Head Start Updates
NEW - Upcoming 09/09 Webinar: What the Proposed Changes to Head Start Could Mean in Practice, and How to Respond
Join Start Early and the Together for Head Start coalition for a closer look at several key provisions in the proposed rule and what they could mean for Head Start programs, children and families. This webinar will move beyond a high-level overview to explore specific areas of concern, including services for young children with disabilities, child health and safety, and prenatal and maternal health services.
DATE: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
TIME: 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET
Click here to register
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.
