Head Start Reauthorization Update
In November 2007, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 (H.R.1429) by overwhelming margins. The bill authorizes funding for the next five years. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law in the near future.
The legislation authorizes more money for Head Start increasing funding to $7.3 billion in FY 2008, up from $6.9 billion in FY 2007. Furthermore, the legislation increases Head Start funding in upcoming years. However, while the legislation authorizes increased funding, appropriations are handled separately. What this means is that even though Congress has authorized funding increases for Head Start over the next five years, Congress will have to approve or appropriate these funding increases each year.
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