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Our Work

State(s) of Head Start and Early Head Start

The States(s) of Head Start and Early Head Start reports are an invaluable resource this is informing policymakers, empowering advocates, and enriching research.

Discover the significance of our recent research as a guide to informed decisions and robust advocacy. Our comprehensive reports on Head Start and Early Head Start provide an in-depth look into these programs, addressing vital questions about access, enrollment, and disparities. Policymakers can use this as a roadmap to shape policies that champion every child's early education journey. Advocates can anchor their efforts in the detailed data presented, ensuring their advocacy is grounded in facts about the equity landscape, including factors like race and location influencing enrollment. Meanwhile, Researchers and Academics can tap into this rich repository of data, examining disparities, funding, and quality variations in the programs, and understanding the pandemic's effect on enrollment. Together, this report offers tangible insights to further the cause of accessible, quality early education for all.

2022 Report

The States(s) of Head Start and Early Head Start: Looking at Equity

NIEER's recent report offers a comprehensive state-by-state analysis of the Head Start and Early Head Start programs, emphasizing their equity dimensions. The study delves into the programs' performances over recent years, identifying areas where they excel and where challenges persist. Crucially, it highlights variations across states and disparities tied to child race and ethnicity. As the landscape of child poverty has evolved, so too has the reach and impact of these vital programs.

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2016 Report

Explore the report that started it all - State(s) of Head Start

NIEER's "State(s) of Head Start" report offers an in-depth state-by-state analysis of the Head Start program for the 2014-2015 year, with insights stretching back to 2006-2007. Despite its national, federally funded status, the study unveils significant state disparities in areas like access, funding, and quality. The findings accentuate the need for enhanced collaboration between Head Start and regional governmental entities to optimize early learning programs. The report ultimately advocates for a national commission to address these disparities and ensure equitable opportunities for all eligible children.

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