Trump administration moves forward with Head Start overhaul, proposing to eliminate regulations
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration said it plans to overhaul Head Start , tossing out many of the regulations that are the hallmark of the early education program for the nation’s poorest children. Officials…
President Donald Trump's administration announced plans to overhaul the Head Start early education program, proposing to eliminate many of the regulations that have long governed the initiative. The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the program, stated the changes would promote more local decision-making. Despite serving around 700,000 of the nation's most vulnerable children, including those facing homelessness, foster care, or disabilities, the overhaul could potentially undermine Head Start's standing as the benchmark in early education.
However, Alex J. Adams, an assistant secretary at Health and Human Services, explained that the aim is to grant Head Start centers the flexibility to adjust their operations. This could entail the removal of numerous regulations, such as low staff-to-student ratios or requirements to involve preschoolers' families. Adams emphasized this during a press call, citing a decade-long decline in enrollment and the hope that the proposed rule would increase the number of Head Start slots.
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, in a preview call, spoke reverently about Head Start, which was initiated by his uncle Sargent Shriver during the Johnson administration. Kennedy highlighted the importance of preserving the program for the most disadvantaged children in the society.
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