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What's New in 2002? A Snapshot of Head Start Children, Families, Teachers, and Programs. Head Start Series, CLASP Policy Brief.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: What's New in 2002? A Snapshot of Head Start Children, Families, Teachers, and Programs. Head Start Series, CLASP Policy Brief.
Language: English
Authors: Schumacher, Rachel, Irish, Kate, Center for Law and Social Policy, Washington, DC.
Availability: Center for Law and Social Policy, 1015 15th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-906-8000; Fax: 202-842-2885; Web site: http://www.clasp.org. For full text: http://www.clasp.org/DMS/Documents/1053092277.32/HS_brief2.pdf.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2003
Document Type: Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Educational Attainment, Employed Parents, Family Characteristics, Preschool Teachers, Social Services, Student Characteristics, Teacher Qualifications
Abstract: In 2003, Congress is scheduled to reauthorize Head Start, a federal-to-local grant program for the provision of early childhood education, comprehensive services, and family support to poor preschool children and their families. The second of a series of analyses of Head Start Program Information Report data, this policy brief provides a portrait of Head Start children, families, teachers, and programs in the 2001-2002 program year. Findings reported include the following: (1) the vast majority of Head Start children were from families with earnings at or below the federal poverty level; (2) 68 percent of Head Start families have working parents, with only about one-fifth receiving welfare cash assistance and with many children needing full-day, full-year child care; (3) about half of the children identified as needing full-day, full-year care received such services through Head Start programs, while others also participated in other types of care arrangements; (4) most Head Start families do not include a parent with more than a high school education, and only a small proportion of families had one or both parents enrolled in an education or training program; (5) Head Start children and families access a variety of support services through direct provision or referrals; and (6) the proportion of Head Start teachers who have at least an associate's degree in early childhood education or a related field grew to 51 percent in 2002Head Start teacher salaries increase (though modestly) as teacher education levels increase. (Author/HTH)
Entry Date: 2003
Accession Number: ED475970
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:In 2003, Congress is scheduled to reauthorize Head Start, a federal-to-local grant program for the provision of early childhood education, comprehensive services, and family support to poor preschool children and their families. The second of a series of analyses of Head Start Program Information Report data, this policy brief provides a portrait of Head Start children, families, teachers, and programs in the 2001-2002 program year. Findings reported include the following: (1) the vast majority of Head Start children were from families with earnings at or below the federal poverty level; (2) 68 percent of Head Start families have working parents, with only about one-fifth receiving welfare cash assistance and with many children needing full-day, full-year child care; (3) about half of the children identified as needing full-day, full-year care received such services through Head Start programs, while others also participated in other types of care arrangements; (4) most Head Start families do not include a parent with more than a high school education, and only a small proportion of families had one or both parents enrolled in an education or training program; (5) Head Start children and families access a variety of support services through direct provision or referrals; and (6) the proportion of Head Start teachers who have at least an associate's degree in early childhood education or a related field grew to 51 percent in 2002Head Start teacher salaries increase (though modestly) as teacher education levels increase. (Author/HTH)