The National Association of Counties (NACO) publishes a monthly newsletter titled County News. This month’s edition had a short blurb about the 5 percent budget cut to Head Start, which was triggered by sequestration. The author wrote,
The cuts are being lamented by advocates for preschool preparedness because of the program’s long-lasting impact for students. Numerous studies link participation with higher test scores, a higher likelihood of finishing high school, and even health benefits, as well as increased parent involvement. This is only one example of how programs, locally and nationally, are affected by sequestration.
Really? In the most comprehensive study of Head Start to date, researchers concluded,
[T]here was little evidence of systematic differences in children’s elementary school experiences through 3rd grade, between children provided access to Head Start and their counterparts in the control group.
The Head Start study was so damning, the Obama administration released the final study on the Friday before Christmas.
Rather than providing an objective perspective on the program, the NACO wants county officials and staff to believe that the reduction in the Head Start budget is an example of “penny wise and pound foolish” behavior. Regrettably, they are willing to ignore the research to do so.
H/T: CM
