Mayes, Kelly, and Gallego Go After Trump/Kennedy Jr. Gutting of Head Start Standards

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Grand Canyon State Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego have taken steps this week to stop Donald ‘I love the uneducated’ Trump and Robert ‘Vaccinations are bad’ Kennedy Jr’s proposed cuts and standards “gutting” to the popular federal pre-school program, Head Start, that were announced last August.

In a letter signed by Mayes, 22 of her Attorney General colleagues, and one Governor (Andy Beshear), concerns were highlighted on the recommended cuts to Head Start Standards, saying:

“The Proposed Rule would gut long-standing and evidence-backed Head Start Program Performance Standards (“Performance Standards”), impose an English-only mandate, and revise the cap on allowable administrative and development costs from fifteen percent to five percent, while adding other burdensome requirements. If finalized, it would fundamentally alter how Head Start programs are administered in the States, destabilizing the early childhood education systems that the States have carefully developed over decades in reliance on the Performance Standards. The rule, as even HHS acknowledges, will lead to larger class sizes; fewer teachers, coaches, and home visitors; shorter program days; and reduced health, dental, and mental health care, home
visits, and other services. This will lead, in turn, to poorer educational outcomes, jeopardizing our
States’ public health and welfare systems, and creating a substantial burden on the States.”

In a press statement, Attorney General Mayes wrote:

“Head Start has helped Arizona kids start school ready to learn for decades, and this proposal would tear down the very protections that make that possible. Cutting safety standards, staffing ratios, and health screenings while banning instruction in a child’s home language does nothing to help children and families.”

The Mayes press release also highlighted the impact the bipartisan Head Start Pre-School Program has on American Children and society, noting:

“Head Start has operated with bipartisan support for over 60 years, and helps address the national childcare gap, estimated at 28.2% of children with potential need who cannot access care within a reasonable distance. Head Start is critical for children who are frequently turned away from or otherwise cannot access quality early education, such as children with disabilities, children experiencing homelessness, migrant children, children learning English, and children from low-income households.”

Arizona’s two Senators, Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, also penned a letter to Mr. Kennedy and Alex Adams at Health and Human Services, objecting to the damage being proposed to the Head Start Standards, writing about the impact to the Grand Canyon State, offering:

“In Arizona, Head Start and Early Head Start serve 16,172 children across 332 program sites, providing early education, meals, and health services at no cost to families. These programs also help parents maintain employment and continue their education, with 76 percent of Head Start parents working, attending school, or participating in job training. Head Start offers a place to learn, build relationships, and receive care during years that are important to a child’s development. These programs are an important part of Arizona communities and give families in need the support they may struggle to find or afford. These services are especially important in communities where families have few child care options. Head Start provides 17 percent of child care in rural Arizona and serves 1,943 children eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1,291 children experiencing homelessness, and 459 children in foster care statewide. For these families, access to early learning, health screenings, and family support helps meet needs that extend well beyond the classroom…

…We urge the Department to carefully review the enclosed letters and work with Arizona organizations to address their concerns before moving forward with changes to the program. Head Start is essential to thousands of Arizona families, and any changes must protect the quality of the education and services they receive.”

Senators Kelly and Gallego have recently proposed bipartisan-supported legislation to strengthen public schools and teaching/mentoring.

Please click here and here to read Senator Kelly’s Educators for America Act and Building Community in America Act.

Please click here to review Senator Gallego’s Class in Session: A Plan to Fix America’s Public Education System.