HHS Withholds Study Results Showing Head Start Is Effective - February 7, 2005 Vol.6, No.3

February 7, 2005 Vol.6, No.3:

Published: 02/07/2005

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For more background on HHSÕs retaliatory action against Head Start, see the OMB Watch report Continuing Attacks on Nonprofit Advocacy: Death by a Thousand Cuts II.

HHS Withholds Study Results Showing Head Start Is Effective

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) failed to publish two reports that show Head Start is effective in raising the academic performance of low-income children. The National Head Start Association (NHSA) recently leaked the data, noting that the Bush administration continues its efforts to dismantle the program. Head Start advocates have been fighting the administrationÕs proposals to restructure the program for more than two years.

NHSA held a press conference on Feb. 3 announcing the results of two studies, one from the National Reporting System assessment, that showed Head Start children made gains in English and early math skills. Another study, the Head Start Family and Child Experience Survey, known as FACES, concluded that graduates of the program were at national educational norms in early reading and writing and close to catching up in math and vocabulary.

HHSÕs failure to release these study results is another chapter in its efforts to restructure the program. NHSAÕs advocacy on Head Start issues has generated a series of retaliatory actions by HHS, including an inaccurate letter threatening action against groups that legally used their private funds to lobby, and an unnecessary survey on administrative costs.