[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1107 Reported in Senate (RS)]
Calendar No. 200
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1107
[Report No. 109-131]
To reauthorize the Head Start Act, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 23, 2005
Mr. Enzi (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Alexander, and Mr. Dodd)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
August 31, 2005
Reported under authority of the order of the Senate of July 29, 2005,
by Mr. Enzi, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize the Head Start Act, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Head Start Improvements for
School Readiness Act''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 636 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831) is
amended by inserting ``educational instruction in prereading skills,
premathematics skills, and language and through'' after ``low-income
children through''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(including a
community-based organization)'' after ``nonprofit'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``,
including financial literacy,'' after ``Parent
literacy'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in paragraph (17), by striking ``Mariana
Islands,'' and all that follows and inserting ``Mariana
Islands.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(18) The term `homeless child' means a child
described in section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(19) The term `limited English proficient', used
with respect to a child, means a child--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) who is enrolled or preparing to
enroll in a Head Start program, Early Head Start
program, or other early care and education
program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B)(i) who was not born in the United
States or whose native language is a language other
than English;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii)(I) who is a Native American, Alaska
Native, or a native resident of a United States
territory; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) who comes from an environment where
a language other than English has had a significant
impact on the child's level of English language
proficiency; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) who is migratory, whose native
language is a language other than English, and who
comes from an environment where a language other than
English is dominant; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) whose difficulty in speaking or
understanding the English language may be sufficient to
deny such child--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the ability to successfully
achieve in a classroom in which the language of
instruction is English; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) the opportunity to
participate fully in society.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(20) The term `deficiency' means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) a systemic or substantial failure of
an agency in an area of performance that the Secretary
determines involves--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) a threat to the health,
safety, or civil rights of children or
staff;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) a denial to parents of the
exercise of their full roles and
responsibilities related to program
operations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) a failure to comply with
standards related to early childhood
development and health services, family and
community partnerships, or program design and
management;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) the misuse of funds under
this subchapter;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) loss of legal status or
financial viability, loss of permits, debarment
from receiving Federal grants or contracts, or
the improper use of Federal funds; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) failure to meet any other
Federal or State requirement that the agency
has shown an unwillingness or inability to
correct, after notice from the Secretary,
within the period specified;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) systemic failure of the board of
directors of an agency to fully exercise its legal and
fiduciary responsibilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) substantial failure of an agency to
meet the administrative requirements of section
644(b);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) failure of an agency to demonstrate
that the agency attempted to meet the coordination and
collaboration requirements with entities described in
section 640(a)(5)(D)(iii)(I); or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) having an unresolved area of
noncompliance.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(21) The term `unresolved area of noncompliance'
means failure to correct a noncompliance item within 120 days,
or within such additional time (if any) authorized by the
Secretary, after receiving from the Secretary notice of such
noncompliance item, pursuant to section 641A(d).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HEAD START
PROGRAMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 638 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9833) is
amended by inserting ``for a period of 5 years'' after ``provide
financial assistance to such agency''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 639 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9834) is
amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 639. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated
for carrying out the provisions of this subchapter $7,215,000,000 for
fiscal year 2006, $7,515,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $7,815,000,000
for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of
fiscal years 2009 and 2010.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Specific Programs.--From the amount appropriated
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall make available to carry out
research, demonstration, and evaluation activities, including
longitudinal studies under section 649, not more than $20,000,000 for
fiscal year 2006, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal
years 2007 through 2010, of which not more than $7,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2006 through 2010 shall be available to carry out impact
studies under section 649(g).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 6. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Allotment.--Section 640(a) of the Head Start Act (42
U.S.C. 9835(a)) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking subparagraph (A) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Indian Head Start programs, services for
children with disabilities, and migrant and seasonal Head Start
programs, except that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary shall reserve for each
fiscal year for use by Indian Head Start and migrant
and seasonal Head Start programs (referred to in this
subparagraph as `covered programs'), on a nationwide
basis, a sum that is the total of not less than 4
percent of the amount appropriated under section 639
for that fiscal year (for Indian Head Start programs),
and not less than 5 percent of that appropriated amount
(for migrant and seasonal Head Start programs), except
that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) if reserving the specified
percentages for Indian Head Start programs and
migrant and seasonal Head Start programs would
reduce the number of children served by Head
Start programs, relative to the number of
children served on the date of enactment of the
Head Start Improvements for School Readiness
Act, taking into consideration an appropriate
adjustment for inflation, the Secretary shall
reserve percentages that approach, as closely
as practicable, the specified percentages and
that do not cause such a reduction;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) notwithstanding any other
provision of this subparagraph, the Secretary
shall reserve for each fiscal year for use by
Indian Head Start programs and by migrant and
seasonal Head Start programs, on a nationwide
basis, not less than the amount that was
obligated for use by Indian Head Start programs
and by migrant and seasonal Head Start programs
for the previous fiscal year;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) after ensuring that each grant
recipient for a covered program has received an amount
sufficient to enable the grant recipient to serve the
same number of children in Head Start programs as were
served by such grant recipient on the date of enactment
of the Head Start Improvements for School Readiness
Act, taking into consideration an appropriate
adjustment for inflation, and after allotting the funds
reserved under paragraph (3)(A) as specified in
paragraph (3)(D), the Secretary shall distribute the
remaining funds available under this subparagraph for
covered programs, by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) distributing 65 percent of
the remainder by giving priority to grant
recipients in the States serving the smallest
percentages of eligible children (as determined
by the Secretary); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) distributing 35 percent of
the remainder on a competitive
basis;'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking subparagraph (C) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) training and technical assistance activities
that are sufficient to meet the needs associated with program
expansion and to foster program and management improvement
activities as described in section 648, in an amount for each
fiscal year that is equal to 2 percent of the amount
appropriated under section 639 for such fiscal year, of which--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) 50 percent shall be made available
to Head Start agencies to use directly, or by
establishing local or regional agreements with
community experts, colleges and universities, or
private consultants, for any of the following training
and technical assistance activities, including--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) activities that ensure that
Head Start programs meet or exceed the program
performance standards described in section
641A(a)(1);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) activities that ensure that
Head Start programs have adequate numbers of
trained, qualified staff who have skills in
working with children and families, including
children and families who are limited English
proficient and children with
disabilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) activities to pay
expenses, including direct training for expert
consultants working with any staff, to improve
the management and implementation of Head Start
services and systems;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IV) activities that help ensure
that Head Start programs have qualified staff
who can promote language skills and literacy
growth of children and who can provide children
with a variety of skills that have been
identified as predictive of later reading
achievement, school success, and other
educational skills described in section
641A;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(V) activities to improve staff
qualifications and to assist with the
implementation of career development programs
and to encourage the staff to continually
improve their skills and expertise, including
developing partnerships with programs that
recruit, train, place, and support college
students in Head Start centers to deliver an
innovative early learning program to preschool
children;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VI) activities that help local
programs ensure that the arrangement,
condition, and implementation of the learning
environments in Head Start programs are
conducive to providing effective program
services to children and families;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VII) activities to provide
training necessary to improve the
qualifications of Head Start staff and to
support staff training, child counseling,
health services, and other services necessary
to address the needs of children enrolled in
Head Start programs, including children from
families in crises, children who experience
chronic violence or homelessness, and children
who experience substance abuse in their
families, and children under 3 years of age,
where applicable;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VIII) activities to provide
classes or in-service-type programs to improve
or enhance parenting skills, job skills, adult
and family literacy, including financial
literacy, or training to become a classroom
aide or bus driver in a Head Start
program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IX) additional activities
deemed appropriate to the improvement of Head
Start agencies' programs, as determined by the
agencies' technical assistance and training
plans; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(X) any other activities
regarding the use of funds as determined by the
Secretary;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) 50 percent shall be made available
to the Secretary to support a regional or State system
of early childhood education training and technical
assistance, and to assist local programs (including
Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal
Head Start programs) in meeting the standards described
in section 641A(a)(1); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) not less than $3,000,000 of the
amount in clause (ii) appropriated for such fiscal year
shall be made available to carry out activities
described in section 648(d)(4);'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in subparagraph (D), by striking
``agencies;'' and inserting ``agencies);'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) by adding at the end of the flush
matter at the end the following: ``The Secretary shall
require each Head Start agency to report at the end of
each budget year on how funds provided to carry out
subparagraph (C)(i) were used.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (3)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subparagraph (A)(i)(I)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by striking ``60 percent of
such excess amount for fiscal year 1999'' and
all that follows through ``2002, and'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by inserting before the
semicolon the following: ``, 30 percent of such
excess amount for fiscal year 2006, and 40
percent of such excess amount for each of
fiscal years 2007 through 2010'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subparagraph (B)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in clause (i), by striking
``performance standards'' and all that follows
and inserting ``standards and measures pursuant
to section 641A.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking clause (ii) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Ensuring that such programs have adequate
numbers of qualified staff, and that such staff is furnished
adequate training, including training to promote the
development of language skills, premathematics skills, and
prereading in young children and in working with limited
English proficient children, children in foster care, children
referred by child welfare services, and children with
disabilities, when appropriate.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) by striking clause (iii) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) Developing and financing the salary scales
and benefits standards under section 644(a) and section 653, in
order to ensure that salary levels and benefits are adequate to
attract and retain qualified staff for such
programs.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) by striking clause (iv) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) Using salary increases to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) assist with the implementation of
quality programs and improve staff
qualifications;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) ensure that staff can promote the
language skills and literacy growth of children and can
provide children with a variety of skills that have
been identified, through scientifically based early
reading research, as predictive of later reading
achievement, as well as additional skills identified in
section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) encourage the staff to continually
improve their skills and expertise by informing the
staff of the availability of Federal and State
incentive and loan forgiveness programs for
professional development.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) in clause (v), by inserting
``, including collaborations to increase
program participation by underserved
populations of eligible children'' before the
period; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vi) by striking clauses (vii) and
(viii) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vii) Providing assistance to complete
postsecondary coursework including scholarships or other
financial incentives, such as differential and merit pay, to
enable Head Start teachers to improve competencies and the
resulting child outcomes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(viii) Promoting the regular attendance and
stability of all Head Start children with particular attention
to highly mobile children, including children from migrant and
seasonal farmworking families (where appropriate), homeless
children, and children in foster care.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ix) Making such other improvements in the
quality of such programs as the Secretary may designate.'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in subparagraph (C)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in clause (i)(I), by striking
the last sentence and inserting ``Salary
increases, in excess of cost-of-living
allowances, provided with such funds shall be
subject to the specific standards governing
salaries and salary increases established
pursuant to section 644(a).'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in clause (ii)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) in the matter
preceding subclause (I), by striking
``education performance'' and inserting
``additional educational'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) in subclause (I), by
inserting ``, prereading,'' after
``language'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) by striking
subclause (II) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) to help limited English proficient
children attain the knowledge, skills, and development
specified in section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) and to promote
the acquisition of the English language by such
children and families;''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) by striking subclause
(IV) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IV) to provide education and training
necessary to improve the qualifications of Head Start
staff, particularly assistance to enable more
instructors to be fully competent and to meet the
degree requirements under section 648A(a)(2)(A), and to
support staff training, child counseling, and other
services necessary to address the challenges of
children participating in Head Start programs,
including children from immigrant, refugee, and asylee
families, children from families in crisis, homeless
children, children in foster care, children referred to
Head Start programs by child welfare agencies, and
children who are exposed to chronic violence or
substance abuse.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) in clause (iii), by
inserting ``, educational staff who have the
qualifications described in section 648A(a),''
after ``ratio'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) in clause (v), by striking
``programs, including'' and all that follows
and inserting ``programs.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) by redesignating clause (vi)
as clause (x); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vi) by inserting after clause (v)
the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) To conduct outreach to homeless families in
an effort to increase the program participation of eligible
homeless children.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vii) To conduct outreach to migrant and
seasonal farmworking families and families with limited English
proficient children.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(viii) To partner with institutions of higher
education and nonprofit organizations, including community-
based organizations, that recruit, train, place, and support
college students to serve as mentors and reading coaches to
preschool children in Head Start programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ix) To upgrade the qualifications and skills of
educational personnel to meet the professional standards
described in section 648A(a)(1), including certification and
licensure as bilingual education teachers and for other
educational personnel who serve limited English proficient
students.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in paragraph (4)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``1998'' and inserting ``2005''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) any amount available after all allotments
are made under subparagraph (A) for such fiscal year shall be
distributed as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) Each State shall receive an amount
sufficient to serve the same number of children in Head
Start programs in each State as were served on the date
of enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School
Readiness Act, taking into consideration an appropriate
adjustment for inflation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) After ensuring that each State has
received the amount described in clause (i) and after
allotting the funds reserved under paragraph (3)(A) as
specified in paragraph (3)(D), the Secretary shall
distribute the remaining balance, by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) distributing 65 percent of
the balance by giving priority to States
serving the smallest percentages of eligible
children (as determined by the Secretary);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) distributing 35 percent of
the balance on a competitive
basis.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in paragraph (5)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and
(F) as subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking subparagraphs (B), (C),
and (D) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B)(i) From the reserved sums, the Secretary shall award
a collaboration grant to each State to facilitate collaboration between
Head Start agencies and entities (including the State) that carry out
other activities designed to benefit low-income families and children
from birth to school entry.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Grants described in clause (i) shall be used to--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) encourage Head Start agencies to collaborate
with entities involved in State and local planning processes to
better meet the needs of low-income families and children from
birth to school entry;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) encourage Head Start agencies to coordinate
activities with the State agency responsible for administering
the State program carried out under the Child Care and
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.)
and entities providing resources and referral services in the
State to make full-working-day and full calendar year services
available to children;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) promote alignment of Head Start services
with State early learning and school readiness goals and
standards, including the Head Start child outcome
framework;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IV) promote better linkages between Head Start
agencies and other child and family agencies, including
agencies that provide health, mental health, or family
services, or other child or family supportive services;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(V) carry out the activities of the State
Director of Head Start Collaboration authorized in subparagraph
(D).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) In order to improve coordination and delivery of
early education services to children in the State, a State that
receives a grant under subparagraph (B) shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) appoint an individual to serve as the State
Director of Head Start Collaboration;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) ensure that the State Director of Head
Start Collaboration holds a position with sufficient authority
and access to ensure that the collaboration described in
subparagraph (B) is effective and involves a range of State
agencies; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) involve the State Head Start Association
in the selection of the Director and involve the Association in
determinations relating to the ongoing direction of the
collaboration office.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) The State Director of Head Start Collaboration,
after consultation with the State Advisory Council described in
subparagraph (E), shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School Readiness
Act, conduct an assessment that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) addresses the needs of Head Start
agencies in the State with respect to collaborating,
coordinating services, and implementing State early
learning and school readiness goals and standards to
better serve children enrolled in Head Start programs
in the State;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) shall be updated on an annual
basis; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) shall be made available to the
general public within the State;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) assess the availability of high quality
prekindergarten services for low-income children in the
State;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) develop a strategic plan that is based on
the assessment described in clause (i) that will--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) enhance collaboration and
coordination of Head Start services with other entities
providing early childhood programs and services (such
as child care and services offered by museums), health
care, mental health care, welfare, child protective
services, education and community service activities,
family literacy services, reading readiness programs
(including such programs offered by public and school
libraries), services relating to children with
disabilities, other early childhood programs and
services for limited English proficient children and
homeless children, and services provided for children
in foster care and children referred to Head Start
programs by child welfare agencies, including agencies
and State officials responsible for such
services;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) assist Head Start agencies to
develop a plan for the provision of full-working-day,
full calendar year services for children enrolled in
Head Start programs who need such care;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) assist Head Start agencies to
align services with State early learning and school
readiness goals and standards and to facilitate
collaborative efforts to develop local school readiness
standards; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IV) enable agencies in the State to
better coordinate professional development
opportunities for Head Start staff, such as by--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(aa) assisting 2- and 4-year
public and private institutions of higher
education to develop articulation
agreements;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) awarding grants to
institutions of higher education to develop
model early childhood education programs,
including practica or internships for students
to spend time in a Head Start or
prekindergarten program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(cc) working with local Head
Start agencies to meet the degree requirements
described in section 648A(a)(2)(A), including
providing distance learning opportunities for
Head Start staff, where needed to make higher
education more accessible to Head Start staff;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(dd) enabling the State Head
Start agencies to better coordinate outreach to
eligible families;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) promote partnerships between Head Start
agencies, State governments, and the private sector to help
ensure that preschool children from low-income families are
receiving comprehensive services to prepare the children to
enter school ready to learn;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) consult with the chief State school officer,
local educational agencies, and providers of early childhood
education and care to conduct unified planning regarding early
care and education services at both the State and local levels,
including undertaking collaborative efforts to develop and make
improvements in school readiness standards;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) promote partnerships (such as the
partnerships involved with the Free to Grow initiative) between
Head Start agencies, schools, law enforcement, and substance
abuse and mental health treatment agencies to strengthen family
and community environments and to reduce the impact on child
development of substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence,
and other high risk behaviors that compromise healthy
development;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vii) promote partnerships between Head Start
agencies and other organizations in order to enhance the Head
Start curriculum, including partnerships to promote inclusion
of more books in Head Start classrooms and partnerships to
promote coordination of activities with the Ready-to-Learn
Television program carried out under subpart 3 of part D of
title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 6775 et seq.); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(viii) identify other resources and
organizations (both public and private) for the provision of
in-kind services to Head Start agencies in the State.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E)(i) The Governor of the State shall designate or
establish a council to serve as the State advisory council on
collaboration on early care and education activities for children from
birth to school entry (in this subchapter referred to as the `State
Advisory Council').</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) The Governor may designate an existing entity to
serve as the State Advisory Council, if the entity includes
representatives described in subclauses (I) through (XXIV) of clause
(iii).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) Members of the State Advisory Council shall
include, to the maximum extent possible--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) the State Director of Head Start
Collaboration;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) a representative of the appropriate
regional office of the Administration for Children and
Families;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) a representative of the State educational
agency and local educational agencies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IV) a representative of institutions of higher
education;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(V) a representative (or representatives) of the
State agency (or agencies) responsible for health or mental
health care;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VI) a representative of the State agency
responsible for teacher professional standards, certification,
and licensing, including prekindergarten teacher professional
standards, certification standards, certification, and
licensing, where applicable;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VII) a representative of the State agency
responsible for child care;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VIII) early childhood education professionals,
including professionals with expertise in second language
acquisition and instructional strategies in teaching limited
English proficient children;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IX) kindergarten teachers and teachers in
grades 1 through 3;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(X) health care professionals;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XI) child development specialists, including
specialists in prenatal, infant, and toddler
development;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XII) a representative of the State agency
responsible for assisting children with developmental
disabilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XIII) a representative of the State agency
responsible for programs under part C of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XIV) a representative of the State interagency
coordinating councils established under section 641 of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
1441);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XV) a representative of the State Head Start
Association (where appropriate), and other representatives of
Head Start programs in the State;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XVI) a representative of the State network of
child care resource and referral agencies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XVII) a representative of community-based
organizations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XVIII) a representative of State and local
providers of early childhood education and child
care;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XIX) a representative of migrant and seasonal
Head Start programs and Indian Head Start programs (where
appropriate);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XX) parents;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XXI) religious and business leaders;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XXII) the head of the State library
administrative agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XXIII) representatives of State and local
organizations and other entities providing professional
development to early care and education providers;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(XXIV) a representative of other entities
determined to be relevant by the chief executive officer of the
State.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv)(I) The State Advisory Council shall be responsible
for, in addition to responsibilities assigned to the council by the
chief executive officer of the State--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(aa) conducting a periodic statewide needs
assessment concerning early care and education programs for
children from birth to school entry;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) identifying barriers to, and opportunities
for, collaboration and coordination between entities carrying
out Federal and State child development, child care, and early
childhood education programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(cc) developing recommendations regarding means
of establishing a unified data collection system for early care
and education programs throughout the State;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(dd) developing a statewide professional
development and career ladder plan for early care and education
in the State; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ee) reviewing and approving the strategic plan,
regarding collaborating and coordinating services to better
serve children enrolled in Head Start programs, developed by
the State Director of Head Start Collaboration under
subparagraph (D)(iii).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) The State Advisory Council shall hold public
hearings and provide an opportunity for public comment on the needs
assessment and recommendations described in subclause (I). The State
Advisory Council shall submit a statewide strategic report containing
the needs assessment and recommendations described in subclause (I) to
the State Director of Head Start Collaboration and the chief executive
officer of the State.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) After submission of a statewide strategic report
under subclause (II), the State Advisory Council shall meet
periodically to review any implementation of the recommendations in
such report and any changes in State and local needs.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) in paragraph (6)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``7.5
percent'' and all that follows and inserting ``11
percent for fiscal year 2006, 13 percent for fiscal
year 2007, 15 percent for fiscal year 2008, 17 percent
for fiscal year 2009, and 18 percent for fiscal year
2010, of the amount appropriated pursuant to section
639(a).'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking subparagraph
(B);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking
``required to be''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (B).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Service Delivery Models.--Section 640(f) of the Head
Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(f)) is amended by striking ``needs.'' and
inserting ``needs, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) models that leverage the capacity and
capabilities of the delivery system of early childhood
education and child care; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) procedures to provide for the conversion of
part-day programs to full-day programs or part-day slots to
full-day slots.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Additional Funds.--Section 640(g)(2) of the Head Start
Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(g)(2)) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) the extent to which the applicant has
undertaken communitywide strategic planning and needs
assessments involving other community organizations and
Federal, State, and local public agencies serving children and
families (including organizations and agencies providing family
support services and protective services to children and
families and organizations serving families in whose homes
English is not the language customarily spoken), and
individuals, organizations, and public entities serving
children with disabilities, children in foster care, and
homeless children including the local educational agency
liaison designated under section 722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
11432(g)(1)(J)(ii));'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``other
local'' and inserting ``the State and local'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``would like
to participate but'' after ``community who'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in subparagraph (G), by inserting ``leverage
the existing delivery systems of such services and'' after
``manner that will''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) in subparagraph (H), by inserting ``,
including the local educational agency liaison designated under
section 722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii)),'' after
``community involved''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Regulations.--Section 640(i) of the Head Start Act (42
U.S.C. 9835(i)) is amended by inserting ``and requirements to ensure
the appropriate supervision and background checks of individuals with
whom the agencies contract to transport those children'' before the
period.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs.--Section
640(l) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(l)) is amended by striking
paragraph (3) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall
continue the administrative arrangement at the national or regional
level for meeting the needs of Indian children and children of migrant
and seasonal farmworkers and shall ensure that appropriate funding is
provided to meet such needs, including training and technical
assistance and the appointment of a national migrant and seasonal Head
Start collaboration director and a national Indian Head Start
collaboration director.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4)(A) For the purposes of paragraph (3), the Secretary
shall conduct an annual consultation in each affected Head Start
region, with tribal governments operating Head Start and Early Head
Start programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) The consultations shall be for the purpose of better
meeting the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native children and
families pertinent to subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 641,
taking into consideration funding allocations, distribution formulas,
and other issues affecting the delivery of Head Start services within
tribal communities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) The Secretary shall publish a notification of the
consultations in the Federal Register prior to conducting the
consultations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) A detailed report of each consultation shall be
prepared and made available, on a timely basis, to all tribal
governments receiving funds under this subchapter.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Homeless Children.--Section 640 of the Head Start Act
(42 U.S.C. 9835) is amended by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(m) Enrollment of Homeless Children.--The Secretary
shall issue regulations to remove barriers to the enrollment and
participation of homeless children in Head Start programs. Such
regulations shall require Head Start agencies to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) implement policies and procedures to ensure
that homeless children are identified and receive appropriate
priority for enrollment;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) allow homeless children to apply to, enroll
in, and attend Head Start programs while required documents,
such as proof of residency, proof of immunization, and other
medical records, birth certificates, and other documents, are
obtained within a reasonable timeframe (consistent with State
law); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) coordinate individual Head Start programs
with efforts to implement subtitle B of title VII of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et
seq.).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(n) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this subchapter
shall be construed to require a State to establish a program of early
education for children in the State, to require any child to
participate in a program of early education in order to attend
preschool, or to participate in any initial screening prior to
participation in such program, except as provided under section
612(a)(3) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
1412(a)(3)) and consistent with section 614(a)(1)(C) of such Act (20
U.S.C. 1414(a)(1)(C)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(o) Materials.--All curricula funded under this
subchapter shall be scientifically based and age appropriate. Parents
shall have the opportunity to examine any such curricula or
instructional materials funded under this subchapter.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 7. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 641 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836) is
amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 641. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Designation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to
designate as a Head Start agency any local public or private
nonprofit or for-profit agency, within a community, including a
community-based organization that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) has power and authority to carry out
the purpose of this subchapter and perform the
functions set forth in section 642 within a community;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) is determined to be capable of
planning, conducting, administering, and evaluating,
either directly or by other arrangements, a Head Start
program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Required goals for designation.--In order to
be designated as a Head Start agency, an entity described in
paragraph (1) shall establish program goals for improving the
school readiness of children participating in a program under
this subchapter, including goals for meeting the performance
standards and additional educational standards described in
section 641A and shall establish results-based school readiness
goals that are aligned with State early learning standards, if
applicable, and requirements and expectations for local public
schools.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Eligibility for subsequent grants.--In order
to receive a grant under this subchapter subsequent to the
initial grant provided following the date of enactment of the
Head Start Improvements for School Readiness Act, an entity
described in paragraph (1) shall demonstrate that the entity
has met or is making progress toward meeting the goals
described in paragraph (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Governing body.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) Ensuring high quality
programs.--In order to be designated as a Head
Start agency, an entity described in paragraph
(1) shall have a governing body--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) with legal and
fiscal responsibility for administering
and overseeing programs under this
subchapter; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) that fully
participates in the development,
planning, implementation, and
evaluation of the programs to ensure
the operation of programs of high
quality.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Ensuring compliance with
laws.--The governing body shall be responsible
for ensuring compliance with Federal laws and
regulations, including the performance
standards described in section 641A, as well as
applicable State, Tribal, and local laws and
regulations, including laws defining the nature
and operations of the governing body.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Composition of governing body.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) In general.--The governing
body shall be composed as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) Not less than 1
member of the governing body shall have
a background in fiscal
management.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) Not less than 1
member of the governing body shall have
a background in early childhood
development.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) Not less than 1
member of the governing body shall live
in the local community to be served by
the entity.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Conflict of interest.--
Members of the governing body shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) not have a conflict
of interest with the Head Start agency
or delegate agencies; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) not receive
compensation for service to the Head
Start agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Responsibilities.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) In general.--The governing
body shall be responsible, in consultation with
the policy council or the policy committee of
the Head Start agency, for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) the selection of
delegate agencies and such agencies'
service areas;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) establishing
criteria for defining recruitment,
selection, and enrollment
priorities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) all funding
applications and amendments to funding
applications for programs under this
subchapter;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IV) the annual self-
assessment of the Head Start agency or
delegate agency's progress in carrying
out the programmatic and fiscal intent
of such agency's grant application,
including planning or other actions
that may result from the review of the
annual audit, self-assessment, and
findings from the Federal monitoring
review;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(V) the composition of
the policy council or the policy
committee of the Head Start agency and
the procedures by which group members
are chosen;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VI) audits, accounting,
and reporting;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VII) personnel policies
and procedures including decisions with
regard to salary scales (and changes
made to the scale), salaries of the
Executive Director, Head Start
Director, the Director of Human
Resources, and the Chief Fiscal
Officer, and decisions to hire and
terminate program staff; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VIII) the community
assessment, including any updates to
such assessment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Conduct of
responsibilities.--The governing body shall
develop an internal control structure to
facilitate these responsibilities in order to--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) safeguard Federal
funds;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) comply with laws
and regulations that have an impact on
financial statements;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) detect or prevent
noncompliance with this subchapter;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IV) receive audit
reports and direct and monitor staff
implementation of corrective
actions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) Receipt of information.--To
facilitate oversight and Head Start agency
accountability, the governing body shall receive
regular and accurate information about program
planning, policies, and Head Start agency operations,
including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) monthly financial statements
(including detailed credit card account
expenditures for any employee with a Head Start
agency credit card or who seeks reimbursement
for charged expenses);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) monthly program information
summaries;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) program enrollment
reports, including attendance reports for
children whose care is partially subsidized by
another public agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) monthly report of meals and
snacks through programs of the Department of
Agriculture;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) the annual financial
audit;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) the annual self-assessment,
including any findings related to the annual
self-assessment;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vii) the community assessment
of the Head Start agency's service area and any
applicable updates; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(viii) the program information
reports.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) Training and technical assistance.--
Appropriate training and technical assistance shall be
provided to the members of the governing body to ensure
that the members understand the information the members
receive and can effectively oversee and participate in
the programs of the Head Start agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Communities.--For purposes of this subchapter, a
community may be a city, county, or multicity or multicounty unit
within a State, an Indian reservation (including Indians in any off-
reservation area designated by an appropriate tribal government in
consultation with the Secretary), or a neighborhood or other area
(irrespective of boundaries or political subdivisions) that provides a
suitable organizational base and possesses the commonality of interest
needed to operate a Head Start program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Priority in Designation.--In administering the
provisions of this section, the Secretary shall, in consultation with
the chief executive officer of the State involved, give priority in the
designation (including redesignation) of Head Start agencies to any
high-performing Head Start agency or delegate agency that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) is receiving assistance under this
subchapter;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) meets or exceeds program and financial
management requirements or standards described in section
641A(a)(1);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) has no unresolved deficiencies and has not
had findings of deficiencies during the last triennial review
under section 641A(c); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) can demonstrate, through agreements such as
memoranda of understanding, active collaboration with the State
or local community in the provision of services for children
(such as the provision of extended day services, education,
professional development and training for staff, and other
types of cooperative endeavors).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Designation When Entity Has Priority.--If no entity
in a community is entitled to the priority specified in subsection (c),
the Secretary shall, after conducting an open competition, designate a
Head Start agency from among qualified applicants in such
community.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Rule of Construction.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, under no condition may a non-Indian Head Start agency
receive a grant to carry out an Indian Head Start program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Effectiveness.--In selecting from among qualified
applicants for designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall
consider the effectiveness of each such applicant to provide Head Start
services, based on--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) any past performance of such applicant in
providing services comparable to Head Start services, including
how effectively such applicant provided such comparable
services;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) the plan of such applicant to provide
comprehensive health, educational, nutritional, social, and
other services needed to aid participating children in
attaining their full potential, and to prepare children to
succeed in school;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) the capacity of such applicant to serve
eligible children with programs that use scientifically based
research that promote school readiness of children
participating in the program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) the plan of such applicant to meet standards
set forth in section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to
the standards set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such
section;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the
Head Start program the applicant proposes to carry out with
other preschool programs, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the Early Reading First and Even
Start programs under subparts 2 and 3 of part B of
title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6371 et seq., 6381 et
seq.);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) programs under section 619 and part
C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) State prekindergarten
programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) child care programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) the educational programs that the
children in the Head Start program involved will enter
at the age of compulsory school attendance;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) reading readiness programs such as
those conducted by public and school
libraries;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the
Head Start program that the applicant proposes to carry out
with public and private entities who are willing to commit
resources to assist the Head Start program in meeting its
program needs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) the plan of such applicant to collaborate
with a local library, where available, that is interested in
that collaboration, to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) develop innovative programs to
excite children about the world of books, such as
programs that involve--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) taking children to the
library for a story hour;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) promoting the use of
library cards;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) developing a lending
library or using a mobile library van;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) providing fresh books in
the Head Start classroom on a regular
basis;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) assist in literacy training for Head
Start teachers; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) support parents and other caregivers
in literacy efforts;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(8) the plan of such applicant--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) to seek the involvement of parents
of participating children in activities (at home and in
the center involved where practicable) designed to help
such parents become full partners in the education of
their children;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) to afford such parents the
opportunity to participate in the development and
overall conduct of the program at the local level,
including through providing transportation
costs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) to offer (directly or through
referral to local entities, such as entities carrying
out Even Start programs under subpart 3 of part B of
title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6381 et seq.), public and school
libraries, and entities carrying out family support
programs) to such parents--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) family literacy services;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) parenting skills
training;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) to offer to parents of participating
children substance abuse counseling (either directly or
through referral to local entities), including
information on the effect of drug exposure on infants
and fetal alcohol syndrome;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) at the option of such applicant, to
offer (directly or through referral to local entities)
to such parents--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) training in basic child
development (including cognitive
development);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) assistance in developing
literacy and communication skills;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) opportunities to share
experiences with other parents (including
parent mentor relationships);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) regular in-home visitation;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) any other activity designed
to help such parents become full partners in
the education of their children;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) to provide, with respect to each
participating family, a family needs assessment that
includes consultation with such parents about the
benefits of parent involvement and about the activities
described in subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) in which
such parents may choose to become involved (taking into
consideration their specific family needs, work
schedules, and other responsibilities); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(G) to extend outreach to fathers, in
appropriate cases, in order to strengthen the role of
fathers in families, in the education of their young
children, and in the Head Start program, by working
directly with fathers and father figures through
activities such as--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) in appropriate cases,
including fathers in home visits and providing
opportunities for direct father-child
interactions; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) targeting increased male
participation in the conduct of the
program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(9) the ability of such applicant to carry out
the plans described in paragraphs (2), (4), and (5);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(10) other factors related to the requirements
of this subchapter;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(11) the plan of such applicant to meet the
needs of limited English proficient children and their
families, including procedures to identify such children, plans
to provide trained personnel, and plans to provide services to
assist the children in making progress toward the acquisition
of the English language;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(12) the plan of such applicant to meet the
needs of children with disabilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(13) the plan of such applicant who chooses to
assist younger siblings of children who will participate in the
Head Start program, to obtain health services from other
sources;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(14) the plan of such applicant to collaborate
with other entities carrying out early childhood education and
child care programs in the community;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(15) the plan of such applicant to meet the
needs of homeless children and children in foster care,
including the transportation needs of such children;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(16) the plan of such applicant to recruit and
retain qualified staff.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Interim Basis.--If there is not a qualified
applicant in a community for designation as a Head Start agency, the
Secretary shall designate a qualified agency to carry out the Head
Start program in the community on an interim basis until a qualified
applicant from the community is so designated.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(h) Involvement of Parents and Area Residents.--The
Secretary shall continue the practice of involving parents and area
residents who are affected by programs under this subchapter in the
selection of qualified applicants for designation as Head Start
agencies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) Priority.--In selecting from among qualified
applicants for designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall
give priority to applicants that have demonstrated capacity in
providing effective, comprehensive, and well-coordinated early
childhood services to children and their families.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 8. QUALITY STANDARDS; MONITORING OF HEAD START AGENCIES
AND PROGRAMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 641A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking
``642(d)'' and inserting ``642(c)'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (1)(B)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in clause (i), by striking
``education performance standards'' and
inserting ``educational performance
standards''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking clause (ii) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) additional educational standards
based on the recommendations of the National Academy of
Sciences panel described in section 649(h) and other
experts in the field, to ensure that the curriculum
involved addresses, and that the children participating
in the program show appropriate progress toward
developing and applying, the recommended educational
outcomes, after the panel considers the appropriateness
of additional educational standards relating to--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) language skills related to
listening, understanding, speaking, and
communicating, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(aa) understanding and
use of a diverse vocabulary (including
knowing the names of colors) and
knowledge of how to use oral language
to communicate for various
purposes;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) narrative abilities
used, for example, to comprehend, tell,
and respond to a story, or to
comprehend instructions;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(cc) ability to detect
and produce sounds of the language the
child speaks or is learning;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(dd) clarity of
pronunciation and speaking in
syntactically and grammatically correct
sentences;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) prereading knowledge and
skills, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(aa) alphabet knowledge
including knowing the letter names and
associating letters with their shapes
and sounds in the language the child
speaks or is learning;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) phonological
awareness and processes that support
reading, for example, rhyming,
recognizing speech sounds and separate
syllables in spoken words, and putting
speech sounds together to make
words;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(cc) knowledge, interest
in, and appreciation of books, reading,
and writing (either alone or with
others), and knowledge that books have
parts such as the front, back, and
title page;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(dd) early writing,
including the ability to write one's
own name and other words and phrases;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ee) print awareness and
concepts, including recognizing
different forms of print and
understanding the association between
spoken and written words;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) premathematics knowledge
and skills, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(aa) number
recognition;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) use of early number
concepts and operations, including
counting, simple adding and
subtracting, and knowledge of
quantitative relationships, such as
part versus whole and comparison of
numbers of objects;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(cc) use of early space
and location concepts, including
recognizing shapes, classification,
striation, and understanding
directionality; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(dd) early pattern
skills and measurement, including
recognizing and extending simple
patterns and measuring length, weight,
and time;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IV) scientific abilities,
including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(aa) building awareness
about scientific skills and methods,
such as gathering, describing, and
recording information, making
observations, and making explanations
and predictions; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) expanding
scientific knowledge of the
environment, time, temperature, and
cause-and-effect
relationships;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(V) general cognitive abilities
related to academic achievement and child
development, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(aa) reasoning,
planning, and problem-solving
skills;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) ability to engage,
sustain attention, and persist on
challenging tasks;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(cc) intellectual
curiosity, initiative, and task
engagement; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(dd) motivation to
achieve and master concepts and
skills;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VI) social and emotional
development related to early learning and
school success, including developing--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(aa) the ability to
develop social relationships,
demonstrate cooperative behaviors, and
relate to teachers and peers in
positive and respectful ways;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) an understanding of
the consequences of actions, following
rules, and appropriately expressing
feelings;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(cc) a sense of self,
such as self-awareness, independence,
and confidence;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(dd) the ability to
control negative behaviors with
teachers and peers that include
impulsiveness, aggression, and
noncompliance; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ee) knowledge of civic
society and surrounding
communities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VII) physical development,
including developing--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(aa) fine motor skills,
such as strength, manual dexterity, and
hand-eye coordination; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) gross motor skills,
such as balance and coordinated
movements; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VIII) in the case of limited
English proficient children, progress toward
acquisition of the English language while
making meaningful progress in attaining the
knowledge, skills, abilities, and development
described in subclauses (I) through
(VII);'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in paragraph (1)(D), by striking
``projects; and'' and inserting ``projects, including
regulations that require that the facilities used by
Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start
agencies) and delegate agencies for regularly scheduled
center-based and combination program option classroom
activities--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) shall be in compliance with
State and local requirements concerning
licensing for such facilities; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) shall be accessible by
State and local authorities for purposes of
monitoring and ensuring
compliance.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in subparagraph (B)--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) in clause (i), by
striking ``the date of enactment of
this section'' and inserting ``the date
of enactment of the Head Start
Improvements for School Readiness
Act'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) in clause (ii), by
striking ``the date of enactment of
this Act'' and inserting ``the date of
enactment of the Head Start
Improvements for School Readiness
Act'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) in clause (vi), by
striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) in clause (vii), by
striking ``public schools'' and
inserting ``the schools that the
children will be attending'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (V) by adding at the end
the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(viii) the unique challenges
faced by individual programs, including those
programs that are seasonal or short term and
those programs that serve rural populations;
and'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by
striking ``the date of enactment of the Coats
Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998''
and inserting ``the date of enactment of the
Head Start Improvements for School Readiness
Act''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) consult with Indian tribes, American
Indian and Alaska Native experts in early childhood
development, linguists, and the National Indian Head
Start Directors Association on the review and
promulgation of program standards and measures
(including standards and measures for language
acquisition and school readiness).'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Evaluations and corrective actions for
delegate agencies.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Procedures.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) In general.--Subject to
clause (ii), the Head Start agency shall
establish procedures relating to its delegate
agencies, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) procedures for
evaluating delegate agencies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) procedures for
defunding delegate agencies;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) procedures for
appealing a defunding decision relating
to a delegate agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Termination.--The Head
Start agency may not terminate a delegate
agency's contract or reduce a delegate agency's
service area without showing cause or
demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of such a
decision.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Evaluations.--Each Head Start
agency--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) shall evaluate its delegate
agencies using the procedures established
pursuant to this section, including
subparagraph (A); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) shall inform the delegate
agencies of the deficiencies identified through
the evaluation that shall be
corrected.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Remedies to ensure corrective
actions.--In the event that the Head Start agency
identifies a deficiency for a delegate agency through
the evaluation, the Head Start agency may--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) initiate procedures to
terminate the designation of the agency unless
the agency corrects the deficiency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) conduct monthly monitoring
visits to such delegate agency until all
deficiencies are corrected or the Head Start
agency decides to defund such delegate agency;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) release funds to such
delegate agency only as reimbursements until
all deficiencies are corrected or the Head
Start agency decides to defund such delegate
agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) Rule of construction.--Nothing in
this paragraph shall be construed to impact or obviate
the responsibilities of the Secretary with respect to
Head Start agencies or delegate agencies receiving
funding under this subchapter.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by striking the paragraph
heading and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Characteristics and use of measures.--
'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in subparagraph (B), by
striking ``, not later than July 1, 1999; and''
and inserting a semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) in subparagraph (C), by
striking the period and inserting a
semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) by striking the flush matter
following subparagraph (C); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) measure characteristics that are
strongly predictive (as determined on a scientific
basis) of a child's school readiness and later
performance in school;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) be appropriate for the population
served; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) be reviewed not less than every 4
years, based on advances in the science of early
childhood development.</DELETED>
<DELETED>The performance measures shall include the performance
standards and additional educational standards described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1).'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (3)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in subparagraph (A), by
striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in subparagraph (B), by
striking the period and inserting ``; and'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) to enable Head Start agencies to
individualize programs of instruction to better meet
the needs of the child involved.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by striking paragraph (4) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Results-based outcome measures.--Results-
based outcome measures shall be designed for the purpose of
promoting the knowledge, skills, abilities, and development,
described in subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii), of children
participating in Head Start programs that are strongly
predictive (as determined on a scientific basis) of a child's
school readiness and later performance in school.'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) by striking paragraph (5) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Additional local results-based educational
measures and goals.--Head Start agencies may establish and
implement additional local results-based educational measures
and goals.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and Head Start
centers'' after ``Head Start
programs'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in subparagraph (A), by
striking ``such agency'' and inserting ``Head
Start center'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) by striking subparagraph (C)
and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Unannounced site inspections of Head
Start centers for health and safety reasons, as
appropriate.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) by redesignating subparagraph
(D) as subparagraph (E); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) by inserting after
subparagraph (C) the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) Notwithstanding subparagraph (C),
followup reviews, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) prompt return visits to
agencies, programs, and centers that fail to
meet 1 or more of the performance measures
developed by the Secretary under subsection
(b); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) a review of programs with
citations that include findings of deficiencies
not later than 6 months after the date of such
citation.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking paragraph (2) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Conduct of reviews.--The Secretary shall
ensure that reviews described in paragraph (1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) that incorporate a monitoring visit,
may incorporate the visit without prior notice of the
visit to the agency involved or with such limited prior
notice as is necessary to ensure the participation of
parents and key staff members;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) are conducted by review teams that
shall include individuals who are knowledgeable about
Head Start and other early childhood education programs
and, to the maximum extent practicable, the diverse
(including linguistic and cultural) needs of eligible
children (including children with disabilities,
homeless children, and children in foster care) and
limited English proficient children and their
families;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) include as part of the reviews of
the programs, a review and assessment of program
effectiveness, as measured in accordance with the
results-based performance measures developed by the
Secretary pursuant to subsection (b) and with the
standards established pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and
(B) of subsection (a)(1);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) seek information from the
communities and States where Head Start programs exist
about innovative or effective collaborative efforts,
barriers to collaboration, and the efforts of the Head
Start agencies to collaborate with the entities
carrying out early childhood education and child care
programs in the community;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) include as part of the reviews of
the programs, a review and assessment of whether the
programs are in conformity with the income eligibility
requirements under section 645 and regulations
promulgated under such section;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) include as part of the reviews of
the programs, a review and assessment of whether
programs have adequately addressed the population and
community needs (including needs of populations of
limited English proficient children and children of
migrant and seasonal farmworking families);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(G) include as part of the reviews of
the programs, data from the results of periodic child
assessments, and a review and assessment of child
outcomes and performance as they relate to State,
local, and agency-determined school readiness
goals.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in subsection (d)(1)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``or fails to address the community
needs and strategic plan identified in section
640(g)(2)(C),'' after ``subsection (b),'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subparagraph (A), by inserting
``and identify the technical assistance to be provided
consistent with paragraph (3)'' after
``corrected'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) in subsection (e), by striking the last
sentence and inserting ``The information contained in such
report shall be made available to all parents with children
receiving assistance under this subchapter in an understandable
and uniform format, and to the extent practicable, provided in
a language that the parents can understand. Such information
shall be made widely available through public means such as
distribution through public agencies, and, at a minimum, by
posting such information on the Internet immediately upon
publication.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Self-Assessments.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Not less frequently than once
each program year, with the consultation and participation of
policy groups and, as appropriate, other community members,
each agency receiving funds under this subchapter shall conduct
a self-assessment of the effectiveness and progress in meeting
programs goals and objectives and in implementing and complying
with Head Start program performance standards.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Report and improvement plans.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Report.--An agency conducting a
self-assessment shall report the findings of the self-
assessment to the relevant policy council, policy
committee, governing body, and regional office of the
Department of Health and Human Services. Each self-
assessment shall identify areas of strength and
weakness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Improvement plan.--The agency shall
develop an improvement plan approved by the governing
body of the agency to strengthen any areas identified
in the self-assessment as weaknesses or in need of
improvement.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Ongoing monitoring.--Each Head Start agency,
Early Head Start agency, and delegate agency shall establish
and implement procedures for the ongoing monitoring of their
Head Start and Early Head Start programs, to ensure that the
operations of the programs work toward meeting program goals
and objectives and Head Start performance standards.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Training and technical assistance.--Funds
may be made available, through section 648(d)(13), for training
and technical assistance to assist agencies in conducting self-
assessments.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Reduction of Grants and Redistribution of Funds in
Cases of Under-Enrollment.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Actual enrollment.--The term `actual
enrollment' means, with respect to the program of a
Head Start agency, the actual number of children
enrolled in such program and reported by the agency (as
required in paragraph (2)) in a given month.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Base grant.--The term `base grant'
means, with respect to a Head Start agency for a fiscal
year, that portion of the grant derived--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) from amounts reserved for
use in accordance with section 640(a)(2)(A),
for a Head Start agency administering an Indian
Head Start program or migrant and seasonal Head
Start program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) from amounts reserved for
payments under section 640(a)(2)(B);
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) from amounts available
under section 640(a)(2)(D) or allotted among
States under section 640(a)(4).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Funded enrollment.--The term `funded
enrollment' means, with respect to the program of a
Head Start agency in a fiscal year, the number of
children that the agency is funded to serve through a
grant for the program during such fiscal year, as
indicated in the grant agreement.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Enrollment reporting requirement for current
fiscal year.--Each entity carrying out a Head Start program
shall report on a monthly basis to the Secretary and the
relevant Head Start agency--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the actual enrollment in such
program; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) if such actual enrollment is less
than the funded enrollment, any apparent reason for
such enrollment shortfall.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Secretarial review and plan.--The Secretary
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) on a semiannual basis, determine
which Head Start agencies are operating with an actual
enrollment that is less than the funded enrollment
based on not less than 4 consecutive months of
data;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) for each such Head Start agency
operating a program with an actual enrollment that is
less than 95 percent of its funded enrollment, as
determined under subparagraph (A), develop, in
collaboration with such agency, a plan and timetable
for reducing or eliminating under-enrollment taking
into consideration--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the quality and extent of
the outreach, recruitment, and community needs
assessment conducted by such agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) changing demographics,
mobility of populations, and the identification
of new underserved low-income
populations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) facilities-related issues
that may impact enrollment;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) the ability to provide
full-day programs, where needed, through Head
Start funds or through collaboration with
entities carrying out other preschool or child
care programs, or programs with other funding
sources (where available);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) the availability and use by
families of other preschool and child care
options (including parental care) in the local
catchment area; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) agency management
procedures that may impact enrollment;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) provide timely and ongoing technical
assistance to each agency described in subparagraph (B)
for the purpose of implementing the plan described in
such subparagraph.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Implementation.--Upon receipt of the
technical assistance described in paragraph (3)(C), a Head
Start agency shall immediately implement the plan described in
paragraph (3)(B).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Secretarial action for continued under-
enrollment.--If, 1 year after the date of implementation of the
plan described in paragraph (3)(B), the Head Start agency
continues to operate a program at less than full enrollment,
the Secretary shall, where determined appropriate, continue to
provide technical assistance to such agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) Secretarial review and adjustment for
chronic under-enrollment.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--If, after receiving
technical assistance and developing and implementing a
plan to the extent described in paragraphs (3), (4),
and (5) for 9 months, a Head Start agency is still
operating a program with an actual enrollment that is
less than 95 percent of its funded enrollment, the
Secretary may--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) designate such agency as
chronically under-enrolled; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) recapture, withhold, or
reduce the base grant for the program by a
percentage equal to the percentage difference
between funded enrollment and actual enrollment
for the program for the most recent year in
which the agency is determined to be under-
enrolled under paragraph (2)(B).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Waiver or limitation of
reductions.--If the Secretary, after the implementation
of the plan described in paragraph (3)(B), finds that--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the causes of the enrollment
shortfall, or a portion of the shortfall, are
beyond the agency's control (such as serving
significant numbers of migrant or seasonal
farmworker, homeless, foster, or other highly
mobile children);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) the shortfall can
reasonably be expected to be temporary;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) the number of slots
allotted to the agency is small enough that
under-enrollment does not constitute a
significant shortfall, the Secretary may, as
appropriate, waive or reduce the percentage
recapturing, withholding, or reduction
otherwise required by subparagraph
(A).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Procedural requirements; effective
date.--The actions taken by the Secretary under this
paragraph with respect to a Head Start agency shall
take effect 1 day after the date on which--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the time allowed for appeal
under section 646(a) expires without an appeal
by the agency; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) the action is upheld in an
administrative hearing under section
646.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) Redistribution of funds.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall use
amounts recovered from a Head Start agency through
recapturing, withholding, or reduction under paragraph
(6) in a fiscal year--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) in the case of a Head Start
agency administering an Indian Head Start
program or a migrant and seasonal Head Start
program, whose base grant is derived from
amounts specified in paragraph (1)(C)(i), to
redirect funds to 1 or more agencies that--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) are administering
Head Start programs serving the same
special population; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) demonstrate that
the agencies will use such redirected
funds to increase enrollment in their
Head Start programs in such fiscal
year; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) in the case of a Head Start
agency in a State, whose base grant is derived
from amounts specified in clause (ii) or (iii)
of paragraph (1)(C), to redirect funds to 1 or
more agencies that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) are administering
Head Start programs in the same State;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) make the
demonstration described in clause
(i)(II).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Special rule.--If there is no agency
located in a State that meets the requirements of
subclauses (I) and (II) of subparagraph (A)(ii), the
Secretary shall use amounts described in subparagraph
(A) to redirect funds to Head Start agencies located in
other States that make the demonstration described in
subparagraph (A)(i)(II).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Adjustment to funded enrollment.--
The Secretary shall adjust as necessary the
requirements relating to funded enrollment indicated in
the grant agreement of a Head Start agency receiving
redistributed amounts under this
paragraph.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 9. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The Head Start Act is amended by inserting after section
641A (42 U.S.C. 9836a) the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 641B. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN EARLY
CHILDHOOD.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `center of
excellence' means a Center of Excellence in Early Childhood designated
under subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Designation and Bonus Grants.--The Secretary shall,
subject to the availability of funds under this subchapter, including
under subsection (f), establish a program under which the Secretary
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) designate not more than 200 exemplary Head
Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies, Indian
Head Start agencies, and migrant and seasonal Head Start
agencies) as Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) make bonus grants to the centers of
excellence to carry out the activities described in subsection
(d).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Application and Designation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Application.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Nomination and submission.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) In general.--To be eligible
to receive a designation as a center of
excellence under subsection (b), except as
provided in clause (ii), a Head Start agency in
a State shall be nominated by the Governor of
the State and shall submit an application to
the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary
may require.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Indian and migrant and
seasonal head start programs.--In the case of
an Indian Head Start agency or a migrant or
seasonal Head Start agency, to be eligible to
receive a designation as a center of excellence
under subsection (b), such an agency shall be
nominated by the head of the appropriate
regional office of the Department and Health
and Human Services and shall submit an
application to the Secretary in accordance with
clause (i).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Contents.--At a minimum, the
application shall include--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) evidence that the Head Start
program carried out by the agency has
significantly improved the school readiness of,
and enhanced academic outcomes for, children
who have participated in the program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) evidence that the program
meets or exceeds standards and performance
measures described in subsections (a) and (b)
of section 641A, as evidenced by successful
completion of programmatic and monitoring
reviews, and has no findings of deficiencies
with respect to the standards and
measures;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) evidence that the program
is making progress toward meeting the
requirements described in section
648A;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) evidence demonstrating the
existence of a collaborative partnership among
the Head Start agency, the State (or a State
agency), and other early care and education
providers in the local community
involved;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) a nomination letter from the
Governor, or appropriate regional office,
demonstrating the agency's ability to carry out
the coordination, transition, and training
services of the program to be carried out under
the bonus grant involved, including
coordination of activities with State and local
agencies that provide early childhood services
to children and families in the community
served by the agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) information demonstrating
the existence of a local council for excellence
in early childhood, which shall include
representatives of all the institutions,
agencies, and groups involved in the work of
the center for, and the local provision of
services to, eligible children and other at-
risk children, and their families;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vii) a description of how the
Center, in order to expand accessibility and
continuity of quality early care and education,
will coordinate the early care and education
activities assisted under this section with--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) programs carried out
under the Child Care and Development
Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858
et seq.);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) other programs
carried out under this subchapter,
including the Early Head Start programs
carried out under section
645A;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III)(aa) Early Reading
First and Even Start programs carried
out under subparts 2 and 3 of part B of
title I of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6371
et seq., 6381 et seq.);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) other preschool
programs carried out under title I of
that Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(cc) the Ready-to-Learn
Television program carried out under
subpart 3 of part D of title II of that
Act (20 U.S.C. 6775 et seq.);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IV) programs carried
out under part C of the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (20
U.S.C. 1431 et seq.);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(V) State
prekindergarten programs; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VI) other early care
and education programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Selection.--In selecting agencies to
designate as centers of excellence under subsection (b), the
Secretary shall designate not less than 1 from each of the 50
States, the District of Columbia, an Indian Head Start program,
a migrant and seasonal Head Start program, and the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Term of designation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
(B), the Secretary shall designate a Head Start agency
as a center of excellence for a 5-year term. During the
period of that designation, subject to the availability
of appropriations, the agency shall be eligible to
receive a bonus grant under subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Revocation.--The Secretary may
revoke an agency's designation under subsection (b) if
the Secretary determines that the agency is not
demonstrating adequate performance or has had findings
of deficiencies described in paragraph
(1)(B)(ii).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Amount of bonus grant.--The Secretary shall
base the amount of funding provided through a bonus grant made
under subsection (b) to a center of excellence on the number of
children eligible for Head Start services in the community
involved. The Secretary shall, subject to the availability of
funding, make such a bonus grant in an amount of not less than
$200,000 per year.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Use of Funds.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Activities.--A center of excellence that
receives a bonus grant under subsection (b) may use the funds
made available through the bonus grant--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) to provide Head Start services to
additional eligible children;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) to better meet the needs of working
families in the community served by the center by
serving more children in existing Early Head Start
programs (existing as of the date the center is
designated under this section) or in full-working-day,
full calendar year Head Start programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) to model and disseminate best
practices for achieving early academic success,
including achieving school readiness and developing
prereading and premathematics skills for at-risk
children and achieving the acquisition of the English
language for limited English proficient children, and
to provide seamless service delivery for eligible
children and their families;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) to further coordinate early
childhood and social services available in the
community served by the center for at-risk children
(birth through age 8), their families, and pregnant
women;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) to provide training and cross
training for Head Start teachers and staff, child care
providers, public and private preschool and elementary
school teachers, and other providers of early childhood
services, and training and cross training to develop
agency leaders;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) to provide effective transitions
between Head Start programs and elementary school, to
facilitate ongoing communication between Head Start and
elementary school teachers concerning children
receiving Head Start services, and to provide training
and technical assistance to providers who are public
elementary school teachers and other staff of local
educational agencies, child care providers, family
service providers, and other providers of early
childhood services, to help the providers described in
this subparagraph increase their ability to work with
low-income, at-risk children and their
families;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(G) to develop or maintain partnerships
with institutions of higher education and nonprofit
organizations, including community-based organizations,
that recruit, train, place, and support college
students to serve as mentors and reading coaches to
preschool children in Head Start programs;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(H) to carry out other activities
determined by the center to improve the overall quality
of the Head Start program carried out by the agency and
the program carried out under the bonus grant
involved.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Involvement of other head start agencies and
providers.--A center that receives a bonus grant under
subsection (b), in carrying out activities under this
subsection, shall work with the center's delegate agencies,
several additional Head Start agencies, and other providers of
early childhood services in the community involved, to
encourage the agencies and providers described in this sentence
to carry out model programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Research and Reports.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Research.--The Secretary shall, subject to
the availability of funds to carry out this subsection, make a
grant to an independent organization to conduct research on the
ability of the centers of excellence to improve the school
readiness of children receiving Head Start services, and to
positively impact school results in the earliest grades. The
organization shall also conduct research to measure the success
of the centers of excellence at encouraging the center's
delegate agencies, additional Head Start agencies, and other
providers of early childhood services in the communities
involved to meet measurable improvement goals, particularly in
the area of school readiness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Report.--Not later than 48 months after the
date of enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School
Readiness Act, the organization shall prepare and submit to the
Secretary and Congress a report containing the results of the
research described in paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2006 and each subsequent
fiscal year--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) $90,000,000 to make bonus grants to centers
of excellence under subsection (b) to carry out activities
described in subsection (d);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) $2,500,000 to pay for the administrative
costs of the Secretary in carrying out this section, including
the cost of a conference of centers of excellence;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) $2,000,000 for research activities described
in subsection (e).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 10. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START
AGENCIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837) is
amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 642. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START
AGENCIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--In order to be designated as a Head
Start agency under this subchapter, an agency shall have authority
under its charter or applicable law to receive and administer funds
provided under this subchapter, funds and contributions from private or
local public sources that may be used in support of a Head Start
program, and funds provided under any Federal or State assistance
program pursuant to which a public or private nonprofit or for-profit
agency (as the case may be) organized in accordance with this
subchapter, could act as a grantee, contractor, or sponsor of projects
appropriate for inclusion in a Head Start program. Such an agency shall
also be empowered to transfer funds so received, and to delegate powers
to other agencies, subject to the powers of its governing board and its
overall program responsibilities. The power to transfer funds and
delegate powers shall include the power to make transfers and
delegations covering component projects in all cases in which that
power will contribute to efficiency and effectiveness or otherwise
further program objectives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Additional Requirements.--In order to be designated
as a Head Start agency under this subchapter, a Head Start agency shall
also--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) establish a program with all standards set
forth in section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to the
standards set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such
section;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) demonstrate the capacity to serve eligible
children with scientifically based curricula and other
interventions and support services that help promote the school
readiness of children participating in the program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) establish effective procedures and provide
for the regular assessment of Head Start children, including
observational and direct formal assessment, where
appropriate;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) seek the involvement of parents, area
residents, and local business in the design and implementation
of the program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) provide for the regular participation of
parents and area residents in the implementation of the
program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) provide technical and other support needed
to enable such parents and area residents to secure, on their
own behalf, available assistance from public and private
sources;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) establish effective procedures to facilitate
the involvement of parents of participating children in
activities designed to help such parents become full partners
in the education of their children, and to afford such parents
the opportunity to participate in the development and overall
conduct of the program at the local level;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(8) conduct outreach to schools in which Head
Start children will enroll, local educational agencies, the
local business community, community-based organizations, faith-
based organizations, museums, and libraries to generate support
and leverage the resources of the entire local community in
order to improve school readiness;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(9) offer (directly or through referral to local
entities, such as entities carrying out Even Start programs
under subpart 3 of part B of title I of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6381 et seq.)), to
parents of participating children, family literacy services,
and parenting skills training;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(10) offer to parents of participating children
substance abuse and other counseling (either directly or
through referral to local entities), if needed, including
information on the effect of drug exposure on infants and fetal
alcohol syndrome;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(11) at the option of such agency, offer
(directly or through referral to local entities), to such
parents--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) training in basic child development
(including cognitive development);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) assistance in developing literacy
and communication skills;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) opportunities to share experiences
with other parents (including parent mentor
relationships);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) regular in-home visitation;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) any other activity designed to help
such parents become full partners in the education of
their children;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(12) provide, with respect to each participating
family, a family needs assessment that includes consultation
with such parents (including foster parents and grandparents,
where applicable) about the benefits of parent involvement and
about the activities described in this subsection in which such
parents may choose to be involved (taking into consideration
their specific family needs, work schedules, and other
responsibilities);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(13) consider providing services to assist
younger siblings of children participating in its Head Start
program, to obtain health services from other
sources;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(14) perform community outreach to encourage
individuals previously unaffiliated with Head Start programs to
participate in its Head Start program as volunteers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(15)(A) inform custodial parents in single-
parent families that participate in programs, activities, or
services carried out or provided under this subchapter about
the availability of child support services for purposes of
establishing paternity and acquiring child support;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) refer eligible parents to the child support
offices of State and local governments;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(16) provide parents of limited English
proficient children outreach and information in an
understandable and uniform format and, to the extent
practicable, in a language that the parents can understand;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(17) at the option of such agency, partner with
an institution of higher education and a nonprofit organization
to provide college students with the opportunity to serve as
mentors or reading coaches to Head Start
participants.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Progress.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Each Head Start agency shall
take steps to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that
children maintain the developmental and educational gains
achieved in Head Start programs and build upon such gains in
further schooling.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Coordination.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Local educational agency.--In
communities where both public prekindergarten programs
and Head Start programs operate, a Head Start agency
shall collaborate and coordinate activities with the
local educational agency or other public agency
responsible for the operation of the prekindergarten
program and providers of prekindergarten, including
outreach activities to identify eligible
children.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Elementary schools.--Head Start
staff shall, with the permission of the parents of
children enrolled in Head Start programs, regularly
communicate with the elementary schools such children
will be attending to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) share information about such
children;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) get advice and support from
the teachers in such elementary schools
regarding teaching strategies and options;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) ensure a smooth transition
to elementary school for such
children.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Other programs.--The head of each
Head Start agency shall coordinate activities and
collaborate with the State agency responsible for
administering the State program carried out under the
Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), other entities carrying out early
childhood education and development programs, and the
agencies responsible for administering section 106 of
the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C.
5106a), parts B and E of title IV of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 620 et seq. and 670 et seq.),
programs under subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-
Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et
seq.), Even Start programs under subpart 3 of part B of
title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6381 et seq.), and programs under
section 619 and part C of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et
seq.), serving the children and families served by the
Head Start agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Collaboration.--A Head Start agency shall
take steps to coordinate activities with the local educational
agency serving the community involved and with schools in which
children participating in a Head Start program operated by such
agency will enroll following such program, including--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) collaborating on the shared use of
transportation and facilities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) collaborating to reduce the
duplication of services while increasing the program
participation of underserved populations of eligible
children; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) exchanging information on the
provision of noneducational services to such
children.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Parental involvement.--In order to promote
the continued involvement of the parents of children that
participate in Head Start programs in the education of their
children upon transition to school, the Head Start agency
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) provide training to the parents--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) to inform the parents about
their rights and responsibilities concerning
the education of their children; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) to enable the parents--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) to understand and
work with schools in order to
communicate with teachers and other
school personnel;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) to support the
schoolwork of their children;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) to participate as
appropriate in decisions relating to
the education of their children;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) take other actions, as appropriate
and feasible, to support the active involvement of the
parents with schools, school personnel, and school-
related organizations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Assessment.--Each Head Start agency shall adopt, in
consultation with experts in child development and with classroom
teachers, an assessment to be used when hiring or evaluating any
classroom teacher in a center-based Head Start program. Such assessment
shall measure whether such teacher has mastered the functions described
in section 648A(a)(1) and attained a level of literacy appropriate to
implement Head Start curricula.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Funded Enrollment; Waiting List.--Each Head Start
agency shall enroll 100 percent of its funded enrollment and maintain
an active waiting list at all times with ongoing outreach to the
community and activities to identify underserved populations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Technical Assistance and Training Plan.--In order to
receive funds under this subchapter, a Head Start agency shall develop
an annual technical assistance and training plan. Such plan shall be
based on the agency's self-assessment, the community needs assessment,
and the needs of parents to be served by such agency.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 11. HEAD START TRANSITION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 642A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837a) is
amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 642A. HEAD START TRANSITION AND ALIGNMENT WITH K-12
EDUCATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``Each Head Start agency shall take steps to coordinate
activities with the local educational agency serving the community
involved and with schools in which children participating in a Head
Start program operated by such agency will enroll following such
program, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) developing and implementing a systematic
procedure for transferring, with parental consent, Head Start
program records for each participating child to the school in
which such child will enroll;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) establishing ongoing channels of
communication between Head Start staff and their counterparts
in the schools (including teachers, social workers, health
staff, and local educational agency liaisons designated under
section 722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii))) to facilitate
coordination of programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) developing continuity of developmentally
appropriate curricula and practice between the Head Start
agency and local educational agency to ensure an effective
transition and appropriate shared expectations for children's
learning and development as the children make the transition to
school;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) conducting meetings involving parents,
kindergarten or elementary school teachers, and Head Start
teachers to discuss the educational, developmental, and other
needs of individual children;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) organizing and participating in joint
training, including transition-related training of school staff
and Head Start staff;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) developing and implementing a family
outreach and support program, in cooperation with entities
carrying out parental involvement efforts under title I of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301
et seq.), and family outreach and support efforts under
subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.), taking into
consideration the language needs of limited English proficient
parents;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) assisting families, administrators, and
teachers in enhancing educational and developmental continuity
and continuity of parental involvement in activities between
Head Start services and elementary school classes;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(8) linking the services provided in such Head
Start program with the education services, including services
relating to language, literacy, and numeracy, provided by such
local educational agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(9) helping parents understand the importance of
parental involvement in a child's academic success while
teaching the parents strategies for maintaining parental
involvement as their child moves from the Head Start program to
elementary school;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(10) developing and implementing a system to
increase program participation of underserved populations of
eligible children, including children with disabilities,
homeless children, children in foster care, and limited English
proficient children; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(11) coordinating activities and collaborating
to ensure that curricula used in the Head Start program is
aligned with State early learning standards with regard to
cognitive, social, emotional, and physical competencies that
children entering kindergarten are expected to
demonstrate.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 12. SUBMISSION OF PLANS TO GOVERNORS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 643 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9838) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in the first sentence--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by inserting ``for approval'' after
``submitted to the chief executive officer of the
State''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``45'' and inserting
``30''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in the last sentence, by inserting ``to Indian
and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs in existence on
the date of enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School
Readiness Act, or'' after ``other assistance''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 13. PARTICIPATION IN HEAD START PROGRAMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 645(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840(a))
is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``130
percent of'' after ``below''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3)(A) In this paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) The term `dependent' has the meaning given
the term in paragraphs (2)(A) and (4)(A)(i) of section 401(a)
of title 37, United States Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) The terms `member' and `uniformed services'
have the meanings given the terms in paragraphs (23) and (3),
respectively, of section 101 of title 37, United States
Code.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) The following amounts of pay and allowance of a
member of the uniformed services shall not be considered to be income
for purposes of determining the eligibility of a dependent of such
member for programs funded under this subchapter:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) The amount of any special pay payable under
section 310 if title 37, United States Code, relating to duty
subject to hostile fire or imminent danger.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) The amount of basic allowance payable under
section 403 of such title, including any such amount that is
provided on behalf of the member for housing that is acquired
or constructed under the alternative authority for the
acquisition and improvement of military housing under
subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code,
or any other related provision of law.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) After demonstrating a need through a community needs
assessment, a Head Start agency may apply to the Secretary to convert
part-day sessions, particularly consecutive part-day sessions, into
full-day sessions.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 14. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 645A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking the section heading and inserting
the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 645A. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (4), by striking
``provide services to parents to support their role as
parents'' and inserting ``provide additional services
to parents to support their role as parents (including
parenting skills training and training in basic child
development)'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6),
(7), (8), and (9) as paragraphs (6), (7), (10), (11),
and (12), respectively;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) where appropriate and in conjunction with
services provided under this section to the children's
immediate families (or as approved by the Secretary), provide
home-based services to family child care homes and kin
caregivers caring for infants and toddlers who also participate
in Early Head Start programs, to provide continuity in
supporting the children's physical, social, emotional, and
intellectual development;'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) in paragraph (6), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by inserting ``(including
home-based services)'' after ``with services'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by inserting ``, and family
support services'' after ``health
services'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) by inserting after paragraph (7), as
redesignated by subparagraph (B), the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(8) develop and implement a systematic procedure
for transitioning children and parents from an Early Head Start
program into a Head Start program or another local early
childhood education program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(9) establish channels of communication between
staff of Early Head Start programs and staff of Head Start
programs or other local early childhood education programs, to
facilitate the coordination of programs;''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by striking ``and providers''
and inserting ``, providers''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by inserting ``, and the
agencies responsible for administering section
106 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a) and parts B and E of
title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
620 et seq. and 670 et seq.)'' after ``(20
U.S.C. 1400 et seq.)'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (d)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``,
including tribal governments and entities operating
migrant and seasonal Head Start programs'' after
``subchapter''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``,
including community-based organizations'' after
``private entities'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking clause
(iv) and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) providing professional
development and personnel enhancement
activities, including the provision of funds to
recipients of grants under subsection (a),
relating to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) effective methods of
conducting parent education, home
visiting, and promoting quality early
childhood development;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) recruiting and
retaining qualified staff;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) increasing program
participation for underserved
populations of eligible
children.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(h) Staff Qualifications and Development.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Center-based staff.--The Secretary shall
ensure that, not later than September 30, 2010, all teachers
providing direct services to Early Head Start children and
families in Early Head Start centers have a minimum of a child
development associate credential or an associate degree, and
have been trained (or have equivalent course work) in early
childhood development.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Home visitor staff.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Standards.--In order to further
enhance the quality of home visiting services provided
to families of children participating in home-based,
center-based, or combination program options under this
subchapter, the Secretary shall establish standards for
training, qualifications, and the conduct of home
visits for home visitor staff in Early Head Start
programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Contents.--The standards for
training, qualifications, and the conduct of home
visits shall include content related to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) structured child-focused
home visiting that promotes parents' ability to
support the child's cognitive, social,
emotional, and physical development;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) effective strengths-based
parent education, including methods to
encourage parents as their child's first
teachers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) early childhood
development with respect to children from birth
through age 3;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) methods to help parents
promote emergent literacy in their children
from birth through age 3, including use of
research-based strategies to support the
development of literacy and language skills for
children who are limited English
proficient;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) health, vision, hearing, and
developmental screenings;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) strategies for helping
families coping with crisis; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vii) the relationship of health
and well-being of pregnant women to prenatal
and early child development.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 15. APPEALS, NOTICE, AND HEARING AND RECORDS AND
AUDITS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Appeals.--Section 646(a) of the Head Start Act (42
U.S.C. 9841(a)) is amended by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) financial assistance under this subchapter
may be terminated or reduced, and an application for funding
may be denied, after the recipient has been afforded reasonable
notice and opportunity for a full and fair hearing, including--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) a right to file a notice of appeal
of a decision within 30 days of notice of the decision
from the Secretary; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) access to a full and fair hearing of
the appeal, not later than 120 days from receipt by the
Secretary of the notice of appeal;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) the Secretary shall develop and publish
procedures (including mediation procedures) to be used in order
to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) resolve in a timely manner conflicts
potentially leading to an adverse action between--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) recipients of financial
assistance under this subchapter; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) delegate agencies or Head
Start Parent Policy Councils;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) avoid the need for an administrative
hearing on an adverse action; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) prohibit a Head Start agency from
expending financial assistance awarded under this
subchapter for the purpose of paying legal fees
pursuant to an appeal under paragraph (3), except that
such fees shall be reimbursed by the Secretary if the
agency prevails in such decision; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) the Secretary may suspend funds to a grantee
for not more than 30 days.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Recipients.--Section 647(a) of the Head Start Act (42
U.S.C. 9842(a)) is amended by striking ``Each recipient of'' and
inserting ``Each Head Start agency, Head Start center, or Early Head
Start center receiving''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Accounting.--Section 647 of the Head Start Act (42
U.S.C. 9842) is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Each Head Start agency, Head Start center, or Early
Head Start center receiving financial assistance under this subchapter
shall maintain, and annually submit to the Secretary, a complete
accounting of its administrative expenses, including expenses for
salaries and compensation funded under this subchapter and provide such
additional documentation as the Secretary may require.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 16. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 648 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``(b) and
(c)'' and inserting ``(b), (c), and (d)'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by redesignating subsections (b) through (e)
as subsections (c) through (f), respectively;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) The Secretary shall make available funds set aside
in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) to support a regional or State system of
early childhood education training and technical assistance that
improves the capacity of Head Start programs to deliver services in
accordance with the standards described in section 641A(a)(1), with
particular attention to the standards described in subparagraphs (A)
and (B) of such section. The Secretary shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) ensure that agencies with demonstrated
expertise in providing high-quality training and technical
assistance to improve the delivery of Head Start services,
including the State Head Start Associations, State agencies,
migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, and other entities
providing training and technical assistance in early education,
for the region or State are included in the planning and
coordination of the system; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) encourage States to supplement the funds
authorized in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) with Federal, State, or
local funds other than Head Start funds, to expand training and
technical assistance activities beyond Head Start agencies to
include other providers of other early childhood services
within a region or State.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in subsection (d), as so redesignated--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), by striking
``educational performance measures'' and inserting
``measures'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and
for activities described in section 1221(b)(3) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6371(b)(3))'' after ``children with
disabilities'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``,
including assessing the needs of homeless children and
their families'' after ``needs assessment'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) in paragraph (10), by striking ``;
and'' and inserting a semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) in paragraph (11), by striking the
period and inserting a semicolon; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(12) assist Head Start agencies and programs in
increasing the program participation of homeless
children;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(13) provide training and technical assistance
to members of governing bodies to ensure that the members can
fulfill the functions described in section 641(a)(4);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(14) provide training and technical assistance
to Head Start agencies to assist such agencies in conducting
self-assessments; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(15) assist Head Start agencies and Head Start
programs in improving outreach to, and quality of services
available to, limited English proficient children and their
families, including such services to help such families learn
English, particularly in communities that have experienced a
large percentage increase in the population of limited English
proficient individuals, as measured by the Bureau of the
Census.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) in subsection (e), as so redesignated, by
inserting ``including community-based organizations,'' after
``nonprofit entities'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) in subsection (f), as so redesignated, by
inserting ``or providing services to children determined to be
abused or neglected, training for personnel providing services
to children referred by entities providing child welfare
services or receiving child welfare services,'' after ``English
language),''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) The Secretary shall provide, either directly or
through grants or other arrangements, funds for training of Head Start
personnel in addressing the unique needs of migrant and seasonal
farmworking families, families with limited English proficiency, and
homeless families.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(h) Funds used under this section shall be used to
provide high quality, sustained, and intensive, training and technical
assistance in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom
instruction. Funds shall be used to carry out activities related to 1
or more of the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Education and early childhood
development.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Child health, nutrition, and
safety.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Family and community partnerships.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Other areas that impact the quality or
overall effectiveness of Head Start programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) Funds used under this section for training shall be
used for needs identified annually by a grant applicant or delegate
agency in its program improvement plan, except that funds shall not be
used for long-distance travel expenses for training activities--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) available locally or regionally;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) substantially similar to locally or
regionally available training activities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(j)(1) To support local efforts to enhance early
language and preliteracy development of children in Head Start
programs, and to provide the children with high-quality oral language
skills, and environments that are rich in literature, in which to
acquire language and preliteracy skills, each Head Start agency, in
coordination with the appropriate State office and the relevant State
Head Start collaboration office, shall ensure that all of the agency's
Head Start teachers receive ongoing training in language and emergent
literacy (referred to in this subsection as `literacy training'),
including appropriate curricula and assessments to improve instruction
and learning. Such training shall include training in methods to
promote phonological and phonemic awareness and vocabulary development
in an age-appropriate and culturally and linguistically appropriate
manner.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) The literacy training shall be provided at the local
level in order--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) to be provided, to the extent feasible, in
the context of the Head Start programs of the State involved
and the children the program serves; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) to be tailored to the early childhood
literacy background and experience of the teachers
involved.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) The literacy training shall be culturally and
linguistically appropriate and support children's development in their
home language.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) The literacy training shall include training in how
to work with parents to enhance positive language and early literacy
development at home.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) The literacy training shall include specific methods
to best address the needs of children who are English language learners
or are limited English proficient.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) The literacy training shall include specific methods
to best address the needs of children who have speech and language
delays, including problems with articulation, or have other
disabilities.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 17. STAFF QUALIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 648A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking paragraph (2) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Degree requirements.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
ensure that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) not later than September 30,
2010, all Head Start teachers in center-based
programs have at least--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I)(aa) an associate
degree (or equivalent coursework)
relating to early childhood;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) an associate degree
in a related educational area and, to
the extent practicable, coursework
relating to early childhood;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) demonstrated
teaching competencies, as determined by
the program director involved
(including, at a minimum, an
appropriate level of literacy, a
demonstrated capacity to be highly
engaged with children, and a
demonstrated ability to effectively
implement an early childhood
curriculum); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) not later than September
30, 2008, all Head Start curriculum specialists
and education coordinators in center-based
programs have--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) the capacity to
offer assistance to other teachers in
the implementation and adaptation of
curricula to the group and individual
needs of a class; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II)(aa) a baccalaureate
or advanced degree relating to early
childhood; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) a baccalaureate or
advanced degree and coursework
equivalent to a major relating to early
childhood;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) not later than September
30, 2008, all Head Start teaching assistants in
center-based programs have--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) at least a child
development associate
credential;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) enrolled in a
program leading to an associate or
baccalaureate degree; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) enrolled in a
child development associate credential
program to be completed within 2 years;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) not later than September
30, 2011--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) in States that have
established teacher requirements for
State prekindergarten programs, all
Head Start teachers in center-based
programs--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(aa) if such
requirements are not less than
those requirements described in
subclause (II), meet such
teacher requirements for State
prekindergarten programs;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) if such
requirements are less than
those requirements described in
subclause (II), meet the
requirements described in
subclause (II); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) in States that do
not have teacher requirements for their
State prekindergarten programs, 50
percent of all Head Start teachers in
each center-based program have a
baccalaureate degree relating to early
childhood (or a related educational
area or a baccalaureate degree that
meets State specialized training
requirements for prekindergarten
teachers, such as State licensure,
endorsement, or certification for
prekindergarten or other early
childhood area), and demonstrated
teaching competencies, as determined by
the program director involved
(including, at a minimum, an
appropriate level of literacy, a
demonstrated capacity to be highly
engaged with children, and a
demonstrated ability to effectively
implement an early childhood
curriculum).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Teacher in-service requirement.--
Each Head Start teacher shall attend an average of not
less than 15 clock hours of professional development
per year. Such professional development shall be high
quality, sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused in
order to have a positive and lasting impact on
classroom instruction and the teacher's performance in
the classroom, and regularly evaluated for
effectiveness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Progress.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) Report.--The Secretary
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) require Head Start
agencies to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(aa) demonstrate
continuing progress each year
to reach the result described
in subparagraph (A);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(bb) submit to
the Secretary a report
indicating the number and
percentage of classroom
instructors in center-based
programs with child development
associate credentials or
associate, baccalaureate, or
graduate degrees; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) compile and submit
a summary of all program reports
described in subclause (I)(bb) to the
Committee on Education and the
Workforce of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
of the Senate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Demonstrate progress.--A
Head Start agency may demonstrate progress by
partnering with institutions of higher
education or other programs that recruit,
train, place, and support college students to
deliver an innovative early learning program to
preschool children.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) Service requirements.--The Secretary
shall establish requirements to ensure that, in order
to enable Head Start agencies to comply with the
requirements of subparagraph (A), individuals who
receive financial assistance under this subchapter to
pursue a degree described in subparagraph (A) shall--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) teach or work in a Head
Start program for a minimum of 3 years after
receiving the degree; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) repay the total or a
prorated amount of the financial assistance
received based on the length of service
completed after receiving the degree.'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Waiver.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--On request, the
Secretary may grant a waiver of the postsecondary
degree requirements of paragraph (2) for 1 or more Head
Start agencies, either individually, statewide, or
throughout a region, that can demonstrate--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) that continuing aggressive
statewide and national efforts have been
unsuccessful at recruiting an individual to
serve as a Head Start teacher or curriculum
specialist or education coordinator who meets
the requirements of paragraph (2)(A);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) limited access to degree
programs (including quality distance learning
programs), due to the remote location of the
program involved; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) that Head Start staff
members are, as of the day the waiver is
granted, enrolled in a program that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) grants the required
degree; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) will be completed
within 1 year.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Limitation.--An agency that receives
a waiver under subparagraph (A) shall ensure that Head
Start teachers for the agency, as of the day the waiver
is granted, who have not met the postsecondary degree
requirements of paragraph (2) but are otherwise highly
qualified and competent shall be directly and
appropriately supervised by a teacher who has met or
exceeded the requirements of this subchapter.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Duration.--The Secretary may not
grant a waiver under subparagraph (A) for a period that
exceeds 1 year.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and''
at the end;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the
period and inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) promote the use of appropriate strategies to
meet the needs of special populations (including limited
English proficient populations).'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (d)(3)(C) by inserting ``,
including a center,'' after ``any agency''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Professional Development Plans.--Every Head Start
agency and center shall create, in consultation with employees of the
agency or center (including family service workers), a professional
development plan for employees who provide direct services to children,
including a plan for classroom teachers, curriculum specialists, and
education coordinators to meet the requirements set forth in subsection
(a).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 18. TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HEAD START
PARTNERSHIP.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 648A the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 648B. TRIBAL COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY HEAD START
PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to promote
social competencies and school readiness in Indian children.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Tribal College or University Head Start Partnership
Program.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Grants.--The Secretary is authorized to
award grants, for periods of not less than 5 years, to Tribal
Colleges and Universities to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) implement education programs that
include education concerning tribal culture and
language and increase the number of associate,
baccalaureate, and graduate degrees in early childhood
education and related fields that are earned by Indian
Head Start agency staff members, parents of children
served by such an agency, and members of the tribal
community involved;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) develop and implement the programs
under subparagraph (A) in technology-mediated formats,
including providing the programs through such means as
distance learning and use of advanced technology, as
appropriate; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) provide technology literacy programs
for Indian Head Start agency staff members and children
and families of children served by such an
agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Staffing.--The Secretary shall ensure that
the American Indian Programs Branch of the Head Start Bureau of
the Department of Health and Human Services shall have staffing
sufficient to administer the programs under this section and to
provide appropriate technical assistance to Tribal Colleges and
Universities receiving grants under this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Application.--Each Tribal College or University
desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary, at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require, including a certification
that the Tribal College or University has established a partnership
with 1 or more Indian Head Start agencies for the purpose of conducting
the activities described in subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000
for fiscal year 2006 and such sums as may be necessary for each of
fiscal years 2007 through 2010.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given such
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Tribal college or university.--The term
`Tribal College or University'--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) has the meaning given such term in
section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1059c); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) means an institution determined to
be accredited or a candidate for accreditation by a
nationally recognized accrediting agency or
association.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 19. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EVALUATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 649 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9844) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)(1)(B), by inserting ``and
children determined to be abused or neglected'' after
``children with disabilities'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (d)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (8), by adding ``and''
after the semicolon;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking paragraph (9);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by redesignating paragraph (10) as
paragraph (9); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) by striking the last
sentence;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (g)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in paragraph (1)(A)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by striking clause (i);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by redesignating clauses (ii)
and (iii) as clauses (i) and (ii),
respectively; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (7)(C)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in clause (i)(I), by striking
``2003'' and inserting ``2007''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in clause (ii), by striking
``Labor and Human Resources'' and inserting
``Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(h) National Academy of Sciences Study.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into
a contract with the Board on Children, Youth, and Families of
the National Research Council, the Board on Testing and
Assessments, and the Institute of Medicine, of the National
Academy of Sciences to establish an independent panel of
experts to review and synthesize research and theories in the
social, behavioral, and biological sciences regarding early
childhood, and make recommendations with regard to each of the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Age- and developmentally appropriate
Head Start academic requirements and outcomes,
including the standards described in section
641A(a)(1)(B)(ii).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Differences in the type, length,
mix, and intensity of services that are necessary to
ensure that children from challenging family or social
backgrounds (including low-income children, children
with disabilities, and limited English proficient
children) enter kindergarten ready to
succeed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Appropriate assessments of young
children for the purposes of improving instruction,
services, and program quality, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) formal and systematic
observational assessments in a child's natural
environment;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) assessments of children's
development through parent and provider
interviews;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) appropriate accommodations
for children with disabilities and limited
English proficient children;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) appropriate assessments for
children with disabilities, limited English
proficient children, and children from
different cultural backgrounds; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) other assessments used in
Head Start programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) Identification of existing, or
recommendations for the development of, scientifically
based, valid and reliable assessments that are capable
of measuring child outcomes in the domains important to
school readiness, including language skills, prereading
ability, premathematics ability, cognitive ability,
scientific ability, social and emotional development,
and physical development;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) Appropriate use and application of
valid and reliable assessments for Head Start programs
identified in accordance with subparagraph
(D).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Composition.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--The panel described in
paragraph (1) shall consist of multiple experts in each
of the following areas:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) Child development (including
cognitive, social, emotional, and physical
development) and child education (including
approaches to learning).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Professional development,
including preparation of individuals who teach
young children.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) Assessment of young
children (including children with disabilities
and limited English proficient children),
including screening, diagnostic, and classroom-
based instructional assessment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Representatives.--The panel
described in paragraph (1) shall be selected and
appointed by the National Academy of Sciences, after
consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Timing.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Establishment.--Not later than 90
days after the date of enactment of the Head Start
Improvements for School Readiness Act, the Board on
Children, Youth, and Families of the National Research
Council, the Board on Testing and Assessments, and the
Institute of Medicine, of the National Academy of
Sciences shall establish the panel described in
paragraph (1), including selecting and appointing the
members of the panel. Representatives described in
paragraph (2) shall be selected and appointed after
consultation with the Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Recommendations.--Not later than 1
year after the panel described in paragraph (1) is
established, the panel shall complete, and submit to
the Secretary a report containing, the recommendations
described in paragraph (1). The Secretary shall not
implement the amendments made to section
641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) by the Head Start Improvements for
School Readiness Act until the panel submits the
report.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Application of panel report.--The Secretary
shall use the results of the review and recommendations
described in paragraph (1) to (where appropriate) develop,
inform, and revise--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the educational standards, and the
performance measures, described in section 641A;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the assessments utilized in the Head
Start programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) Services to Limited English Proficient Children and
Families.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study
on the status of limited English proficient children and their
families in Head Start or Early Head Start programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and
submit to Congress, not later than September 2009, a report
containing the results of the study, including information on--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the demographics of limited English
proficient children from birth through age 5, including
the number of such children receiving Head Start or
Early Head Start services and the geographic
distribution of children described in this
subparagraph;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the nature of Head Start or Early
Head Start services provided to limited English
proficient children and their families, including the
types, content, duration, intensity, and costs of
family services, language assistance, and educational
services;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) procedures in Head Start programs
for the assessment of language needs and the transition
of limited English proficient children to kindergarten,
including the extent to which Head Start programs meet
the requirements of section 642A for limited English
proficient children;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) the qualifications and training
provided to Head Start and Early Head Start teachers
serving limited English proficient children and their
families;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) the rate of progress made by limited
English proficient children and their families in Head
Start programs and Early Head Start programs,
including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the rate of progress of the
limited English proficient children toward
meeting the additional educational standards
described in section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) while
enrolled in Head Start programs, measured
between 1990 and 2004;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) the correlation between
such progress and the type of instruction and
educational program provided to the limited
English proficient children; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) the correlation between
such progress and the health and family
services provided by Head Start programs to
limited English proficient children and their
families; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) the extent to which Head Start
programs make use of funds under section 640(a)(3) to
improve the quality of Head Start services provided to
limited English proficient children and their
families.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 20. REPORTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 650 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9846) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
by striking ``Labor and Human Resources'' and inserting
``Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in paragraph (8), by inserting
``homelessness, children in foster care, children who
are abused or neglected,'' after ``ethnic
background,''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in the flush matter at the end by
striking ``Labor and Human Resources'' and inserting
``Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``Labor and
Human Resources'' and inserting ``Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 21. COMPARABILITY OF WAGES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 653 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9848) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking ``The Secretary shall take'' and
inserting ``(a) The Secretary shall take'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in the first sentence of subsection (a), by
striking ``or (2)'' and inserting ``(2) in excess of the salary
of the Secretary, in the case of an individual compensated with
funds awarded under this subchapter or the Community Services
Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.); or (3)'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) If in any fiscal year the restriction described in
subsection (a)(2) is violated, the Secretary shall withhold from the
base grant of the Head Start agency involved (as defined in section
641A(g)(1)) for the next fiscal year, an amount equal to the aggregate
amount by which the salary that resulted in the violation exceeded the
salary of the Secretary.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 22. LIMITATION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN UNLAWFUL
ACTIVITIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 655 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9850) is
amended by inserting ``or in'' after ``assigned by''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 23. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 656 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9851) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking all that precedes ``chapter 15''
and inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 656. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) State or Local Agency.--For purposes of'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Restrictions.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--A program assisted under this
subchapter, and any individual employed by, or assigned to, a
program assessed under this subchapter (during the hours in
which such individual is working on behalf of such program),
shall not engage in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) any partisan or nonpartisan
political activity or any other political activity
associated with a candidate, or contending faction or
group, in an election for public or party
office;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) any activity to provide voters or
prospective voters with transportation to the polls or
similar assistance in connection with any such
election; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) any voter registration
activity.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Rules and regulations.--The Secretary, after
consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, may issue rules and regulations to provide for the
enforcement of this section, which may include provisions for
summary suspension of assistance or other action necessary to
permit enforcement on an emergency basis.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 24. PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIREMENT FOR HEALTH
SERVICES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 657A. PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIREMENT FOR NONEMERGENCY
INTRUSIVE PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Definition.--The term `nonemergency intrusive
physical examination' means, with respect to a child, a physical
examination that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) is not immediately necessary to protect the
health or safety of the child or the health or safety of
another individual; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) requires incision or is otherwise invasive,
or involves exposure of private body parts.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Requirement.--A Head Start agency shall obtain
written parental consent before administration of, or referral for, any
health care service provided or arranged to be provided, including any
nonemergency intrusive physical examination of a child in connection
with participation in a program under this subchapter.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed to prohibit agencies from using established methods, for
handling cases of suspected or known child abuse and neglect, that are
in compliance with applicable Federal, State, or tribal
law.''.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Head Start Improvements for School
Readiness Act''.
SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
Section 636 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831) is amended by
inserting ``educational instruction in prereading skills,
premathematics skills, and language and through'' after ``low-income
children through''.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``(including a
community-based organization)'' after ``nonprofit'';
(2) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``, including
financial literacy,'' after ``Parent literacy'';
(3) in paragraph (17), by striking ``Mariana Islands,'' and
all that follows and inserting ``Mariana Islands.''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(18) The term `homeless child' means a child described in
section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)).
``(19) The term `limited English proficient', used with
respect to a child, means a child--
``(A) who is enrolled or preparing to enroll in a
Head Start program, Early Head Start program, or other
early care and education program;
``(B)(i) who was not born in the United States or
whose native language is a language other than English;
``(ii)(I) who is a Native American, Alaska Native,
or a native resident of a United States territory; and
``(II) who comes from an environment where a
language other than English has had a significant
impact on the child's level of English language
proficiency; or
``(iii) who is migratory, whose native language is
a language other than English, and who comes from an
environment where a language other than English is
dominant; and
``(C) whose difficulty in speaking or understanding
the English language may be sufficient to deny such
child--
``(i) the ability to successfully achieve
in a classroom in which the language of
instruction is English; or
``(ii) the opportunity to participate fully
in society.
``(20) The term `deficiency' means--
``(A) a systemic or substantial failure of an
agency in an area of performance that the Secretary
determines involves--
``(i) a threat to the health, safety, or
civil rights of children or staff;
``(ii) a denial to parents of the exercise
of their full roles and responsibilities
related to program operations;
``(iii) a failure to comply with standards
related to early childhood development and
health services, family and community
partnerships, or program design and management;
``(iv) the misuse of funds under this
subchapter;
``(v) loss of legal status or financial
viability, loss of permits, debarment from
receiving Federal grants or contracts, or the
improper use of Federal funds; or
``(vi) failure to meet any other Federal or
State requirement that the agency has shown an
unwillingness or inability to correct, after
notice from the Secretary, within the period
specified;
``(B) systemic failure of the board of directors of
an agency to fully exercise its legal and fiduciary
responsibilities;
``(C) substantial failure of an agency to meet the
administrative requirements of section 644(b);
``(D) failure of an agency to demonstrate that the
agency attempted to meet the coordination and
collaboration requirements with entities described in
section 640(a)(5)(D)(iii)(I); or
``(E) having an unresolved area of noncompliance.
``(21) The term `unresolved area of noncompliance' means
failure to correct a noncompliance item within 120 days, or
within such additional time (if any) authorized by the
Secretary, after receiving from the Secretary notice of such
noncompliance item, pursuant to section 641A(d).
``(22) The term `interrater reliability' means the extent
to which 2 different raters or observers consistently obtain
the same result when using the same assessment tool.''.
SEC. 4. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HEAD START PROGRAMS.
Section 638 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9833) is amended by
inserting ``for a period of 5 years'' after ``provide financial
assistance to such agency''.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 639 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9834) is amended to
read as follows:
``SEC. 639. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated for
carrying out the provisions of this subchapter $7,215,000,000 for
fiscal year 2006, $7,515,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $7,815,000,000
for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of
fiscal years 2009 and 2010.
``(b) Specific Programs.--From the amount appropriated under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall make available to carry out
research, demonstration, and evaluation activities, including
longitudinal studies under section 649, not more than $20,000,000 for
fiscal year 2006, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal
years 2007 through 2010, of which not more than $7,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2006 through 2010 shall be available to carry out impact
studies under section 649(g).''.
SEC. 6. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS.
(a) Allotment.--Section 640(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9835(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the
following:
``(A) Indian Head Start programs, services for children
with disabilities, and migrant and seasonal Head Start
programs, except that the Secretary shall reserve for each
fiscal year for use by Indian Head Start and migrant and
seasonal Head Start programs (referred to in this paragraph as
`covered programs'), on a nationwide basis, a sum that is the
total of 4 percent of the amount appropriated under section 639
for that fiscal year (for Indian Head Start programs), and 5
percent of that appropriated amount (for migrant and seasonal
Head Start programs), except that--
``(i) if reserving the specified percentages for
Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal
Head Start programs would reduce the number of children
served by Head Start programs, relative to the number
of children served on the date of enactment of the Head
Start Improvements for School Readiness Act, taking
into consideration an appropriate adjustment for
inflation, the Secretary shall reserve percentages that
approach, as closely as practicable, the specified
percentages and that do not cause such a reduction; and
``(ii) notwithstanding any other provision of this
subparagraph, the Secretary shall reserve for each
fiscal year for use by Indian Head Start programs and
by migrant and seasonal Head Start programs, on a
nationwide basis, not less than the amount that was
obligated for use by Indian Head Start programs and by
migrant and seasonal Head Start programs for the
previous fiscal year;'';
(B) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the
following:
``(C) training and technical assistance activities that are
sufficient to meet the needs associated with program expansion
and to foster program and management improvement activities as
described in section 648, in an amount for each fiscal year
that is equal to 2 percent of the amount appropriated under
section 639 for such fiscal year, of which--
``(i) 50 percent shall be made available to Head
Start agencies to use directly, or by establishing
local or regional agreements with community experts,
colleges and universities, or private consultants, for
any of the following training and technical assistance
activities, including--
``(I) activities that ensure that Head
Start programs meet or exceed the program
performance standards described in section
641A(a)(1);
``(II) activities that ensure that Head
Start programs have adequate numbers of
trained, qualified staff who have skills in
working with children and families, including
children and families who are limited English
proficient and children with disabilities;
``(III) activities to pay expenses,
including direct training for expert
consultants working with any staff, to improve
the management and implementation of Head Start
services and systems;
``(IV) activities that help ensure that
Head Start programs have qualified staff who
can promote language skills and literacy growth
of children and who can provide children with a
variety of skills that have been identified as
predictive of later reading achievement, school
success, and other educational skills described
in section 641A;
``(V) activities to improve staff
qualifications and to assist with the
implementation of career development programs
and to encourage the staff to continually
improve their skills and expertise, including
developing partnerships with programs that
recruit, train, place, and support college
students in Head Start centers to deliver an
innovative early learning program to preschool
children;
``(VI) activities that help local programs
ensure that the arrangement, condition, and
implementation of the learning environments in
Head Start programs are conducive to providing
effective program services to children and
families;
``(VII) activities to provide training
necessary to improve the qualifications of Head
Start staff and to support staff training,
child counseling, health services, and other
services necessary to address the needs of
children enrolled in Head Start programs,
including children from families in crises,
children who experience chronic violence or
homelessness, and children who experience
substance abuse in their families, and children
under 3 years of age, where applicable;
``(VIII) activities to provide classes or
in-service-type programs to improve or enhance
parenting skills, job skills, adult and family
literacy, including financial literacy, or
training to become a classroom aide or bus
driver in a Head Start program;
``(IX) additional activities deemed
appropriate to the improvement of Head Start
agencies' programs, as determined by the
agencies' technical assistance and training
plans; or
``(X) any other activities regarding the
use of funds as determined by the Secretary;
``(ii) 50 percent shall be made available to the
Secretary to support a regional or State system of
early childhood education training and technical
assistance, and to assist local programs (including
Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal
Head Start programs) in meeting the standards described
in section 641A(a)(1); and
``(iii) not less than $3,000,000 of the amount in
clause (ii) appropriated for such fiscal year shall be
made available to carry out activities described in
section 648(d)(4);'';
(C) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``agencies;''
and inserting ``agencies);''; and
(D) by adding at the end of the flush matter at the
end the following: ``In no case shall the Secretary use
funds reserved under this paragraph to expand or create
additional slots for services in non-Indian and non-
migrant and seasonal Head Start programs until the 4
and 5 percent amounts specified in subparagraph (A) are
reached. The Secretary shall assure that any additional
funding appropriated in any of fiscal years 2006
through 2010 that is available to the Secretary under
the authority of this paragraph shall be used to
increase the funding levels of migrant and seasonal
Head Start programs and Indian Head Start programs
until such point as migrant and seasonal Head Start
programs are receiving not less than 5 percent of the
total funds appropriated under section 639 and Indian
Head Start programs are receiving not less than 4
percent of the total funds appropriated under section
639. After ensuring that the 4 and 5 percent amounts
described in subparagraph (A) and the 2 percent amount
described in subparagraph (C) have been reached and
after allotting the funds reserved under paragraph
(3)(A) as specified in paragraph (3)(D), the Secretary
may distribute any remaining funds available to the
Secretary under this paragraph to covered programs, and
if the Secretary decides to distribute such remaining
funds available under this paragraph to covered
programs, the Secretary shall distribute the funds by
distributing 65 percent of the remainder by giving
priority to grant recipients in the States serving the
smallest percentages (as determined by the Secretary)
of children less than 5 years of age from families
whose income is below the poverty line, and
distributing 35 percent of the remainder on a
competitive basis. The Secretary shall require each
Head Start agency to report at the end of each budget
year on how funds provided to carry out subparagraph
(C)(i) were used.'';
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i)(I)--
(i) by striking ``60 percent of such excess
amount for fiscal year 1999'' and all that
follows through ``2002, and''; and
(ii) by inserting before the semicolon the
following: ``, 30 percent of such excess amount
for fiscal year 2006, and 40 percent of such
excess amount for each of fiscal years 2007
through 2010'';
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking
``performance standards'' and all that follows
and inserting ``standards and measures pursuant
to section 641A.'';
(ii) by striking clause (ii) and inserting
the following:
``(ii) Ensuring that such programs have adequate numbers of
qualified staff, and that such staff is furnished adequate
training, including training to promote the development of
language skills, premathematics skills, and prereading in young
children and in working with limited English proficient
children, children in foster care, children referred by child
welfare services, and children with disabilities, when
appropriate.'';
(iii) by striking clause (iii) and
inserting the following:
``(iii) Developing and financing the salary scales and
benefits standards under section 644(a) and section 653, in
order to ensure that salary levels and benefits are adequate to
attract and retain qualified staff for such programs.'';
(iv) by striking clause (iv) and inserting
the following:
``(iv) Using salary increases to--
``(I) assist with the implementation of quality
programs and improve staff qualifications;
``(II) ensure that staff can promote the language
skills and literacy growth of children and can provide
children with a variety of skills that have been
identified, through scientifically based early reading
research, as predictive of later reading achievement,
as well as additional skills identified in section
641A(a)(1)(B)(ii); and
``(III) encourage the staff to continually improve
their skills and expertise by informing the staff of
the availability of Federal and State incentive and
loan forgiveness programs for professional
development.'';
(v) in clause (v), by inserting ``,
including collaborations to increase program
participation by underserved populations of
eligible children'' before the period; and
(vi) by striking clauses (vii) and (viii)
and inserting the following:
``(vii) Providing assistance to complete postsecondary
coursework including scholarships or other financial
incentives, such as differential and merit pay, to enable Head
Start teachers to improve competencies and the resulting child
outcomes.
``(viii) Promoting the regular attendance and stability of
all Head Start children with particular attention to highly
mobile children, including children from migrant and seasonal
farmworking families (where appropriate), homeless children,
and children in foster care.
``(ix) Making such other improvements in the quality of
such programs as the Secretary may designate.'';
(C) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) in clause (i)(I), by striking the last
sentence and inserting ``Salary increases, in
excess of cost-of-living allowances, provided
with such funds shall be subject to the
specific standards governing salaries and
salary increases established pursuant to
section 644(a).'';
(ii) in clause (ii)--
(I) in the matter preceding
subclause (I), by striking ``education
performance'' and inserting
``additional educational'';
(II) in subclause (I), by inserting
``, prereading,'' after ``language'';
(III) by striking subclause (II)
and inserting the following:
``(II) to help limited English proficient children
attain the knowledge, skills, and development specified
in section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) and to promote the
acquisition of the English language by such children
and families;''; and
(IV) by striking subclause (IV) and
inserting the following:
``(IV) to provide education and training necessary
to improve the qualifications of Head Start staff,
particularly assistance to enable more instructors to
be fully competent and to meet the degree requirements
under section 648A(a)(2)(A), and to support staff
training, child counseling, and other services
necessary to address the challenges of children
participating in Head Start programs, including
children from immigrant, refugee, and asylee families,
children from families in crisis, homeless children,
children in foster care, children referred to Head
Start programs by child welfare agencies, and children
who are exposed to chronic violence or substance
abuse.'';
(iii) in clause (iii), by inserting ``,
educational staff who have the qualifications
described in section 648A(a),'' after
``ratio'';
(iv) in clause (v), by striking ``programs,
including'' and all that follows and inserting
``programs.'';
(v) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause
(x); and
(vi) by inserting after clause (v) the
following:
``(vi) To conduct outreach to homeless families in an
effort to increase the program participation of eligible
homeless children.
``(vii) To conduct outreach to migrant and seasonal
farmworking families and families with limited English
proficient children.
``(viii) To partner with institutions of higher education
and nonprofit organizations, including community-based
organizations, that recruit, train, place, and support college
students to serve as mentors and reading coaches to preschool
children in Head Start programs.
``(ix) To upgrade the qualifications and skills of
educational personnel to meet the professional standards
described in section 648A(a)(1), including certification and
licensure as bilingual education teachers and for other
educational personnel who serve limited English proficient
students.'';
(3) in paragraph (4)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``1998'' and
inserting ``2005''; and
(B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following:
``(B) any amount available after all allotments are made
under subparagraph (A) for such fiscal year shall be
distributed as follows:
``(i) Each State shall receive an amount sufficient
to serve the same number of children in Head Start
programs in each State as were served on the date of
enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School
Readiness Act, taking into consideration an appropriate
adjustment for inflation.
``(ii) After ensuring that each State has received
the amount described in clause (i) and after allotting
the funds reserved under paragraph (3)(A) as specified
in paragraph (3)(D), the Secretary shall distribute the
remaining balance, by--
``(I) distributing 65 percent of the
balance by giving priority to States serving
the smallest percentages (as determined by the
Secretary) of children less than 5 years of age
from families whose income is below the poverty
line; and
``(II) distributing 35 percent of the
balance on a competitive basis.'';
(4) in paragraph (5)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as
subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; and
(B) by striking subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) and
inserting the following:
``(B)(i) From the reserved sums, the Secretary shall award a
collaboration grant to each State to facilitate collaboration between
Head Start agencies and entities (including the State) that carry out
other activities designed to benefit low-income families and children
from birth to school entry.
``(ii) Grants described in clause (i) shall be used to--
``(I) encourage Head Start agencies to collaborate with
entities involved in State and local planning processes to
better meet the needs of low-income families and children from
birth to school entry;
``(II) encourage Head Start agencies to coordinate
activities with the State agency responsible for administering
the State program carried out under the Child Care and
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.)
and entities providing resources and referral services in the
State to make full-working-day and full calendar year services
available to children;
``(III) promote alignment of Head Start services with State
early learning and school readiness goals and standards,
including the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework;
``(IV) promote better linkages between Head Start agencies
and other child and family agencies, including agencies that
provide health, mental health, or family services, or other
child or family supportive services; and
``(V) carry out the activities of the State Director of
Head Start Collaboration authorized in subparagraph (D).
``(C) In order to improve coordination and delivery of early
education services to children in the State, a State that receives a
grant under subparagraph (B) shall--
``(i) appoint an individual to serve as the State Director
of Head Start Collaboration;
``(ii) ensure that the State Director of Head Start
Collaboration holds a position with sufficient authority and
access to ensure that the collaboration described in
subparagraph (B) is effective and involves a range of State
agencies; and
``(iii) involve the State Head Start Association in the
selection of the Director and involve the Association in
determinations relating to the ongoing direction of the
collaboration office.
``(D) The State Director of Head Start Collaboration, after
consultation with the State Advisory Council described in subparagraph
(E), shall--
``(i) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
the Head Start Improvements for School Readiness Act, conduct
an assessment that--
``(I) addresses the needs of Head Start agencies in
the State with respect to collaborating, coordinating
services, and implementing State early learning and
school readiness goals and standards to better serve
children enrolled in Head Start programs in the State;
``(II) shall be updated on an annual basis; and
``(III) shall be made available to the general
public within the State;
``(ii) assess the availability of high quality
prekindergarten services for low-income children in the State;
``(iii) develop a strategic plan that is based on the
assessment described in clause (i) that will--
``(I) enhance collaboration and coordination of
Head Start services with other entities providing early
childhood programs and services (such as child care and
services offered by museums), health care, mental
health care, welfare, child protective services,
education and community service activities, family
literacy services, reading readiness programs
(including such programs offered by public and school
libraries), services relating to children with
disabilities, other early childhood programs and
services for limited English proficient children and
homeless children, and services provided for children
in foster care and children referred to Head Start
programs by child welfare agencies, including agencies
and State officials responsible for such services;
``(II) assist Head Start agencies to develop a plan
for the provision of full-working-day, full calendar
year services for children enrolled in Head Start
programs who need such care;
``(III) assist Head Start agencies to align
services with State early learning and school readiness
goals and standards and to facilitate collaborative
efforts to develop local school readiness standards;
and
``(IV) enable agencies in the State to better
coordinate professional development opportunities for
Head Start staff, such as by--
``(aa) assisting 2- and 4-year public and
private institutions of higher education to
develop articulation agreements;
``(bb) awarding grants to institutions of
higher education to develop model early
childhood education programs, including
practica or internships for students to spend
time in a Head Start or prekindergarten
program;
``(cc) working with local Head Start
agencies to meet the degree requirements
described in section 648A(a)(2)(A), including
providing distance learning opportunities for
Head Start staff, where needed to make higher
education more accessible to Head Start staff;
and
``(dd) enabling the State Head Start
agencies to better coordinate outreach to
eligible families;
``(iv) promote partnerships between Head Start agencies,
State governments, and the private sector to help ensure that
preschool children from low-income families are receiving
comprehensive services to prepare the children to enter school
ready to learn;
``(v) consult with the chief State school officer, local
educational agencies, and providers of early childhood
education and care to conduct unified planning regarding early
care and education services at both the State and local levels,
including undertaking collaborative efforts to develop and make
improvements in school readiness standards;
``(vi) promote partnerships (such as the partnerships
involved with the Free to Grow initiative) between Head Start
agencies, schools, law enforcement, and substance abuse and
mental health treatment agencies to strengthen family and
community environments and to reduce the impact on child
development of substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence,
and other high risk behaviors that compromise healthy
development;
``(vii) promote partnerships between Head Start agencies
and other organizations in order to enhance the Head Start
curriculum, including partnerships to promote inclusion of more
books in Head Start classrooms and partnerships to promote
coordination of activities with the Ready-to-Learn Television
program carried out under subpart 3 of part D of title II of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
6775 et seq.); and
``(viii) identify other resources and organizations (both
public and private) for the provision of in-kind services to
Head Start agencies in the State.
``(E)(i) The Governor of the State shall designate or establish a
council to serve as the State advisory council on collaboration on
early care and education activities for children from birth to school
entry (in this subchapter referred to as the `State Advisory Council').
``(ii) The Governor may designate an existing entity to serve as
the State Advisory Council, if the entity includes representatives
described in subclauses (I) through (XXIV) of clause (iii).
``(iii) Members of the State Advisory Council shall include, to the
maximum extent possible--
``(I) the State Director of Head Start Collaboration;
``(II) a representative of the appropriate regional office
of the Administration for Children and Families;
``(III) a representative of the State educational agency
and local educational agencies;
``(IV) a representative of institutions of higher
education;
``(V) a representative (or representatives) of the State
agency (or agencies) responsible for health or mental health
care;
``(VI) a representative of the State agency responsible for
teacher professional standards, certification, and licensing,
including prekindergarten teacher professional standards,
certification standards, certification, and licensing, where
applicable;
``(VII) a representative of the State agency responsible
for child care;
``(VIII) early childhood education professionals, including
professionals with expertise in second language acquisition and
instructional strategies in teaching limited English proficient
children;
``(IX) kindergarten teachers and teachers in grades 1
through 3;
``(X) health care professionals;
``(XI) child development specialists, including specialists
in prenatal, infant, and toddler development;
``(XII) a representative of the State agency responsible
for assisting children with developmental disabilities;
``(XIII) a representative of the State agency responsible
for programs under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.);
``(XIV) a representative of the State interagency
coordinating councils established under section 641 of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1441);
``(XV) a representative of the State Head Start Association
(where appropriate), and other representatives of Head Start
programs in the State;
``(XVI) a representative of the State network of child care
resource and referral agencies;
``(XVII) a representative of community-based organizations;
``(XVIII) a representative of State and local providers of
early childhood education and child care;
``(XIX) a representative of migrant and seasonal Head Start
programs and Indian Head Start programs (where appropriate);
``(XX) parents;
``(XXI) religious and business leaders;
``(XXII) the head of the State library administrative
agency;
``(XXIII) representatives of State and local organizations
and other entities providing professional development to early
care and education providers; and
``(XXIV) a representative of other entities determined to
be relevant by the chief executive officer of the State.
``(iv)(I) The State Advisory Council shall be responsible for, in
addition to responsibilities assigned to the council by the chief
executive officer of the State--
``(aa) conducting a periodic statewide needs assessment
concerning early care and education programs for children from
birth to school entry;
``(bb) identifying barriers to, and opportunities for,
collaboration and coordination between entities carrying out
Federal and State child development, child care, and early
childhood education programs;
``(cc) developing recommendations regarding means of
establishing a unified data collection system for early care
and education programs throughout the State;
``(dd) developing a statewide professional development and
career ladder plan for early care and education in the State;
and
``(ee) reviewing and approving the strategic plan,
regarding collaborating and coordinating services to better
serve children enrolled in Head Start programs, developed by
the State Director of Head Start Collaboration under
subparagraph (D)(iii).
``(II) The State Advisory Council shall hold public hearings and
provide an opportunity for public comment on the needs assessment and
recommendations described in subclause (I). The State Advisory Council
shall submit a statewide strategic report containing the needs
assessment and recommendations described in subclause (I) to the State
Director of Head Start Collaboration and the chief executive officer of
the State.
``(III) After submission of a statewide strategic report under
subclause (II), the State Advisory Council shall meet periodically to
review any implementation of the recommendations in such report and any
changes in State and local needs.''; and
(5) in paragraph (6)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``7.5
percent'' and all that follows and inserting ``11
percent for fiscal year 2006, 13 percent for fiscal
year 2007, 15 percent for fiscal year 2008, 17 percent
for fiscal year 2009, and 18 percent for fiscal year
2010, of the amount appropriated pursuant to section
639(a).'';
(B) by striking subparagraph (B);
(C) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking ``required
to be''; and
(D) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (B).
(b) Service Delivery Models.--Section 640(f) of the Head Start Act
(42 U.S.C. 9835(f)) is amended by striking ``needs.'' and inserting
``needs, including--
``(1) models that leverage the capacity and capabilities of
the delivery system of early childhood education and child
care; and
``(2) procedures to provide for the conversion of part-day
programs to full-day programs or part-day slots to full-day
slots.''.
(c) Additional Funds.--Section 640(g)(2) of the Head Start Act (42
U.S.C. 9835(g)(2)) is amended--
(1) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the
following:
``(C) the extent to which the applicant has undertaken
communitywide strategic planning and needs assessments
involving other community organizations and Federal, State, and
local public agencies serving children and families (including
organizations and agencies providing family support services
and protective services to children and families and
organizations serving families in whose homes English is not
the language customarily spoken), and individuals,
organizations, and public entities serving children with
disabilities, children in foster care, and homeless children
including the local educational agency liaison designated under
section 722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii));'';
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``other local'' and
inserting ``the State and local'';
(3) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``would like to
participate but'' after ``community who'';
(4) in subparagraph (G), by inserting ``leverage the
existing delivery systems of such services and'' after ``manner
that will''; and
(5) in subparagraph (H), by inserting ``, including the
local educational agency liaison designated under section
722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii)),'' after ``community involved''.
(d) Regulations.--Section 640(i) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9835(i)) is amended by inserting ``and requirements to ensure the
appropriate supervision and background checks of individuals with whom
the agencies contract to transport those children'' before the period.
(e) Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs.--Section 640(l) of
the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(l)) is amended by striking paragraph
(3) and inserting the following:
``(3) In carrying out this subchapter, the Secretary shall continue
the administrative arrangement at the national or regional level for
meeting the needs of Indian children and children of migrant and
seasonal farmworkers and shall ensure--
``(A) that appropriate funding is provided to meet such
needs, including training and technical assistance provided by
staff with knowledge of and experience in working with such
populations; and
``(B) the appointment of a national migrant and seasonal
Head Start program collaboration director and a national Indian
Head Start collaboration director.
``(4)(A) For the purposes of paragraph (3), the Secretary shall
conduct an annual consultation in each affected Head Start region, with
tribal governments operating Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
``(B) The consultations shall be for the purpose of better meeting
the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native children and families
pertinent to subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 641, taking into
consideration funding allocations, distribution formulas, and other
issues affecting the delivery of Head Start services within tribal
communities.
``(C) The Secretary shall publish a notification of the
consultations in the Federal Register prior to conducting the
consultations.
``(D) A detailed report of each consultation shall be prepared and
made available, on a timely basis, to all tribal governments receiving
funds under this subchapter.''.
(f) Homeless Children.--Section 640 of the Head Start Act (42
U.S.C. 9835) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(m) Enrollment of Homeless Children.--The Secretary shall issue
regulations to remove barriers to the enrollment and participation of
homeless children in Head Start programs. Such regulations shall
require Head Start agencies to--
``(1) implement policies and procedures to ensure that
homeless children are identified and receive appropriate
priority for enrollment;
``(2) allow homeless children to apply to, enroll in, and
attend Head Start programs while required documents, such as
proof of residency, proof of immunization, and other medical
records, birth certificates, and other documents, are obtained
within a reasonable timeframe; and
``(3) coordinate individual Head Start programs with
efforts to implement subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-
Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.).
``(n) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this subchapter shall be
construed to require a State to establish a program of early education
for children in the State, to require any child to participate in a
program of early education in order to attend preschool, or to
participate in any initial screening prior to participation in such
program, except as provided under section 612(a)(3) of the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(3)) and consistent
with section 614(a)(1)(C) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1414(a)(1)(C)).
``(o) Materials.--All curricula funded under this subchapter shall
be scientifically based, and developmentally and linguistically based
(to the extent practicable), and age appropriate. Parents shall have
the opportunity to examine any such curricula or instructional
materials funded under this subchapter.''.
SEC. 7. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES.
Section 641 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836) is amended to
read as follows:
``SEC. 641. DESIGNATION OF HEAD START AGENCIES.
``(a) Designation.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to designate
as a Head Start agency any local public or private nonprofit or
for-profit agency, within a community, including a community-
based organization that--
``(A) has power and authority to carry out the
purpose of this subchapter and perform the functions
set forth in section 642 within a community; and
``(B) is determined to be capable of planning,
conducting, administering, and evaluating, either
directly or by other arrangements, a Head Start
program.
``(2) Required goals for designation.--In order to be
designated as a Head Start agency, an entity described in
paragraph (1) shall establish program goals for improving the
school readiness of children participating in a program under
this subchapter, including goals for meeting the performance
standards and additional educational standards described in
section 641A and shall establish results-based school readiness
goals that are aligned with Head Start Child Outcomes
Framework, State early learning standards (if applicable), and
requirements and expectations for local public schools.
``(3) Eligibility for subsequent grants.--In order to
receive a grant under this subchapter subsequent to the initial
grant provided following the date of enactment of the Head
Start Improvements for School Readiness Act, an entity
described in paragraph (1) shall demonstrate that the entity
has met or is making progress toward meeting the goals
described in paragraph (2).
``(4) Governing body.--
``(A) In general.--
``(i) Ensuring high quality programs.--In
order to be designated as a Head Start agency,
an entity described in paragraph (1) shall have
a governing body--
``(I) with legal and fiscal
responsibility for administering and
overseeing programs under this
subchapter; and
``(II) that fully participates in
the development, planning,
implementation, and evaluation of the
programs to ensure the operation of
programs of high quality.
``(ii) Ensuring compliance with laws.--The
governing body shall be responsible for
ensuring compliance with Federal laws and
regulations, including the performance
standards described in section 641A, as well as
applicable State, Tribal, and local laws and
regulations, including laws defining the nature
and operations of the governing body.
``(B) Composition of governing body.--
``(i) In general.--The governing body shall
be composed as follows:
``(I) Not less than 1 member of the
governing body shall have a background
in fiscal management.
``(II) Not less than 1 member of
the governing body shall have a
background in early childhood
development.
``(III) Membership that reflects
the community to be served.
``(ii) Consultants.--In the case that
persons described in clause (i) are not
available to serve as members of the governing
body, the governing body shall make use of
consultants in the areas described in clause
(i) to work directly with the governing body.
``(iii) Conflict of interest.--Members of
the governing body shall--
``(I) not have a conflict of
interest with the Head Start agency or
delegate agencies; and
``(II) not receive compensation for
service to the Head Start agency.
``(C) Responsibilities.--
``(i) In general.--The governing body shall
be responsible, in consultation with the policy
council or the policy committee of the Head
Start agency, for--
``(I) the selection of delegate
agencies and such agencies' service
areas;
``(II) establishing criteria for
defining recruitment, selection, and
enrollment priorities;
``(III) all funding applications
and amendments to funding applications
for programs under this subchapter;
``(IV) the annual self-assessment
of the Head Start agency or delegate
agency's progress in carrying out the
programmatic and fiscal intent of such
agency's grant application, including
planning or other actions that may
result from the review of the annual
audit, self-assessment, and findings
from the Federal monitoring review;
``(V) providing guidance for the
composition of the policy council or
the policy committee of the Head Start
agency;
``(VI) developing procedures for
how members of the policy council or
the policy committee of the Head Start
agency are selected, including
procedures for how parents of children
currently participating in a Head Start
or Early Head Start program are
selected to serve on the policy council
or the policy committee of the Head
Start agency;
``(VII) audits, accounting, and
reporting;
``(VIII) personnel policies and
procedures including decisions with
regard to salary scales (and changes
made to the scale), salaries of the
Executive Director, Head Start
Director, the Director of Human
Resources, and the Chief Fiscal
Officer, and decisions to hire and
terminate program staff; and
``(IX) the community assessment,
including any updates to such
assessment.
``(ii) Conduct of responsibilities.--The
governing body shall--
``(I) develop an internal control
structure to facilitate these
responsibilities in order to--
``(aa) safeguard Federal
funds;
``(bb) comply with laws and
regulations that have an impact
on financial statements;
``(cc) detect or prevent
noncompliance with this
subchapter; and
``(dd) receive audit
reports and direct and monitor
staff implementation of
corrective actions; and
``(II) develop procedures to
facilitate meaningful consultation and
collaboration and solicit input from
the policy council or the policy
committee of the Head Start agency
regarding matters of recruitment,
enrollment, funding applications, and
programmatic design, including
processes to resolve internal disputes.
``(D) Receipt of information.--To facilitate
oversight and Head Start agency accountability, the
governing body shall receive regular and accurate
information about program planning, policies, and Head
Start agency operations, including--
``(i) monthly financial statements
(including detailed credit card account
expenditures for any employee with a Head Start
agency credit card or who seeks reimbursement
for charged expenses);
``(ii) monthly program information
summaries;
``(iii) program enrollment reports,
including attendance reports for children whose
care is partially subsidized by another public
agency;
``(iv) monthly report of meals and snacks
through programs of the Department of
Agriculture;
``(v) the annual financial audit;
``(vi) the annual self-assessment,
including any findings related to the annual
self-assessment;
``(vii) the community assessment of the
Head Start agency's service area and any
applicable updates; and
``(viii) the program information reports.
``(E) Training and technical assistance.--
Appropriate training and technical assistance shall be
provided to the members of the governing body to ensure
that the members understand the information the members
receive and can effectively oversee and participate in
the programs of the Head Start agency.
``(b) Communities.--For purposes of this subchapter, a community
may be a city, county, or multicity or multicounty unit within a State,
an Indian reservation (including Indians in any off-reservation area
designated by an appropriate tribal government in consultation with the
Secretary), or a neighborhood or other area (irrespective of boundaries
or political subdivisions) that provides a suitable organizational base
and possesses the commonality of interest needed to operate a Head
Start program.
``(c) Priority in Designation.--In administering the provisions of
this section, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the chief
executive officer of the State involved, give priority in the
designation (including redesignation) of Head Start agencies to any
Head Start agency or delegate agency that is high performing, as
determined by meeting each of the following criterion:
``(1) Is receiving assistance under this subchapter.
``(2) Meets or exceeds program and financial management
requirements or standards described in section 641A(a)(1).
``(3) Has no unresolved deficiencies and has not had
findings of deficiencies during the last triennial review under
section 641A(c).
``(4) Can demonstrate, through agreements such as memoranda
of understanding, active collaboration with the State or local
community in the provision of services for children (such as
the provision of extended day services, education, professional
development and training for staff, and other types of
cooperative endeavors).
``(d) Designation When Entity Has Priority.--If no entity in a
community is entitled to the priority specified in subsection (c), the
Secretary shall, after conducting an open competition, designate a Head
Start agency from among qualified applicants in such community.
``(e) Rule of Construction.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, under no condition may a non-Indian Head Start agency receive a
grant to carry out an Indian Head Start program.
``(f) Effectiveness.--In selecting from among qualified applicants
for designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall consider
the effectiveness of each such applicant to provide Head Start
services, based on--
``(1) any past performance of such applicant in providing
services comparable to Head Start services, including how
effectively such applicant provided such comparable services;
``(2) the plan of such applicant to provide comprehensive
health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services
needed to aid participating children in attaining their full
potential, and to prepare children to succeed in school;
``(3) the capacity of such applicant to serve eligible
children with programs that use scientifically based research
that promote school readiness of children participating in the
program;
``(4) the plan of such applicant to meet standards set
forth in section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to the
standards set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such
section;
``(5) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the Head
Start program the applicant proposes to carry out with other
preschool programs, including--
``(A) the Early Reading First and Even Start
programs under subparts 2 and 3 of part B of title I of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6371 et seq., 6381 et seq.);
``(B) programs under section 619 and part C of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
1419, 1431 et seq.);
``(C) State prekindergarten programs;
``(D) child care programs;
``(E) the educational programs that the children in
the Head Start program involved will enter at the age
of compulsory school attendance; and
``(F) reading readiness programs such as those
conducted by public and school libraries;
``(6) the plan of such applicant to coordinate the Head
Start program that the applicant proposes to carry out with
public and private entities who are willing to commit resources
to assist the Head Start program in meeting its program needs;
``(7) the plan of such applicant to collaborate with a
local library, where available, that is interested in that
collaboration, to--
``(A) develop innovative programs to excite
children about the world of books, such as programs
that involve--
``(i) taking children to the library for a
story hour;
``(ii) promoting the use of library cards;
``(iii) developing a lending library or
using a mobile library van; and
``(iv) providing fresh books in the Head
Start classroom on a regular basis;
``(B) assist in literacy training for Head Start
teachers; and
``(C) support parents and other caregivers in
literacy efforts;
``(8) the plan of such applicant--
``(A) to seek the involvement of parents of
participating children in activities (at home and in
the center involved where practicable) designed to help
such parents become full partners in the education of
their children;
``(B) to afford such parents the opportunity to
participate in the development and overall conduct of
the program at the local level, including through
providing transportation costs;
``(C) to offer (directly or through referral to
local entities, such as entities carrying out Even
Start programs under subpart 3 of part B of title I of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6381 et seq.), public and school libraries, and
entities carrying out family support programs) to such
parents--
``(i) family literacy services; and
``(ii) parenting skills training;
``(D) to offer to parents of participating children
substance abuse counseling (either directly or through
referral to local entities), including information on
the effect of drug exposure on infants and fetal
alcohol syndrome;
``(E) at the option of such applicant, to offer
(directly or through referral to local entities) to
such parents--
``(i) training in basic child development
(including cognitive development);
``(ii) assistance in developing literacy
and communication skills;
``(iii) opportunities to share experiences
with other parents (including parent mentor
relationships);
``(iv) regular in-home visitation; or
``(v) any other activity designed to help
such parents become full partners in the
education of their children;
``(F) to provide, with respect to each
participating family, a family needs assessment that
includes consultation with such parents about the
benefits of parent involvement and about the activities
described in subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) in which
such parents may choose to become involved (taking into
consideration their specific family needs, work
schedules, and other responsibilities); and
``(G) to extend outreach to fathers, in appropriate
cases, in order to strengthen the role of fathers in
families, in the education of their young children, and
in the Head Start program, by working directly with
fathers and father figures through activities such as--
``(i) in appropriate cases, including
fathers in home visits and providing
opportunities for direct father-child
interactions; and
``(ii) targeting increased male
participation in the conduct of the program;
``(9) the ability of such applicant to carry out the plans
described in paragraphs (2), (4), and (5);
``(10) other factors related to the requirements of this
subchapter;
``(11) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of
limited English proficient children and their families,
including procedures to identify such children, plans to
provide trained personnel, and plans to provide services to
assist the children in making progress toward the acquisition
of the English language;
``(12) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of
children with disabilities;
``(13) the plan of such applicant who chooses to assist
younger siblings of children who will participate in the Head
Start program, to obtain health services from other sources;
``(14) the plan of such applicant to collaborate with other
entities carrying out early childhood education and child care
programs in the community;
``(15) the plan of such applicant to meet the needs of
homeless children and children in foster care, including the
transportation needs of such children; and
``(16) the plan of such applicant to recruit and retain
qualified staff.
``(g) Interim Basis.--If there is not a qualified applicant in a
community for designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall
designate a qualified agency to carry out the Head Start program in the
community on an interim basis until a qualified applicant from the
community is so designated.
``(h) Involvement of Parents and Area Residents.--The Secretary
shall continue the practice of involving parents and area residents who
are affected by programs under this subchapter in the selection of
qualified applicants for designation as Head Start agencies.
``(i) Priority.--In selecting from among qualified applicants for
designation as a Head Start agency, the Secretary shall give priority
to applicants that have demonstrated capacity in providing effective,
comprehensive, and well-coordinated early childhood services to
children and their families.''.
SEC. 8. QUALITY STANDARDS; MONITORING OF HEAD START AGENCIES AND
PROGRAMS.
Section 641A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``642(d)'' and
inserting ``642(c)'';
(B) in paragraph (1)(B)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``education
performance standards'' and inserting
``educational performance standards''; and
(ii) by striking clause (ii) and inserting
the following:
``(ii) additional educational standards based on
the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences
panel described in section 649(h) and other experts in
the field, to ensure that the curriculum involved
addresses, and that the children participating in the
program show appropriate progress toward developing and
applying, the recommended educational outcomes, after
the panel considers the appropriateness of additional
educational standards relating to--
``(I) language skills related to listening,
understanding, speaking, and communicating,
including--
``(aa) understanding and use of a
diverse vocabulary (including knowing
the names of colors) and knowledge of
how to use oral language to communicate
for various purposes;
``(bb) narrative abilities used,
for example, to comprehend, tell, and
respond to a story, or to comprehend
instructions;
``(cc) ability to detect and
produce sounds of the language the
child speaks or is learning; and
``(dd) clarity of pronunciation and
speaking in syntactically and
grammatically correct sentences;
``(II) prereading knowledge and skills,
including--
``(aa) alphabet knowledge including
knowing the letter names and
associating letters with their shapes
and sounds in the language the child
speaks or is learning;
``(bb) phonological awareness and
processes that support reading, for
example, rhyming, recognizing speech
sounds and separate syllables in spoken
words, and putting speech sounds
together to make words;
``(cc) knowledge, interest in, and
appreciation of books, reading, and
writing (either alone or with others),
and knowledge that books have parts
such as the front, back, and title
page;
``(dd) early writing, including the
ability to write one's own name and
other words and phrases; and
``(ee) print awareness and
concepts, including recognizing
different forms of print and
understanding the association between
spoken and written words;
``(III) premathematics knowledge and
skills, including--
``(aa) number recognition;
``(bb) use of early number concepts
and operations, including counting,
simple adding and subtracting, and
knowledge of quantitative
relationships, such as part versus
whole and comparison of numbers of
objects;
``(cc) use of early space and
location concepts, including
recognizing shapes, classification,
striation, and understanding
directionality; and
``(dd) early pattern skills and
measurement, including recognizing and
extending simple patterns and measuring
length, weight, and time;
``(IV) scientific abilities, including--
``(aa) building awareness about
scientific skills and methods, such as
gathering, describing, and recording
information, making observations, and
making explanations and predictions;
and
``(bb) expanding scientific
knowledge of the environment, time,
temperature, and cause-and-effect
relationships;
``(V) general cognitive abilities related
to academic achievement and child development,
including--
``(aa) reasoning, planning, and
problem-solving skills;
``(bb) ability to engage, sustain
attention, and persist on challenging
tasks;
``(cc) intellectual curiosity,
initiative, and task engagement; and
``(dd) motivation to achieve and
master concepts and skills;
``(VI) social and emotional development
related to early learning and school success,
including developing--
``(aa) the ability to develop
social relationships, demonstrate
cooperative behaviors, and relate to
teachers and peers in positive and
respectful ways;
``(bb) an understanding of the
consequences of actions, following
rules, and appropriately expressing
feelings;
``(cc) a sense of self, such as
self-awareness, independence, and
confidence;
``(dd) the ability to control
negative behaviors with teachers and
peers that include impulsiveness,
aggression, and noncompliance; and
``(ee) knowledge of civic society
and surrounding communities;
``(VII) physical development, including
developing--
``(aa) fine motor skills, such as
strength, manual dexterity, and hand-
eye coordination; and
``(bb) gross motor skills, such as
balance and coordinated movements; and
``(VIII) in the case of limited English
proficient children, progress toward
acquisition of the English language while
making meaningful progress in attaining the
knowledge, skills, abilities, and development
described in subclauses (I) through (VII);'';
(C) in paragraph (1)(D), by striking ``projects;
and'' and inserting ``projects, including regulations
that require that the facilities used by Head Start
agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) and
delegate agencies for regularly scheduled center-based
and combination program option classroom activities--
``(i) shall be in compliance with State and
local requirements concerning licensing for
such facilities; and
``(ii) shall be accessible by State and
local authorities for purposes of monitoring
and ensuring compliance; and'';
(D) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in clause (i), by striking
``the date of enactment of this
section'' and inserting ``the date of
enactment of the Head Start
Improvements for School Readiness
Act'';
(II) in clause (ii), by striking
``the date of enactment of this Act''
and inserting ``the date of enactment
of the Head Start Improvements for
School Readiness Act'';
(III) in clause (iii), by inserting
``homeless children, children in foster
care,'' after ``children with
disabilities,'';
(IV) in clause (vi)--
(aa) by striking ``; and''
and inserting a semicolon; and
(bb) by inserting
``(including children in foster
care and the number of homeless
children)'' after ``such
children'';
(V) in clause (vii), by striking
``public schools'' and inserting ``the
schools that the children will be
attending''; and
(VI) by adding at the end the
following:
``(viii) the unique challenges faced by
individual programs, including those programs
that are seasonal or short term and those
programs that serve rural populations;'';
(ii) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking
``the date of enactment of the Coats Human
Services Reauthorization Act of 1998.'' and
inserting ``the date of enactment of the Head
Start Improvements for School Readiness Act;
and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) consult with Indian tribes, American Indian
and Alaska Native experts in early childhood
development, linguists, and the National Indian Head
Start Directors Association on the review and
promulgation of program standards and measures
(including standards and measures for language
acquisition and school readiness).'';
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Evaluations and corrective actions for delegate
agencies.--
``(A) Procedures.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii),
the Head Start agency shall establish
procedures relating to its delegate agencies,
including--
``(I) procedures for evaluating
delegate agencies;
``(II) procedures for defunding
delegate agencies; and
``(III) procedures for appealing a
defunding decision relating to a
delegate agency.
``(ii) Termination.--The Head Start agency
may not terminate a delegate agency's contract
or reduce a delegate agency's service area
without showing cause or demonstrating the
cost-effectiveness of such a decision.
``(B) Evaluations.--Each Head Start agency--
``(i) shall evaluate its delegate agencies
using the procedures established pursuant to
this section, including subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) shall inform the delegate agencies
of the deficiencies identified through the
evaluation that shall be corrected.
``(C) Remedies to ensure corrective actions.--In
the event that the Head Start agency identifies a
deficiency for a delegate agency through the
evaluation, the Head Start agency may--
``(i) initiate procedures to terminate the
designation of the agency unless the agency
corrects the deficiency;
``(ii) conduct monthly monitoring visits to
such delegate agency until all deficiencies are
corrected or the Head Start agency decides to
defund such delegate agency; and
``(iii) release funds to such delegate
agency only as reimbursements until all
deficiencies are corrected or the Head Start
agency decides to defund such delegate agency.
``(D) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to impact or obviate the
responsibilities of the Secretary with respect to Head
Start agencies or delegate agencies receiving funding
under this subchapter.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking the paragraph heading and
inserting the following:
``(2) Characteristics and use of measures.--'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``,
not later than July 1, 1999; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the
period and inserting a semicolon;
(iv) by striking the flush matter following
subparagraph (C); and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) measure characteristics that are strongly
predictive (as determined on a scientific basis) of a
child's school readiness and later performance in
school;
``(E) be appropriate for the population served; and
``(F) be reviewed not less than every 4 years,
based on advances in the science of early childhood
development.
The performance measures shall include the performance
standards and additional educational standards described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1).'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``;
and'' and inserting a semicolon;
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the
period and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) to enable Head Start agencies to
individualize programs of instruction to better meet
the needs of the child involved.'';
(C) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the
following:
``(4) Results-based outcome measures.--Results-based
outcome measures shall be designed for the purpose of promoting
the knowledge, skills, abilities, and development, described in
subsection (a)(1)(B)(ii), of children participating in Head
Start programs that are strongly predictive (as determined on a
scientific basis) of a child's school readiness and later
performance in school.''; and
(D) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the
following:
``(5) Additional local results-based educational measures
and goals.--Head Start agencies may establish and implement
additional local results-based educational measures and
goals.'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``and Head Start centers''
after ``Head Start programs'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``such agency'' and inserting ``Head Start
center'';
(iii) by striking subparagraph (C) and
inserting the following:
``(C) Unannounced site inspections of Head Start
centers for health and safety reasons, as
appropriate.'';
(iv) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as
subparagraph (E); and
(v) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the
following:
``(D) Notwithstanding subparagraph (C), followup
reviews, including--
``(i) prompt return visits to agencies,
programs, and centers that fail to meet 1 or
more of the performance measures developed by
the Secretary under subsection (b);
``(ii) a review of programs with citations
that include findings of deficiencies not later
than 6 months after the date of such citation;
and
``(iii) followup reviews that incorporate a
monitoring visit without prior notice of the
visit to the agency involved or with such
limited prior notice as is necessary to ensure
the participation of parents and key staff
members.''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) Conduct of reviews.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that
reviews described in paragraph (1)--
``(i) are performed, to the maximum extent
practicable, by employees of the Department of
Health and Human Services who are knowledgeable
about Head Start programs;
``(ii) are conducted by review teams that
shall include individuals who are knowledgeable
about Head Start and other early childhood
education programs and, to the maximum extent
practicable, the diverse (including linguistic
and cultural) needs of eligible children
(including children with disabilities, homeless
children, and children in foster care) and
limited English proficient children and their
families, and personnel management, financial
accountability, and systems development and
monitoring;
``(iii) include as part of the reviews of
the programs, a review and assessment of
program effectiveness, as measured in
accordance with the results-based performance
measures developed by the Secretary pursuant to
subsection (b) and with the standards
established pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and
(B) of subsection (a)(1);
``(iv) seek information from the
communities and States where Head Start
programs exist about innovative or effective
collaborative efforts, barriers to
collaboration, and the efforts of the Head
Start agencies to collaborate with the entities
carrying out early childhood education and
child care programs in the community;
``(v) include as part of the reviews of the
programs, a review and assessment of whether
the programs are in conformity with the income
eligibility requirements under section 645 and
regulations promulgated under such section;
``(vi) include as part of the reviews of
the programs, a review and assessment of
whether programs have adequately addressed the
population and community needs (including needs
of populations of limited English proficient
children and children of migrant and seasonal
farmworking families); and
``(vii) include as part of the reviews of
the programs, data from the results of periodic
child assessments, and a review and assessment
of child outcomes and performance as they
relate to State, local, and agency-determined
school readiness goals.
``(B) Training; quality and consistency.--The
Secretary, from funds available under section
640(a)(2)(C)(ii), shall provide periodic training for
supervisors and members of review teams in such topics
as program management and financial audit performance.
The Secretary shall ensure the quality and consistency
across and within regions of PRISM reviews and non-
compliance and deficiency determinations by conducting
periodic interrater reliability checks.'';
(4) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
inserting ``or fails to address the community needs and
strategic plan identified in section 640(g)(2)(C),''
after ``subsection (b),''; and
(B) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and
identify the technical assistance to be provided
consistent with paragraph (3)'' after ``corrected'';
(5) in subsection (e), by striking the last sentence and
inserting ``The information contained in such report shall be
made available to all parents with children receiving
assistance under this subchapter in an understandable and
uniform format, and to the extent practicable, provided in a
language that the parents can understand. Such information
shall be made widely available through public means such as
distribution through public agencies, and, at a minimum, by
posting such information on the Internet immediately upon
publication.''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Self-Assessments.--
``(1) In general.--Not less frequently than once each
program year, with the consultation and participation of policy
groups and, as appropriate, other community members, each
agency receiving funds under this subchapter shall conduct a
comprehensive self-assessment of the effectiveness and progress
in meeting programs goals and objectives and in implementing
and complying with Head Start program performance standards.
``(2) Report and improvement plans.--
``(A) Report.--An agency conducting a self-
assessment shall report the findings of the self-
assessment to the relevant policy council, policy
committee, governing body, and regional office of the
Administration for Children and Families of the
Department of Health and Human Services. Each self-
assessment shall identify areas of strength and
weakness.
``(B) Improvement plan.--The agency shall develop
an improvement plan approved by the governing body of
the agency to strengthen any areas identified in the
self-assessment as weaknesses or in need of
improvement.
``(3) Ongoing monitoring.--Each Head Start agency, Early
Head Start agency, and delegate agency shall establish and
implement procedures for the ongoing monitoring of their Head
Start and Early Head Start programs, to ensure that the
operations of the programs work toward meeting program goals
and objectives and Head Start performance standards.
``(4) Training and technical assistance.--Funds may be made
available, through section 648(d)(13), for training and
technical assistance to assist agencies in conducting self-
assessments.
``(g) Reduction of Grants and Redistribution of Funds in Cases of
Under-Enrollment.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Actual enrollment.--The term `actual
enrollment' means, with respect to the program of a
Head Start agency, the actual number of children
enrolled in such program and reported by the agency (as
required in paragraph (2)) in a given month.
``(B) Base grant.--The term `base grant' means,
with respect to a Head Start agency for a fiscal year,
that portion of the grant derived--
``(i) from amounts reserved for use in
accordance with section 640(a)(2)(A), for a
Head Start agency administering an Indian Head
Start program or migrant and seasonal Head
Start program;
``(ii) from amounts reserved for payments
under section 640(a)(2)(B); or
``(iii) from amounts available under
section 640(a)(2)(D) or allotted among States
under section 640(a)(4).
``(C) Funded enrollment.--The term `funded
enrollment' means, with respect to the program of a
Head Start agency in a fiscal year, the number of
children that the agency is funded to serve through a
grant for the program during such fiscal year, as
indicated in the grant agreement.
``(2) Enrollment reporting requirement for current fiscal
year.--Each entity carrying out a Head Start program shall
report on a monthly basis to the Secretary and the relevant
Head Start agency--
``(A) the actual enrollment in such program; and
``(B) if such actual enrollment is less than the
funded enrollment, any apparent reason for such
enrollment shortfall.
``(3) Secretarial review and plan.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) on a semiannual basis, determine which Head
Start agencies are operating with an actual enrollment
that is less than the funded enrollment based on not
less than 4 consecutive months of data;
``(B) for each such Head Start agency operating a
program with an actual enrollment that is less than 95
percent of its funded enrollment, as determined under
subparagraph (A), develop, in collaboration with such
agency, a plan and timetable for reducing or
eliminating under-enrollment taking into
consideration--
``(i) the quality and extent of the
outreach, recruitment, and community needs
assessment conducted by such agency;
``(ii) changing demographics, mobility of
populations, and the identification of new
underserved low-income populations;
``(iii) facilities-related issues that may
impact enrollment;
``(iv) the ability to provide full-day
programs, where needed, through Head Start
funds or through collaboration with entities
carrying out other preschool or child care
programs, or programs with other funding
sources (where available);
``(v) the availability and use by families
of other preschool and child care options
(including parental care) in the local
catchment area; and
``(vi) agency management procedures that
may impact enrollment; and
``(C) provide timely and ongoing technical
assistance to each agency described in subparagraph (B)
for the purpose of implementing the plan described in
such subparagraph.
``(4) Implementation.--Upon receipt of the technical
assistance described in paragraph (3)(C), a Head Start agency
shall immediately implement the plan described in paragraph
(3)(B).
``(5) Secretarial action for continued under-enrollment.--
If, 1 year after the date of implementation of the plan
described in paragraph (3)(B), the Head Start agency continues
to operate a program at less than full enrollment, the
Secretary shall, where determined appropriate, continue to
provide technical assistance to such agency.
``(6) Secretarial review and adjustment for chronic under-
enrollment.--
``(A) In general.--If, after receiving technical
assistance and developing and implementing a plan to
the extent described in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5)
for 9 months, a Head Start agency is still operating a
program with an actual enrollment that is less than 95
percent of its funded enrollment, the Secretary may--
``(i) designate such agency as chronically
under-enrolled; and
``(ii) recapture, withhold, or reduce the
base grant for the program by a percentage
equal to the percentage difference between
funded enrollment and actual enrollment for the
program for the most recent year in which the
agency is determined to be under-enrolled under
paragraph (2)(B).
``(B) Waiver or limitation of reductions.--If the
Secretary, after the implementation of the plan
described in paragraph (3)(B), finds that--
``(i) the causes of the enrollment
shortfall, or a portion of the shortfall, are
beyond the agency's control (such as serving
significant numbers of migrant or seasonal
farmworker children, homeless children,
children in foster care, or other highly mobile
children);
``(ii) the shortfall can reasonably be
expected to be temporary; or
``(iii) the number of slots allotted to the
agency is small enough that under-enrollment
does not constitute a significant shortfall,
the Secretary may, as appropriate, waive or
reduce the percentage recapturing, withholding,
or reduction otherwise required by subparagraph
(A).
``(C) Procedural requirements; effective date.--The
actions taken by the Secretary under this paragraph
with respect to a Head Start agency shall take effect 1
day after the date on which--
``(i) the time allowed for appeal under
section 646(a) expires without an appeal by the
agency; or
``(ii) the action is upheld in an
administrative hearing under section 646.
``(7) Redistribution of funds.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall use amounts
recovered from a Head Start agency through recapturing,
withholding, or reduction under paragraph (6) in a
fiscal year--
``(i) in the case of a Head Start agency
administering an Indian Head Start program or a
migrant and seasonal Head Start program, whose
base grant is derived from amounts specified in
paragraph (1)(C)(i), to redirect funds to 1 or
more agencies that--
``(I) are administering Head Start
programs serving the same special
population; and
``(II) demonstrate that the
agencies will use such redirected funds
to increase enrollment in their Head
Start programs in such fiscal year; or
``(ii) in the case of a Head Start agency
in a State, whose base grant is derived from
amounts specified in clause (ii) or (iii) of
paragraph (1)(C), to redirect funds to 1 or
more agencies that--
``(I) are administering Head Start
programs in the same State; and
``(II) make the demonstration
described in clause (i)(II).
``(B) Special rule.--If there is no agency located
in a State that meets the requirements of subclauses
(I) and (II) of subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary
shall use amounts described in subparagraph (A) to
redirect funds to Head Start agencies located in other
States that make the demonstration described in
subparagraph (A)(i)(II).
``(C) Adjustment to funded enrollment.--The
Secretary shall adjust as necessary the requirements
relating to funded enrollment indicated in the grant
agreement of a Head Start agency receiving
redistributed amounts under this paragraph.
``(h) Contract With Nonprofit Intermediary Organization.--From
funds reserved under clause (i) or (ii) of section 640(a)(2)(C) or from
whatever other resources the Secretary determines appropriate, in
carrying out the provisions of this section, the Secretary or a Head
Start agency may contract with a nonprofit intermediary organization
that--
``(1) provides evaluations and technical assistance to
improve overall performance management; and
``(2) has an exclusive focus of improving the performance
management and the use of technology in assessing performance
and meeting Head Start regulations and can provide on-site,
hands-on guidance with the implementation of the
recommendations.''.
SEC. 9. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.
The Head Start Act is amended by inserting after section 641A (42
U.S.C. 9836a) the following:
``SEC. 641B. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.
``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `center of excellence'
means a Center of Excellence in Early Childhood designated under
subsection (b).
``(b) Designation and Bonus Grants.--The Secretary shall, subject
to the availability of funds under this subchapter, including under
subsection (f), establish a program under which the Secretary shall--
``(1) designate not more than 200 exemplary Head Start
agencies (including Early Head Start agencies, Indian Head
Start agencies, and migrant and seasonal Head Start agencies)
as Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood; and
``(2) make bonus grants to the centers of excellence to
carry out the activities described in subsection (d).
``(c) Application and Designation.--
``(1) Application.--
``(A) Nomination and submission.--
``(i) In general.--To be eligible to
receive a designation as a center of excellence
under subsection (b), except as provided in
clause (ii), a Head Start agency in a State
shall be nominated by the Governor of the State
and shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary
may require.
``(ii) Indian and migrant and seasonal head
start programs.--In the case of an Indian Head
Start agency or a migrant or seasonal Head
Start agency, to be eligible to receive a
designation as a center of excellence under
subsection (b), such an agency shall be
nominated by the head of the appropriate
regional office of the Department and Health
and Human Services and shall submit an
application to the Secretary in accordance with
clause (i).
``(B) Contents.--At a minimum, the application
shall include--
``(i) evidence that the Head Start program
carried out by the agency has significantly
improved the school readiness of, and enhanced
academic outcomes for, children who have
participated in the program;
``(ii) evidence that the program meets or
exceeds standards and performance measures
described in subsections (a) and (b) of section
641A, as evidenced by successful completion of
programmatic and monitoring reviews, and has no
findings of deficiencies with respect to the
standards and measures;
``(iii) evidence that the program is making
progress toward meeting the requirements
described in section 648A;
``(iv) evidence demonstrating the existence
of a collaborative partnership among the Head
Start agency, the State (or a State agency),
and other early care and education providers in
the local community involved;
``(v) a nomination letter from the
Governor, or appropriate regional office,
demonstrating the agency's ability to carry out
the coordination, transition, and training
services of the program to be carried out under
the bonus grant involved, including
coordination of activities with State and local
agencies that provide early childhood services
to children and families in the community
served by the agency;
``(vi) information demonstrating the
existence of a local council for excellence in
early childhood, which shall include
representatives of all the institutions,
agencies, and groups involved in the work of
the center for, and the local provision of
services to, eligible children and other at-
risk children, and their families; and
``(vii) a description of how the Center, in
order to expand accessibility and continuity of
quality early care and education, will
coordinate the early care and education
activities assisted under this section with--
``(I) programs carried out under
the Child Care and Development Block
Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et
seq.);
``(II) other programs carried out
under this subchapter, including the
Early Head Start programs carried out
under section 645A;
``(III)(aa) Early Reading First and
Even Start programs carried out under
subparts 2 and 3 of part B of title I
of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6371
et seq., 6381 et seq.);
``(bb) other preschool programs
carried out under title I of that Act
(20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); and
``(cc) the Ready-to-Learn
Television program carried out under
subpart 3 of part D of title II of that
Act (20 U.S.C. 6775 et seq.);
``(IV) programs carried out under
part C of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
1431 et seq.);
``(V) State prekindergarten
programs; and
``(VI) other early care and
education programs.
``(2) Selection.--In selecting agencies to designate as
centers of excellence under subsection (b), the Secretary shall
designate not less than 1 from each of the 50 States, the
District of Columbia, an Indian Head Start program, a migrant
and seasonal Head Start program, and the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico.
``(3) Priority.--In making bonus grant determinations under
this section, the Secretary shall give priority to programs
that, through their applications, demonstrate that they are of
exceptional quality and would serve as exemplary models for
programs in the same geographic region. The Secretary may also
consider the population served by the applicant, such as
programs that serve large proportions of limited English
proficient students or other underserved populations, and may
make bonus grants to programs that do an exceptional job
meeting the needs of such children.
``(4) Term of designation.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Secretary shall designate a Head Start agency as a
center of excellence for a 5-year term. During the
period of that designation, subject to the availability
of appropriations, the agency shall be eligible to
receive a bonus grant under subsection (b).
``(B) Revocation.--The Secretary may revoke an
agency's designation under subsection (b) if the
Secretary determines that the agency is not
demonstrating adequate performance or has had findings
of deficiencies described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii).
``(5) Amount of bonus grant.--The Secretary shall base the
amount of funding provided through a bonus grant made under
subsection (b) to a center of excellence on the number of
children eligible for Head Start services in the community
involved. The Secretary shall, subject to the availability of
funding, make such a bonus grant in an amount of not less than
$200,000 per year.
``(d) Use of Funds.--
``(1) Activities.--A center of excellence that receives a
bonus grant under subsection (b) may use the funds made
available through the bonus grant--
``(A) to provide Head Start services to additional
eligible children;
``(B) to better meet the needs of working families
in the community served by the center by serving more
children in existing Early Head Start programs
(existing as of the date the center is designated under
this section) or in full-working-day, full calendar
year Head Start programs;
``(C) to model and disseminate best practices for
achieving early academic success, including achieving
school readiness and developing prereading and
premathematics skills for at-risk children and
achieving the acquisition of the English language for
limited English proficient children, and to provide
seamless service delivery for eligible children and
their families;
``(D) to further coordinate early childhood and
social services available in the community served by
the center for at-risk children (birth through age 8),
their families, and pregnant women;
``(E) to provide training and cross training for
Head Start teachers and staff, child care providers,
public and private preschool and elementary school
teachers, and other providers of early childhood
services, and training and cross training to develop
agency leaders;
``(F) to provide effective transitions between Head
Start programs and elementary school, to facilitate
ongoing communication between Head Start and elementary
school teachers concerning children receiving Head
Start services, and to provide training and technical
assistance to providers who are public elementary
school teachers and other staff of local educational
agencies, child care providers, family service
providers, and other providers of early childhood
services, to help the providers described in this
subparagraph increase their ability to work with low-
income, at-risk children and their families;
``(G) to develop or maintain partnerships with
institutions of higher education and nonprofit
organizations, including community-based organizations,
that recruit, train, place, and support college
students to serve as mentors and reading coaches to
preschool children in Head Start programs; and
``(H) to carry out other activities determined by
the center to improve the overall quality of the Head
Start program carried out by the agency and the program
carried out under the bonus grant involved.
``(2) Involvement of other head start agencies and
providers.--A center that receives a bonus grant under
subsection (b), in carrying out activities under this
subsection, shall work with the center's delegate agencies,
several additional Head Start agencies, and other providers of
early childhood services in the community involved, to
encourage the agencies and providers described in this sentence
to carry out model programs.
``(e) Research and Reports.--
``(1) Research.--The Secretary shall, subject to the
availability of funds to carry out this subsection, make a
grant to an independent organization to conduct research on the
ability of the centers of excellence to improve the school
readiness of children receiving Head Start services, and to
positively impact school results in the earliest grades. The
organization shall also conduct research to measure the success
of the centers of excellence at encouraging the center's
delegate agencies, additional Head Start agencies, and other
providers of early childhood services in the communities
involved to meet measurable improvement goals, particularly in
the area of school readiness.
``(2) Report.--Not later than 48 months after the date of
enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School Readiness
Act, the organization shall prepare and submit to the Secretary
and Congress a report containing the results of the research
described in paragraph (1).
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated for fiscal year 2006 and each subsequent fiscal year--
``(1) $90,000,000 to make bonus grants to centers of
excellence under subsection (b) to carry out activities
described in subsection (d);
``(2) $2,500,000 to pay for the administrative costs of the
Secretary in carrying out this section, including the cost of a
conference of centers of excellence; and
``(3) $2,000,000 for research activities described in
subsection (e).''.
SEC. 10. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGENCIES.
Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837) is amended to
read as follows:
``SEC. 642. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGENCIES.
``(a) In General.--In order to be designated as a Head Start agency
under this subchapter, an agency shall have authority under its charter
or applicable law to receive and administer funds provided under this
subchapter, funds and contributions from private or local public
sources that may be used in support of a Head Start program, and funds
provided under any Federal or State assistance program pursuant to
which a public or private nonprofit or for-profit agency (as the case
may be) organized in accordance with this subchapter, could act as a
grantee, contractor, or sponsor of projects appropriate for inclusion
in a Head Start program. Such an agency shall also be empowered to
transfer funds so received, and to delegate powers to other agencies,
subject to the powers of its governing board and its overall program
responsibilities. The power to transfer funds and delegate powers shall
include the power to make transfers and delegations covering component
projects in all cases in which that power will contribute to efficiency
and effectiveness or otherwise further program objectives.
``(b) Additional Requirements.--In order to be designated as a Head
Start agency under this subchapter, a Head Start agency shall also--
``(1) establish a program with all standards set forth in
section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to the standards
set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such section;
``(2) demonstrate the capacity to serve eligible children
with scientifically based curricula and other interventions and
support services that help promote the school readiness of
children participating in the program;
``(3) establish effective procedures and provide for the
regular assessment of Head Start children, including
observational and direct formal assessment, where appropriate;
``(4) seek the involvement of parents, area residents, and
local business in the design and implementation of the program;
``(5) provide for the regular participation of parents and
area residents in the implementation of the program;
``(6) provide technical and other support needed to enable
such parents and area residents to secure, on their own behalf,
available assistance from public and private sources;
``(7) establish effective procedures to facilitate the
involvement of parents of participating children in activities
designed to help such parents become full partners in the
education of their children, and to afford such parents the
opportunity to participate in the development and overall
conduct of the program at the local level;
``(8) conduct outreach to schools in which Head Start
children will enroll, local educational agencies, the local
business community, community-based organizations, faith-based
organizations, museums, and libraries to generate support and
leverage the resources of the entire local community in order
to improve school readiness;
``(9) offer (directly or through referral to local
entities, such as entities carrying out Even Start programs
under subpart 3 of part B of title I of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6381 et seq.)), to
parents of participating children, family literacy services,
and parenting skills training;
``(10) offer to parents of participating children substance
abuse and other counseling (either directly or through referral
to local entities), if needed, including information on the
effect of drug exposure on infants and fetal alcohol syndrome;
``(11) at the option of such agency, offer (directly or
through referral to local entities), to such parents--
``(A) training in basic child development
(including cognitive development);
``(B) assistance in developing literacy and
communication skills;
``(C) opportunities to share experiences with other
parents (including parent mentor relationships);
``(D) regular in-home visitation; or
``(E) any other activity designed to help such
parents become full partners in the education of their
children;
``(12) provide, with respect to each participating family,
a family needs assessment that includes consultation with such
parents (including foster parents and grandparents, where
applicable) about the benefits of parent involvement and about
the activities described in this subsection in which such
parents may choose to be involved (taking into consideration
their specific family needs, work schedules, and other
responsibilities);
``(13) consider providing services to assist younger
siblings of children participating in its Head Start program,
to obtain health services from other sources;
``(14) perform community outreach to encourage individuals
previously unaffiliated with Head Start programs to participate
in its Head Start program as volunteers;
``(15)(A) inform custodial parents in single-parent
families that participate in programs, activities, or services
carried out or provided under this subchapter about the
availability of child support services for purposes of
establishing paternity and acquiring child support; and
``(B) refer eligible parents to the child support offices
of State and local governments;
``(16) provide parents of limited English proficient
children outreach and information in an understandable and
uniform format and, to the extent practicable, in a language
that the parents can understand; and
``(17) at the option of such agency, partner with an
institution of higher education and a nonprofit organization to
provide college students with the opportunity to serve as
mentors or reading coaches to Head Start participants.
``(c) Transition Activities to Facilitate Continued Progress.--
``(1) In general.--Each Head Start agency shall collaborate
with the entities listed in this subsection, to the maximum
extent possible, to ensure the successful transition of Head
Start children to school, so that such children are able to
build upon the developmental and educational gains achieved in
Head Start programs in further schooling.
``(2) Coordination.--
``(A) Local educational agency.--In communities
where both public prekindergarten programs and Head
Start programs operate, a Head Start agency shall
collaborate and coordinate activities with the local
educational agency or other public agency responsible
for the operation of the prekindergarten program and
providers of prekindergarten, including outreach
activities to identify eligible children.
``(B) Elementary schools.--Head Start staff shall,
with the permission of the parents of children enrolled
in Head Start programs, regularly communicate with the
elementary schools such children will be attending to--
``(i) share information about such
children;
``(ii) get advice and support from the
teachers in such elementary schools regarding
teaching strategies and options; and
``(iii) ensure a smooth transition to
elementary school for such children.
``(C) Other programs.--The head of each Head Start
agency shall coordinate activities and collaborate with
the State agency responsible for administering the
State program carried out under the Child Care and
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et
seq.), other entities carrying out early childhood
education and development programs, and the agencies
responsible for administering section 106 of the Child
Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a),
parts B and E of title IV of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 620 et seq. and 670 et seq.), programs under
subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.), Even Start
programs under subpart 3 of part B of title I of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6381 et seq.), and programs under section 619
and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.), serving
the children and families served by the Head Start
agency.
``(3) Collaboration.--A Head Start agency shall take steps
to coordinate activities with the local educational agency
serving the community involved and with schools in which
children participating in a Head Start program operated by such
agency will enroll following such program, including--
``(A) collaborating on the shared use of
transportation and facilities;
``(B) collaborating to reduce the duplication of
services while increasing the program participation of
underserved populations of eligible children; and
``(C) exchanging information on the provision of
noneducational services to such children.
``(4) Parental involvement.--In order to promote the
continued involvement of the parents of children that
participate in Head Start programs in the education of their
children upon transition to school, the Head Start agency
shall--
``(A) provide training to the parents--
``(i) to inform the parents about their
rights and responsibilities concerning the
education of their children; and
``(ii) to enable the parents--
``(I) to understand and work with
schools in order to communicate with
teachers and other school personnel;
``(II) to support the schoolwork of
their children; and
``(III) to participate as
appropriate in decisions relating to
the education of their children; and
``(B) take other actions, as appropriate and
feasible, to support the active involvement of the
parents with schools, school personnel, and school-
related organizations.
``(d) Assessment.--Each Head Start agency shall adopt, in
consultation with experts in child development and with classroom
teachers, an assessment to be used when hiring or evaluating any
classroom teacher in a center-based Head Start program. Such assessment
shall measure whether such teacher has mastered the functions described
in section 648A(a)(1) and attained a level of literacy appropriate to
implement Head Start curricula.
``(e) Funded Enrollment; Waiting List.--Each Head Start agency
shall enroll 100 percent of its funded enrollment and maintain an
active waiting list at all times with ongoing outreach to the community
and activities to identify underserved populations.
``(f) Technical Assistance and Training Plan.--In order to receive
funds under this subchapter, a Head Start agency shall develop an
annual technical assistance and training plan. Such plan shall be based
on the agency's self-assessment, the community needs assessment, and
the needs of parents to be served by such agency.''.
SEC. 11. HEAD START TRANSITION.
Section 642A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837a) is amended to
read as follows:
``SEC. 642A. HEAD START TRANSITION AND ALIGNMENT WITH K-12 EDUCATION.
``Each Head Start agency shall take steps to coordinate activities
with the local educational agency serving the community involved and
with schools in which children participating in a Head Start program
operated by such agency will enroll following such program, including--
``(1) developing and implementing a systematic procedure
for transferring, with parental consent, Head Start program
records for each participating child to the school in which
such child will enroll;
``(2) establishing ongoing channels of communication
between Head Start staff and their counterparts in the schools
(including teachers, social workers, health staff, and local
educational agency liaisons designated under section
722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii))) to facilitate coordination of
programs;
``(3) developing continuity of developmentally appropriate
curricula and practice between the Head Start agency and local
educational agency to ensure an effective transition and
appropriate shared expectations for children's learning and
development as the children make the transition to school;
``(4) conducting meetings involving parents, kindergarten
or elementary school teachers, and Head Start teachers to
discuss the educational, developmental, and other needs of
individual children;
``(5) organizing and participating in joint training,
including transition-related training of school staff and Head
Start staff;
``(6) developing and implementing a family outreach and
support program, in cooperation with entities carrying out
parental involvement efforts under title I of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.),
and family outreach and support efforts under subtitle B of
title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11431 et seq.), taking into consideration the language
needs of limited English proficient parents;
``(7) assisting families, administrators, and teachers in
enhancing educational and developmental continuity and
continuity of parental involvement in activities between Head
Start services and elementary school classes;
``(8) linking the services provided in such Head Start
program with the education services, including services
relating to language, literacy, and numeracy, provided by such
local educational agency;
``(9) helping parents understand the importance of parental
involvement in a child's academic success while teaching the
parents strategies for maintaining parental involvement as
their child moves from the Head Start program to elementary
school;
``(10) developing and implementing a system to increase
program participation of underserved populations of eligible
children, including children with disabilities, homeless
children, children in foster care, and limited English
proficient children; and
``(11) coordinating activities and collaborating to ensure
that curricula used in the Head Start program is aligned with
State early learning standards with regard to cognitive,
social, emotional, and physical competencies that children
entering kindergarten are expected to demonstrate.''.
SEC. 12. SUBMISSION OF PLANS TO GOVERNORS.
Section 643 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9838) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ``45'' and inserting
``30''; and
(2) in the last sentence, by inserting ``to Indian and
migrant and seasonal Head Start programs in existence on the
date of enactment of the Head Start Improvements for School
Readiness Act, or'' after ``other assistance''.
SEC. 13. PARTICIPATION IN HEAD START PROGRAMS.
Section 645(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840(a)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``130 percent
of'' after ``below''; and
(B) in the flush matter at the end, by adding at
the end the following: ``A homeless child shall be
deemed eligible for Head Start services.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(3)(A) In this paragraph:
``(i) The term `dependent' has the meaning given the term
in paragraphs (2)(A) and (4)(A)(i) of section 401(a) of title
37, United States Code.
``(ii) The terms `member' and `uniformed services' have the
meanings given the terms in paragraphs (23) and (3),
respectively, of section 101 of title 37, United States Code.
``(B) The following amounts of pay and allowance of a member of the
uniformed services shall not be considered to be income for purposes of
determining the eligibility of a dependent of such member for programs
funded under this subchapter:
``(i) The amount of any special pay payable under section
310 if title 37, United States Code, relating to duty subject
to hostile fire or imminent danger.
``(ii) The amount of basic allowance payable under section
403 of such title, including any such amount that is provided
on behalf of the member for housing that is acquired or
constructed under the alternative authority for the acquisition
and improvement of military housing under subchapter IV of
chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, or any other
related provision of law.
``(4) After demonstrating a need through a community needs
assessment, a Head Start agency may apply to the Secretary to convert
part-day sessions, particularly consecutive part-day sessions, into
full-day sessions.''.
SEC. 14. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.
Section 645A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a) is amended--
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting the
following:
``SEC. 645A. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS.'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``provide
services to parents to support their role as parents''
and inserting ``provide additional services to parents
to support their role as parents (including parenting
skills training and training in basic child
development)'';
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), (7), (8),
and (9) as paragraphs (6), (7), (10), (11), and (12),
respectively;
(C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) where appropriate and in conjunction with services
provided under this section to the children's immediate
families (or as approved by the Secretary), provide home-based
services to family child care homes and kin caregivers caring
for infants and toddlers who also participate in Early Head
Start programs, to provide continuity in supporting the
children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual
development;'';
(D) in paragraph (6), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B)--
(i) by inserting ``(including home-based
services)'' after ``with services'';
(ii) by inserting ``and homeless infants
and toddlers'' after ``disabilities''; and
(iii) by inserting ``, and family support
services'' after ``health services'';
(E) by inserting after paragraph (7), as
redesignated by subparagraph (B), the following:
``(8) develop and implement a systematic procedure for
transitioning children and parents from an Early Head Start
program into a Head Start program or another local early
childhood education program;
``(9) establish channels of communication between staff of
Early Head Start programs and staff of Head Start programs or
other local early childhood education programs, to facilitate
the coordination of programs;''; and
(F) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by
subparagraph (B)--
(i) by striking ``and providers'' and
inserting ``, providers''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, and the agencies
responsible for administering section 106 of
the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
(42 U.S.C. 5106a) and parts B and E of title IV
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 620 et
seq. and 670 et seq.)'' after ``(20 U.S.C. 1400
et seq.)'';
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, including
tribal governments and entities operating migrant and
seasonal Head Start programs'' after ``subchapter'';
and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, including
community-based organizations'' after ``private
entities'';
(4) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking clause (iv) and
inserting the following:
``(iv) providing professional development
and personnel enhancement activities, including
the provision of funds to recipients of grants
under subsection (a), relating to--
``(I) effective methods of
conducting parent education, home
visiting, and promoting quality early
childhood development;
``(II) recruiting and retaining
qualified staff; and
``(III) increasing program
participation for underserved
populations of eligible children.'';
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Staff Qualifications and Development.--
``(1) Center-based staff.--The Secretary shall ensure that,
not later than September 30, 2010, all teachers providing
direct services to Early Head Start children and families in
Early Head Start centers have a minimum of a child development
associate credential or an associate degree, and have been
trained (or have equivalent course work) in early childhood
development.
``(2) Home visitor staff.--
``(A) Standards.--In order to further enhance the
quality of home visiting services provided to families
of children participating in home-based, center-based,
or combination program options under this subchapter,
the Secretary shall establish standards for training,
qualifications, and the conduct of home visits for home
visitor staff in Early Head Start programs.
``(B) Contents.--The standards for training,
qualifications, and the conduct of home visits shall
include content related to--
``(i) structured child-focused home
visiting that promotes parents' ability to
support the child's cognitive, social,
emotional, and physical development;
``(ii) effective strengths-based parent
education, including methods to encourage
parents as their child's first teachers;
``(iii) early childhood development with
respect to children from birth through age 3;
``(iv) methods to help parents promote
emergent literacy in their children from birth
through age 3, including use of research-based
strategies to support the development of
literacy and language skills for children who
are limited English proficient;
``(v) health, vision, hearing, and
developmental screenings;
``(vi) strategies for helping families
coping with crisis; and
``(vii) the relationship of health and
well-being of pregnant women to prenatal and
early child development.''.
SEC. 15. APPEALS, NOTICE, AND HEARING AND RECORDS AND AUDITS.
(a) Appeals.--Section 646(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9841(a)) is amended by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and inserting
the following:
``(3) financial assistance under this subchapter may be
terminated or reduced, and an application for refunding may be
denied, after the recipient has been afforded reasonable notice
and opportunity for a full and fair hearing, including--
``(A) a right to file a notice of appeal of a
decision within 30 days of notice of the decision from
the Secretary; and
``(B) access to a full and fair hearing of the
appeal, not later than 120 days from receipt by the
Secretary of the notice of appeal;
``(4) the Secretary shall develop and publish procedures
(including mediation procedures) to be used in order to--
``(A) resolve in a timely manner conflicts
potentially leading to an adverse action between--
``(i) recipients of financial assistance
under this subchapter; and
``(ii) delegate agencies or Head Start
Parent Policy Councils;
``(B) avoid the need for an administrative hearing
on an adverse action; and
``(C) prohibit a Head Start agency from expending
financial assistance awarded under this subchapter for
the purpose of paying legal fees pursuant to an appeal
under paragraph (3), except that such fees shall be
reimbursed by the Secretary if the agency prevails in
such decision; and
``(5) the Secretary may suspend funds to a grantee under
this subchapter--
``(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), for
not more than 30 days; or
``(B) in the case of a grantee under this
subchapter that has multiple and recurring deficiencies
for a period of 6 months and has not made substantial
and significant progress toward meeting the goals of
the grantee's quality improvement plan or eliminating
all deficiencies identified by the Secretary, during
the hearing of an appeal described in paragraph (3),
for any amount of time, including permanently.''.
(b) Recipients.--Section 647(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9842(a)) is amended by striking ``Each recipient of'' and inserting
``Each Head Start agency, Head Start center, or Early Head Start center
receiving''.
(c) Accounting.--Section 647 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9842)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Each Head Start agency, Head Start center, or Early Head
Start center receiving financial assistance under this subchapter shall
maintain, and annually submit to the Secretary, a complete accounting
of its administrative expenses, including expenses for salaries and
compensation funded under this subchapter and provide such additional
documentation as the Secretary may require.''.
SEC. 16. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.
Section 648 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``(b) and (c)'' and
inserting ``(b), (c), and (d)'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) through (e) as
subsections (c) through (f), respectively;
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) The Secretary shall make available funds set aside in section
640(a)(2)(C)(ii) to support a regional or State system of early
childhood education training and technical assistance that improves the
capacity of Head Start programs to deliver services in accordance with
the standards described in section 641A(a)(1), with particular
attention to the standards described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
such section. The Secretary shall--
``(1) ensure that agencies with demonstrated expertise in
providing high-quality training and technical assistance to
improve the delivery of Head Start services, including the
State Head Start Associations, State agencies, migrant and
seasonal Head Start programs, and other entities providing
training and technical assistance in early education, for the
region or State are included in the planning and coordination
of the system; and
``(2) encourage States to supplement the funds authorized
in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) with Federal, State, or local funds
other than Head Start funds, to expand training and technical
assistance activities beyond Head Start agencies to include
other providers of other early childhood services within a
region or State.'';
(4) in subsection (d), as so redesignated--
(A) in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), by striking
``educational performance measures'' and inserting
``measures'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and for
activities described in section 1221(b)(3) of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6371(b)(3))'' after ``children with
disabilities'';
(C) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``, including
assessing the needs of homeless children and their
families'' after ``needs assessment'';
(D) in paragraph (10), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(E) in paragraph (11), by striking the period and
inserting a semicolon; and
(F) by adding at the end the following:
``(12) assist Head Start agencies and programs in
increasing the program participation of homeless children;
``(13) provide training and technical assistance to members
of governing bodies to ensure that the members can fulfill the
functions described in section 641(a)(4);
``(14) provide training and technical assistance to Head
Start agencies to assist such agencies in conducting self-
assessments; and
``(15) assist Head Start agencies and Head Start programs
in improving outreach to, and quality of services available to,
limited English proficient children and their families,
including such services to help such families learn English,
particularly in communities that have experienced a large
percentage increase in the population of limited English
proficient individuals, as measured by the Bureau of the
Census.'';
(5) in subsection (e), as so redesignated, by inserting
``including community-based organizations,'' after ``nonprofit
entities,'';
(6) in subsection (f), as so redesignated, by inserting
``or providing services to children determined to be abused or
neglected, training for personnel providing services to
children referred by entities providing child welfare services
or receiving child welfare services,'' after ``English
language),''; and
(7) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) The Secretary shall provide, either directly or through
grants or other arrangements, funds for training of Head Start
personnel in addressing the unique needs of migrant and seasonal
farmworking families, families with limited English proficiency, and
homeless families.
``(h) Funds used under this section shall be used to provide high
quality, sustained, and intensive, training and technical assistance in
order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction.
Funds shall be used to carry out activities related to 1 or more of the
following:
``(1) Education and early childhood development.
``(2) Child health, nutrition, and safety.
``(3) Family and community partnerships.
``(4) Other areas that impact the quality or overall
effectiveness of Head Start programs.
``(i) Funds used under this section for training shall be used for
needs identified annually by a grant applicant or delegate agency in
its program improvement plan, except that funds shall not be used for
long-distance travel expenses for training activities--
``(1) available locally or regionally; or
``(2) substantially similar to locally or regionally
available training activities.
``(j)(1) To support local efforts to enhance early language and
preliteracy development of children in Head Start programs, and to
provide the children with high-quality oral language skills, and
environments that are rich in literature, in which to acquire language
and preliteracy skills, each Head Start agency, in coordination with
the appropriate State office and the relevant State Head Start
collaboration office, shall ensure that all of the agency's Head Start
teachers receive ongoing training in language and emergent literacy
(referred to in this subsection as `literacy training'), including
appropriate curricula and assessments to improve instruction and
learning. Such training shall include training in methods to promote
phonological and phonemic awareness and vocabulary development in an
age-appropriate and culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
``(2) The literacy training shall be provided at the local level in
order--
``(A) to be provided, to the extent feasible, in the
context of the Head Start programs of the State involved and
the children the program serves; and
``(B) to be tailored to the early childhood literacy
background and experience of the teachers involved.
``(3) The literacy training shall be culturally and linguistically
appropriate and support children's development in their home language.
``(4) The literacy training shall include training in how to work
with parents to enhance positive language and early literacy
development at home.
``(5) The literacy training shall include specific methods to best
address the needs of children who are English language learners or are
limited English proficient.
``(6) The literacy training shall include specific methods to best
address the needs of children who have speech and language delays,
including problems with articulation, or have other disabilities.''.
SEC. 17. STAFF QUALIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT.
Section 648A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) Degree requirements.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure
that--
``(i) not later than September 30, 2010,
all Head Start teachers in center-based
programs have at least--
``(I)(aa) an associate degree (or
equivalent coursework) relating to
early childhood; or
``(bb) an associate degree in a
related educational area and, to the
extent practicable, coursework relating
to early childhood; and
``(II) demonstrated teaching
competencies, as determined by the
program director involved (including,
at a minimum, an appropriate level of
literacy, a demonstrated capacity to be
highly engaged with children, and a
demonstrated ability to effectively
implement an early childhood
curriculum); and
``(ii) not later than September 30, 2008,
all Head Start curriculum specialists and
education coordinators in center-based programs
have--
``(I) the capacity to offer
assistance to other teachers in the
implementation and adaptation of
curricula to the group and individual
needs of a class; and
``(II)(aa) a baccalaureate or
advanced degree relating to early
childhood; or
``(bb) a baccalaureate or advanced
degree and coursework equivalent to a
major relating to early childhood;
``(iii) not later than September 30, 2008,
all Head Start teaching assistants in center-
based programs have--
``(I) at least a child development
associate credential;
``(II) enrolled in a program
leading to an associate or
baccalaureate degree; or
``(III) enrolled in a child
development associate credential
program to be completed within 2 years;
and
``(iv) not later than September 30, 2011--
``(I) in States that have
established teacher requirements for
State prekindergarten programs, all
Head Start teachers in center-based
programs--
``(aa) if such requirements
are not less than those
requirements described in
subclause (II), meet such
teacher requirements for State
prekindergarten programs; and
``(bb) if such requirements
are less than those
requirements described in
subclause (II), meet the
requirements described in
subclause (II); and
``(II) in States that do not have
an established State prekindergarten
program or in States that do not have
established teacher requirements for
their State prekindergarten programs,
50 percent of all Head Start teachers
in each center-based program have a
baccalaureate degree relating to early
childhood (or a related educational
area or a baccalaureate degree that
meets State specialized training
requirements for prekindergarten
teachers, such as State licensure,
endorsement, or certification for
prekindergarten or other early
childhood area), and demonstrated
teaching competencies, as determined by
the program director involved
(including, at a minimum, an
appropriate level of literacy, a
demonstrated capacity to be highly
engaged with children, and a
demonstrated ability to effectively
implement an early childhood
curriculum).
``(B) Teacher in-service requirement.--Each Head
Start teacher shall attend an average of not less than
15 clock hours of professional development per year.
Such professional development shall be high quality,
sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused in order to
have a positive and lasting impact on classroom
instruction and the teacher's performance in the
classroom, and regularly evaluated for effectiveness.
``(C) Progress.--
``(i) Report.--The Secretary shall--
``(I) require Head Start agencies
to--
``(aa) demonstrate
continuing progress each year
to reach the result described
in subparagraph (A);
``(bb) submit to the
Secretary a report indicating
the number and percentage of
classroom instructors in
center-based programs with
child development associate
credentials or associate,
baccalaureate, or graduate
degrees; and
``(II) compile and submit a summary
of all program reports described in
subclause (I)(bb) to the Committee on
Education and the Workforce of the
House of Representatives and the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate.
``(ii) Demonstrate progress.--A Head Start
agency may demonstrate progress by partnering
with institutions of higher education or other
programs that recruit, train, place, and
support college students to deliver an
innovative early learning program to preschool
children.
``(D) Service requirements.--The Secretary shall
establish requirements to ensure that, in order to
enable Head Start agencies to comply with the
requirements of subparagraph (A), individuals who
receive financial assistance under this subchapter to
pursue a degree described in subparagraph (A) shall--
``(i) teach or work in a Head Start program
for a minimum of 3 years after receiving the
degree; or
``(ii) repay the total or a prorated amount
of the financial assistance received based on
the length of service completed after receiving
the degree.''; and
(B) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and
inserting the following:
``(3) Waiver.--
``(A) In general.--On request, the Secretary may
grant a waiver of the postsecondary degree requirements
of paragraph (2) for 1 or more Head Start agencies,
either individually, statewide, or throughout a region,
that can demonstrate--
``(i) that continuing aggressive statewide
and national efforts have been unsuccessful at
recruiting an individual to serve as a Head
Start teacher or curriculum specialist or
education coordinator who meets the
requirements of paragraph (2)(A);
``(ii) limited access to degree programs
(including quality distance learning programs),
due to the remote location of the program
involved; or
``(iii) that Head Start staff members are,
as of the day the waiver is granted, enrolled
in a program that--
``(I) grants the required degree;
and
``(II) will be completed within 1
year.
``(B) Limitation.--An agency that receives a waiver
under subparagraph (A) shall ensure that Head Start
teachers for the agency, as of the day the waiver is
granted, who have not met the postsecondary degree
requirements of paragraph (2) but are otherwise highly
qualified and competent shall be directly and
appropriately supervised by a teacher who has met or
exceeded the requirements of this subchapter.
``(C) Duration.--The Secretary may not grant a
waiver under subparagraph (A) for a period that exceeds
1 year.'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) promote the use of appropriate strategies to meet the
needs of special populations (including limited English
proficient populations).'';
(3) in subsection (d)(3)(C) by inserting ``, including a
center,'' after ``any agency''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Professional Development Plans.--Every Head Start agency and
center shall create, in consultation with employees of the agency or
center (including family service workers), a professional development
plan for employees who provide direct services to children, including a
plan for classroom teachers, curriculum specialists, and education
coordinators to meet the requirements set forth in subsection (a).''.
SEC. 18. TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HEAD START PARTNERSHIP.
The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by inserting
after section 648A the following:
``SEC. 648B. TRIBAL COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY HEAD START PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to promote social
competencies and school readiness in Indian children.
``(b) Tribal College or University Head Start Partnership
Program.--
``(1) Grants.--The Secretary is authorized to award grants,
for periods of not less than 5 years, to Tribal Colleges and
Universities to--
``(A) implement education programs that include
education concerning tribal culture and language and
increase the number of associate, baccalaureate, and
graduate degrees in early childhood education and
related fields that are earned by Indian Head Start
agency staff members, parents of children served by
such an agency, and members of the tribal community
involved;
``(B) develop and implement the programs under
subparagraph (A) in technology-mediated formats,
including providing the programs through such means as
distance learning and use of advanced technology, as
appropriate; and
``(C) provide technology literacy programs for
Indian Head Start agency staff members and children and
families of children served by such an agency.
``(2) Staffing.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
American Indian Programs Branch of the Head Start Bureau of the
Department of Health and Human Services shall have staffing
sufficient to administer the programs under this section and to
provide appropriate technical assistance to Tribal Colleges and
Universities receiving grants under this section.
``(c) Application.--Each Tribal College or University desiring a
grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary,
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require, including a certification that the Tribal
College or University has established a partnership with 1 or more
Indian Head Start agencies for the purpose of conducting the activities
described in subsection (b).
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000 for fiscal year
2006 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2007
through 2010.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given such
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
``(2) Tribal college or university.--The term `Tribal
College or University'--
``(A) has the meaning given such term in section
316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059c); and
``(B) means an institution determined to be
accredited or a candidate for accreditation by a
nationally recognized accrediting agency or
association.''.
SEC. 19. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EVALUATION.
Section 649 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9844) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1)(B), by inserting ``, children
determined to be abused or neglected, homeless children, and
children in foster care'' after ``children with disabilities'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (8), by adding ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) by striking paragraph (9);
(C) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph
(9); and
(D) by striking the last sentence;
(3) in subsection (g)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
(i) by striking clause (i); and
(ii) by redesignating clauses (ii) and
(iii) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;
and
(B) in paragraph (7)(C)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``2003'' and
inserting ``2007''; and
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``Labor
and Human Resources'' and inserting ``Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions''; and
(4) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:
``(h) National Academy of Sciences Study.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into a
contract with the Board on Children, Youth, and Families of the
National Research Council, the Board on Testing and
Assessments, and the Institute of Medicine, of the National
Academy of Sciences to establish an independent panel of
experts to review and synthesize research and theories in the
social, behavioral, and biological sciences regarding early
childhood, and make recommendations with regard to each of the
following:
``(A) Age- and developmentally appropriate Head
Start academic requirements and outcomes, including the
standards described in section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii).
``(B) Differences in the type, length, mix, and
intensity of services that are necessary to ensure that
children from challenging family or social backgrounds
(including low-income children, children with
disabilities, and limited English proficient children)
enter kindergarten ready to succeed.
``(C) Appropriate assessments of young children for
the purposes of improving instruction, services, and
program quality, including--
``(i) formal and systematic observational
assessments in a child's natural environment;
``(ii) assessments of children's
development through parent and provider
interviews;
``(iii) appropriate accommodations for
children with disabilities and limited English
proficient children;
``(iv) appropriate assessments for children
with disabilities, limited English proficient
children, and children from different cultural
backgrounds; and
``(v) other assessments used in Head Start
programs.
``(D) Identification of existing, or
recommendations for the development of, scientifically
based, valid and reliable assessments that are capable
of measuring child outcomes in the domains important to
school readiness, including language skills, prereading
ability, premathematics ability, cognitive ability,
scientific ability, social and emotional development,
and physical development.
``(E) Appropriate use and application of valid and
reliable assessments for Head Start programs identified
in accordance with subparagraph (D).
``(2) Composition.--
``(A) In general.--The panel described in paragraph
(1) shall consist of multiple experts in each of the
following areas:
``(i) Child development (including
cognitive, social, emotional, and physical
development) and child education (including
approaches to learning).
``(ii) Professional development, including
preparation of individuals who teach young
children.
``(iii) Assessment of young children
(including children with disabilities and
limited English proficient children), including
screening, diagnostic, and classroom-based
instructional assessment.
``(B) Representatives.--The panel described in
paragraph (1) shall be selected and appointed by the
National Academy of Sciences, after consultation with
the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
``(3) Timing.--
``(A) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of enactment of the Head Start Improvements
for School Readiness Act, the Board on Children, Youth,
and Families of the National Research Council, the
Board on Testing and Assessments, and the Institute of
Medicine, of the National Academy of Sciences shall
establish the panel described in paragraph (1),
including selecting and appointing the members of the
panel. Representatives described in paragraph (2) shall
be selected and appointed after consultation with the
Secretary.
``(B) Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after
the panel described in paragraph (1) is established,
the panel shall complete, and submit to the Secretary a
report containing, the recommendations described in
paragraph (1). The Secretary shall not implement the
amendments made to section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) by the
Head Start Improvements for School Readiness Act until
the panel submits the report.
``(4) Application of panel report.--The Secretary shall use
the results of the review and recommendations described in
paragraph (1) to (where appropriate) develop, inform, and
revise--
``(A) the educational standards, and the
performance measures, described in section 641A; and
``(B) the assessments utilized in the Head Start
programs.
``(i) Services to Limited English Proficient Children and
Families.--
``(1) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study on the
status of limited English proficient children and their
families in Head Start or Early Head Start programs.
``(2) Report.--The Secretary shall prepare and submit to
Congress, not later than September 2009, a report containing
the results of the study, including information on--
``(A) the demographics of limited English
proficient children from birth through age 5, including
the number of such children receiving Head Start or
Early Head Start services and the geographic
distribution of children described in this
subparagraph;
``(B) the nature of Head Start or Early Head Start
services provided to limited English proficient
children and their families, including the types,
content, duration, intensity, and costs of family
services, language assistance, and educational
services;
``(C) procedures in Head Start programs for the
assessment of language needs and the transition of
limited English proficient children to kindergarten,
including the extent to which Head Start programs meet
the requirements of section 642A for limited English
proficient children;
``(D) the qualifications and training provided to
Head Start and Early Head Start teachers serving
limited English proficient children and their families;
``(E) the rate of progress made by limited English
proficient children and their families in Head Start
programs and Early Head Start programs, including--
``(i) the rate of progress of the limited
English proficient children toward meeting the
additional educational standards described in
section 641A(a)(1)(B)(ii) while enrolled in
Head Start programs, measured between 1990 and
2004;
``(ii) the correlation between such
progress and the type of instruction and
educational program provided to the limited
English proficient children; and
``(iii) the correlation between such
progress and the health and family services
provided by Head Start programs to limited
English proficient children and their families;
and
``(F) the extent to which Head Start programs make
use of funds under section 640(a)(3) to improve the
quality of Head Start services provided to limited
English proficient children and their families.''.
SEC. 20. REPORTS.
Section 650 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9846) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``Labor and Human Resources'' and inserting
``Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions'';
(B) in paragraph (8), by inserting ``homelessness,
children in foster care,'' after ``ethnic
background,''; and
(C) in the flush matter at the end by striking
``Labor and Human Resources'' and inserting ``Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``Labor and Human
Resources'' and inserting ``Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions''.
SEC. 21. COMPARABILITY OF WAGES.
Section 653 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9848) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary shall take'' and inserting
``(a) The Secretary shall take'';
(2) in the first sentence of subsection (a), by striking
``or (2)'' and inserting ``(2) in excess of the salary of the
Secretary, in the case of an individual compensated with funds
awarded under this subchapter or the Community Services Block
Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.); or (3)''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) If in any fiscal year the restriction described in subsection
(a)(2) is violated, the Secretary shall withhold from the base grant of
the Head Start agency involved (as defined in section 641A(g)(1)) for
the next fiscal year, an amount equal to the aggregate amount by which
the salary that resulted in the violation exceeded the salary of the
Secretary.''.
SEC. 22. LIMITATION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES.
Section 655 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9850) is amended by
inserting ``or in'' after ``assigned by''.
SEC. 23. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.
Section 656 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9851) is amended--
(1) by striking all that precedes ``chapter 15'' and
inserting the following:
``SEC. 656. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.
``(a) State or Local Agency.--For purposes of''; and
(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Restrictions.--
``(1) In general.--A program assisted under this
subchapter, and any individual employed by, or assigned to, a
program assessed under this subchapter (during the hours in
which such individual is working on behalf of such program),
shall not engage in--
``(A) any partisan or nonpartisan political
activity or any other political activity associated
with a candidate, or contending faction or group, in an
election for public or party office;
``(B) any activity to provide voters or prospective
voters with transportation to the polls or similar
assistance in connection with any such election; or
``(C) any voter registration activity.
``(2) Rules and regulations.--The Secretary, after
consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, may issue rules and regulations to provide for the
enforcement of this section, which may include provisions for
summary suspension of assistance or other action necessary to
permit enforcement on an emergency basis.''.
SEC. 24. PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIREMENT FOR HEALTH SERVICES.
The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following new section:
``SEC. 657A. PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIREMENT FOR NONEMERGENCY INTRUSIVE
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.
``(a) Definition.--The term `nonemergency intrusive physical
examination' means, with respect to a child, a physical examination
that--
``(1) is not immediately necessary to protect the health or
safety of the child or the health or safety of another
individual; and
``(2) requires incision or is otherwise invasive, or
involves exposure of private body parts.
``(b) Requirement.--A Head Start agency shall obtain written
parental consent before administration of, or referral for, any health
care service provided or arranged to be provided, including any
nonemergency intrusive physical examination of a child in connection
with participation in a program under this subchapter.
``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to prohibit agencies from using established methods, for
handling cases of suspected or known child abuse and neglect, that are
in compliance with applicable Federal, State, or tribal law.''.
Calendar No. 200
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1107
[Report No. 109-131]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize the Head Start Act, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
August 31, 2005
Reported with an amendment