Josh's Discourse Analysis Paper

During my research and throughout my writings, I have been guided by the book, Writing Analytically. From this book I have found many new ways to write and express myself better in my writings. I feel that it is a great tool for any writer to use if he or she is looking for some additional ways to improve their writing. I had never really expressed my voice in my writings until I read this book. I have found that this is a great tool to use to keep the interest of the reader. Another insightful reading that I have found useful is Wysocki's “The Multiple Media of text.” This text explains why it is important to look at every side of a book or an article or even a web page. It focuses more on the colors, pictures, themes, etc. of a writing than the text itself. I actually like explaining this in writing. I find that it is sometimes beneficial to explain why an author might have used certain color schemes or pictures to better support their writings. In this way, I feel that I have better informed the reader of every angle to my work. I do feel that both Writing Analytically and Wysocki are a big help to better understanding and describing literature.

Health and Human Services. "Head Start Impact Study". n.d. Web. 5 February, 2011.

Florida Head Start research committee. National Head Start Association. Assessment Technology Inc. 2008. Web. 22, Feb. 2011.

Rose, Elizabeth. The Promise of Preschool: From Head Start to Universal Pre-Kindergarten. New York: Oxford, 2010. Print

Schaffer, Christian. “Head Start cuts in Frederick County.” 10 Feb. 2011. abc2news. 25 Feb. 2011. http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/state/head-start-cuts-in-frederick-county-come-with-controversial-comments

Zigler, Edward and Susan Muenchow. Head Start: The Inside Story of America's Most Successful Educational Experiment. New York: Basic Books. 1992. Print.

Controversies Over Head Start

Head Start, an organization that has been around since the 1960's, has always been a place for low income families to send their children to receive not only the education they may need before elementary school, but also the right nourishment for their growing bodies. Over the years, however, many questions have risen about this program such as, “Do we really need Head Start?”, “Do children get the education they need?”, “Do children enjoy this program?”, and “How is it different from other school programs?” Conflicts have developed as government officials butt heads on whether or not Head Start deserves the assistance it is receiving or if it is an obsolete program that needs to be done away with. This battle has sprung up many reviews and research projects that were conducted over several years. Like many of you, I don't believe in a black and white, yes or no, thumbs up or thumbs down scenario for many of life's debates. Throughout the discourse of this analysis paper, I will lay out some of the facts and opinions that have surfaced about Head Start and it's program.

From this clip, there seems to be a lot of sympathy for Head Start and those who utilize it. Many of the Head Start locations around the U.S. Help to educate dozens, if not hundreds, of children all preparing to enter elementary school. This institute has taken its first hit by having it's budget cut 2.3 million dollars (Schaffer). County Commissioner Paul Smith gives us this reason behind the cut when he said, “As many of you know, I had a lot of kids and my wife stayed home at a significant sacrifice in those early years, because she knew she had to be with those kids. I know everybody isn't able to survive doing that, but clearly if we can strengthen marriage, we can decrease the number of children we have to reach.” Commissioner Kirby Delauter sided with Paul Smith when he added his opinion; “My wife is college educated and could go out and get a very good job. She gave that up for 18 years, so she could stay home with our kids and we gave up a lot to do that. I agree with commissioner smith. The marriage thing is very important.” Although this may be true, to some extent, is that really all the Head Start program is; a babysitting service for families where parents work? I think that it's much more than that. Growing up in a household with two sisters and only my mother gave me a great perspective on the value of hard work and dedication. My mother worked tirelessly each day to make sure that her children could attend school and have food on the table. We as a family couldn't afford to have her stay home and not be making money. Families like this need the Head Start program for their children to receive knowledge and health that are vital to their success in the future. As this may be true, I also do not fully disagree with Paul Smith. I believe that marriage is important, especially for children. Kids need parents who are their for them and who can teach them life's lessons. Some feel the same way that Paul Smith does, others strongly disagree. Either way, the parents and children, in this news clip, both looked excited to be there and saddened when they heard about the budget cut. So why are people so attracted to Head Start? Is it the time parents have away from children? Is it the free meals and toys that attract them? Or is it the opportunity that children receive to enhance their education that parents like?

One study that was conducted to see whether Head Start was a learning facility or a babysitting service was one by the Florida Head Start Research Committee. The committee used the Galileo system of measurements to study the children. The Galileo System measures the growth of children in eight ways; (1) Language and Literacy; (2) Early Math; (3) Approaches to Learning; (4) Social and Emotional Development; (5) Creative Arts; (6) Nature and Science; (7) Gross and Fine Motor Skills; and (8) Physical Health (Florida 3). These are all of the elementary school's readiness areas. Even with all these tests, does Head Start really put their students ahead of other school's programs and in every area? This comprehensive case study tells us that yes, they do gain more knowledge than another 3-5 year old normally would. As the study goes on, (remember they are using the Galileo System of measurements) this committee found that in the Language and Literacy domain, Head Start children increased from 454 points to 568 points, a gain of 114 points and more than double the expected gain (50 points) for preschool children (Florida 12). In the Early Math field, Head Start children increased from 475 points to 585 points, a gain of 110 points and more than twice the expected gain (50 points) for preschool children (Florida 13). in the Social and Emotional domain, Head Start children increased from 449 points to 551 points, a gain of 102 points, more than double the expected gain (50 points) for preschool children (14). Head Start children increased from 501 points to 603 points, a gain of 102 points, more than twice the expected gain(50 points) in the Approaches to Learning section (15). In the nature and Science section, these children increased from 460 points to 559 points, a gain of 99 points, nearly twice the expected gain (50 points) for preschool children (16). For the Creative Arts section, Head Start children increased from 503 points to 611 points, a gain of 108 points and more than double the expected gain (50 points) for preschool children (17). In the Fine and Gross Motor Skills domain, children increased from 505 points to 603 points, a gain of 98 points, more than twice the expected gain (50 points) for preschool children (18). Finally in the Physical Health Practices area of the study, these children increased from 505 points to 603 points, a gain of 98 points, more than twice the expected gain (50 points) for preschool children (19). From this we can get a sense of just how important Head Start is to the parents of these children. They not only feel that their children are being watched over but also educated. This booklet, complete with bright colors and pictures of children, serves not only as a research study, but also a wonderful reminder about the hope that these children have been receiving. From this data, it would appear that Head Start is a highly favored program with tremendous results.

Now that we have passed all the statistics and can move into people's opinions and commentary, we will get a more personal feel about Head Start. As I have mentioned earlier, there have been many controversies over the Head Start program and if it is worthwhile to have. As was seen from the abc 2 news clip, some do not think that the program should exist. Others believe that Head Start has created a gateway to knowledge that some couldn't have found by themselves. Newsweek has been quoted as saying, “Everybody likes Head Start (Zigler 211).” Others have said, “She is doing so well with the help of the teachers and staff at Head Start. I couldn’t have asked for a better place for my child to begin her journey to a better education and excelling beyond my expectations (Florida 8).” There seem to be a lot of very positive and moving testimonies from people who have had their children in Head Start programs. However, one quote stuck out to me as a very questioning statement. One head Start parents said, “The staff showed me different ways to work with my child and to have a closer relationship with him (Florida 4).” This statement, to me, seems different from all others. This statement gives an insight that Head Start is not just about kids going to a school, shoving information into their heads and then sending them home; this program, from this statement, is a place where child and parent alike can come and learn how to better learn. The children are taught and receive an education while the parents are taught how they can better help their kids learn and grow and also to better strengthen the parent-child relationship. To me this sounds like a good plan to better strengthen the household. As Elizabeth Rose put it, “If the sum of the largest effects in educational literature is not large enough, what do we want? Scholars and policymakers need to consider what kinds of can reasonably be expected from early education programs, and how to define a program's social value (Rose 222).”

I believe that without experiencing this program first hand, it is difficult to see both sides of the coin. How can we effectively know if the program is working to affect? Contrarily, how can we know what we will be losing if we take the program away? There are so many questions that I don't believe can be answered with the flip of a coin or a yes or no answer. I think that even looking at all the facts might not give us a mature enough answer to some of these questions. Experience is sometimes the key to understanding the issue. I think that looking at the Head Start program as either good or bad may be the wrong picture to paint. Sometimes there are dark colors, light colors and shades of gray that compliment and complete a painting. Similarly, with the debate, both sides have brought their experiences and opinions to the table. From what I have read and seen, it seems to me that this program is very successful in not only promoting education for young children, but also helping kids find value in their education instead of dropping out of school. Head Start also seems to help parents connect better with their children and learn how they can teach their own children life lessons more easily. Head Start is a program that teaches world values and gives that little boost of hope and belief that children can make a difference in our world. This is why Head Start exists, to promote education for children and to be a light at the end of a tunnel for many low income families.