Head Start Cuts Staff Wage Rules to Save Billions and Serve More Kids
Published Date: 5/12/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government wants to give Head Start programs more freedom by removing some strict rules about staff wages and benefits. This change aims to save over $2 billion and help programs serve more kids better. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 11, 2026!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Rescinds Head Start wage mandates
The rule would remove the wage requirements in 45 CFR 1302.90(e) that would have required pay scales, wages comparable to public preschool teachers, and a minimum sufficient to cover basic living costs by August 1, 2031. ACF estimated those wage standards would cost about $1.2 billion by full implementation, and removing them is part of a proposed change ACF says will yield roughly $2.1 billion in future annual savings for Head Start programs.
Removes Head Start benefits requirements
The rule would remove the staff benefits requirements in 45 CFR 1302.90(f) that would have required full-time staff to have health coverage, paid leave, behavioral health services, and facilitation of access to benefits by August 1, 2028. ACF estimated the benefits standards would cost about $877 million by full implementation and includes this removal in the agency’s estimate of roughly $2.1 billion in future annual savings.
Preserves about 106,000 Head Start slots
ACF estimates that by removing the wage and benefits requirements, Head Start programs would avoid cuts and retain roughly 106,000 funded slots nationally (about 84,000 Head Start Preschool slots and 22,000 Early Head Start slots). ACF ties this estimate to avoiding the program cost increases that would have taken effect under the 2024 final rule.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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