Trump admin proposed rule would gut Head Start standards, bar immigrant children

Published Jul 30, 01:00 PM UTC

The Trump administration is nearing publication of a proposed rule that would gut most quality standards for Head Start, the federal preschool program serving over 700,000 low-income children. According to sources with direct knowledge, the rule would eliminate the current 133-page performance standards, including class size limits, staff-to-child ratios, curriculum requirements, developmental screenings, protections against corporal punishment, and accommodations for homeless and foster children. Instead, a shorter set of standards would defer to state and local laws, many of which are looser. The rule would also, for the first time in Head Start's history, restrict enrollment to children who are citizens, nationals, or 'qualified aliens' with at least one parent of that status, potentially excluding immigrant families and some citizen children. The Department of Health and Human Services drafted the rule, which is now under Office of Management and Budget review.