U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) today led the fight to increase funding for the historic Head Start program. She managed the rule for the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.

“For over 40 years Head Start has served as the premiere educational and developmental program for more than 20 million American children and families,” said Castor. “Head Start works. It works because it is a well-researched, comprehensive initiative that combines children’s educational needs with health care and parent involvement. Years later, research shows, Head Start kids are more likely to graduate from high school than their peers.”

Head Start is a comprehensive approach to child health, nutrition, and learning and it is one of the best tools in the struggle to close the achievement gap in education for children living in poverty in America. The achievement gap begins before children even enter elementary school. Head Start tackles the achievement gap through cognitive, social, and emotional child development, each of which is a key contributor to entering elementary school ready to succeed.

“Today, 20 percent of America’s 12 million children under age six live in poverty,” Castor continued. “We know that a family’s income level greatly affects their children’s access to educational opportunities. The reality of poverty for so many children unfortunately is tied to low success rates in our schools. But family income simply should not impede a child’s educational opportunities. This is where Head Start can level the playing field.”

“In my community over 5,300 children currently are served by Head Start, but many thousands more are on waiting lists because for many years previous Congresses have failed to properly support our Head Start kids, and the White House proposed flat-line budgets,” said Castor. “So our kids merely have been treading water. There have been no improvements or increases in funding since 2003 and with inflation it has been very difficult to maintain the well-known, high quality elements in Head Start.”

“The good news is that this Congress is changing that and making the smartest investment in our country’s future workforce. Research shows children who participate in Head Start are more likely to graduate from high school. Today, we are putting more kids on the path to success,” Castor said.

The Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 will:

• Improve teacher and classroom quality;

• Strengthen the focus on school readiness;

• Expand access;

• Strengthen comprehensive services;

• Increase the number of children in Early Head Start – because we now know that critical brain development years are prior to age three;

• Allow homeless children to enroll; and

• Do a better job for children who are just learning English.

“This year marked four decades of success for this holistic, wrap around initiative that empowers all of us,” Castor concluded. “These children are eager and ready to learn if we give them the tools.”

“The Administration’s slow-motion cuts to Head Start over past years will now be reversed. Because this Congress, led by Democrats, is committed to raising strong and healthy children, and Head Start prepares children to succeed in school and life, the passage of the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 will allow us to build on the great success of Head Start for America’s hardworking families,” said Castor.

“This Democratic Congress is charting a new direction with wise investments in the education and health of our kids, which are certain to pay dividends in the years to come. This Congress is going to keep the promise made four decades ago to children who are born with the same potential, but because of their life circumstances, are in need of a little extra attention, health care, nutrition, and the guiding hand of a knowledgeable, talented devoted teacher which together provides them with a true Head Start,” Castor said.

Castor represents Florida’s 11th Congressional District, which covers parts of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties.