The Children's Equity Project
@childrensequity.bsky.social
Closing opportunity gaps and advancing equity in all of the systems that impact the lives of children and families. https://cep.asu.edu/
DLLs need linguistically appropriate assessments. Without them, DLLs risk misidentification for special ed or missing needed services. Weakening Head Start’s bilingual assessment standards could threaten access to early intervention under IDEA. Learn more: https://ow.ly/OHMh50ZH8Jy
👨👩👧👦 Strong Head Start programs rely on strong family partnerships. For non-English-speaking families, bilingual staff are essential for communication, trust, & engagement. 🌎In Puerto Rico, 99% of enrolled Head Start children are DLLs. ➡️ Read the brief: https://ow.ly/VN1r50ZH8uv
👶 Teacher ratios are critical to young children’s safety, development, and learning. ⚠️ If Head Start adopted state licensing standards, ratios for 2-year-olds would at least double in 24 states. Lowering standards puts quality and equity at risk. 📖 https://ow.ly/OrK750ZH8un
About 1/3 of Head Start kids are dual language learners (DLLs). Research shows bilingualism is a distinct asset that boosts long-term reading, math, & earnings. Our new brief shows why dual language education is the gold standard for success. Learn more: https://ow.ly/131150ZH8u8
Join the Campaign for Grade Level Reading for a timely conversation on the proposed changes to Head Start & what they could mean for children, families, and communities. The CEP’s Shantel Meek & a panel of experts will join in. 📅 Sept. 8 | 3–4:30 p.m. ET 🔗 Register: https://ow.ly/KziS50ZHawY
State child care licensing standards & Head Start (HS) Program Performance Standards are not the same. If HS adopted state licensing standards, 97% of 2-year-olds in Early HS would face worse teacher-to-child ratios. 47 states + DC have weaker ratios. https://ow.ly/wjhU50ZweG3
Lowering the Bar: An Analysis of How Replacing Head Start Standards with State Child Care Licensing Weakens Early Learning Across the United States | The Children's Equity Project
Image Lowering the Bar: An Analysis of How Replacing Head Start Standards with State Child Care Licensing Weakens Early Learning Across the United StatesThis report explores the policy distinctions between state child care center-based licensing standards and the Head Start Program Performance Stand…
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Accurate bilingual assessment protects #duallanguagelearners. Dropping #HeadStart standards risks misdiagnosis & deprives kids of needed early intervention. Read the full brief to understand the intersection of language standards & #specialeducation: https://ow.ly/32sv50ZFt7f
📣 What’s next for Head Start? Join the CEP’s Dr. Shantel Meek and panelists for a timely conversation on the proposed changes to Head Start and what they could mean for children, families, and communities. Sept. 8 | 3–4:30 PM ET Register: https://ow.ly/byXB50ZFWR0
Changes Ahead for Head Start: Examining the New Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - LEO | Learning & Engagement Opportunities Network
Panel Panelist Deborah Bergeron, Ph.D. Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Innovation, National Head Start Association Former Director, Office of Head Start, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Panelist […]
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Strong early childhood programs rely on strong family partnerships. Eliminating Head Start’s bilingual staff requirements weakens these ties, strains workers, & threatens culturally rooted care in communities like Puerto Rico. Learn more: https://ow.ly/X6YJ50ZFt4M #HeadStart #DualLanguage
Language access in early ed is a federally mandated civil right. Since 1975, Head Start performance standards have guaranteed bilingual staff for multilingual kids. Removing them violates statutory law. Policy brief: https://ow.ly/mzVA50ZFt4h #HeadStartAct #EarlyEd
Almost 40% of Head Start kids are dual language learners (DLLs). Research shows bilingualism is a distinct asset that boosts long-term reading, math, & earnings. Our new brief shows why dual language education is the gold standard for success. Learn more: https://ow.ly/NGAn50ZF1jQ
Our new report highlights Head Start’s 50+ year legacy supporting dual language learners. Per federal mandate, high-quality dual language education outperforms English-only models—boosting English proficiency, academics, and long-term earnings. https://ow.ly/enZq50ZENNA
State child care licensing standards & Head Start (HS) Program Performance Standards are not the same. If HS adopted state licensing standards, 97% of 2-year-olds in Early HS would face worse teacher-to-child ratios. 47 states + DC have weaker ratios. https://ow.ly/wjhU50ZweG3
Lowering the Bar: An Analysis of How Replacing Head Start Standards with State Child Care Licensing Weakens Early Learning Across the United States | The Children's Equity Project
Image Lowering the Bar: An Analysis of How Replacing Head Start Standards with State Child Care Licensing Weakens Early Learning Across the United StatesThis report explores the policy distinctions between state child care center-based licensing standards and the Head Start Program Performance Stand…
cep.asu.edu
CEP was featured in The Washington Post on proposed changes to Head Start & what they could mean for children & families. Our research shows Head Start’s standards support high-quality learning, health, inclusion & family engagement. Read the full piece: https://ow.ly/H54c50ZAZvi
About 1 in 3 young children in the U.S. are dual language learners. Head Start standards protect language access, support home language development & strengthen family partnerships. These protections have been in place for 50+ years. ⏳ Learn more: https://ow.ly/qR2F50ZAZkY
👶 Quality matters. If Head Start were required to follow state child care licensing standards, 2-year-olds would see the biggest decline in teacher-to-child ratios. ⚠️ In 24 states, ratios would at least double. 📖 Learn more: https://ow.ly/UpUZ50ZzyvZ
🧩 Head Start has led inclusive early learning since before IDEA, ensuring children with disabilities are fully supported. Replacing its standards with state licensing risks this, as state inclusion rules remain inconsistent. 🔎 https://ow.ly/nGoS50Zyiob
Early learning outcomes are entirely contingent on quality experiences for children; quality is codified in the HSPPS. Check out these published stories featuring our report below. Washington Post: https://ow.ly/b3zJ50ZyFNI ABC News: https://ow.ly/Nmsm50ZyFNK Report: https://ow.ly/3ba150ZyFNJ
👨👩👧👦 Families are a child’s first teachers, and Head Start puts them at the center—referencing families 198 times across all operations! Yet state licensing lags far behind: only 21 states have family involvement policies, and just 12 require them. 📖 https://ow.ly/hHXI50ZyimN
Research shows harsh discipline starts early, disproportionately impacts Black children, boys & children with disabilities, & leads to negative outcomes. 🌱 HSPPS protects children w discipline safeguards, strong ratios & mental health supports. HSPPS ≠ state licensing. 📖 https://ow.ly/iZWg50ZwoCJ
📊 If Head Start ratios were replaced by state child care licensing standards: 👶 Infants in 4+ states would see ratios rise 50%+; 🧒 2-year-olds in 24 states would see ratios at least double; ⚠️ 80% of children (0–4) would have worse ratios. 📖Learn more: https://ow.ly/PaLY50Zwoyg
📊 Head Start Program Performance Standards ≠ state child care licensing. 🌱 Head Start promotes child development; state licensing sets the minimum to operate. ⚠️ ZERO states match Head Start's teacher-to-child ratios from birth to age 5. 📖Learn more: https://ow.ly/g00350Zworv
👶 Quality matters. If Head Start were required to follow state child care licensing standards, 2-year-olds would see the biggest decline in teacher-to-child ratios. ⚠️ In 24 states, ratios would at least double. 📖 Learn more: https://ow.ly/u8lv50Zwolf
State child care licensing standards & Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) are not the same. If Head Start adopted state licensing standards, 97% of 2-year-olds in Early Head Start would face worse teacher-to-child ratios. 47 states + DC have weaker ratios. https://ow.ly/fFSV50ZweGq
Our report shows why Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) ≠ state child care licensing standards. Licensing sets minimum safety requirements & Head Start sets the conditions for kids. Replacing HSPPS w state licensing lowers the bar for quality. Learn more: https://ow.ly/jru050ZvW22
📢 Join us for a NABE Webinar! Early childhood education is facing critical challenges, from educator shortages to system gaps for dual language learners. Let's discuss solutions together! 💡✨ 🗓️ Tuesday, August 4th ⏰ 4 PM ET Register today: nabe.org/advocacy-days/
📢 Join us for a NABE Webinar! Early childhood education is facing critical challenges, from educator shortages to system gaps for dual language learners. Let's discuss solutions together! 💡✨ 🗓️ Tuesday, August 4th ⏰ 4 PM ET Register today: nabe.org/advocacy-days/
Education policy is at a turning point. As states consider a new federal voucher framework, evidence matters. Our latest report examines voucher expansion, public investment, and educational opportunity. Read more: https://ow.ly/4ezk50ZpHlC #EducationPolicy #PublicSchools
Over 90% of U.S. students attend public schools. What happens to families who rely on strong, well-funded public schools? Our new report examines voucher growth, the narratives driving it, & what it means for public investment & opportunity. Learn more: https://ow.ly/chgI50ZpHlb
Over 90% of U.S. students attend public schools. What happens to families who rely on strong, well-funded public schools? Our new report examines voucher growth, the narratives driving it, & what it means for public investment & opportunity. Learn more: https://ow.ly/saV350ZnyJs