Head Start Updates
NEW! National Head Start Association Releases Initial Draft of Public Comment on Proposed Changes to Head Start Performance Standards
08/07 Head Start NPRM Released: What Programs and Advocates Need to Know
The highly anticipated Head Start NPRM was released Thursday, August 6th. In brief, the NPRM removes all of the existing Head Start Program Performance Standards and replaces them with a few short, politically motivated standards.
Instead of evidence-based best practices, the new standards would:
- Require all classroom instruction be in English only
- Eliminate evidence-based teacher-child ratio and group size requirements that support classroom quality, safety, and individualized learning.
- Remove key requirements related to serving children with disabilities, raising concerns about equitable access to the services and supports that help children fully participate and thrive alongside their peers.
- Impose new administrative cost caps on local programs that, when combined with years of funding challenges, could force many programs to reduce staffing or services.
OVERVIEW: For a brief overview, see Start Early’s summary here. For more details, watch the August 12 webinar on this Linktree from Start Early.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Head Start California calls on our fellow advocates to join us in opposing these harmful rules. We urge you and your networks to submit formal comments via the Federal Register before the October 6, 2026 at 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time deadline. Resources for commenting will be shared soon.
CONGRESSIONAL OUTREACH: Congressional outreach is also underway. Mark your calendars for a call in day on Thursday, August 12. For call in materials and regular updates and resources, sign up here for HSC’s NPRM updates.
