection (b)(4) to read as follows:
          ``(4) Educational measures.--Results based measures 
        shall be designed for the purpose of promoting the 
        competencies of children participating in Head Start 
        programs specified in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii), with an 
        emphasis on measuring those competencies that have a 
        strong scientifically-based predictability of a child's 
        school readiness and later performance in school.''.
          (6) In subsection (c)(1)(C) by striking ``the 
        standards'' and inserting ``one or more of the 
        performance measures developed by the Secretary under 
        subsection (b)''.
          (7) By amending subsection (c)(2) to read as follows:
          ``(2) Conduct of reviews.--The Secretary shall ensure 
        that reviews described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) 
        of paragraph (1)--
                  ``(A) that incorporate a monitoring visit, do 
                so without prior notice of the visit to the 
                local agency or program;
                  ``(B) are conducted by review teams that 
                shall include individuals who are knowledgeable 
                about Head Start programs and, to the maximum 
                extent practicable, the diverse (including 
                linguistic and cultural) needs of eligible 
                children (including children with disabilities) 
                and limited-English proficient children and 
                their families;
                  ``(C) include as part of the reviews of the 
                programs, a review and assessment of program 
                effectiveness, as measured in accordance with 
                the results-based performance measures 
                developed by the Secretary pursuant to 
                subsection (b) and with the standards 
                established pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and 
                (B) of subsection (a)(1);
                  ``(D) seek information from the communities 
                and the States involved about the performance 
                of the programs and the efforts of the Head 
                Start agencies to collaborate with other 
                entities carrying out early childhood education 
                and child care programs in the community;
                  ``(E) seek information from the communities 
                where Head Start programs exist about 
                innovative or effective collaborative efforts, 
                barriers to collaboration, and the efforts of 
                the Head Start agencies and programs to 
                collaborate with the entities carrying out 
                early childhood education and child care 
                programs in the community;
                  ``(F) include as part of the reviews of the 
                programs, a review and assessment of whether a 
                program is in conformity with the income 
                eligibility requirements, as defined in section 
                645 and regulations promulgated thereunder;
                  ``(G) include as part of the reviews of the 
                programs, a review and assessment of whether 
                programs have adequately addressed the 
                population and community needs (including 
                populations of children with a limited English 
                proficiency and children of migrant and 
                seasonal farm-working families); and
                  ``(H) include as part of the review the 
                extent to which the program addresses the 
                community needs and strategic plan identified 
                in section 640(g)(2)(C).''.
          (8) By amending so much of subsection (d)(1) as 
        precedes subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
          ``(1) Determination.--If the Secretary determines, on 
        the basis of a review pursuant to subsection (c), that 
        a Head Start agency designated pursuant to section 641 
        fails to meet the standards described in subsection (a) 
        or results-based performance measures developed by the 
        Secretary under subsection (b), or fails to adequately 
        address the community needs and strategic plan 
        identified in 640(g)(2)(C), the Secretary shall--''
          (9) By amending subsection (d)(2) to read as follows:
          ``(2) Quality improvement plan.--
                  ``(A) Agency and program responsibilities.--
                In order to retain a designation as a Head 
                Start agency under this subchapter, or in the 
                case of a Head Start Program, in order to 
                continue to receive funds from such agency, a 
                Head Start agency, or Head Start program that 
                is the subject of a determination described in 
                paragraph (1) (other than an agency or program 
                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 which shall be 
                        subject to the approval of the 
                        Secretary, or in the case of a program, 
                        the sponsoring agency, and which 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) eliminate each deficiency 
                        identified, not later than the date for 
                        elimination of such deficiency 
                        specified in such plan (which shall not 
                        be later than 1 year after the date the 
                        agency or program received notice of 
                        the determination and of the specific 
                        deficiency to be corrected).
                  ``(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 for program 
                improvement.--Not later than 30 days after 
                receiving from a Head Start program, a proposed 
                quality improvement plan pursuant to 
                subparagraph (A), the sponsoring agency shall 
                either approve such proposed plan or specify 
                the reasons why the proposed plan cannot be 
                approved.''.
          (10) In subsection (d)(3) by inserting ``and 
        programs'' after ``agencies''.
          (11) Subsection (e) is amended to read as follows:
  ``(e) Summaries of Monitoring Outcomes.--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 (d), during such fiscal 
year. Such information shall be made available to all parents 
with students receiving assistance under this Act in a 
understandable and uniform format, and to the extent 
practicable, provided in a language that the parents can 
understand, and in addition, make the information widely 
available through public means such as distribution through 
public agencies, and at a minimum posting such information on 
the Internet immediately upon publication.''.

SEC. 8. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGENCIES.

  Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837(b)) is 
amended as follows:
          (1) By amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
  ``(b) In order to be so designated, a Head Start agency shall 
also--
          ``(1) establish a program with standards set forth in 
        section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to the 
        standards set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
        such section;
          ``(2) demonstrate capacity to serve eligible children 
        with scientifically-based curricula and other 
        interventions that help promote the school readiness of 
        children participating in the program;
          ``(3) establish effective procedures by which parents 
        and area residents concerned will be enabled to 
        directly participate in decisions that influence the 
        character of programs affecting their interests;
          ``(4) provide for their regular participation in the 
        implementation of such programs;
          ``(5) provide technical and other support needed to 
        enable parents and area residents to secure on their 
        own behalf available assistance from public and private 
        sources;
          ``(6) 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 to afford such parents the 
        opportunity to participate in the development, conduct, 
        and overall performance of the program at the local 
        level;
          ``(7) conduct outreach to schools in which Head Start 
        children enroll, local educational agencies, the local 
        business community, community-based organizations, 
        faith-based organizations, museums, and libraries to 
        generate support and leverage the resources of the 
        entire local community in order to improve school 
        readiness;
          ``(8) offer (directly or through referral to local 
        entities, such as entities carrying out Even Start 
        programs under part B of chapter 1 of title I of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 2741 et seq.)), to parents of participating 
        children, family literacy services and parenting skills 
        training;
          ``(9) offer to parents of participating children 
        substance abuse counseling (either directly or through 
        referral to local entities), including information on 
        drug-exposed infants and fetal alcohol syndrome;
          ``(10) at the option of such agency, offer (directly 
        or through referral to local entities), to such 
        parents--
                  ``(A) training in basic child development;
                  ``(B) assistance in developing communication 
                skills;
                  ``(C) opportunities to share experiences with 
                other parents;
                  ``(D) regular in-home visitation; or
                  ``(E) any other activity designed to help 
                such parents become full partners in the 
                education of their children;
          ``(11) provide, with respect to each participating 
        family, a family needs assessment that includes 
        consultation with such parents about the benefits of 
        parent involvement and about the activities described 
        in paragraphs (4) through (7) in which such parents may 
        choose to be involved (taking into consideration their 
        specific family needs, work schedules, and other 
        responsibilities);
          ``(12) consider providing services to assist younger 
        siblings of children participating in its Head Start 
        program to obtain health services from other sources;
          ``(13) perform community outreach to encourage 
        individuals previously unaffiliated with Head Start 
        programs to participate in its Head Start program as 
        volunteers; and
          ``(14)(A) inform custodial parents in single-parent 
        families that participate in programs, activities, or 
        services carried out or provided under this subchapter 
        about the availability of child support services for 
        purposes of establishing paternity and acquiring child 
        support; and
          ``(B) refer eligible parents to the child support 
        offices of State and local governments.''.
          (2) Amend subsection (c) to read as follows:
  ``(c) The head of each Head Start agency shall coordinate and 
collaborate with the State agency responsible for administering 
the State program carried out under the Child Care and 
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), 
and other early childhood education and development programs, 
including programs under subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento 
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431-11435), Even Start 
programs under part B of chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2741 et seq.), 
and programs under Part C and section 619 of the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431-1445, 1419), 
and the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 
5106a), serving the children and families served by the Head 
Start agency to carry out the provisions of this subchapter.''.
          (3) In subsection (d) by redesignating paragraphs (2) 
        through (4) as paragraph (3) through (5) and inserting 
        the following new paragraph after paragraph (1):
  ``(2) In communities where both public prekindergarten 
programs and Head Start programs operate, a Head Start agency 
shall coordinate with the local educational agency or other 
public agency responsible for the operation of the 
prekindergarten program and providers of prekindergarten, 
including for outreach to identify eligible children.''.
  (5) In paragraph (3) (as redesignated) of subsection (d), 
strike ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A) and insert the 
following after subparagraph (A) and redesignate subparagraph 
(B) as (C):
                  ``(B) collaborating to increase the program 
                participation of underserved populations of 
                eligible children; and''.

SEC. 9. HEAD START ALIGNMENT WITH K-12 EDUCATION.

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

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

          (2) In paragraph (2) after ``social workers,'' insert 
        the following: ``McKinney-Vento liaisons as established 
        under section 722 (g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento 
        Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 
        2001,''.
          (3) Add the following new paragraph after paragraph 
        (2) and redesignated paragraphs (3) through (7) as (4) 
        through (8):
          ``(3) developing continuity of developmentally 
        appropriate curricula between Head Start and local 
        educational agencies to ensure an effective transition 
        and appropriate shared expectations for children's 
        learning and development as they make such transition 
        to school;''.
          (4) Paragraph (6)(as redesignated by paragraph (3) of 
        this section) is amended to read as follows:
          ``(6) 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 
        and family outreach and support efforts under subtitle 
        VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act;''.
          (4) In paragraph (7)(as redesignated by paragraph (3) 
        of this section) by inserting ``and continuity in 
        parental involvement activities'' after ``developmental 
        continuity''.
          (5) Strike ``and'' at the end of paragraph (7)(as 
        redesignated by paragraph (3) of this section) and 
        strike the period at the end of paragraph (8)(as 
        redesignated by paragraph (3) of this section) and 
        insert a semicolon.
          (6) Add the following after paragraph (8):
          ``(9) helping parents 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; and
          ``(10) developing and implementing a system to 
        increase program participation of underserved 
        populations of eligible children.''.

SEC. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS.

  Section 644 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9839) is amended 
in subsection (f)(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through 
(E) as (B) through (F) and inserting the following new 
subparagraph before subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated):
          ``(A) a description of the consultation conducted by 
        the Head Start agency with the providers in the 
        community demonstrating capacity and capability to 
        provide services under this Act, and of the potential 
        for collaboration with such providers and the cost 
        effectiveness of such collaboration as opposed to the 
        cost effectiveness of the purchase of a facility;''

SEC. 11. ELIGIBILITY.

  Section 645(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) is 
amended as follows:
          (1) By striking ``to a reasonable extent'' in 
        paragraph (1)(B)(i) and inserting ``not to exceed 10 
        percent of the total enrollment'' and by striking 
        ``benefit from such programs'' and inserting ``benefit 
        from such programs, including children referred by 
        child welfare services,'' .
          (2) By adding the following new paragraph at the end 
        thereof:
  ``(3) The amount of a basic allowance provided under section 
403 of title 37, United States Code, on behalf of an individual 
who is a member of the uniformed services for housing that is 
acquired or constructed under the authority of subchapter IV of 
chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, or any other 
related provision of law, shall not be considered to be income 
for purposes of determining the eligibility of a child of the 
individual for programs assisted under this subchapter.''.

SEC. 12. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.

  (a) In General.--Section 645A of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9643) is amended as follows:
          (1) By amending paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection 
        (b) to read as follows:
          ``(4) provide services to parents to support their 
        role as parents (including parenting skills training 
        and training in basic child development) and to help 
        the families move toward self-sufficiency (including 
        educational and employment services as appropriate);
          ``(5) coordinate services with services (including 
        home-based services) provided by programs in the State 
        and programs in the community (including programs for 
        infants and toddlers with disabilities) to ensure a 
        comprehensive array of services (such as health and 
        mental health services, and family support 
        services);''.
          (2) By amending paragraph (8) of subsection (b) to 
        read as follows:
          ``(8) ensure formal linkages with the agencies and 
        entities described in section 644(b) of the Individuals 
        with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1444(b)) and 
        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.) and the agency responsible for administering the 
        Section 106 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a); and''.
          (3) In subsection (g)(2)(B) by striking ``and'' at 
        the end of clause (iii), by striking the period at the 
        end of clause (iv) and inserting ``; and'' and by 
        inserting the following at the end:
                          ``(v) providing professional 
                        development designed to increase 
                        program participation for underserved 
                        populations of eligible children.''.
  (b) Migrant and Seasonal Programs.--Section 645A(d)(1) of the 
Head Start Act (42 US.C. 9643(d)(1)) is amended to read as 
follows:
          ``(1) entities operating Head Start programs under 
        this subpart, including migrant and seasonal Head Start 
        programs; and''.
  (c) Community- and Faith-Based Organizations.--Section 
645A(d)(2) of the Head Start Act (42 US.C. 9643(d)(21)) is 
amended by inserting ``, including community- and faith-based 
organizations'' after ``entities'' in the second place it 
appears.

SEC. 13. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.

  Section 648 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) is amended 
as follows:
          (1) By inserting the following new subsection after 
        subsection (a) and redesignating subsections (b) 
        through (e) as subsections (c) through (f):
  ``(b) The Secretary shall make available to each State the 
money reserved in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) to support a State-
based system delivering training and technical assistance that 
improves the capacity of Head Start programs within a State to 
deliver services in accordance with the Head Start standards in 
section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to the standards 
set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such section. The 
Secretary shall--
          ``(1) ensure eligible entities within a State are 
        chosen by the Secretary, in consultation with the State 
        Collaboration Board described in section 
        640(a)(5)(C)(i), through a competitive bid process;
          ``(2) ensure that existing agencies with demonstrated 
        expertise in providing high quality training and 
        technical assistance to improve the delivery of Head 
        Start services, including the State Head Start 
        Association, State agencies, migrant and seasonal Head 
        Start programs operating in the State, and other 
        entities currently providing training and technical 
        assistance in early education, be included in the 
        planning and coordination of the State system of 
        training and technical assistance; and
          ``(3) encourage States to supplement the funds 
        authorized in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) with State, 
        Federal, or local funds other than Head Start funds, to 
        expand activities beyond Head Start agencies to include 
        other providers of other early childhood services 
        within a State.''.
          (2) In subsection (d) (as redesignated):
                  (A) In paragraph (2), after ``disabilities'' 
                insert ``and for activities described in 
                section 1221(b)(3) of the Elementary and 
                Secondary Education Act of 1965''.
                  (B) In paragraph (5) after ``assessment'' 
                insert ``, including the needs of homeless 
                children and their families''.
                  (C) By striking ``and'' at the end of 
                paragraph (10), by striking the period at the 
                end of paragraph (11) and inserting ``; and'' 
                and by inserting the following at the end:
          ``(12) assist Head Start agencies and programs in 
        increasing program participation of eligible homeless 
        children.''.
          (3) In subsection (e) (as redesignated by paragraph 
        (1)) by inserting ``, including community- and faith-
        based organizations'' after ``entities''.
          (4) By amending subsection (f) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1)) to read as follows:
  ``(f) The Secretary shall provide, either directly or through 
grants or other arrangements, funds from programs authorized 
under this subchapter to 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, training 
for personnel providing services to non-English language 
background children (including services to promote the 
acquisition of the English language), training for personnel 
providing services to children determined to be abused or 
neglected, training for personnel providing services to 
children referred by or receiving child welfare services, 
training for personnel in helping children cope with community 
violence, and resource access projects for personnel working 
with disabled children.''.
          (5) Insert at the end of the section:
  ``(g) Helping Personnel Better Serve Migrant and Seasonal 
Farm-working Communities and Homeless Families.--The Secretary 
shall provide, either directly or through grants, or other 
arrangements, funds for training of Head Start personnel in 
addressing the unique needs of migrant and seasonal working 
families, families with a limited English proficiency, and 
homeless families.
  ``(h) Authorized Activities.--The majority of funds expended 
under this section shall be used to provide high quality, 
sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused training and 
technical assistance in order to have a positive and lasting 
impact on classroom instruction. Funds shall be used to carry 
out activities related to any or all of the following:
          ``(1) Education and early childhood development.
          ``(2) Child health, nutrition, and safety.
          ``(3) Family and community partnerships.
          ``(4) Other areas that impact the quality or overall 
        effectiveness of Head Start programs.
  ``(i) Prohibition on Use of Funds.--Funds under this 
subchapter used for training shall be used for needs identified 
annually by a grant applicant or delegate agency in their 
program improvement plan, except that funds 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.
  ``(j) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
`eligible entities' means an institution of higher education or 
other entity with expertise in delivering training in early 
childhood development, family support, and other assistance 
designed to improve the delivery of Head Start services.''.

SEC. 14. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT.

  Section 648A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a) is 
amended as follows:
          (1) By amending paragraph (2) of subsection (a) to 
        read as follows:
          ``(2) Degree requirements.--
                  ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure 
                that not later than September 30, 2008, at 
                least 50 percent of all 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 in a field related to early 
                        childhood education, with experience in 
                        teaching preschool children.
                  ``(B) Progress.--Each Head State agency shall 
                provide to the Secretary a report indicating 
                the number and percentage of classroom 
                instructors with child development associate 
                credentials and associate, baccalaureate, or 
                advanced degrees. The Secretary shall compile 
                all program reports and make them available to 
                the Committee on Education and the Workforce of 
                the United States House of Representatives and 
                the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                Pensions of the United States Senate.
                  ``(C) Requirement for new head start 
                teachers.--Within 3 years after the date of 
                enactment of this clause, the Secretary shall 
                require that all Head Start teachers nationwide 
                in center-based programs hired following the 
                date of enactment of this subparagraph--
                          ``(i) have an associate, 
                        baccalaureate, or advanced degree in 
                        early childhood education;
                          ``(ii) have an associate, 
                        baccalaureate, or advanced degree in a 
                        field related to early childhood 
                        education, with experience in teaching 
                        preschool children; or
                          ``(iii) be currently enrolled in a 
                        program of study leading to an 
                        associate degree in early childhood 
                        education and agree to complete degree 
                        requirements within 3 years from the 
                        date of hire.
                  ``(D) Service requirements.--The Secretary 
                shall establish requirements to ensure that 
                individuals who receive financial assistance 
                under this Act in order to comply with the 
                requirements under section 648A(a)(2) shall 
                subsequently teach in a Head Start center for a 
                period of time equivalent to the period for 
                which they received assistance or repay the 
                amount of the funds.''.
          (2) By adding the following at the end thereof:
  ``(f) Professional Development Plans.--Every Head Start 
agency and program shall create, in consultation with an 
employee, a professional development plan for all full-time 
employees who provide direct services to children.''.

SEC. 15. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EVALUATION.

  Section 649 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9844) is amended 
as follows:
          (1) By amending subsection (a)(1)(B) to read as 
        follows:
                  ``(B) use the Head Start programs to develop, 
                test, and disseminate new ideas and approaches 
                for addressing the needs of low-income 
                preschool children (including children with 
                disabilities and children determined to be 
                abused or neglected) 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.''.
          (1) By striking paragraph (9) of subsection (d) and 
        inserting ``(9) Repealed.--''.
          (2) By striking clause (i) of subsection (g)(1)(A) 
        and redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) 
        and (ii).
          (3) In subsection (g)(7)(C)(i) by striking ``1999'' 
        and inserting ``2003'', striking ``2001'' and inserting 
        ``2005'', and striking ``2003'' and inserting ``2006''.
          (4) By amending subsection (h) to read as follows:
  ``(h) NAS Study.--
          ``(1) In General.--The Secretary shall use funds 
        allocated in section 640(a)(2)(C)(iii) to contract with 
        the National Academy of Sciences for the Board on 
        Children, Youth, and Families of the National Research 
        Council to establish an independent panel of experts to 
        review and synthesize research, theory and applications 
        in the social, behavioral and biological sciences and 
        shall make recommendations on early childhood pedagogy 
        with regard to each of the following:
                  ``(A) Age and developmentally appropriate 
                Head Start academic requirements and outcomes, 
                including but not limited to the domains in 
                641A(a)(B).
                  ``(B) Differences in the type, length, mix 
                and intensity of services necessary to ensure 
                that children from challenging family and 
                social backgrounds including: low-income 
                children, children of color, children with 
                special needs, and children with limited 
                English proficiency enter kindergarten ready to 
                succeed.
                  ``(C) Appropriate assessments of young 
                children for the purposes of improving 
                instruction, services, and program quality, 
                including systematic observation assessment in 
                a child's natural environment, parent and 
                provider interviews, and accommodations for 
                children with disabilities and appropriate 
                assessments for children with special needs, 
                including English language learners.
          ``(2) Composition.--The panel shall consist of 
        multiple experts in each of the following areas:
                  ``(A) Child development and education, 
                including cognitive, social, emotional, 
                physical, approaches to learning, and other 
                domains of child development and learning.
                  ``(B) Professional development, including 
                teacher preparation, to individuals who teach 
                young children in programs.
                  ``(C) Assessment of young children, including 
                screening, diagnostic and classroom-based 
                instructional assessment; children with special 
                needs, including children with disabilities and 
                limited English proficient children.
          ``(3) Timing.--The National Academy of Sciences and 
        the Board shall establish the panel not later than 90 
        days after the date of enactment of this paragraph. The 
        panel should complete its recommendations within 18 
        months of its convening.
          ``(4) Application of panel report.--The results of 
        the panel study shall be used as guidelines by the 
        Secretary to develop, inform and revise, where 
        appropriate, the Head Start education performance 
        measures and standards and the assessments utilized in 
        the Head Start program.''.

SEC. 16. REPORTS.

  Section 650 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9845) is amended 
as follows:
          (1) The first sentence of subsection (a) is amended 
        to read as follows: ``At least once during every 2-year 
        period, the Secretary shall prepare and submit, to the 
        Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House 
        of Representatives and the Committee on Health, 
        Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate, a report 
        concerning the status of children (including disabled, 
        homeless, and non-English language background children) 
        in Head Start programs, including the number of 
        children and the services being provided to such 
        children.''.
          (2) Paragraph (8) of subsection (a) is amended by 
        inserting ``, homelessness'' after ``background''.

SEC. 17. EFFECTIVE DATE.

  The amendments made by this Act shall be effective with 
respect to fiscal years beginning on and after October 1, 2003.

                                
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