Kennedy Supports Giving our Kids the Education Tools They Deserve

Kennedy Supports Giving our Kids the Education Tools They Deserve
09/22/2005

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Mark Kennedy supported passage today of the School Readiness Act of 2005. Since 1965, Head Start has provided comprehensive early childhood development services to low-income children including child development, educational, health, nutritional, social and other activities, to prepare low-income children for kindergarten. Estimates indicate that this year almost 919,000 children will receive Head Start services, including 62,000 in Early Head Start.

"We must ensure that our children receive the quality education they deserve," said Congressman Kennedy. "Statistics show that a child's early education produces better results as they get older, which is why Head Start is so important. It gives children a positive start down the road to becoming educated adults."

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"I was pleased to support Congressman Souder's amendment to leave parents and local officials in charge of decisions at the local level," said Congressman Kennedy. "The most important thing Washington can do in educating our kids is remember that its role is limited. We must allow those who know our kids' names make their education decisions."

Representative Souder's amendment would have restored the current joint governance structure of the Head Start program by allowing the policy councils (which are composed of 51 percent current Head Start parents and 49 percent community representatives) to approve or disapprove most program planning and operation activities along with the board of directors, therefore maintaining local control.

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