Legislation Introduced by Congresswoman DeLauro

The Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Teachers Act of 2005 expands the existing federal loan forgiveness program to include Head Start teachers. Providing low-income children with access to programs that encourage cognitive development and prepare them to enter school ready to learn is critical for their future success. Head Start is the primary federal program that has the potential to reach every low-income child.

The Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (FACES) conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found a strong relationship between the education of Head Start teachers and classroom quality. Specifically, the study found that teachers with higher levels of education had classes with more high quality language programs and more creative activities for their students.

To prepare Head Start children for elementary school, we must recruit qualified teachers who have demonstrated knowledge and teaching skills in reading, writing, early childhood development, and other areas of the preschool curriculum. Recruiting and maintaining teachers with such qualifications is the only way to jump-start cognitive development and ensure that our children start elementary school ready to learn.

One way to recruit qualified Head Start teachers is to offer incentives to pursue a career in this field. Current law allows elementary and secondary school teachers to receive up to $5,000 in loan forgiveness in exchange for five years of service. Head Start teachers should be given this same opportunity. The Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Teachers Act of 2005 is designed to encourage recent graduates, current Head Start teachers without a degree, and college students to enter and remain in the Head Start field. In exchange for five years of service, a Head Start teacher could receive up to $5,000 of their federal loans forgiven.

Inclusion of Head Start teachers in the loan forgiveness program would encourage college graduates to pursue a career in the Head Start field, and offer current Head Start teachers an incentive to complete or start a college degree.