Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act, to strengthen and expand Head Start programs across the country.
Last spring, we held a National Summit on America’s Children here at the Capitol. We heard from leading experts on child development and neuroscience, who emphasized the vital importance of early childhood education. Early intervention can dramatically increase a child’s chances for future success.
Head Start is based on this idea and it works. For more than 40 years, it has been helping to close the achievement gap and teach our children that they can succeed, regardless of background or family income. More than 20 million children and families have benefited from its services. With this bill today, we will open the door to more children to enter both Head Start and Early Head Start and will ensure that they are better prepared for kindergarten and elementary school.
Today’s bill also recognizes the importance of early childhood educators, targeting new funding to improve teacher salaries and professional development. It ensures that teachers are highly qualified and able to meet the needs of children with disabilities and improves accountability for Head Start programs.
I also urge my colleagues to support the funding necessary to continue Head Start’s success. Last week, we sent the President a bill increasing Head Start funding by 2.2% to simply help it keep pace with inflation. The President vetoed this funding. I encourage my colleagues to vote to override the President’s veto to prevent Head Start program closures and ensure that children get the services they were promised.
I thank Chairman Miller, Chairman Kildee, and the Conference Committee for putting together this bipartisan piece of legislation, and urge its passage today.