Head Start: An Effective Program but the Fund Distribution Formula Needs Revision and Management Controls Need Improvement

摘要

Funding for enrollment and operating costs in Head Start, the program providing comprehensive services to economically disadvantaged preschool children and their families, has increased significantly since 1977. However, the increased enrollments envisioned by the Congress and the congressional mandate to maintain high program quality have not been sustained nationwide. To cope with funding problems concerning these issues, the Congress should revise the method of distributing funds to assure that adequate increases are made available to grantees before enrollment expansion is authorized. This report also discusses Head Start's partially completed system of management control which should be strengthened. Improvements are needed in planning, the management information system, program monitoring and Federal staffing, and administrative support.