Sen. Edward M. Kennedy--Giving Needy Young Children a Real Head Start

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-edward-m-kennedy-/giving-needy-young-childr_b_73064.html

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy|
Giving Needy Young Children a Real Head Start
Posted November 16, 2007 | 04:25 PM (EST)





When you ask parents what they want to accomplish in life, their answers always include opening doors of opportunity for their children, so they can grow up healthy and safe, graduate from high school and college, and achieve the American dream.

Head Start was enacted as part of the war on poverty 42 years ago. Its goal is to give disadvantaged children ages three to five the foundation they need for success in school and in life. It's based on the fundamental principle that education has the power to overcome the destructive forces of poverty, and that the earlier it begins, the better the results will be.


Since its launch in 1965, Head Start has helped more than 24 million children, including more than 900,000 now in the program. It's currently up for reauthorization by Congress -- and we're using this opportunity to improve it to help millions more.

Earlier this week, the House of Representatives approved our bill by a vote of 381-36, and the Senate approved it 95-0. It's now on President Bush's desk, awaiting his signature. The bill builds on the successes and the lessons learned from the current program, and it will enable Head Start to offer better services and reach more children.