Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson today launched a task force to translate research on learning readiness into action through Head Start and other programs for preschoolers. Composed of policy and research experts in early childhood development, the task force will identify ways that federally funded preschool programs can be aligned with research on the development of early reading and math skills among preschool-age children.

Paige announced the formation of the task force during his remarks at the White House Summit on Early Childhood Cognitive Development in Washington, D.C. The two-day summit was hosted by Mrs. Laura Bush, and co-chaired by Secretary Paige and Secretary Thompson.

Senior representatives from both departments will serve on the task force, including researchers who specialize in early childhood cognitive development. Their mission will be to review and make recommendations regarding research-based strategies that could be used in Head Start and other programs for preschool-age children, as well as by families and other child care providers, to better prepare children for academic success in elementary and secondary schools. In addition, the task force will solicit additional research and review the budgetary and governance structures of Head Start and other programs to analyze their efficiency in meeting their academic goals. The task force will also seek ways for Head Start centers to better prepare students for public school -- particularly schools that provide services under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act -- and how those schools can make that transition effective.

Secretary Thompson described the task force as "an outstanding opportunity to strengthen the quality of Head Start and preschool services offered to children around the country. The children who participate in these programs will be the beneficiaries of our joint effort to translate the lessons of research into programs that support academic readiness."

"Head Start began as a program to prepare children for academic success, much like the early childhood programs at the Department of Education," said Secretary Paige. "President Bush has asked us to work together to refocus Head Start on that mission, and a joint task force is just the way to begin."

Started 35 years ago as a federal program to prepare children from low-income backgrounds for academic success through skills development and human services, Head Start has served millions of children. Currently more than 900,000 children each year participate in Head Start programs across the country. The Department of Education is also home to programs and services for pre-school age children, including the new Early Reading First program proposed by President Bush as part of his No Child Left Behind plan for comprehensive education reform.

"Although we know much about how to prepare our children for success, too many of our preschool programs are not doing a good job of preparing disadvantaged children for school," Secretary Paige said. "We have much work to do to improve the academic quality of Head Start and other preschool services and general awareness of the activities that preschool programs and families alike can use to prepare our children for academic success," Secretary Thompson added. "I am proud to join Secretary Paige in a concerted effort to make our federal programs worthy of the children they serve."

Top