H.R. 1429 would reauthorize the Head Start Act, improve program quality, and expand access.

== Detailed Summary ==

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Improving HeadHead Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 - (Sec. 1) ExpressesAmends the support of Congress for the continued role of community and faith-based organizations in Head Start programs as providers of comprehensive servicesAct (the Act) to children, families,revise and communities. Thanks such organizations and their employees and volunteers for their commitment to the education, health, and economic well-being of low-income children and families. reauthorize Head Start programs.

Amends the Head Start Act (the Act) to revise(Sec. 2) Includes children's growth in language, preliteracy, premathematics, emotional, and reauthorizephysical skills among the aims of Head Start programs.

(Sec. 2)3) Includes amongcommunity-based organizations and financial literacy training within the aimsdefinitions of Head Start programs children's growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, socialdelegate agencies and emotional functioning, physical skills,family literacy services, respectively. Adds definitions of Head Start deficiencies, homeless children, institutions of higher education, interrater reliability, limited English proficient (LEP) children, and approaches to learning.unresolved areas of noncompliance.

(Sec. 3) Adds definitionsRemoves Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau from the list of Head Start agency deficiencies, homeless children, homeless families, inclusive classrooms, limited English proficient (LEP), professional development for teachers and staff, and scientifically based research relevant to education activities.program participants.

Removes Micronesia and(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Marshall Islands from the listSecretary of program participants.Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to provide financial assistance to Head Start agencies for five-year periods.

(Sec. 4)5) Authorizes appropriations for Head Start programs for FY2008-FY2012, with specified amounts for research, demonstration, and evaluation activities, including longitudinal studies and impact studies.

(Sec. 5) Sets forth allotment requirements, as well as6) Revises requirements for allotment, and limitations on and authorized usesuse, of Head Start funds.funds, including training and technical activities as well as quality improvement activities.

Reserves from such funds at least:Includes among quality improvement goals providing: (1) 5% for migrantadequate numbers of qualified staff, with adequate training in developing language skills, premathematics skills, and seasonal Head Start programs;preliteracy, and in working with LEP children, children referred by child welfare services, and children with disabilities; (2) 3.5% for Indian Head Start programs;salary scales and benefits adequate to attract and retain qualified staff; (3) 2%salary increases for training and technical assistance, 50%specified purposes; (4) collaboration to increase program participation by underserved populations of which iseligible children; (5) assistance to be providedcomplete postsecondary coursework to localenable Head Start agencies for program improvementsteachers to improve competencies; and 30% for early childhood education training(6) promotion of regular attendance and stability of all Head Start children, especially highly mobile children, including children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers, homeless children, and technical assistance.children in foster care.

Provides fundingIncludes among quality improvement activities: (1) preliteracy development; (2) help for the RepublicLEP children in attaining certain knowledge, skills, and development, and promotion of Palau through FY2009.English language acquisition by them and their families; (3) education and training to improve staff qualifications, particularly assistance to instructors to reach full competency and meet degree requirements under this Act; (4) outreach to homeless families to increase their program participation; (5) outreach to migrant and seasonal farmworker families and families with LEP children; and (6) upgrading of qualifications and skills of educational personnel, including bilingual education teachers and others serving LEP students.

Reserves, for each of FY2008-FY2012, a minimum of 60% ofChanges from discretionary to mandatory the appropriations in excessauthority of the inflation adjusted prior year appropriation,Secretary to be used for quality improvement activities, which include: (1) improving the compensationaward collaboration grants to states and benefits ofeach national administrative office serving Indian Head Start providers; (2) improving teacher knowledge and skills so as to improve instruction in early languagemigrant and literacy, early mathematics, cognitive skills, approaches to learning, creative arts, science, physical health and development, and social and emotional development; (3) ensuring that the physical environments ofseasonal Head Start programs are conducive to the provision of effective servicesfacilitate coordination between Head Start agencies and accessibleentities that carry out other activities designed to the disabled; (4) increasing hours of program operation;benefit low-income families and (5) providing safe child transportation services.children from birth to school entry.

Changes from discretionary to mandatoryRequires the authorityuse of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) to award, upon written request, collaboration grants to states and each national administrative office serving Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs to: (1) facilitate collaboration betweenassist Head Start agencies andto collaborate with entities that carry out other activities benefiting poor familiesinvolved in state and children from birthlocal planning processes to school entry;better meet the needs of low-income families and children; (2) assist Head Start agencies to coordinate activities with the state agency responsible for the state program under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, and other specified entities; (3) promote alignment of Head Start curricula and continuity of services with state early learning standards, as appropriate, and the Head Start Child Outcomes FrameworkFramework; (4) promote better linkages between Head Start agencies and other child and family agencies; and (5) carry out the activities of the state early learning standards, as appropriate. Requires state grantees to appoint or designate a State Director of Head Start Collaboration to improve the coordination and delivery of early education services. Collaboration.

IncreasesRequires the percentagestate to appoint or designate a state Director of funds reservedHead Start Collaboration (currently state liaison), and establish an Office of such Director. Requires the state Director to: (1) make specified assessments and strategic plans; (2) promote certain partnerships; (3) enable state agencies to better coordinate professional development opportunities for Early Head Start programs from 12% in FY2008staff; and (4) help Head Start agencies develop plans to 20% in FY2012. provide full-working-day, full calendar year services, and align them with state early learning standards, as appropriate, and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework.

Provides that, when Head Start appropriations are less thanDirects the prior fiscal year's inflation-adjusted appropriations, Head Start grantees may negotiate a reduced funded enrollment level withGovernor of the Secretary withoutstate to designate or establish a reduction in their grant level, if they can show that a reduced enrollment level is necessarystate advisory council on early childhood education and care for children from birth to maintain the quality of services.school entry.

RequiresIncreases the Secretary to establish requirementspercentage of funds reserved for the safety features, and the safe operation, of vehicles used byEarly Head Start agenciesprograms from at least 12% in FY2008 to transport children.at least 20% in FY2012.

RequiresDirects the Secretary to: (1) appoint a national migrant and seasonal Head Start collaboration director and a national Indian Head Start collaboration director; (2) conduct annual consultations in each affected Head Start region with tribal governments operating Head Start or Early Head Start programs to better gauge their needs; and (3) establish policies and procedures to remove barriers toassuring that: (1) by FY2008 at least 10% of the enrollment and participation of homeless children inenrolled by each Head Start programs. and delegate agency will be disabled children eligible for special education or early intervention services; and (2) such agencies will collaborate with state and local agencies providing such services.

(Sec. 6) Provides forApplies service delivery guidelines to: (1) models that leverage the developmentcapacity and capabilities of a newthe delivery system for designating Head Start agenciesof early childhood education and child care; and (2) procedures to provide for the considerationconversion of part-day programs to full-day programs or part-day slots to full-day slots and serve additional criteria in evaluating applicants.infants and toddlers.

Includes community-based and faith-based organizations amongRequires the entities that may be designatedSecretary, in allotting funds for expansion of Head Start agencies. programs, to consider the extent that an applicant: (1) has involved providers of family support services and protective services for children and families in community-wide strategic planning and needs assessments; and (2) plans to coordinate its services with a community liaison designated under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001 (homeless education liaison), as well as (under current law) with the education services of the local educational agency (LEA).

Maintains the current processRequires regulations to ensure appropriate supervision and background checks of designating aindividuals with whom Head Start agency untilagencies contract to transport children. Directs the Secretary develops and implements a transparent, reliable, and valid system for evaluating grant renewal applications that integratesto review and, as necessary, revise certain school vehicle safety standards within 60 days after the recommendationsNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of an expert panel. Designates those grantees that the system findsDepartment of Transportation (DOT) submits its study on the protection of occupants in such vehicles, in order to be successfully delivering a high quality comprehensive early education program as Head Start agencies for five years, but requires underperforming grantees to enter into open competitionmake such standards consistent with other applicants.the study's findings. Makes current seat spacing and compartmentalization requirements inapplicable until the Secretary completes such review and revisions.

Sets forth criteria to be considered in choosing between competing applicants, including each applicant's abilityDirects the Secretary to: (1) attractappoint a national migrant and retain qualified staff;seasonal Head Start program collaboration director and a national Indian Head Start collaboration director; (2) maintain child-teacher ratiosconduct annual consultations with tribal governments operating Head Start and Early Head Start programs in each affected Head Start region; and family service caseloads; (3) use scientifically-based curriculumcollaborate with providers of migrant and teaching practices that are developmentally appropriate and promote school readiness; (4) coordinate their programs with other early learningseasonal Head Start programs, local educational agencies (LEAs), and public and private entities willing to commit resources to such programs; (5) provide family health, literacy, and parenting services; (6) extend outreach to fathers; and (7) meet the needsSecretaries of Agriculture, of limited English proficient, homeless,Labor, and foster careof Education to increase access for children of migrant and families and children experiencing toxic stress. Removes the priority currently given nonprofit applicants.seasonal farmworkers to Head Start services.

Prohibits a non-IndianDirects the Secretary to issue regulations to require Head Start agency from operating an Indianagencies to remove barriers to the enrollment and participation of homeless children in Head Start program, unless there is no Indian Head Start agency available in the community. programs.

(Sec. 7) Revises Head Start quality standardsDeclares that nothing in the Act shall be construed to require a state to: (1) establish a program of early education and monitoring requirements.care for children; (2) require any child to participate in a program of early education and care in order to attend school; or (3) participate in any initial screening prior to participation in such program, except under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Requires all curricula funded under the SecretaryAct to modify program performance standards, as necessary, so they are scientifically-based, developmentally appropriate,be scientifically, developmentally, and based on the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework to ensure that children, at a minimum, progress in language, prereading, mathematics, science, cognitive abilities, social and emotional development, approaches to learning, creative arts, and the acquisition of the English language. Adds to the factors the Secretary must consider in developing such standards: (1) the recommendations of the report on Developmental Outcomes and Assessments for Young Children by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), when it becomes available; and (2) the unique challenges faced by individual programs, including seasonal, short term,linguistically based, and rural programs.age appropriate.

Requires scientifically based measures of program performance to be reviewed at least every four years so they reflect advances in(Sec. 7) Revises requirements for the scienceSecretary's designation of early childhood development.Head Start agencies.

Terminates further development Requires eligible entities to establish and use ofmeet or make progress toward: (1) program goals for improving participating children's school readiness, including meeting educational performance standards; and (2) results-based school readiness goals aligned with the National Reporting System.Head Start Child Outcomes Framework, state early learning standards (as appropriate), and requirements and expectations for local public schools.

Requires the Secretary's reviews ofeach Head Start agencies and programsagency to useestablish a risk-based assessment systemgoverning body and include unannounced site inspections, as appropriate. Requires such reviews to include: (1) an assessment of whether programs adequately address community needs; (2) an observational instrument that addresses classroom quality; and (3) an assessment of the use of federal funds. a policy council.

RequiresGives priority in redesignation to high-performing grantee agencies that Earlymeet or exceed quality standards and program, financial management, and other requirements. Requires the Secretary, if no entity in a community is entitled to such priority, to designate an agency from among qualified community applicants after conducting an open competition. Specifies effectiveness factors to consider in designating a Head Start program reviews be conducted by individuals knowledgeable about infant and toddler development.agency.

Directs Head Start agenciesthe Secretary to evaluate their delegate agenciescontinue to involve parents and inform themaffected area residents in selection of deficiencies which must be corrected.qualified applicants for such designation.

Requires summaries of program reviews and the outcomes of quality improvement plans to be made available to all parents with childrenProhibits any non-Indian Head Start agency from receiving a grant to carry out an Indian Head Start assistance,program, except where there are no Indian Head Start agencies in addition to the public.a community.

Directs each(Sec. 8) Revises requirements for quality standards and for monitoring of Head Start agencies and delegate agency to conduct a comprehensive self-assessment at least once a year.programs.

Directs Head Start agencies to report their actual enrollment regularlyRequires additional educational standards to be based on the Secretary and, if such enrollment is less thanrecommendations of a National Academy of Sciences panel and other experts in the funded enrollment, any apparent reason for the shortfall. Requires the Secretary to provide appropriate and timely training and technical assistance to agencies experiencing such shortfalls.field.

Sets forth rulesRequires facilities used by Head Start, Early Head Start, and delegate agencies for the redistribution of base grants recaptured, withheld, or reduced.regularly scheduled center-based and combination program option classroom activities to comply with state and local licensing requirements, and be accessible by state and local authorities to monitor and ensure compliance.

(Sec. 8) Revises the power and functions ofRequires each Head Start agencies.agency to establish procedures for: (1) evaluating delegate agencies; (2) defunding delegate agencies; and (3) appealing such defunding decisions.

Adds to the minimum services Head Start agencies provide by requiring themRequires performance measures to: (1) seek the involvementmeasure characteristics strongly predictive of local business, in addition to parentsa child's school readiness and area residents, inlater performance; (2) be appropriate for the design and implementation of programs; (2) offer parents of participating children mentalpopulation served; and behavioral health services; (3) provide parents of limited English proficient children outreach and servicesbe reviewed at least every four years, based on advances in an understandable and uniform format, andearly childhood development science. Directs the Secretary to use performance measures to enable Head Start agencies to individualize programs of instruction to better meet the extent practicable, in a language such parents can understand; (4) promote, as appropriate, the continued involvementneeds of grandparents and kinship caregivers in the education of participating children upon their transition to school; and (5) provide parents of children suspected of having a disability with information and referral services.child involved.

Directs each Head Start agencyProhibits the Act from being construed to establish and maintain a formal structureauthorize the Department of shared governance through which an independent governing body with legalHealth and fiscal responsibilityHuman Services (HHS) to control the selection of a curriculum, instructional program, or instructional materials for administering and overseeing its programs and parent policy councils ensures that such agency operates high quality programs.a Head Start program.

Requires that such governing bodies includeRequires each Head Start agency to: (1) conduct a comprehensive self-assessment at least one member with significant financial management or accounting experience, at least one with expertise in early childhood development, at least one attorney, and additional members selected for expertise in education, business administration, and community affairs. Allows exceptions to such requirements when the governing body oversees a public entity and its members are selected by public election or political appointment. Prohibits certain conflict of interests. Includes among governing body responsibilities: (1) approving all major policies, all major expenditures, applications to receive federal funds, and the selection or dismissal of the director of the Head Start agency;once each program year; (2) overseeing program planning of the agency;develop an improvement plan; and (3) approving or disapproving all policies, applications, and decisionsimplement ongoing monitoring of the policy council.its programs.

Requires thatDirects the majority of a policy council consist of parentsSecretary to develop plans to reduce or former parents of Head Start enrollees elected by parents of current enrollees,eliminate underenrollment in programs with the remaining members chosen from the community the agency serves. Requires policy councils to approve and submit to the governing body decisions concerning the strategic direction of the program, selectionless than 95% of delegate agencies, recruiting and enrollment, funding applications and budget planning, personnel policies, and parent and community outreach.their funded enrollment.

Directs the Secretary to issue guidance on the implementation of shared decision-making, including a processSets forth requirements and procedures for resolving impasses between governing bodiesreduction of grants and policy councils. redistribution of funds in cases of underenrollment.

Requires(Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate up to 200 exemplary Head Start agencies to conduct outreach to schools, LEAs, local businesses, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, museums, and libraries to generate support and leverage community resources to improve school readiness. Requires Head Start agencies,as Centers of Excellence in communities where both public prekindergarten programsEarly Childhood; and Head Start programs operate, to collaborate and coordinate activities with the public agency and providers responsible for operating prekindergarten programs, including outreach activities to identify eligible children. Directs Head Start staff, with parental consent, to communicate regularly with the elementary and secondary schools children will be attending to share information about(2) make them and ensure their smooth transition to such schools.bonus grants.

Changes from discretionary to mandatory the authoritySpecifies authorized uses of Head Start agencies to coordinate activities with LEAssuch grants, including modeling and schools in which participating children will enroll. Includes in such collaboration, enhancing the efficiency of services while increasing the participationdissemination of underserved eligible children.best practices.

Establishes curricular requirements that are research-based, comprehensive, and aligned with theRequires Centers to: (1) encourage their delegate agencies, several additional Head Start Child Outcomes Frameworkagencies, and stateother providers of early learning standards, as appropriate. Requireschildhood education and care in the use of ongoing research-based assessment methods and high-quality research-based developmental screening tools. Directs programscommunity involved to develop training and technical assistance planscarry out model programs; and professional development plans focused on teacher effectiveness.(2) establish a local council.

Requires each Head Start agencyDirects the Secretary to award a grant or contract to enroll 100% of its funded enrollment, maintain an active waiting list,independent organization to research and report on the Centers' ability to: (1) improve the school readiness of children receiving Head Start services; and conduct community outreach.(2) impact school results positively in the earliest grades.

Requires such agencies to use strong fiscal controls.Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012.

(Sec. 9) Adds to provisions requiring Head Start program coordination with LEAs10) Revises powers and schools to ensure the continuityfunctions of children's K-12 education by requiring: (1) the needs of homeless and limited-English proficient children, and those currently underserved by Head Start programs, to be addressed; (2) the continuity of developmentally appropriate curricula between Head Start agencies and LEAs; and (3) an emphasis on the role of parental involvement in a child's academic success.agencies.

(Sec. 10) ProvidesRequires Head Start agencies, in communities where both public prekindergarten programs and Head Start programs operate, to collaborate and coordinate activities with the LEA or other public agency responsible for localoperating prekindergarten programs and state integrationproviders of early childhood education. prekindergarten, including outreach activities to identify eligible children.

RequiresChanges from discretionary to mandatory the authority of Head Start agencies to enter into, submit to the Secretary, and annually review and revise, memoranda of understanding to coordinate activities with providers of publicly-funded prekindergarten programsLEAs and schools in their service areas.which participating children will enroll following the Head Start program.

Directs the Secretary to award an early learning matching grant toRequires each state that requests one to support a State Early Learning Council composedHead Start agency to: (1) enroll 100% of representatives from Head Start, preschool, child care, localits funded enrollment; and state education, special education, and child health programs. Makes such Council responsible for improving(2) maintain an active waiting list at all times, with ongoing outreach to the coordinationcommunity and quality of early childhood services within the state. activities to identify underserved populations.

(Sec. 11) Adds toSpecifies Head Start administrative requirements.transition requirements for alignment with K-12 education.

Directs each Head Start agency to make a report available(Sec. 12) Reduces from 45 to 30 days the public at least once each fiscal year disclosing: (1) its finances and budget; (2) its enrollment, including the percentagedeadline for any state disapproval of its enrollees receiving medical and dental exams; (3) the results of the Secretary's most recent review and the financial audit; (4) parental involvement activities; and (5) the agency's efforts to prepare children for kindergarten.a plan submitted by Head Start agency, with certain exceptions.

Prohibits an agency from using federal funds(Sec. 13) Directs the Secretary to purchase a facility unlessallow up to 10 Head Start agencies to exceed by up to 5% of total program costs the agency receives the Secretary's approval and describes the facility's cost effectiveness and utility in providing serviceslimit on developing and administering a collaborative basis with otherprogram if they will serve a greater percentage of children in the community providers.than was previously served, without diminishing services provided to currently enrolled children.

(Sec. 12) Alters rules regarding eligible14) Raises from below the poverty line to 130% of the poverty line the family income threshold for a child's eligibility to participate in Head Start program participants.programs. Requires priority to be given, however, to serving those below the poverty level.

Includes children referred by child welfare services andRequires that homeless children as program participants, even if their families do not meet low-income eligibility criteria. be deemed eligible for Head Start services.

Excludes the basicExempts certain amounts of military housing allowancepay and allowances from thefamily income eligibility calculation.consideration for purposes of determining Head Start eligibility, including: (1) special pay for duty subject to hostile fire or imminent danger; and (2) a specified basic allowance, especially for housing.

AllowsAuthorizes a Head Start agency to use program funds to serve infants and toddlers ifagency, after it provides certain information to the Secretary proving its capacity and capability to carry out an effective Early Head Start program. Subjects such agency to the same rules applicable to Early Head Start programs.

Allowsdemonstrates a Head Start agencyneed through a communitywide needs assessment, to increase income eligibility to 130% of the poverty level if it provides certain informationapply to the Secretary proving that servicesto: (1) convert part-day sessions, particularly consecutive part-day sessions, into full-day sessions; and outreach to currently eligible children are adequate, and explaining why it is not feasible to simply increase the number of poor(2) serve additional infants and toddlers served.if it meets certain requirements.

Allows Indian Head Start agencies that also operate a Early Head Start program to reallocate funds between both programs at any time.

(Sec. 13) Adds to15) Requires Early Head Start program service, coordination, andprograms to include: (1) parental training requirements.

Includesin parenting skills training and training in basic child development todevelopment; (2) coordination with home-based services Early Head Start programs must provide to parents.

Adds state home service providers, community programs for homeless infants and toddlers,family support services; (3) appropriate screening and child protective service agencies to the entities and programsreferral for children with which Early Head Start programs must coordinate.

Requires programs to establish channels of communication with, and implement a systematic proceduredocumented behavioral problems; (4) procedures for transitioning children and parents to, Head Start programs and other local early childhood education programs.

Includes Indian Head Start agencies as eligiblefrom an Early Head Start providers.

Directs the Secretary, in determining the percentage (between 5 and 10%) of Earlyprogram into a Head Start funds to be reserved for training and technical assistance, to consider the number of new programs serving pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and their families and the greater need those programs have for such assistance. Requires that from such reserved funds: (1) at least 50% be available for the training and technical assistance activities ofprogram or another local entities; (2) at least 30% be used by the Secretary to support a state-based system of early childhood education training and technical assistancecare program; (5) communication channels to local Early Head Start entities that includes a national network of state-based infant-toddler specialists;help coordination between program and (3) the remainder be available to the Secretary to assist local Early Head Start entities meetprovider staff; and exceed program performance standards.

Directs(6) formal linkages with agencies responsible for administering the Secretary to ensure that, by September 30, 2009, all teachers providing direct services to childrenChild Abuse Prevention and families in Early Head Start centers have a minimum of a child development associate credential and training in early childhood development.Treatment Act.

Directs the Secretary to establish standards for training, qualifications, and the conduct of home visits for home visitor staff inIncludes as eligible Early Head Start programs. Requires that such standards include content related to the roleservice providers: (1) tribal governments and entities operating migrant and seasonal Head Start programs; and (2) community-based organizations capable of parents inproviding child development and in working with other health and developmentalfamily services providers to eliminate gaps in service. that meet Head Start standards and other appropriate requirements.

(Sec. 14) Requires Head Start agenciesAllows funds in a training and technical assistance account to get parental consent before administering any nonemergency health care service to a child.be used for: (1) effective methods of conducting parent education, home visiting, and promoting quality early childhood development; (2) recruiting and retaining qualified staff; and (3) increasing program participation for underserved populations of eligible children.

(Sec. 15) ClarifiesDirects the Secretary's authoritySecretary to terminate, reduce, or suspendensure that, by September 30, 2012, all teachers providing direct services to Early Head Start assistance before the conclusion of an appeals process. Prohibits the use ofchildren and families in Early Head Start assistance to reimburse legal feescenters: (1) have a minimum of a child development associate credential or an associate degree; and other costs incurred(2) have been trained, or have equivalent course work, in pursuing such appeals.early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.

(Sec. 16) Requires Head Start agencies to submitDirects the Secretary to establish standards for training, qualifications, and the Secretary complete annual accountingsconduct of their administrative expenses, and audit management letters and findings.home visits for home visitor staff in Early Head Start programs.

(Sec. 17)16) Revises trainingprovisions for appeals, notice, and technical assistance requirements. hearings.

Adds as targets of such assistance: (1) servicesRequires each Head Start and outreach to homeless children and their families, limited English proficient children and their families, children and families experiencing toxic stress, and additional disabled children; (2) the unique needs of programs located in rural communities; (3) training for personnel serving abused or neglected children and those referred by orEarly Head Start center receiving child welfare services; (4) training for personnelfinancial assistance to make a complete annual accounting to recognize common child health problems for appropriate referral; and (5) training for personnel that addresses the unique needsSecretary of migrant and seasonal working families, families with disabled children, families with limited English proficiency, homeless families, and children and families experiencing toxic stress.its administrative expenses.

Requires more than one-half of training and(Sec. 17) Revise technical assistance funding to be used for classroom-focused assistance and training.training requirements.

Directs the Secretary to establish an outreach programmake specified funds available to recruitsupport a regional or state system of training and train minority men to becometechnical assistance in early childhood education and care that improves the capacity of Head Start teachers.programs to deliver services in accordance with specified quality standards.

Prohibits the use of training fundsProvides for long-distance travelservices to training that is available locallyabused or regionally.neglected children, and training for personnel providing them.

Lists activities for which program improvementDirects the Secretary to provide funds may be used byfor training of Head Start agencies, including activities to improve parenting skills, job skills,personnel in addressing the unique needs of disabled children and their families, migrant and adultseasonal farmworker families, LEP families, and family literacy. homeless families.

DirectsRequires the Secretaryuse of technical assistance and training funds to conduct studiescarry out activities related to one or more of the following: (1) education and report on Head Start program participation by eligible Indian, Alaskan Native,early childhood development; (2) child health, nutrition, and migrantsafety; (3) family and seasonal children. community partnerships; or (4) other areas that impact the quality or overall effectiveness of Head Start programs.

Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts inRequires each state with institutions of higher education or other experienced training entitiesHead Start agency to support state-based systemsensure that all of deliveringits teachers receive ongoing training in language and emergent literacy (literacy training), including training in methods to promote phonologic and phonemic awareness and vocabulary development in an age-appropriate and culturally and technical assistance.linguistically appropriate manner.

Requires each(Sec. 18) Revises requirements for Head Start agency to ensure that all of its teachers receive ongoing training in languagestaff qualifications and emergent literacy. development.

Encourages the Secretary to contract with an institution of higherRequires, by September 30, 2012, all Head Start teachers, curriculum specialists, education coordinators, and teaching assistants in center-based programs to develop an on-line graduate-level professional development program.meet specified associate degree or equivalent coursework requirements.

Requires the Secretary to consult with experts regarding indoor air qualityRequires, by September 30, 2013, 50% of all Head Start teachers in center-based programs in each state (or geographic region for Indian and children's healthmigrant and informseasonal Head Start agenciesprograms) to have: (1) a baccalaureate degree relating to early childhood or a related educational area; and (2) demonstrated teaching competencies, including, at a minimum, an appropriate level of programs that improve indoor air. literacy, a demonstrated capacity to be highly engaged with children, and a demonstrated ability to implement an early childhood curriculum effectively.

Permits the Secretary to award demonstration grants to tribal colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions to establish career ladder programs forRequires each Head Start agency staff serving Indian children or limited English proficient children and parents. teacher to attend not less than 15 clock hours of professional development per year.

Directs the Secretary to collaborate with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to: (1) increase the number of associate, baccalaureate, and advanced degrees in early childhood education and related fields earned by the staff of, and parents served by, Head Start agencies; and (2) upgrade the skills and qualifications of noncertified Head Start educational personnel. Requires individuals that receive collaboration assistance to teach afterwards in a center-based Head Start program for a period equivalent to the period for which they received assistance, or repay such assistance.Prescribes progress reporting requirements.

(Sec. 18) AmendsDirects the Secretary to establish service requirements to ensure that individuals who receive financial assistance under the Act to pursue a degree or credential to qualify as Head Start staff qualification and development requirements.shall: (1) teach or work in a Head Start program for a minimum of three years after receiving the degree; or (2) repay the total or a prorated amount of the financial assistance received based on the length of service completed after receiving the degree.

DirectsRevises requirements for family service workers to direct the Secretary to ensure that by September 30, 2013, at least 50%promote the use of all Head Start classroom teachers nationwide have at least: (1) a baccalaureate in early childhood education; or (2) a related field, with experience in teaching preschool children. Requires teachers in migrant and seasonal Head Start classrooms that serve children under age threeappropriate strategies to meet Early Head Start teacher qualifications. Requires Head Start agencies to issue progress reports regarding their teachers' attainmentthe needs of credentials and degrees. special populations, including LEP children.

Requires that, within two years of this Act's enactment, all newly hiredevery Head Start classroom teachers have at least an associate's degree in early childhood education oragency and center to create a related field or be currently enrolled in a program leadingprofessional development plan for employees who provide direct services to such a degree within three years of their being hired.children.

Requires that individuals who receive educational assistance under the Act to meet teacher qualifications subsequently teach in(Sec. 19) Establishes a Tribal Colleges and Universities Head Start center for the same period of time for which such assistance was received, or else repay such amount.Partnership program.

Allows Teach for AmericaAuthorizes the Secretary to award minimum five-year program participantsgrants to Tribal Colleges and Universities to: (1) implement education programs that have baccalaureatesinclude tribal culture and meet certain testinglanguage and training requirements to serve in Head Start classrooms that lack a teacher who has a baccalaureateincrease the number of associate, baccalaureate, and advanced degrees in early childhood education or aand related field.fields earned by Indian Head Start agency staff members, parents of children served by such an agency, and members of the tribal community; (2) develop and implement such programs in technology-mediated formats; and (3) provide technology literacy programs for Indian Head Start agency staff members and for children and families the agency serves.

Directs the Secretary to review and, as necessary, revise or develop maximum caseload requirements for staff providing in-home and other services toensure that the American Indian Programs Branch of the Head Start families. Bureau of HHS has sufficient staffing to administer such programs and provide appropriate technical assistance to grantees.

Requires eachgrant applications to certify that the Tribal College or University has established a partnership with one or more Indian Head Start agency and programagencies to create a professional development plan for all their employees who provide direct services to children and regularly evaluate the plan's effectiveness.conduct program activities.

Prohibits Head Start agencies from employing individuals before interviewing them, verifying their personal and employment references, and obtaining criminal record background checks.Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012.

Authorizes(Sec. 20) Revises requirements for research, demonstrations, and evaluation to include addressing the Secretaryneeds of Education to assumeabused or cancel loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan or the Direct Loan programs of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to individuals who: (1) have a bachelor's degree related to early childhood education;neglected children, homeless children, and (2) commit to serve as Head Start or Early Head Start teachers for three consecutive complete program years. children in foster care.

(Sec. 19) Alters Head StartRequires research, demonstration, and evaluation requirements.activities to: (1) identify successful strategies that promote good oral and vision health and referrals for follow-up care for Early Head Start and Head Start participants; (2) assess the impact of services to disabled children in Head Start classrooms; and (3) increase the availability and quality of promising services.

Includes homeless children, abused and neglected children, and foster care children inDirects the continuing programSecretary to: (1) incorporate the results of the National Academy of Sciences study on Developmental Outcomes and Assessments for Young Children, when they become available, into each Head Start research, demonstration,program assessment; and evaluation activities, which are now(2) use them to be scientifically-based.develop, inform, and revise Head Start quality standards and measures.

Repeals the mandate for the requiredTerminates further development and use and linkage of specified surveys in evaluating Head Start program participants. the National Reporting System.

Requires that research, demonstration, and evaluation activities: (1) contributeProhibits federal use of any assessment to understanding the impactrank, compare, reward, or sanction, individual Head Start services delivered in inclusive classrooms (definedchildren or teachers. Prohibits the Secretary from using any single assessment as containing both disabled and nondisabled children) have on both disabled and nondisabled children; and (2) result in practices that increase the availability and quality of such classrooms. sole method for assessing program effectiveness or making grantee funding determinations.

Directs the Secretary toto: (1) study and report to Congress on the status of limited English proficientLEP children and their families in participating Head Start and Early Head Start programs,programs; and the extent(2) award competitive research and evaluation grants to which quality improvement funds improve program services fororganizations with a demonstrated capacity to serve and study such children and their families.families, migrant and seasonal farmworker families, and other families of diverse populations served by Head Start programs.

Directs(Sec. 21) Requires the Secretary to: (1) study and reportSecretary's reports to Congress to include information on the statushomelessness of children, and on children and familiesin foster care, participating in Head Start and Early Head Start programs in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, including information on coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in such areas; and (2) prepare and submit Head Start disaster plan recommendations based upon such report to Congress.funded programs.

(Sec. 20) Includes homeless children, foster care children, and limited English proficient children in22) Prohibits the biennial reports on the statuscompensation of children inany Head Start programs. employee at a rate greater than the level II Executive Schedule pay rate.

Directs(Sec. 23) Extends the Secretaryban against aid to reportor assistance in any unlawful demonstration, rioting, or civil disturbance to Congress: (1) annually on the use of the 13% ofany individual in any Head Start funding set aside for special populations, territories and freely associated states, training and technical assistance, monitoring and terminations, and research; (2) annually on whether triennial reviews ofAgency or other agency assisted under the Head Start agencies provide reasonable assurance that such agencies are complying with applicable fiscal laws and regulations; and (3) within one year of this Act's enactment on Head Start agency use of Individualized Education Plans. Act.

Requires the Secretary also(Sec. 24) Extends certain political activity restrictions to evaluate, publish regulations for, and reportany individual employed by or assigned to Congress concerninga program receiving assistance under the issue of preventing and reducing obesity in Head Start children.Act during the hours in which he or she is working on its behalf.

(Sec. 21) Prohibits any25) Requires Head Start employee from being compensated atagencies to obtain written parental consent before administering to a rate greater thenchild, or referring the level II Executive Schedule pay rate.child for, a nonemergency intrusive physical examination, including one in connection with the program. Declares that such requirement shall not be construed to prohibit agencies from using established methods for handling cases of suspected or known child abuse and neglect in compliance with applicable federal, state, or tribal law.

(Sec. 22) Prohibits27) Directs the use of Head Start funds for:Secretary to report to Congress: (1) publicity or propaganda purposes; or (2) any prepackaged news story, unless the text or audio statescertifying that it was prepared or funded byHHS has, for each program and activity of the DepartmentAdministration for Children and Families, determined which bears a significant risk of Healthmaking improper payments; and (2) describing the actions to be taken to reduce improper payments to such programs and Human Services (HHS).activities.
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== Status of the Legislation ==

<status>
Latest Major Action: 6/19/2007: Resolving differences -- Senate actions. Status: Senate insists on its amendment, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Kennedy; Dodd; Harkin; Mikulski; Bingaman; Murray; Reed; Clinton; Obama; Sanders; Brown; Enzi; Gregg; Alexander; Burr; Isakson; Murkowski; Hatch; Roberts; Allard; Coburn.
</status>

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== Points in Favor ==

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== Points Against ==

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