Josh's revised blog entry

Head Start is a federally funded program that dates back to the 1960's. Wikipedia states that this organization was formed and implicated by President Lyndon B. Johnson as a part of his "War on Poverty" plan. During which time it was designed to be a program that helped bridge the gaps between years in school. Children would attend a Head Start program to help prepare them for the new school year, or help children to catch up on education they should know before starting school. This program has now become a saving grace for those who have a low income budget and may not be able to afford school otherwise. There was now a place where children from all over the world could learn and grow, where normally they wouldn't have the opportunity. This is how Head Start has saved children.

Promising Practices Network has said, "The mission of the Head Start program is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families". How are these programs being implemented? I find that most schools around the world try to better children's lives by giving them these things, so why Head Start? Why does Head Start claim to be a great place for your children?

A study has been conducted by congress to find the effectiveness of Head Start. Wikipedia tells us that this study consisted of a target population of 5000 3 to 4 year old children. The study began in 2002 where these selected children were implemented into the Head Start program or other parent-selected community programs for one year. With the children being dispersed to various programs, including Head Start, we were able to see how effective the Head Start program really was. We are told by Wikipedia that of the control group, 60% were placed in school programs other than head Start. Further more, we have concluded that those children who were implemented into the Head Start program began to have an advantage over those who were in other programs. These results were released in 2005 by the Health and Human Services and conclude that Head Start truly lives up to its name. Even with this study, is it accurate? I wonder what it must have been like to be a child in Head Start when it first started?

As I was pondering about children and their education, I reflected on my past years in school. I look to this program and its benefits for a possible idea for my future children. I first turned to the "all knowing" Wikipedia site on the internet to find further insight on what exactly Head Start is. I didn't know that this program had been around as long as it had.

After finding more information about Head Start, I have just a few questions. I wonder how many students there are now compared to when this program started in the 60's. I am also curious to find out what educational methods have changed since it was first implemented. I also wonder what teaching methods have changed and what new methods have been introduced since the 60's.