Friday, January 15, 2010

Head Start's Limits

Yesterday I read two new articles about a new report that Head Start has no lasting benefit for its students.

Why is this news? The same "no lasting benefit" verdict happens every time Head Start is studied.

I taught Head Start during the 1999-2000 school year. The staff all knew our work was about giving those kids an ephemeral bit of light and hope in inner-city Rochester, NY: some memories of a room with projects, music, teamwork, community, role models, and joy in learning.

Surely a discussion about Head Start's future and funding is appropriate; any business effort needs continual refining. But the "what is it good for?" discussion ended in sad conclusions over a decade ago.

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