Head Start programs to get more scrutiny

Education Week reports that federally funded Head Start preschool programs are coming under more scrutiny amidst indications that these expensive programs are not working well for children.

Under proposed rules, not yet approved, a quarter of the 1,600 local grantees of Head Start money would be evaluated every year. Those that don’t meet muster would have to re-compete against any other interested parties to keep their grants.

Children who complete head start enter regular public schools with marked gains in literacy and language skills, but those benefits disappear by the end of the first grade.