As I recently posted, proposed new regulations for Head Start would force the lowest-performing 25 percent of Head Start centers to compete for funds. The new regs are winning praise from advocates, as my colleague Christina Samuels reports in this story. One called them “tough, but fair.” Others were stunned at the agency’s willingness to set tougher standards than an advisory panel had recommended.
It’s possible the proposed new regs would spur more centers to use data to guide instruction. Already, in Oklahoma, the Community Action Program’s early childhood centers are leading the way on this.
Next Wednesday, Brookings is sponsoring a discussion on ways to improve Head Start, Early Head Start and home visiting programs. Analysis of the proposed new regulations will be a key piece of the conversation.