The Controversy of Head Start

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Cecil J. Kim

Econ 110 Jones

December 8, 2004

Final Presentation paper

The Controversy of Head Start

        Ever since the creation and implementation of the Head Start program in 1965, there has always been controversy over the program’s effectiveness. Much of the controversy stems over the self-reporting of evidence that the National Head Start Association provides, both to the government and to the public, along with the actual impact Head Start has on the children that participate in this controversial program. One thing is certain about the Head Start program and that is that there will always be a clear division between its supporters and opponents.

        The main goal of the Head Start program is to provide poor underprivileged pre-school aged children essentially with a “head start” in education. Supporters of Head Start believe that by providing these services these poor underprivileged children would better adapt to the school system and later become successful as adults. Head Start is not just about providing educational services; the program also focuses on providing both mental and physical health check-ups and nutritious meals to the enrolled students.

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        Head Start cannot be described merely as a pre-school program. Head Start actually plays the role of a comprehensive support group for poor underprivileged children and their families. This federally funded program feels the noose tightening because of plans to let individual states “opt in” with their own state-run “head start-like” programs. Supporters of Head Start believe that by allowing this a majority of funding that the federal government provides will be diverted from Head Start to build up new state-run programs.

        Proponents of Head Start view this as a threat to the health of Head Start programs around ...

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