Introduction
Head Start is a program designed for children from low-income families. It aims to help students prepare for school. The program provides for the child’s comprehensive development, medical care, and nutrition control. As Congressional Digest (2014) states, “Head Start services are designed to be responsive to each child’s and family’s ethnic, cultural and linguistic heritage” (p. 5). This is an effective and correct approach, as each child is unique and requires different treatment.
Discussion
Observations on the impact of this program have shown that it is effective. Studies have shown that attending this kindergarten impacts the child, but only until he graduates from the program. Ultimately, because of this, the effectiveness of this event was reduced significantly.
The education of kindergarten workers has been repeatedly raised and is still relevant. The law regulates that “roughly hard of all the teachers in Head Start’s 1800 local programs nationwide to obtain a bachelor of arts degree” (Clemmit, 2005, p. 687). Many eyewitnesses claim that teachers with higher education have achieved great success in instilling in students skills and development.
Ron Haskins makes many arguments in favor of letting the students have more control over Head Start. However, the state has launched its preschool program which is “raising new questions about whether Head Start should be under federal or state control” (Clemmit, 2005, p. 685). Representatives of the organization fear that increasing state control over the program and its integration into the overall process of preschool preparation could harm kindergartens. This will destroy such advantages of the course as cooperation with parents and health care.
However, both teacher education and state control are important. As mentioned above, teachers with a bachelor’s degree do a better job but are not profitable for hiring because they receive a large salary. State control is important because it helps unify programs so children are more adapted to school. This would greatly increase efficiency even if the cooperation with parents and health care factors were sacrificed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be said that a bachelor’s degree in teaching can significantly improve the preparation of children for school. At the same time, strengthening state control is a contentious issue. On the one hand, it will help prepare children for the general education system. On the other hand, it excludes work with children and parents individually.
References
(2014). Head start impact study effectiveness of the head start program through third grade. Congressional Digest, 93(4), 5-9.
Clemmit, M., (2005). Evaluating Head Start Does it help poor children and their parents? The CQ Researcher. 15(29), 685-708.