Head Start Failure
Access and availability to quality services are not without challenges or barriers. Whether it is choosing child care or school, the common factor affecting most decisions for parents is cost. Low income, minority, immigrant, foster children, and children of single parent homes feel the effects of poverty most. Therefore, relying on public assistance programs or services provided within public schools and organizations.
Parents of young children may seek assistance through services or programs through state departments in communities, or programs such as Head Start. Head Start is a federally subsidized program that addresses the needs of vulnerable and low income families by integrating education and support services (Hillemeier, et. a.
(2012), p.181). Although, there are still a substantial amount of children that unable to participate in such programs, for every one that does can make a difference in their lives.
Poverty limits mobility and puts the health and welfare of children at risk threatening their chances of a better future for the next generations. Education provides the footing for future successes and closes the gap of inequality and poverty regardless of race and class, offering a road to upward mobility (Farley, 2012, p. 390). According to Dornan & Pells (2015) “today’s poor children will become tomorrow’s poor parents” (p. 92); further emphasizing the need for education to secure employment and entrepreneurship. By school settings providing appropriate instruction, nutritious meals, and services for health and emotional support, including special education are making efforts to meet the needs of whole child.
Teachers and staff have direct access to children daily and teachable moments occur in and outside of the classroom. Qualified and highly trained individuals, modeling appropriate behaviors, impact education for children as well. Meaning, not only do children learn by instruction, but through opportunity and role modeling. Children and students often remember teachers who take the time to pour into their lives. Which in turn, increases the likelihood children will succeed and at the least, graduate high school and possibly enter college.
Parents of young children may seek assistance through services or programs through state departments in communities, or programs such as Head Start. Head Start is a federally subsidized program that addresses the needs of vulnerable and low income families by integrating education and support services (Hillemeier, et. a.
(2012), p.181). Although, there are still a substantial amount of children that unable to participate in such programs, for every one that does can make a difference in their lives.
Poverty limits mobility and puts the health and welfare of children at risk threatening their chances of a better future for the next generations. Education provides the footing for future successes and closes the gap of inequality and poverty regardless of race and class, offering a road to upward mobility (Farley, 2012, p. 390). According to Dornan & Pells (2015) “today’s poor children will become tomorrow’s poor parents” (p. 92); further emphasizing the need for education to secure employment and entrepreneurship. By school settings providing appropriate instruction, nutritious meals, and services for health and emotional support, including special education are making efforts to meet the needs of whole child.
Teachers and staff have direct access to children daily and teachable moments occur in and outside of the classroom. Qualified and highly trained individuals, modeling appropriate behaviors, impact education for children as well. Meaning, not only do children learn by instruction, but through opportunity and role modeling. Children and students often remember teachers who take the time to pour into their lives. Which in turn, increases the likelihood children will succeed and at the least, graduate high school and possibly enter college.