§9843a Staff Qualifications and Development

Summary

Require each Head Start center classroom to have one teacher who can plan learning, keep children safe and healthy, support social and emotional growth, and involve families. By September 30, 2013, at least 50 percent of Head Start teachers in center-based programs must hold a bachelor’s or advanced degree in early childhood education or a bachelor’s with equivalent early childhood coursework plus preschool teaching experience. By the same date, all education coordinators must be able to help teachers use and adapt curricula and must meet the same degree rules, and teaching assistants must have either a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, be enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s program, or be enrolled in a CDA program to finish within 2 years. Agencies must report yearly on progress and the Secretary will summarize those reports for Congress; no penalties are to be imposed on local programs for not yet meeting these goals. For classrooms without the required teachers, alternative qualifications applied through September 30, 2011 (including a CDA, state preschool certificate, associate degree, or Teach For America path); as of October 1, 2011, the alternatives narrowed to associate degrees or a Teach For America bachelor’s route with testing and training. The Secretary must grant a 180-day waiver through September 30, 2011, in limited hiring situations and a 3-year waiver as of October 1, 2011, if recruitment efforts and minimum classroom credentials (CDA or state certificate) are documented. Teachers must get at least 15 clock hours of high-quality, classroom-focused professional development each year. Financial aid for degrees requires recipients to work in Head Start at least 3 years after finishing the degree or repay funds. Federal funds used to meet degree goals must go to degrees from institutions of higher education as defined in title 20 sections 1001 or 1002. Define “mentor teacher” as someone who observes classrooms and coaches staff. The Secretary must help programs set up mentor teacher jobs, give priority to programs with many new staff, promote model mentor curricula, and encourage promoting current teachers. For family service workers the Secretary will review and update qualifications and caseload guidance, promote model curricula and a nationwide credential, and support strategies for special populations. The Secretary may run Head Start Fellowships to give staff learning opportunities; fellowships are competitive, normally 1 year (renewable once), may be placed in HHS offices, local programs, colleges, or related organizations (but not lobbying groups), and spending is limited to $1,000,000 per fiscal year. Model staffing plans must be developed within 1 year after May 18, 1994. Each full-time employee who works directly with children must have a professional development plan made with the agency and reviewed regularly. Before hiring, Head Start agencies must interview applicants, check references, and get required State, tribal, or Federal criminal background checks covering the relevant jurisdictions.