Head Start

[WelfareQueen]

Head Start prepares children for elementary school and has been a success. Putting the failure on elementary schools onHead Star

According to a 2021 study by the National Institute for Early Education Research, children without access to high-quality early childhood education (ECD) programs such as Head Start are 25% more likely to drop out of school and 60% more likely to never attend college.

My daughter is an elementary school teacher who teaches kindergarten and 1st grade. According to her preschool or Head Start makes a huge difference. Disadvantage children that show up in Kindergarten or 1st grade with no previous schooling are lost from day one on. Children that are not familiar with letters and number can't be taught reading or elementary math. Often these children are not fully toilet trained and lack the social skills needed to interact with the class and that hurts the whole class. Some of the brightness kids will catchup by 4th grade as you mentioned but many will never catch up.

I don't doubt your daughter's experience, but neither should you doubt my wife. Stories are stories of individual people's experience. It is not data or science. They are anecdotes. Per the data Head Start is wildly variable in quality across the Country, which is one of its core problems. In many areas it really is nothing more than daycare babysitting. In other areas it is more rigorous. That needs to be fixed before more billions are throw into the Program.

Also, and most importantly, the science does not support Head Start improving academic performance over time. I wish it did, but it does not.

Head Start likely has some ancillary benefits. The data you posted above is highly controversial. Even a cursory dive into the data will tell you that. But at minimum socialization is a likely benefit. As I said above, be honest with what Head Start can and cannot do. Establish measurable goals. Test to see if it is accomplishing what it claims. Any Government Program should do this, few ever do.

I am not interested in feel good programs or virtue signaling. I am interested in what provably works and actually helps people. If the data supports Head Start helping kids in measurable, meaningful ways, I am good with it. Right now, in terms of its stated goal of improving academic performance over time. it does not.

 

[WelfareQueen]

There was no preschool when I was that young, and a whole lot of people turned out ok.

My granddaughter was in VPK last year and it was mostly a joke. The two women running it were nice, but they were not educated and not trained teachers. This year, Haley is in a licensed Kindergarten with a fully qualified teacher with an education degree. The difference is night and day. Haley is making straight A's, is reading, and is excellent at math.

I believe in education and credentialed qualifications. I know you are a licensed teacher. You know doubt have the skill set and training to be effective at your job. I am an LCSW. I could never be nearly as effective as my wife or someone like you because I do not have the training or education. It really is that simple.

Head Start, at least where my wife worked, was mostly high school educated people with no real training. She called it glorified babysitting. I do not doubt her.

If we are spending billions, make the Program rigorous. Give people the training to truly be effective.


regards.

 

[toobfreak]

Eliminating Head Start is one of the most devastating blows to education that Trump could deliver.

Maybe the stuff done under Head Start will simply be moved elsewhere under the states. The federal government does not need to be in education. Seems to me that kindergartens can carry a lot of this. How can you run Head Start without a DOE?

I never went to Head Start, in fact, I skipped kindergarten and went straight to 1st grade, then skipped 5th, 7th, and most of high school. I'm not sure what the connection is between low income and stupidity that poor people need additional rudimentary education to succeed. Seems to me that the parents need to get involved in their kids.

It'll all work out fine.

 

[WelfareQueen]

Maybe the stuff done under Head Start will simply be moved elsewhere under the states. The federal government does not need to be in education. Seems to me that kindergartens can carry a lot of this. How can you run Head Start without a DOE?

I never went to Head Start, in fact, I skipped kindergarten and went straight to 1st grade, then skipped 5th, 7th, and most of high school. I'm not sure what the connection is between low income and stupidity that poor people need additional rudimentary education to succeed. Seems to me that the parents need to get involved in their kids.

It'll all work out fine.

Maybe the stuff done under Head Start will simply be moved elsewhere under the states. The federal government does not need to be in education. Seems to me that kindergartens can carry a lot of this. How can you run Head Start without a DOE?

I never went to Head Start, in fact, I skipped kindergarten and went straight to 1st grade, then skipped 5th, 7th, and most of high school. I'm not sure what the connection is between low income and stupidity that poor people need additional rudimentary education to succeed. Seems to me that the parents need to get involved in their kids.

It'll all work out fine.

People who live generationally in poverty are typically not bright. We're talking a mean I.Q. of 80 or so. This is regardless of race or ethnicity by the way. This has been known for 60-70 years, but something government or academics will not tell you.

Smart people born into poverty get out of poverty. Almost always. Again, it does not matter the color of your skin or ethnicity. This has also been known for decades.

 

[toobfreak]

People who live generationally in poverty are typically not bright. We're talking a mean I.Q. of 80 or so. This is regardless of race or ethnicity by the way. This has been known for 60-70 years, but something government or academics will not tell you.

Well, that explains a lot of democrats. People with low IQs (stupid) are basically disabled and not a good fit for modern society where it takes a BA just to scrub your teeth these days, so I doubt Head Start will do them much good as it won't raise their IQ. There are fewer and fewer jobs for dumb people. So basically, these people are pretty much destined to become welfare recipients.

Smart people born into poverty get out of poverty. Almost always. Again, it does not matter the color of your skin or ethnicity. This has also been known for decades.

Fact. While you generally cannot hold an intelligent person down, just look at the histories of the likes of George Washington Carver and Percy Lavon Julian, their proclivities demand expression, likewise, it is nay impossible to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and make good, productive entrepreneurs out of folks with 70 IQ. Look at Jasmine Crockett--- despite being in the U.S. Congress, she is still a piece of shit.

 

[WelfareQueen]

Well, that explains a lot of democrats. People with low IQs (stupid) are basically disabled and not a good fit for modern society where it takes a BA just to scrub your teeth these days, so I doubt Head Start will do them much good as it won't raise their IQ. There are fewer and fewer jobs for dumb people. So basically, these people are pretty much destined to become welfare recipients.


Fact. While you generally cannot hold an intelligent person down, just look at the histories of the likes of George Washington Carver and Percy Lavon Julian, their proclivities demand expression, likewise, it is nay impossible to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and make good, productive entrepreneurs out of folks with 70 IQ. Look at Jasmine Crockett--- despite being in the U.S. Congress, she is still a piece of shit.

You are 100% correct. Regardless of skin color, you are not running a Fortune 500 Company or working for NASA with an 80 I.Q. I know that seems unfair, but that's the way it is.

Smart people are always in demand, regardless of skin color. People who are not intelligent are Societies' throwaways. Again, skin color is not the deciding factor.

This is not my opinion. There is a mountain of evidence for decades that backs this up.

 

[toobfreak]

You are 100% correct. Regardless of skin color, you are not running a Fortune 500 Company or working for NASA with an 80 I.Q. I know that seems unfair, but that's the way it is.

Best employment opportunity for people with 80 IQs is to get elected to office in Washington DC.

I mean, just look at what it has done for the likes of Jasmine Crockett and AOC's careers.

 

[Flopper]

There was no preschool when I was that young, and a whole lot of people turned out ok.

When there were no preschools, most kids started 1st grade with about the same education. As the nation became more affluent pre-schools started popping up giving kids whose parents could afford them a leg up when they started to school.

 

[Flopper]

You are 100% correct. Regardless of skin color, you are not running a Fortune 500 Company or working for NASA with an 80 I.Q. I know that seems unfair, but that's the way it is.

Smart people are always in demand, regardless of skin color. People who are not intelligent are Societies' throwaways. Again, skin color is not the deciding factor.

This is not my opinion. There is a mountain of evidence for decades that backs this up.

You are right, smart people will always be in demand, all other things being equal. However, they will do a lot better if they have determination and education in a field where there is high demand.

 

[Flopper]

My granddaughter was in VPK last year and it was mostly a joke. The two women running it were nice, but they were not educated and not trained teachers. This year, Haley is in a licensed Kindergarten with a fully qualified teacher with an education degree. The difference is night and day. Haley is making straight A's, is reading, and is excellent at math.

I believe in education and credentialed qualifications. I know you are a licensed teacher. You know doubt have the skill set and training to be effective at your job. I am an LCSW. I could never be nearly as effective as my wife or someone like you because I do not have the training or education. It really is that simple.

Head Start, at least where my wife worked, was mostly high school educated people with no real training. She called it glorified babysitting. I do not doubt her.

If we are spending billions, make the Program rigorous. Give people the training to truly be effective.


regards.

To be a Head Start teacher, you generally need a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, or an associate's degree with equivalent coursework and experience. Like all positions in teaching, classes must have teachers so if schools can not get certified teachers they get the best that is available with of course some minimum requirements.

Head Start teachers, while crucial for early childhood education, often face low wages, with average salaries under $40,000. I remember when my daughter started teaching, Head Start was the last placed you wanted to work. The classes were generally in the worst neighborhoods. Parents often showed up late to to pickup kids and sometimes not at all. Most of the kids were poorly discipline, lack social skills, and many had no toilet training, truly a shit show. Without Head Start, this is what kindergarten and 1st grade teachers in public schools would face.

 

[WelfareQueen]

To be a Head Start teacher, you generally need a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, or an associate's degree with equivalent coursework and experience. Like all positions in teaching, classes must have teachers so if schools can not get certified teachers they get the best that is available with of course some minimum requirements.

Head Start teachers, while crucial for early childhood education, often face low wages, with average salaries under $40,000. I remember when my daughter started teaching, Head Start was the last placed you wanted to work. The classes were generally in the worst neighborhoods. Parents often showed up late to to pickup kids and sometimes not at all. Most of the kids were poorly discipline, lack social skills, and many had no toilet training, truly a shit show. Without Head Start, this is what kindergarten and 1st grade teachers in public schools would face.

My wife was a 1st grade teacher in the 1990's in Missouri. At that time only a few of the Head Start "teachers" had a degree. Perhaps that has changed. Here in Florida preschool "teachers" are not required to have a degree.

EDIT: I just looked it up. You are correct. You need at minimum an associate degree to teach Head Start. Up to 50% have a bachelor's per what I could find.

 

[SweetSue92]

Head Start regional office closure impacts 15,000 kids in Washington

The Head Start Regional Office serving Idaho and Washington, among others, has closed under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s direction. Joel Ryan from the Washington Association of Head Start says 15,000

www.nbcrightnow.com

Head Start child care programs are still unable to access federal money after Trump's funding freeze

Programs serving 20,000 children have faced funding delays since the Trump administration announced (and then announced rescinding) a temporary freeze on federal aid last week.

www.nbcnews.com

That's not "closing" or "eliminating". It's only cutting fatcat bureaucrats you seem to adore.

 

[Flopper]

That's not "closing" or "eliminating". It's only cutting fatcat bureaucrats you seem to adore.

Trump's plan has always been to cut either the head or the feet off goverment programs. Either way the organization goes nowhere; that is it ceases to function and dies.

 

[SweetSue92]

Trump's plan has always been to cut either the head or the feet off goverment programs. Either way the organization goes nowhere; that is it ceases to function and dies.

Yes, if the DoE is eliminated, there is no more DoE. SO? Does that mean there will be no more state-run schools?

No, just that the control goes where it should: to the COMMUNITIES and the STATES.

This thread is a fail

 

[DGS49]

Head Start was created under the theory that the reason why poor kids did poorly in school was because their home environment was not conducive to learning. Nobody in those homes read to the kids, taught them basic concepts like colors, numbers, speaking clearly with complete thoughts. The catch phrase was a "culturally deprived" environment.

"We" were promised that Head Start would go a long toward eliminating differences in grades, drop-out rates, juvenile criminality, students going on to college and so on. But it didn't do that. As pointed out above, the academic benefits of Head Start evaporate by the fourth grade, when Head Start students' performance is exactly the same as comparable kids who did not go through the program. To say that that is not relevant is simply bizarre. We did not pay billions for a program to get better K-3 students.

An unspoken benefit of Head Start is that it gives employment mainly to single-parent women who otherwise were pretty much unemployable.

This is one program that has failed and should be discarded, but there is nothing so permanent as a temporary or probationary government program. And of course we know that the Federal government is just swimming in money, so paying for worthless programs is entirely justified.

 

[Unkotare]

... It's called Head Start, not Carry Forever. It's like saying training wheels don't work because some people still fall off their bicycles later on when the training wheels have been removed. If people fall behind later in their education, that's on them, their teachers, and most importantly their parents. It's just a boost out of the gate to give kids who need it a fighting chance.

 

[Flopper]

Yes, if the DoE is eliminated, there is no more DoE. SO? Does that mean there will be no more state-run schools?

No, just that the control goes where it should: to the COMMUNITIES and the STATES.

This thread is a fail

Control over education has always rightly belonged to the states. The federal Department of Education plays a supporting role—offering guidance, recommendations, and targeted grants—but it does not run our schools. Federal intervention only comes into play when a school breaks the law or accepts federal funding and fails to meet the agreed-upon terms. This balance is crucial. It ensures that local communities retain authority over their schools, while still holding them accountable when federal standards or agreements are clearly violated.

 

[WelfareQueen]

Head Start was created under the theory that the reason why poor kids did poorly in school was because their home environment was not conducive to learning. Nobody in those homes read to the kids, taught them basic concepts like colors, numbers, speaking clearly with complete thoughts. The catch phrase was a "culturally deprived" environment.

"We" were promised that Head Start would go a long toward eliminating differences in grades, drop-out rates, juvenile criminality, students going on to college and so on. But it didn't do that. As pointed out above, the academic benefits of Head Start evaporate by the fourth grade, when Head Start students' performance is exactly the same as comparable kids who did not go through the program. To say that that is not relevant is simply bizarre. We did not pay billions for a program to get better K-3 students.

An unspoken benefit of Head Start is that it gives employment mainly to single-parent women who otherwise were pretty much unemployable.

This is one program that has failed and should be discarded, but there is nothing so permanent as a temporary or probationary government program. And of course we know that the Federal government is just swimming in money, so paying for worthless programs is entirely justified.

This is exactly correct.

 

[SweetSue92]

Control over education has always rightly belonged to the states. The federal Department of Education plays a supporting role—offering guidance, recommendations, and targeted grants—but it does not run our schools. Federal intervention only comes into play when a school breaks the law or accepts federal funding and fails to meet the agreed-upon terms. This balance is crucial. It ensures that local communities retain authority over their schools, while still holding them accountable when federal standards or agreements are clearly violated.

All these words and no concession that no, Head Start is not being eliminated.

Another fail

 

[Crepitus]

Probably but then again Head start is rather titled toward certain demographics so you shouldn't be shocked the GOP sees it as unnecessary

To poor people, you mean.