The Benefits of Head Start

Do children and families who take part in Head Start continue to benefit and grow once they transition out of the program? Is there research and longitudinal studies that prove sustainable positive results from Head Start’s assistance to families?

            To narrow such a broad general topic, the following subtopics could be considered;

·         The academic gain and performance of children and families one (1) year after transitioning out of the program.

·         The academic gain and performance of children and families five (5) years after transitioning out of the program.

·         The academic gain and performance of children and families ten (10) years after transitioning out of the program (inclusive of their future educational and career plans at this stage).

·         The academic and performance variance in children that are enrolled in Head Start versus Independent School District (ISD) Pre-K Programs (inclusive of ISD dual collaborations with Head Start and separate Head Start/ISD only classrooms).

Previously being a Head Start child myself and knowing firsthand the benefits of the program, drives my passion to bring attention to the need of such support for families during their trying times. Being exposed to such a nurturing/educational environment that allowed me opportunities to learn through play and socialization, I believe is one of the reasons that I have such a profound love for educating children, their families, and myself. I also gather that my participation in Head Start along with the belief from naysayers (I’d never achieve my established goals) is what drives me to continue to prove people wrong and be a testimony to others. It’s not always where you start the journey, but the choice of where/how you end it.

Due to my affiliation with various collaborative education programs, I’m in the position to obtain information that could prove very helpful in determining what has been founded or if there is enough data to discern either way. The bullet points are my current subtopics which derived from the previous questions listed above. I’m certain that in the near future, my focus will narrow even further to one of the four. Here’s to happy (truthful) resultsJ