Editorial: House bill is bad for Head Start

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 | 8:40 a.m.

The preschool Head Start program suffered a double defeat in the House on Friday. First, an eight-state pilot program was approved by a one-vote margin that could eventually lead to states assuming control of Head Start. We see nothing good coming from that, as the federal government would inevitably begin to slash funding for Head Start if the states were running it. This would severely undermine the program, as the states would be unable to compensate for the loss of federal funds. Additionally, the consistency of the program would be jeopardized as states began to enter contracts with various organizations to run the program -- organizations whose philosophies could vary greatly from region to region.

Second, the House on Friday rejected an amendment proposed by Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev. She wanted to increase the $6.8 billion Head Start reauthorization bill by $50 million. The increase would have been shared by states whose populations are rapidly expanding. Nevada would have realized an extra million dollars above the $21 million it received last year. This is money the state badly needs, as only one in four eligible Nevada children can now attend Head Start because of funding limitations. Berkley's bill would have helped ensure that states such as Nevada are not penalized for their growth.

Since 1965 Head Start has provided many services to low-income parents and their preschool children. It offers individualized education as well as health care and social services. Federal programs are often on the receiving end of valid criticism but that hasn't been true of Head Start. Studies consistently show that children who go through the program fare much better once they enter kindergarten.

The reauthorization bill next goes to the Senate. We would like to see the Senate affirm the value of Head Start by removing the pilot program from the bill. Nothing is to be gained by transferring a program so crucial to child development as Head Start over to cash-starved states so they can "experiment" with it. We would also like to see the Senate evaluate Berkley's proposal. Children are being left behind in the growing states, a fact that is at odds with the Bush administration's stated goals.