“FATHER OF HEAD START” COMMENTS ON HEAD START BUDGET CRISIS

Zigler Statement Issued in Wake of Warning of “Billion Broken Promises,” FY 2008 Appropriations Cut for Head Start in Wake of the Imposition of Hundreds of Costly New Rules, Regulations.

WASHINGTON, D.C.//January 28, 2008///The National Head Start Association (NHSA) released the following statement provided by Dr. Edward Zigler, who is often called “the father of Head Start.”  Dr. Zigler is Sterling Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, and Director Emeritus of The Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy at Yale University:

“I originally viewed the 2007 reauthorization of Head Start as a victory and was particularly pleased by the authorization of a $461 million increase in the Head Start budget for Fiscal Year 2008. 

It has turned out to be a Pyrrhic victory upon announcement that the actual Fiscal Year 2008 appropriation for Head Start is a $10.6 million decrease.  This reauthorization has mandated a number of actions that each Head Start center must take.  All of these actions require the expenditure of funds which have not been provided in the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriation for Head Start. 

These mandates make good sense since it is my belief that they will lead to an improvement in program quality, particularly the upgrading of teacher requirements.  However, where is the money for the increased teacher salaries that must accompany these higher requirements? 

The past 43 years have witnessed a gradual but constant improvement in the quality of Head Start.  We know with great certainty that the benefits assessed in a program are primarily determined by the quality of services the program provides.

The new budget figures guarantee a diminution in the quality of the Head Start program.  This will negatively impact the lives of our nation’s neediest children.  The real loser will eventually be our society as a whole.”

Professor Zigler’s statement was provided to NHSA in the wake of the Association’s January 24, 2008 news conference entitled “Billion Broken Promises.”  See http://www.saveheadstart.org/News/releases2.cfm?releaseID=53 for more information.

ABOUT NHSA

The National Head Start Association (http://www.nhsa.org) is a private not-for-profit membership organization dedicated exclusively to meeting the needs of Head Start children and their families. It represents more than one million children, 200,000 staff and 2,600 Head Start programs in the United States. The Association provides support for the entire Head Start community by advocating for policies that strengthen services to Head Start children and their families; by providing extensive training and professional development to Head Start staff; and by developing and disseminating research, information, and resources that enrich Head Start program delivery.
 
CONTACT:   Ailis Aaron Wolf, (703) 276-3265 or aaaron@hastingsgroup.com.