特朗普政府正策划对Head Start项目进行重大改革，拟将现行的122页性能标准大幅精简至约12页规则，并将大部分具体要求转交给州和地方法律制定者。[1]该项目目前为超过50万低收入婴幼儿和学前儿童提供免费教育和发展筛查服务。[1]
现有的Head Start规则涵盖师生比例、儿童健康筛查和家庭参与等多项要求。[1]改革方案将显著削弱这些标准，拟议的新规则还要求所有教学仅用英语进行。[1]
前Head Start主任Khari Garvin曾表示，这样的改革将导致"Head Start仅剩躯壳"。[1]Head Start教师平均年收入不到4万美元（2024年）。[1]根据规定，公众意见期至少需一个月，之后改革才可最终生效。[1]
The Trump administration is planning a sweeping restructuring of the Head Start program that would dramatically reduce federal quality standards and shift regulatory authority to states and local jurisdictions.[1] The proposed changes would replace the current 122-page rulebook governing the program with approximately 12 pages of guidance, transferring most specific requirements to state and local authorities.[1]
Head Start currently serves more than 500,000 low-income infants and preschool-aged children, providing free early education and developmental screening.[1] Under the proposed overhaul, the program would eliminate longstanding requirements including teacher-to-student ratios and safety standards.[1] Additionally, the new rules would mandate that all instruction be conducted exclusively in English.[1]
The reduction in federal oversight has drawn criticism from program advocates. Khari Garvin, who served as Head Start director during the Biden administration, expressed concern about the proposal, stating "We'd have the carcass of Head Start."[1] The average annual salary for Head Start teachers stood at less than $40,000 as of 2024.[1] Former Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously assured Congress about the safety of the program's funding.[1] A public comment period of at least one month will precede any final implementation of the new standards.[1]