‘‘(v) guidelines and standards cur-
rently in effect or under consideration that 
promote child health services, and projected 
needs of expanding Head Start programs; 
‘‘(vi) changes in the population of chil-
dren who are eligible to participate in Head 
Start programs, including the language 
background and family structure of such 
children; 
‘‘(vii) the need for, and state-of-the-art 
developments relating to, local policies and 
activities designed to ensure that children 
participating in Head Start programs 
make a successful transition to schools; and 
‘‘(viii) the unique challenges faced by 
individual programs, including those that 
are seasonal or short term, and those that 
serve rural populations; and’’. 
(3) In subsection (a)(2)(C)(ii) by striking all 
that follows ‘‘in effect on’’ down to the period and in-
serting ‘‘October 27, 1998’’. 
(4) By amending subsection (b)(2) to read as fol-
lows:
‘‘(2) CHARACTERISTICS
OF
MEASURES.—The 
performance measures developed under this subsection 
shall—
‘‘(A) be used to assess the impact of the var-
ious services provided by Head Start programs 
and, to the extent the Secretary finds appro-
priate, administrative and financial manage-
ment practices of such programs; 
‘‘(B) be adaptable for use in self-assessment, 
peer review, and program evaluation of indi-
vidual Head Start agencies and programs; 
‘‘(C) be developed for other program pur-
poses as determined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(D) be appropriate for the population 
served; and 
‘‘(E) be reviewed no less than every 4 years, 
based on advances in the science of early child-
hood development. 
The performance measures shall include the perform-
ance standards described in subsection (a)(1)(A) and 
(B).’’. 
(5) By amending subsection (b)(4) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(4) EDUCATIONAL
MEASURES.—Results based 
measures shall be designed for the purpose of pro-
moting the competencies of children participating in 
Head 
Start 
programs 
specified 
in 
subsection 
(a)(1)(B)(ii), with an emphasis on measuring those 
competencies that have a strong scientifically-based 
predictability of a child’s school readiness and later 
performance in school.’’. 
(6) In subsection (c)(1)(C) by striking ‘‘the 
standards’’ and inserting ‘‘one or more of the per-
formance measures developed by the Secretary under 
subsection (b)’’. 
(7) By amending subsection (c)(2) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(2) CONDUCT
OF
REVIEWS.—The Secretary 
shall ensure that reviews described in subparagraphs 
(A) through (C) of paragraph (1)—
‘‘(A) that incorporate a monitoring visit, do 
so without prior notice of the visit to the local 
agency or program; 
‘‘(B) are conducted by review teams that 
shall include individuals who are knowledgeable 
about Head Start programs and, to the max-
imum extent practicable, the diverse (including 
linguistic and cultural) needs of eligible children 
(including children with disabilities) and lim-
ited-English proficient children and their fami-
lies; 
‘‘(C) include as part of the reviews of the 
programs, a review and assessment of program 
effectiveness, as measured in accordance with the 
results-based performance measures developed by 
the Secretary pursuant to subsection (b) and 
with the standards established pursuant to sub-
paragraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(1); 
‘‘(D) seek information from the commu-
nities and the States involved about the perform-
ance of the programs and the efforts of the Head 
Start agencies to collaborate with other entities 
carrying out early childhood education and child 
care programs in the community; 
‘‘(E) seek information from the communities 
where Head Start programs exist about innova-
tive or effective collaborative efforts, barriers to 
collaboration, and the efforts of the Head Start 
agencies and programs to collaborate with the 
entities carrying out early childhood education 
and child care programs in the community; 
‘‘(F) include as part of the reviews of the 
programs, a review and assessment of whether a 
program is in conformity with the income eligi-
bility requirements, as defined in section 645 
and regulations promulgated thereunder; 
‘‘(G) include as part of the reviews of the 
programs, a review and assessment of whether 
programs have adequately addressed the popu-
lation and community needs (including popu-
lations of children with a limited English pro-
ficiency and children of migrant and seasonal 
farm-working families); and 
‘‘(H) include as part of the review the ex-
tent to which the program addresses the commu-
nity needs and strategic plan identified in sec-
tion 640(g)(2)(C).’’. 
(8) By amending so much of subsection (d)(1) as 
precedes subparagraph (A) to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) DETERMINATION.—If the Secretary deter-
mines, on the basis of a review pursuant to subsection 
(c), that a Head Start agency designated pursuant to 
section 641 fails to meet the standards described in 
subsection (a) or results-based performance measures 
developed by the Secretary under subsection (b), or 
fails to adequately address the community needs and 
strategic plan identified in 640(g)(2)(C), the Sec-
retary shall—’’
(9) By amending subsection (d)(2) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(2) QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN.—
‘‘(A) AGENCY AND PROGRAM RESPONSIBIL-
ITIES.—In order to retain a designation as a 
Head Start agency under this subchapter, or in 
the case of a Head Start Program, in order to 
continue to receive funds from such agency, a 
Head Start agency, or Head Start program that 
is the subject of a determination described in 
paragraph (1) (other than an agency or program 
required to correct a deficiency immediately or 
during a 90-day period under clause (i) or (ii) 
of paragraph (1)(B)) shall—
‘‘(i) develop in a timely manner, a 
quality improvement plan which shall be 
subject to the approval of the Secretary, or 
in the case of a program, the sponsoring 
agency, and which shall specify—
‘‘(I) the deficiencies to be cor-
rected; 
‘‘(II) the actions to be taken to 
correct such deficiencies; and
‘‘(III) the timetable for accom-
plishment of the corrective actions 
specified; and 
‘‘(ii) eliminate each deficiency identi-
fied, not later than the date for elimination 
of such deficiency specified in such plan 
(which shall not be later than 1 year after 
the date the agency or program received no-
tice of the determination and of the specific 
deficiency to be corrected). 
‘‘(B) SECRETARIAL
RESPONSIBILITY.—Not 
later than 30 days after receiving from a Head 
Start agency a proposed quality improvement 
plan pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Sec-
retary shall either approve such proposed plan or 
specify the reasons why the proposed plan cannot 
be approved. 
‘‘(C) AGENCY
RESPONSIBILITY
FOR
PRO-
GRAM IMPROVEMENT.—Not later than 30 days 
after receiving from a Head Start program, a 
proposed quality improvement plan pursuant to 
subparagraph (A), the sponsoring agency shall 
either approve such proposed plan or specify the 
reasons why the proposed plan cannot be ap-
proved.’’.
(10) In subsection (d)(3) by inserting ‘‘and pro-
grams’’ after ‘‘agencies’’. 
(11) Subsection (e) is amended to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(e) SUMMARIES OF MONITORING OUTCOMES.—Not 
later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, the 
Secretary shall publish a summary report on the findings 
of reviews conducted under subsection (c) and on the out-
comes of quality improvement plans implemented under 
subsection (d), during such fiscal year. Such information 
shall be made available to all parents with students receiv-
ing assistance under this Act in an understandable and 
uniform format, and to the extent practicable, provided in 
a language that the parents can understand, and in addi-
tion, make the information widely available through public 
means such as distribution through public agencies, and at 
a minimum posting such information on the Internet im-
mediately upon publication.’’. 
SEC. 107. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF HEAD START AGEN-
CIES. 
Section 642 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837(b)) 
is amended as follows: 
(1) By amending subsection (b) to read as fol-
lows:
‘‘(b) In order to be so designated, a Head Start agency 
shall also—
‘‘(1) establish a program with standards set forth 
in section 641A(a)(1), with particular attention to 
the standards set forth in subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
of such section; 
‘‘(2) demonstrate capacity to serve eligible chil-
dren with scientifically-based curricula and other 
interventions that help promote the school readiness of 
children participating in the program; 
‘‘(3) establish effective procedures by which par-
ents and area residents concerned will be enabled to 
directly participate in decisions that influence the 
character of programs affecting their interests; 
‘‘(4) provide for their regular participation in 
the implementation of such programs; 
‘‘(5) provide technical and other support needed 
to enable parents and area residents to secure on their 
own behalf available assistance from public and pri-
vate sources; 
‘‘(6) seek the involvement of parents of partici-
pating children in activities designed to help such 
parents become full partners in the education of their 
children, and to afford such parents the opportunity
to participate in the development, conduct, and over-
all performance of the program at the local level; 
‘‘(7) conduct outreach to schools in which Head 
Start children enroll, local educational agencies, the 
local business community, community-based organi-
zations, faith-based organizations, museums, and li-
braries to generate support and leverage the resources 
of the entire local community in order to improve 
school readiness; 
‘‘(8) offer (directly or through referral to local 
entities, such as entities carrying out Even Start pro-
grams under part B of chapter 1 of title I of the Ele-
mentary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 2741 et seq.)), to parents of participating chil-
dren, family literacy services and parenting skills 
training; 
‘‘(9) offer to parents of participating children 
substance abuse counseling (either directly or through 
referral to local entities), including information on 
drug-exposed infants and fetal alcohol syndrome; 
‘‘(10) at the option of such agency, offer (directly 
or through referral to local entities), to such par-
ents—
‘‘(A) training in basic child development;
‘‘(B) assistance in developing communica-
tion skills; 
‘‘(C) opportunities to share experiences with 
other parents; 
‘‘(D) regular in-home visitation; or 
‘‘(E) any other activity designed to help 
such parents become full partners in the edu-
cation of their children; 
‘‘(11) provide, with respect to each participating 
family, a family needs assessment that includes con-
sultation with such parents about the benefits of par-
ent involvement and about the activities described in 
paragraphs (4) through (7) in which such parents 
may choose to be involved (taking into consideration 
their specific family needs, work schedules, and other 
responsibilities); 
‘‘(12) consider providing services to assist young-
er siblings of children participating in its Head Start 
program to obtain health services from other sources; 
‘‘(13) perform community outreach to encourage 
individuals previously unaffiliated with Head Start 
programs to participate in its Head Start program 
as volunteers; and 
‘‘(14)(A) inform custodial parents in single-par-
ent families that participate in programs, activities,
or services carried out or provided under this sub-
chapter about the availability of child support serv-
ices for purposes of establishing paternity and acquir-
ing child support; and 
‘‘(B) refer eligible parents to the child support 
offices of State and local governments.’’. 
(2) Amend subsection (c) to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) The head of each Head Start agency shall coordi-
nate and collaborate with the State agency responsible for 
administering the State program carried out under the 
Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), and other early childhood education 
and development programs, including programs under sub-
title VII–B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 11431–11435), Even Start programs under part 
B of chapter 1 of title I of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2741 et seq.), and pro-
grams under part C and section 619 of the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431–1445, 1419), 
and the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 
U.S.C. 5106a), serving the children and families served by 
the Head Start agency to carry out the provisions of this 
subchapter.’’. 
(3) In subsection (d) by redesignating para-
graphs (2) through (4) as paragraph (3) through (5)
and inserting the following new paragraph after 
paragraph (1): 
‘‘(2) In communities where both public prekinder-
garten programs and Head Start programs operate, a Head 
Start agency shall coordinate with the local educational 
agency or other public agency responsible for the operation 
of the prekindergarten program and providers of prekinder-
garten, including for outreach to identify eligible children.’’. 
(4) In paragraph (3) (as redesignated) of sub-
section (d), strike ‘‘and’’ at the end of subparagraph 
(A) and insert the following after subparagraph (A) 
and redesignate subparagraph (B) as (C): 
‘‘(B) collaborating to increase the program 
participation of underserved populations of eligi-
ble children; and’’. 
SEC. 108. HEAD START ALIGNMENT WITH K–12 EDUCATION. 
Section 642A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837a) 
is amended as follows: 
(1) The heading is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 642A. HEAD START ALIGNMENT WITH K–12 EDU-
CATION.’’. 
(2) In paragraph (2) after ‘‘social workers,’’ in-
sert the following: ‘‘McKinney-Vento liaisons as estab-
lished under section 722 (g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKin-
ney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improve-
ments Act of 2001,’’. 
(3) Add the following new paragraph after para-
graph (2) and redesignate paragraphs (3) through (7) 
as (4) through (8): 
‘‘(3) developing continuity of developmentally 
appropriate curricula between Head Start and local 
educational agencies to ensure an effective transition 
and appropriate shared expectations for children’s 
learning and development as they make such transi-
tion to school;’’. 
(4) Paragraph (6)(as redesignated by paragraph 
(3) of this section) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(6) developing and implementing a family out-
reach and support program in cooperation with enti-
ties carrying out parental involvement efforts under 
title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 and family outreach and support efforts 
under subtitle VII–B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
Assistance Act;’’. 
(5) In paragraph (7)(as redesignated by para-
graph (3) of this section) by inserting ‘‘and con-
tinuity in parental involvement activities’’ after ‘‘de-
velopmental continuity’’.
(6) Strike ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (7)(as 
redesignated by paragraph (3) of this section) and 
strike the period at the end of paragraph (8)(as redes-
ignated by paragraph (3) of this section) and insert 
a semicolon. 
(7) Add the following after paragraph (8): 
‘‘(9) helping parents to understand the impor-
tance of parental involvement in a child’s academic 
success while teaching them strategies for maintain-
ing parental involvement as their child moves from 
Head Start to elementary school; and 
‘‘(10) developing and implementing a system to 
increase program participation of underserved popu-
lations of eligible children.’’. 
SEC. 109. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND STAND-
ARDS. 
Section 644 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9839) 
is amended in subsection (f)(2) by redesignating subpara-
graphs (A) through (E) as (B) through (F) and inserting 
the following new subparagraph before subparagraph (B) 
(as so redesignated): 
‘‘(A) a description of the consultation conducted 
by the Head Start agency with the providers in the 
community demonstrating capacity and capability to 
provide services under this Act, and of the potential
for collaboration with such providers and the cost ef-
fectiveness of such collaboration as opposed to the cost 
effectiveness of the purchase of a facility;’’
SEC. 110. ELIGIBILITY. 
Section 645(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) 
is amended as follows: 
(1) By striking ‘‘to a reasonable extent’’ in para-
graph (1)(B)(i) and inserting ‘‘not to exceed 10 per-
cent of the total enrollment’’ and by striking ‘‘benefit 
from such programs’’ and inserting ‘‘benefit from 
such programs, including children referred by child 
welfare services,’’ . 
(2) By adding the following new paragraph at 
the end thereof: 
‘‘(3) The amount of a basic allowance provided under 
section 403 of title 37, United States Code, on behalf of an 
individual who is a member of the uniformed services for 
housing that is acquired or constructed under the authority 
of subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, United States 
Code, or any other related provision of law, shall not be 
considered to be income for purposes of determining the eli-
gibility of a child of the individual for programs assisted 
under this subchapter.’’.
SEC. 111. EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 645A of the Head Start Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9643) is amended as follows: 
(1) By amending paragraphs (4) and (5) of sub-
section (b) to read as follows: 
‘‘(4) provide services to parents to support their 
role as parents (including parenting skills training 
and training in basic child development) and to help 
the families move toward self-sufficiency (including 
educational and employment services as appropriate); 
‘‘(5) coordinate services with services (including 
home-based services) provided by programs in the 
State and programs in the community (including 
programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities) to 
ensure a comprehensive array of services (such as 
health and mental health services, and family support 
services);’’. 
(2) By amending paragraph (8) of subsection (b) 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(8) ensure formal linkages with the agencies 
and entities described in section 644(b) of the Indi-
viduals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
1444(b)) and providers of early intervention services 
for infants and toddlers with disabilities under the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 
U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) and the agency responsible for
administering the Section 106 of the Child Abuse Pre-
vention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a); and’’. 
(3) In subsection (g)(2)(B) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end of clause (iii), by striking the period at the 
end of clause (iv) and inserting ‘‘; and’’ and by in-
serting the following at the end: 
‘‘(v) providing professional develop-
ment designed to increase program partici-
pation for underserved populations of eligi-
ble children.’’. 
(b) MIGRANT
AND SEASONAL PROGRAMS.—Section 
645A(d)(1) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9643(d)(1)) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) entities operating Head Start programs 
under this subpart, including migrant and seasonal 
Head Start programs; and’’. 
(c) COMMUNITY- 
AND
FAITH-BASED
ORGANIZA-
TIONS.—Section 645A(d)(2) of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9643(d)(21)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, including 
community- and faith-based organizations’’ after ‘‘entities’’ 
in the second place it appears. 
SEC. 112. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING. 
Section 648 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843) 
is amended as follows:
(1) By inserting the following new subsection 
after subsection (a) and redesignating subsections (b) 
through (e) as subsections (c) through (f): 
‘‘(b) The Secretary shall make available to each State 
the money reserved in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) to support 
a State-based system delivering training and technical as-
sistance that improves the capacity of Head Start programs 
within a State to deliver services in accordance with the 
Head Start standards in section 641A(a)(1), with par-
ticular attention to the standards set forth in subpara-
graphs (A) and (B) of such section. The Secretary shall—
‘‘(1) ensure eligible entities within a State are 
chosen by the Secretary, in consultation with the 
State Collaboration Board described in section 
640(a)(5)(C)(i), through a competitive bid process; 
‘‘(2) ensure that existing agencies with dem-
onstrated expertise in providing high quality training 
and technical assistance to improve the delivery of 
Head Start services, including the State Head Start 
Association, State agencies, migrant and seasonal 
Head Start programs operating in the State, and 
other entities currently providing training and tech-
nical assistance in early education, be included in the 
planning and coordination of the State system of 
training and technical assistance; and
‘‘(3) encourage States to supplement the funds 
authorized in section 640(a)(2)(C)(ii) with State, 
Federal, or local funds other than Head Start funds, 
to expand activities beyond Head Start agencies to 
include other providers of other early childhood serv-
ices within a State.’’. 
(2) In subsection (d) (as redesignated): 
(A) In paragraph (2), after ‘‘disabilities’’ 
insert ‘‘and for activities described in section 
1221(b)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965’’. 
(B) In paragraph (5) after ‘‘assessment’’ in-
sert ‘‘, including the needs of homeless children 
and their families’’. 
(C) By striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of para-
graph (10), by striking the period at the end of 
paragraph (11) and inserting ‘‘; and’’ and by 
inserting the following at the end: 
‘‘(12) assist Head Start agencies and programs 
in increasing program participation of eligible home-
less children.’’. 
(3) In subsection (e) (as redesignated by para-
graph (1)) by inserting ‘‘, including community- and 
faith-based organizations’’ after ‘‘entities’’.
(4) By amending subsection (f) (as redesignated 
by paragraph (1)) to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) The Secretary shall provide, either directly or 
through grants or other arrangements, funds from programs 
authorized under this subchapter to support an organiza-
tion to administer a centralized child development and na-
tional assessment program leading to recognized credentials 
for personnel working in early childhood development and 
child care programs, training for personnel providing serv-
ices to non-English language background children (includ-
ing services to promote the acquisition of the English lan-
guage), training for personnel providing services to children 
determined to be abused or neglected, training for personnel 
providing services to children referred by or receiving child 
welfare services, training for personnel in helping children 
cope with community violence, and resource access projects 
for personnel working with disabled children.’’. 
(5) Insert at the end of the section: 
‘‘(g) HELPING PERSONNEL BETTER SERVE MIGRANT 
AND SEASONAL FARM-WORKING COMMUNITIES AND HOME-
LESS FAMILIES.—The Secretary shall provide, either di-
rectly or through grants, or other arrangements, funds for 
training of Head Start personnel in addressing the unique 
needs of migrant and seasonal working families, families 
with a limited English proficiency, and homeless families.
‘‘(h) AUTHORIZED
ACTIVITIES.—The majority of 
funds expended under this section shall be used to provide 
high quality, sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused 
training and technical assistance in order to have a positive 
and lasting impact on classroom instruction. Funds shall 
be used to carry out activities related to any or all of the 
following: 
‘‘(1) Education and early childhood development. 
‘‘(2) Child health, nutrition, and safety. 
‘‘(3) Family and community partnerships. 
‘‘(4) Other areas that impact the quality or over-
all effectiveness of Head Start programs. 
‘‘(i) PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS.—Funds under 
this subchapter used for training shall be used for needs 
identified annually by a grant applicant or delegate agency 
in their program improvement plan, except that funds shall 
not be used for long-distance travel expenses for training 
activities available locally or regionally or for training ac-
tivities substantially similar to locally or regionally avail-
able training activities. 
‘‘(j) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, the 
term ‘eligible entities’ means an institution of higher edu-
cation or other entity with expertise in delivering training 
in early childhood development, family support, and other
assistance designed to improve the delivery of Head Start 
services.’’. 
SEC. 113. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT. 
Section 648A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9843a) 
is amended as follows: 
(1) By amending paragraph (2) of subsection (a) 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall en-
sure that not later than September 30, 2008, at 
least 50 percent of all Head Start teachers na-
tionwide in center-based programs have—
‘‘(i) a baccalaureate, or advanced de-
gree in early childhood education; or 
‘‘(ii) a baccalaureate, or advanced de-
gree in a field related to early childhood 
education, with experience in teaching pre-
school children. 
‘‘(B) PROGRESS.—Each Head Start agency 
shall provide to the Secretary a report indicating 
the number and percentage of classroom instruc-
tors with child development associate credentials 
and associate, baccalaureate, or advanced de-
grees. The Secretary shall compile all program 
reports and make them available to the Com-
mittee on Education and the Workforce of the 
United States House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions of the United States Senate. 
‘‘(C) REQUIREMENT FOR NEW HEAD START 
TEACHERS.—Within 3 years after the date of en-
actment of this clause, the Secretary shall require 
that all Head Start teachers nationwide in cen-
ter-based programs hired following the date of 
enactment of this subparagraph—
‘‘(i) have an associate, baccalaureate, 
or advanced degree in early childhood edu-
cation; 
‘‘(ii) have an associate, baccalaureate, 
or advanced degree in a field related to 
early childhood education, with experience 
in teaching preschool children; or 
‘‘(iii) be currently enrolled in a pro-
gram of study leading to an associate degree 
in early childhood education and agree to 
complete degree requirements within 3 years 
from the date of hire. 
‘‘(D) SERVICE
REQUIREMENTS.—The Sec-
retary shall establish requirements to ensure that 
individuals who receive financial assistance
under this Act in order to comply with the re-
quirements under section 648A(a)(2) shall subse-
quently teach in a Head Start center for a pe-
riod of time equivalent to the period for which 
they received assistance or repay the amount of 
the funds.’’. 
(2) By adding the following at the end thereof: 
‘‘(f) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS.—Every 
Head Start agency and program shall create, in consulta-
tion with an employee, a professional development plan for 
all full-time employees who provide direct services to chil-
dren.’’. 
SEC. 114. RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EVALUATION. 
Section 649 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9844) 
is amended as follows: 
(1) By amending subsection (a)(1)(B) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(B) use the Head Start programs to de-
velop, test, and disseminate new ideas and ap-
proaches for addressing the needs of low-income 
preschool children (including children with dis-
abilities and children determined to be abused or 
neglected) and their families and communities 
(including demonstrations of innovative non-cen-
ter based program models such as home-based
and mobile programs), and otherwise to further 
the purposes of this subchapter.’’. 
(2) By striking paragraph (9) of subsection (d) 
and inserting ‘‘(9) REPEALED.—’’. 
(3) By striking clause (i) of subsection (g)(1)(A) 
and redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) 
and (ii). 
(4) In subsection (g)(7)(C)(i) by striking ‘‘1999’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2003’’, striking ‘‘2001’’ and inserting 
‘‘2005’’, and striking ‘‘2003’’ and inserting ‘‘2006’’. 
(5) By amending subsection (h) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(h) NAS STUDY.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall use 
funds allocated in section 640(a)(2)(C)(iii) to con-
tract with the National Academy of Sciences for the 
Board on Children, Youth, and Families of the Na-
tional Research Council to establish an independent 
panel of experts to review and synthesize research, 
theory and applications in the social, behavioral and 
biological sciences and shall make recommendations 
on early childhood pedagogy with regard to each of 
the following: 
‘‘(A) Age and developmentally appropriate 
Head Start academic requirements and out-
comes, including but not limited to the domains 
in 641A(a)(B). 
‘‘(B) Differences in the type, length, mix 
and intensity of services necessary to ensure that 
children from challenging family and social 
backgrounds including: low-income children, 
children of color, children with special needs, 
and children with limited English proficiency 
enter kindergarten ready to succeed. 
‘‘(C) Appropriate assessments of young chil-
dren for the purposes of improving instruction, 
services, and program quality, including system-
atic observation assessment in a child’s natural 
environment, parent and provider interviews, 
and accommodations for children with disabil-
ities and appropriate assessments for children 
with special needs, including English language 
learners. 
‘‘(2) COMPOSITION.—The panel shall consist of 
multiple experts in each of the following areas: 
‘‘(A) Child development and education, in-
cluding cognitive, social, emotional, physical, ap-
proaches to learning, and other domains of child 
development and learning.
‘‘(B) Professional development, including 
teacher preparation, to individuals who teach 
young children in programs. 
‘‘(C) Assessment of young children, includ-
ing screening, diagnostic and classroom-based in-
structional assessment; children with special 
needs, including children with disabilities and 
limited English proficient children. 
‘‘(3) 
TIMING.—The 
National 
Academy 
of 
Sciences and the Board shall establish the panel not 
later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this 
paragraph. The panel should complete its rec-
ommendations within 18 months of its convening. 
‘‘(4) APPLICATION OF PANEL REPORT.—The re-
sults of the panel study shall be used as guidelines by 
the Secretary to develop, inform and revise, where ap-
propriate, the Head Start education performance 
measures and standards and the assessments utilized 
in the Head Start program.’’. 
SEC. 115. REPORTS. 
Section 650 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9845) 
is amended as follows: 
(1) The first sentence of subsection (a) is amend-
ed to read as follows: ‘‘At least once during every 2-
year period, the Secretary shall prepare and submit,
to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate, 
a report concerning the status of children (including 
disabled, homeless, and non-English language back-
ground children) in Head Start programs, including 
the number of children and the services being pro-
vided to such children.’’. 
(2) Paragraph (8) of subsection (a) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘, homelessness’’ after ‘‘background’’. 
SEC. 116. HEAD START NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISIONS. 
Section 654 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9849) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 654. NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISIONS. 
‘‘(a)(1) The Secretary shall not provide financial as-
sistance for any program, project, or activity under this 
subchapter unless the grant or contract with respect thereto 
specifically provides that no person with responsibilities in 
the operation thereof will discriminate with respect to any 
such program, project, or activity because of race, creed, 
color, national origin, sex, political affiliation, or beliefs. 
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a recipient of 
financial assistance under this subchapter that is a reli-
gious corporation, association, educational institution, or 
society, with respect to the employment of individuals of
a particular religion to perform work connected with the 
carrying on by such corporation, association, educational 
institution, or society of its activities. Such recipients shall 
comply with the other requirements contained in this sub-
section. 
‘‘(b) No person in the United States shall on the 
ground of sex be excluded from participation in, be denied 
the benefits of, be subjected to discrimination under, or be 
denied employment in connection with any program or ac-
tivity receiving assistance under this subchapter. The Sec-
retary shall enforce the provisions of the preceding sentence 
in accordance with section 602 of the Civil Rights Act of 
1964. Section 603 of such Act shall apply with respect to 
any action taken by the Secretary to enforce such sentence. 
This section shall not be construed as affecting any other 
legal remedy that a person may have if such person is ex-
cluded from participation in, denied the benefit of, subjected 
to discrimination under, or denied employment (except as 
provided in subsection (a)(2)), in the administration of any 
program, project, or activity receiving assistance under this 
subchapter. 
‘‘(c) The Secretary shall not provide financial assist-
ance for any program, project, or activity under this sub-
chapter unless the grant or contract relating to the financial 
assistance specifically provides that no person with respon-
sibilities in the operation of the program, project, or activ-
ity will discriminate against any individual because of a 
handicapping condition in violation of section 504 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, except as provided in subsection 
(a)(2).’’. 
SEC. 117. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
The amendments made by this Act shall be effective 
with respect to fiscal years beginning on and after October 
1, 2003. 
TITLE II—STATE 
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM 
SEC. 201. STATE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM. 
The Head Start Act is amended by inserting after sec-
tion 643 the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 643A. STATE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) GRANTS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—
‘‘(A) ELIGIBLE STATES.—In the case of 
each eligible State that submits to the Secretary 
an application that fulfills the requirements of 
this section, the Secretary, from amounts appro-
priated under section 639(a), shall make a grant 
to the State to carry out a State demonstration 
program under this section, except that the Sec-
retary shall not make such grants to more than 
8 eligible States. 
‘‘(B) DETERMINATION.—The Secretary shall 
make awards to those States that demonstrate—
‘‘(i) that the State standards generally 
meet or exceed the standards that ensure the 
quality and effectiveness of programs oper-
ated by Head Start agencies; 
‘‘(ii) the capacity to deliver high qual-
ity early childhood education services to 
prepare children, including low-income chil-
dren, for school; and 
‘‘(iii)–success in improving the school 
readiness of children. 
‘‘(2) STATE ELIGIBILITY.—A State shall be eligi-
ble to participate in the program under this section 
if it meets each of the following criteria: 
‘‘(A) The State has an existing State sup-
ported system providing public prekindergarten 
to children prior to entry into kindergarten. 
‘‘(B) The State has implemented standards 
for school readiness that include standards for 
language, prereading and premathematics devel-
opment for prekindergarten that are aligned 
with State kindergarten through twelfth grade
academic content standards and which shall 
apply to all programs receiving funds under this 
part or provides an assurance that such stand-
ards will be aligned by the end of the second fis-
cal year of participation. 
‘‘(C) State and locally appropriated funds 
for prekindergarten services and Head Start 
services in the fiscal year immediately preceding 
the fiscal year for which the State applies for the 
program under this section shall not be less than 
50 percent of the Federal funds that the grantees 
in the State received under this Act in the imme-
diately preceding fiscal year for services to Head 
Start eligible children, excluding amounts for 
services provided under section 645A. 
‘‘(D) The State has established a means for 
inter-agency coordination and collaboration in 
the development of the plan under subsection (h). 
‘‘(b) LEAD AGENCY.—A program under this section 
shall be administered by a State governmental entity des-
ignated by the Chief Executive Officer of the State as the 
lead State agency. 
‘‘(c) STATE OPERATION OF PROGRAM.—The State may 
conduct all or any part of the program under this section
(including the activities specified in subsection (g)) directly 
or by grant, contract, or cooperative agreement. 
‘‘(d) TRANSITION.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For 36 months after the ef-
fective date of this section, the State shall continue to 
provide funds to each local grantee who—
‘‘(A) was receiving funds under this sub-
chapter, as in effect prior to the date of enact-
ment of this section, and 
‘‘(B) is serving the geographic area covered 
by the plan in section 643A(h). 
Such continuing grants shall be made in accordance 
with the terms of the grant made to the local grantee 
immediately prior to such date of enactment. This 
paragraph shall not apply to a grant applicant who 
has experienced substantial uncorrected deficiencies 
on Department of Health and Human Services moni-
toring reports during any year of the most recent 5-
year period, or to a grantee that, as determined by 
the State, does not comply with the State plan de-
scribed in subsection 643A(h) submitted to the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(e) FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—
‘‘(1) ALLOCATION OF FEDERAL ALLOTMENTS TO 
STATE
PROGRAMS.—From each total amount de-
scribed in paragraph (2) allotted to a State for a fis-
cal year, the Secretary shall pay to a State with a 
program approved under this section for such fiscal 
year an amount equal to—
‘‘(A) if the State program is statewide, 100 
percent of such total amount; and 
‘‘(B) if the State program is limited to a 
geographic area or areas, the sum of—
‘‘(i) an amount equal to the amount 
received by grantees in such geographic area 
or areas for the Federal fiscal year pre-
ceding the first fiscal year of the State pro-
gram under this section; plus 
‘‘(ii) an amount bearing the same 
ratio to the excess (if any) above the total 
amount for such preceding fiscal year as the 
number of children less than 5 years of age 
from families whose income is below the 
poverty line in the geographic area or areas 
included in the program bears to the total 
number of such children in the State (as de-
termined using the same data used pursu-
ant to section 640(a)(4)(B)). 
‘‘(2) FUNDS ALLOCATED.—For purposes of para-
graph (1), amounts described in this paragraph are:
‘‘(A) BASIC STATE ALLOTMENTS.—Amounts 
allotted to States pursuant to section 640(a)(4), 
including amounts reserved pursuant to section 
640(a)(5), excluding amounts for services pro-
vided under section 645A. 
‘‘(B) STATE
ALLOTMENTS
OF
EXPANSION 
FUNDS.—Amounts allotted to States pursuant to 
section 640(a)(3)(D)(i)(I) for program expan-
sion. 
‘‘(C) QUALITY
IMPROVEMENT
FUNDS.—
Quality improvement funds (if any) reserved 
pursuant to section 640(a)(3). 
‘‘(D) TRAINING
AND
TECHNICAL
ASSIST-
ANCE
FUNDS.—An amount bearing the same 
ratio to the amount set aside for training and 
technical assistance activities pursuant to section 
640(a)(2)(C)(i) and (ii) as the State’s share of 
amounts allotted under section 640(a)(4)(B) 
bears to the total amount so allotted (and for 
purposes of subparagraph (A), such amount shall 
be considered an amount allotted to the State for 
the fiscal year). 
‘‘(3) NON-FEDERAL MATCH.—(A) In determining 
the amount of Federal and non-Federal contributions 
for purposes of this section, the amounts required to
be expended by the State under subsection (h)(14)(B) 
(relating to maintenance of effort) shall be excluded. 
‘‘(B) Financial assistance made available to a 
State under this subchapter shall be in an amount 
equal to 95 percent of the total amount expended for 
such programs. The Secretary shall require non-Fed-
eral contributions in an amount equal to 5 percent of 
the total amount expended under this subchapter for 
such programs. 
‘‘(C) Non-Federal contributions may be made in 
cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, 
equipment, or services. 
‘‘(4) COMBINED OPERATIONS WITH OTHER EARLY 
CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION
PROGRAMS.—A State may 
combine funds for a program under this section with 
funds for other early childhood programs serving chil-
dren in the same age group, as long as all applicable 
requirements of this subchapter are met with respect 
to either—
‘‘(A) the entire combined program; or 
‘‘(B) each child served in such combined 
program for whom the services provided are 
funded from appropriations under this sub-
chapter or non-Federal matching contributions 
under this subchapter.
‘‘(5) USE OF FUNDS WITHOUT REGARD TO AL-
LOTMENT
PURPOSES.—A State may use funds re-
ceived pursuant to this section for any program pur-
pose set forth in section 636, without regard to the 
purposes for such funds specified in section 640. 
‘‘(6) OTHER FUNDS.—Funds received under this 
section shall not supplant any non-Federal, State or 
local funds that would otherwise be used for activities 
authorized under this section or similar activities car-
ried out in the State. 
‘‘(f) COORDINATION AND CHOICE.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A State demonstration Pro-
gram shall be coordinated with the education pro-
grams of local educational agencies in the State to en-
sure that the program is effectively designed to de-
velop in children in the program the knowledge and 
behaviors necessary to transition successfully to kin-
dergarten and to succeed in school. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAMS CONCERNED.—
‘‘(A) REQUIRED PROGRAMS.—Such coordi-
nation shall occur regarding the implementation 
of the following: 
‘‘(i) The Early Reading First and 
Even Start programs under title I, part B, 
subparts 2 and 3 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, and 
other preschool programs carried out under 
title I of that Act. 
‘‘(ii) State prekindergarten programs. 
‘‘(iii) The Ready-to-Learn Television 
Program under subpart 3 of part D of title 
II of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act. 
‘‘(B) OPTIONAL PROGRAMS.—Such coordi-
nation may occur regarding the implementation 
of the following: 
‘‘(i) Programs under the Child Care 
and Development Block Grant Act. 
‘‘(ii) Other publicly funded early child-
hood education programs. 
‘‘(3) PARENTAL
CHOICE.—The program shall 
allow parents to choose the preschool program for 
their child. 
‘‘(g) REQUIRED SERVICES.—With funds under this 
section, the State shall provide services described in section 
641A at least as extensive as were provided, and to at least 
as many low-income children and families in each fiscal 
year as were provided such services, with such funds in the 
base year in the State (or, if applicable, in the geographic 
area included in the State program). A program under this
section shall include the following comprehensive activities 
designed to promote school readiness and success in school: 
‘‘(1) CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION.—
Activities with enrolled children that promote—
‘‘(A) cognitive development, language devel-
opment, prereading, and premathematics knowl-
edge and skills; 
‘‘(B) physical development, health, and nu-
trition (including through coordination with, 
and referral of children and families to local 
health service entities; and 
‘‘(C) social development important for envi-
ronments constructive for child development, 
early learning, and school success. 
‘‘(2) PARENT EDUCATION AND INVOLVEMENT.—
Activities with the parents of enrolled children di-
rected at enhancing and encouraging—
‘‘(A) involvement in, and ability to support, 
their children’s educational development; 
‘‘(B) parenting skills and understanding of 
child development; and 
‘‘(C) ability to participate effectively in de-
cisions relating to the education of their chil-
dren.
‘‘(3) SOCIAL AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES.—
Activities directed at securing appropriate social and 
family support services for enrolled children and their 
families, primarily through referral and coordination 
with local, State, and Federal entities that provide 
such services. 
‘‘(4) HEAD START SERVICES.—For purposes of 
paragraph (1) Head Start services furnished in a 
State program under this section shall include all 
Head Start services, other than—
‘‘(A) Indian Head Start programs and mi-
grant and seasonal Head Start programs sup-
ported 
with 
funds 
reserved 
under 
section 
640(a)(2)(A); and 
‘‘(B) Early Head Start services provided 
under section 645A. 
‘‘(h) STATE PLAN.—A State proposing to administer 
a program under this section shall submit a State plan to 
the Secretary. The State plan shall include the following: 
‘‘(1) LEAD STATE AGENCY.—The plan shall iden-
tify the entity designated by the Chief Executive Offi-
cer of the State as the lead State agency. 
‘‘(2) GEOGRAPHIC AREA.—The plan shall specify 
whether the program is statewide, and, if it is not, 
identify the geographic area or areas covered by the
plan. A geographic area may be a city, county, stand-
ard metropolitan statistical area, or such other geo-
graphic area in the State. 
‘‘(3) PROGRAM PERIOD.—A State program under 
this section shall be in effect for 5 Federal fiscal 
years. 
‘‘(4) PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION.—The plan shall 
describe the services under subsection (f) to be pro-
vided in the program and arrangements the State 
proposes to use to provide the services specified in 
subsection (g), including how the State will leverage 
existing delivery systems for such services. 
‘‘(5) NEEDS ASSESSMENT.—The plan shall de-
scribe the results of a State needs assessment and 
shall provide an assurance that the State will use the 
results to identify the needs for early childhood edu-
cation services within a State or geographic area to 
be served and is targeting services to those areas of 
greatest need and to expand and improve services to 
disadvantaged children in the State. 
‘‘(6) ASSURANCE
OF
COMPLIANCE.—The plan 
shall provide an assurance that the State program 
will comply with the requirements of this section, in-
cluding each of the following:
‘‘(A) PRIORITY
FOR
LOW-INCOME
CHIL-
DREN.—Requirements established pursuant to 
section 645(a) concerning the eligibility and pri-
ority of individuals for participation in Head 
Start programs. 
‘‘(B) CONTINUATION
FOR
EXISTING
PRO-
VIDERS.—An applicant who received funds 
under this subchapter in prior fiscal years and 
has not corrected any substantial deficiencies 
identified in the past 5 years shall not be eligible 
to receive any grants, contract, or cooperative 
agreements under this section. 
‘‘(C) PARTICIPATION
OF
CHILDREN
WITH 
DISABILITIES.—Requirements pursuant to sec-
tion 640(d) concerning Head Start enrollment 
opportunities and services for children with dis-
abilities. 
‘‘(D) PROVISIONS
CONCERNING
FEES
AND 
COPAYMENTS.—The provisions of section 645(b) 
concerning the charging of fees and the cir-
cumstances under which copayments are permis-
sible. 
‘‘(E) FEDERAL SHARE; STATE AND LOCAL 
MATCHING.—The provisions of section 640(b) 
limiting Federal financial assistance for Head
Start programs, and providing for non-Federal 
contributions. 
‘‘(F) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—The provi-
sions of section 644(b) limiting the share of pro-
gram funds that may be used for developing and 
administering a program. 
‘‘(G) FEDERAL PROPERTY INTEREST.—Ap-
plicable provisions of this subchapter regarding 
the Federal Government interest in property (in-
cluding real property) purchased, leased, or ren-
ovated with Federal funds. 
‘‘(7) IDENTIFICATION OF BARRIERS.—The plan 
shall identify barriers in the State to the effective use 
of Federal, State, and local public funds, and private 
funds, for early education and care that are available 
to the State on the date on which the application is 
submitted. 
‘‘(8) STATE
GUIDELINES
FOR
SCHOOL
READI-
NESS.—The plan shall include—
‘‘(A) a State definition of school readiness; 
‘‘(B) a description of the State’s general 
goals for school readiness, including how the 
State intends to—
‘‘(i) promote and maintain ongoing 
communication and collaboration between
providers of early care and education and 
local educational agencies in the State; 
‘‘(ii) align early childhood and kinder-
garten curricula to ensure program con-
tinuity; and 
‘‘(iii) ensure that children successfully 
transition to kindergarten. 
‘‘(9) TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS.—The plan shall 
assure that the qualifications and credentials for 
early childhood teachers meet or exceed the standards 
in section 648A(a)(2)(A), (B), and (C). 
‘‘(10) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.—The plan 
shall provide a description of the State plan for as-
suring the ongoing professional development of early 
childhood educators and administrators including 
how the State intends to—
‘‘(A) improve the competencies of early 
childhood educators in meeting the cognitive and 
other developmental needs of young children 
through effective instructional strategies, meth-
ods, and skills; 
‘‘(B) develop and implement initiatives to 
effectively recruit and promote the retention of 
well-qualified early childhood educators;
‘‘(C) encourage institutions of higher edu-
cation, providers of community-based training, 
and other qualified providers to develop high-
quality programs to prepare students to be early 
childhood education professionals; and 
‘‘(D) improve the quality of professional de-
velopment available to meet the needs of teachers 
that serve preschool children. 
‘‘(11) QUALITY STANDARDS.—The State shall de-
scribe the State’s standards, applicable to all agencies, 
programs, and projects that receive funds under this 
subchapter, including a description of—
‘‘(A) standards with respect to services re-
quired to be provided, including health, parental 
involvement, nutritional, social, transition ac-
tivities described in section 642(d) of this sub-
chapter, and other services; 
‘‘(B)(i) education standards to promote the 
school readiness of children participating in a 
State program under Title II of this subchapter; 
and 
‘‘(ii) additional education standards to en-
sure that the children participating in the pro-
gram, at a minimum develop and demonstrate—
‘‘(I) language skills;
‘‘(II) prereading knowledge and skills, 
including interest in and appreciation of 
books, reading and writing either alone or 
with others; 
‘‘(III) premathematics knowledge and 
skills, including aspects of classification, se-
riation, number, spatial relations, and 
time; 
‘‘(IV) cognitive abilities related to aca-
demic achievement; 
‘‘(V) social development important for 
environments constructive for child develop-
ment, early learning, and school success; 
and 
‘‘(VI) in the case of limited-English 
proficient children, progress toward acquisi-
tion of the English language; 
‘‘(C) the State’s minimum standards for 
early childhood teacher credentials and qualifica-
tions; 
‘‘(D) the student-teacher ratio for each age-
group served; 
‘‘(E) administrative and financial manage-
ment standards;
‘‘(F) standards relating to the condition 
and location of facilities for such agencies, pro-
grams, and projects; and 
‘‘(G) such other standards as the State finds 
to be appropriate. 
‘‘(12) STATE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The State plan shall—
‘‘(i) ensure that individual providers 
are achieving results in advancing the 
knowledge and behaviors identified by the 
State as prerequisites for kindergarten suc-
cess; and 
‘‘(ii) specify the measures the State 
will use to evaluate the progress toward 
achieving such results and the effectiveness 
of the State program under this section, and 
of individual providers in such program. 
‘‘(B) PUBLICATION OF RESULTS.—
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to clause 
(ii), the results shall be made publicly 
available in the communities served by the 
program. 
‘‘(ii) 
CONFIDENTIALITY
SAFE-
GUARDS.—The system shall have in effect 
privacy safeguards ensuring that informa-
tion on children included in data and re-
sults made public in accordance with clause 
(i) shall be in aggregated form, and shall 
not include information allowing identifica-
tion of individual children. 
‘‘(13) TRANSITION PLAN.—The initial State plan 
shall make provision for transition from the direct 
Federal program under section 640 to the demonstra-
tion program. 
‘‘(14) COOPERATION
WITH
RESEARCH
STUD-
IES.—The plan shall provide assurances that the 
State will cooperate with research activities described 
in section 649. 
‘‘(15) MAINTENANCE
OF
EFFORT.—The State 
plan shall—
‘‘(A) contain a commitment to provide 
data, at such times and in such format as the 
Secretary requires, concerning non-Federal ex-
penditures and numbers of children and families 
served in preschool and Head Start programs 
during the base year and each fiscal year covered 
under the State plan, sufficient to satisfy the 
Secretary that the State program will meet its 
obligation with respect to the maintenance of ef-
fort requirement under subparagraph (B); and
‘‘(B) assure that the resources (which may 
be cash or in-kind) contributed by the State gov-
ernment to child care for preschool-aged children 
and other preschool programs, including Head 
Start, in the State (or, if applicable, in the geo-
graphic area included in the State program) for 
each fiscal year in which the program under this 
section is in effect shall be in an amount at least 
equal to the total amount of such State govern-
mental resources contributed to support such 
programs in the State (or geographic area) for 
the base year. 
‘‘(16) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—
The State plan shall describe the training and tech-
nical assistance activities that shall provide high 
quality, sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused 
training and technical assistance in order to have a 
positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction. 
‘‘(i) RECORDS, REPORTS
AND AUDITS.—The State 
agency administering the State program, and each entity 
participating as a Head Start service provider, shall main-
tain such records, make such reports, and cooperate with 
such audits as the Secretary may require for oversight of 
program activities and expenditures.
‘‘(j) INAPPLICABILITY
OF PROVISIONS CONCERNING 
PRIORITY IN AGENCY DESIGNATION.—The provisions of 
subsections (c) and (d) of section 641 (concerning priority 
in designation of Head Start agencies, successor agencies, 
and delegate agencies) shall not apply to a State program 
under this section. 
‘‘(k) CONSULTATION.—A State proposing to admin-
ister a program under this section shall submit, with the 
plan under this section, assurances that the plan was devel-
oped through timely and meaningful consultation with ap-
propriate public and private sector entities, including—
‘‘(1) representatives of agencies responsible for 
administering early education and care programs in 
the State, including Head Start providers; 
‘‘(2) parents; 
‘‘(3) the State educational agency and local edu-
cational agencies; 
‘‘(4) early childhood education professionals; 
‘‘(5) kindergarten teachers and teachers in 
grades 1 through 4; 
‘‘(6) child welfare agencies; 
‘‘(7) child care resource and referral agencies; 
‘‘(8) child care providers; and