Head Start: Background and Funding

Publication Date: September 2000

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Education

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Abstract:

Head Start has provided comprehensive early childhood development services to low-income children since 1965. In 1998, the 105th Congress passed legislation to amend the program and extend its authorization through FY2003 (P.L. 105-285). The FY2000 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 106-113) funds the program at $5.27 billion: $3.87 billion for FY2000 and $1.4 billion to be available in FY2001. The President had requested $5.27 billion in Head Start funding, but without the advance funding component. The President's FY2001 budget request includes $6.27 billion for Head Start, a 19% increase over the FY2000 appropriation.

The Administration estimates that the $1 billion increase will serve 70,000 additional children. The House and Senate have each passed FY2001 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education legislation, which would fund Head Start at $5.66 billion and $6.26 billion, respectively. This report will be updated to reflect changes in legislation or funding.