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Systems & Outcomes
Measures for Head Start
National Accountability
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Federal On-Site
Systems Monitoring
"What is the level of compliance
with Head Start regulations?"
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Head Start Program
Performance Measures
"Congress wants to know:
How is the Head Start program doing nationally?"
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F.A.C.E.S.
Family & Child Experiences Survey
"What are some key outcomes
& indicators of Head Start program quality & effectiveness?"
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| After the first full year of operation, grantees
are monitored every three years. |
Head Startís Program Performance Measures
were developed in 1997 as a comprehensive statement of outcomes to guide federal
accountability & program improvement efforts. |
FACES is a national research study of a representative
sample of 40 Head Start programs to examine the quality & effects of Head Start
on 3,200 preschool children & families. |
| FACES examines the relationship between program
quality & child/family outcomes grounded in the Head Start Performance Standards. |
| A review of whether effective management systems
are supporting the implementation of a comprehensive child development program leading
to positive child outcomes. |
Based on an extensive consultation & consensus-building
process with Head Start leaders & experts, the FACES Performance Measures include
a conceptual framework of 5 overarching objectives, a set of measures, & a related
set of performance indicators. |
Research includes direct assessment of children
in Head Start, kindergarten, & first grade as well as teacher, other staff, &
parent interviews & observation of classroom quality. |
| Initial FACES findings show that classroom
quality is good ó children are gaining important cognitive & social skills,
program quality is linked to child outcomes, & families are involved & highly
satisfied with Head Start. |
| A partnership between federal & grantee
staff to monitor the progress of Early/Head Start grantees in implementing the Head
Start Performance Standards. |
Five objectives of Head Start are:
1 - Enhance childrenís growth
& development.
2 - Strengthen families as the primary nurturers of their children.
3 - Provide children with educational, health, & nutritional services.
4 - Link children & their families to needed community services.
5 - Ensure well-managed programs that involve parents in decision-making. |
FACES findings suggest that parental reading
to children is key to their vocabulary knowledge & is an area where Head Start
programs can do more to encourage regular parent-child reading. |
| FACES does not report outcomes by individual
children or individual programs. |
| A team of federal staff & experts conducts
an on-site review of grantee management systems & program quality through a combination
of focus groups & individual interviews; observations; discussions with parents,
staff & policy group members; & written program documents. |
Head Start Program Performance Measures form
the framework for reporting to Congress on the requirements of the Government Performance
& Results Act & Head Start research efforts. |
FACES does not monitor grantees for compliance
with the Performance Standards. |
| The FACES assessment system is not designed
for direct implementation by local grantees. |
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Source: National Head Start
Bulletin: Curriculum in Head Start
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