US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 9843a

Staff qualifications and development

(a)

Classroom teachers

(1)

Professional requirements

The Secretary shall ensure that each Head Start classroom in a center-based program is assigned 1 teacher who has demonstrated competency to perform functions that include—
(A)
planning and implementing learning experiences that advance the intellectual and physical development of children, including improving the readiness of children for school by developing their literacy, phonemic, and print awareness, their understanding and use of language, their understanding and use of increasingly complex and varied vocabulary, their appreciation of books, their understanding of early math and early science, their problem-solving abilities, and their approaches to learning;
(B)
establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment;
(C)
supporting the social and emotional development of children; and
(D)
encouraging the involvement of the families of the children in a Head Start program and supporting the development of relationships between children and their families.
(2)

Degree requirements

(A)

Head Start teachers

The Secretary shall ensure that not later than , at least 50 percent of Head Start teachers nationwide in center-based programs have—
(i)
a baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood education; or
(ii)
a baccalaureate or advanced degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children.
(B)

Additional staff

The Secretary shall ensure that, not later than , all—
(i)
Head Start education coordinators, including those that serve as curriculum specialists, nationwide in center-based programs—
(I)
have the capacity to offer assistance to other teachers in the implementation and adaptation of curricula to the group and individual needs of children in a Head Start classroom; and
(II)
have—
(aa)
a baccalaureate or advanced degree in early childhood education; or
(bb)
a baccalaureate or advanced degree and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children; and
(ii)
Head Start teaching assistants nationwide in center-based programs have—
(I)
at least a child development associate credential;
(II)
enrolled in a program leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree; or
(III)
enrolled in a child development associate credential program to be completed within 2 years.
(C)

Progress

(i)

Implementation

The Secretary shall—
(I)
require Head Start agencies to—
(aa)
describe continuing progress each year toward achieving the goals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B); and
(bb)
annually submit to the Secretary a report indicating the number and percentage of classroom personnel described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) in center-based programs with child development associate credentials or associate, baccalaureate, or advanced degrees;
(II)
compile and submit a summary of all program reports described in subclause (I)(bb) to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; and
(III)
not impose any penalties or sanctions on any individual Head Start agency, program, or staff in the monitoring of local agencies and programs under this subchapter not meeting the requirements of subparagraph (A) or (B).
(D)

Construction

In this paragraph a reference to a Head Start agency, or its program, services, facility, or personnel, shall not be considered to be a reference to an Early Head Start agency, or its program, services, facility, or personnel.

(3)

Alternative credentialing and degree requirements

The Secretary shall ensure that, for center-based programs, each Head Start classroom that does not have a teacher who meets the qualifications described in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (2)(A) is assigned one teacher who has the following during the period specified:
(A)
Through —
(i)
a child development associate credential that is appropriate to the age of children being served in center-based programs;
(ii)
a State-awarded certificate for preschool teachers that meets or exceeds the requirements for a child development associate credential;
(iii)
an associate degree in early childhood education;
(iv)
an associate degree in a related field and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children; or
(v)
a baccalaureate degree and has been admitted into the Teach For America program, passed a rigorous early childhood content exam, such as the Praxis II, participated in a Teach For America summer training institute that includes teaching preschool children, and is receiving ongoing professional development and support from Teach For America’s professional staff.
(B)
As of —
(i)
an associate degree in early childhood education;
(ii)
an associate degree in a related field and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education, with experience teaching preschool-age children; or
(iii)
a baccalaureate degree and has been admitted into the Teach For America program, passed a rigorous early childhood content exam, such as the Praxis II, participated in a Teach For America summer training institute that includes teaching preschool children, and is receiving ongoing professional development and support from Teach For America’s professional staff.
(4)

Waiver

On request, the Secretary shall grant—
(A)
through , a 180-day waiver ending on or before , of the requirements of paragraph (3)(A) for a Head Start agency that can demonstrate that the agency has attempted unsuccessfully to recruit an individual who has the qualifications described in any of clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph (3)(A) with respect to an individual who—
(i)
is enrolled in a program that grants a credential, certificate, or degree described in clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph (3)(A); and
(ii)
will receive such credential, certificate, or degree under the terms of such program not later than 180 days after beginning employment as a teacher with such agency; and
(B)
as of , a 3-year waiver of the requirements of paragraph (3)(B) for a Head Start agency that can demonstrate that—
(i)
the agency has attempted unsuccessfully to recruit an individual who has the qualifications described in clause (i) or (ii) of such paragraph, with respect to an individual who is enrolled in a program that grants a degree described in clause (i) or (ii) of such paragraph and will receive such degree in a reasonable time; and
(ii)
each Head Start classroom has a teacher who has, at a minimum—
(I)
a child development associate credential that is appropriate to the age of children being served in center-based programs; or
(II)
a State-awarded certificate for preschool teachers that meets or exceeds the requirements for a child development associate credential.
(5)

Teacher in-service requirement

Each Head Start teacher shall attend not less than 15 clock hours of professional development per year. Such professional development shall be high-quality, sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction and the teacher’s performance in the classroom, and regularly evaluated by the program for effectiveness.

(6)

Service requirements

The Secretary shall establish requirements to ensure that, in order to enable Head Start agencies to comply with the requirements of paragraph (2)(A), individuals who receive financial assistance under this subchapter to pursue a degree described in paragraph (2)(A) shall—
(A)
teach or work in a Head Start program for a minimum of 3 years after receiving the degree; or
(B)
repay the total or a prorated amount of the financial assistance received based on the length of service completed after receiving the degree.
(7)

Use of funds

The Secretary shall require that any Federal funds provided directly or indirectly to comply with paragraph (2)(A) shall be used toward degrees awarded by an institution of higher education, as defined by section 1001 or 1002 of title 20.

(b)

Mentor teachers

(1)

“Mentor teacher” defined; function

For purposes of this subsection, the term “mentor teacher” means an individual responsible for observing and assessing the classroom activities of a Head Start program and providing on-the-job guidance and training to the Head Start program staff and volunteers, in order to improve the qualifications and training of classroom staff, to maintain high quality education services, and to promote career development, in Head Start programs.

(2)

Requirement

In order to assist Head Start agencies in establishing positions for mentor teachers, the Secretary shall—
(A)
provide technical assistance and training to enable Head Start agencies to establish such positions;
(B)
give priority consideration, in providing assistance pursuant to subparagraph (A), to Head Start programs that have substantial numbers of new classroom staff or that are experiencing difficulty in meeting applicable education standards;
(C)
encourage Head Start programs to give priority consideration for such positions to Head Start teachers at the appropriate level of career advancement in such programs; and
(D)
promote the development of model curricula, designed to ensure the attainment of appropriate competencies of mentor teachers in Head Start programs.
(c)

Family service workers

To improve the quality and effectiveness of staff providing in-home and other services (including needs assessment, development of service plans, family advocacy, and coordination of service delivery) to families of children participating in Head Start programs, the Secretary, in coordination with concerned public and private agencies and organizations examining the issues of standards and training for family service workers, shall—
(1)
review, and, as necessary, revise or develop new qualification standards for Head Start staff providing such services;
(2)
review, and as necessary, revise or develop maximum caseload requirements, as suggested by best practices;
(3)
promote the development of model curricula (on subjects including parenting training and family literacy) designed to ensure the attainment of appropriate competencies by individuals working or planning to work in the field of early childhood and family services;
(4)
promote the establishment of a credential that indicates attainment of the competencies and that is accepted nationwide; and
(5)
promote the use of appropriate strategies to meet the needs of special populations (including populations of limited English proficient children).
(d)

Head Start Fellowships

(1)

Authority

The Secretary may establish a program of fellowships, to be known as “Head Start Fellowships”, in accordance with this subsection. The Secretary may award the fellowships to individuals, to be known as “Head Start Fellows”, who are staff in local Head Start programs or other individuals working in the field of child development and family services.

(2)

Purpose

The fellowship program established under this subsection shall be designed to enhance the ability of Head Start Fellows to make significant contributions to programs authorized under this subchapter, by providing opportunities to expand their knowledge and experience through exposure to activities, issues, resources, and new approaches, in the field of child development and family services.

(3)

Assignments of Fellows

(A)

Placement sites

Fellowship positions under the fellowship program may be located (subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C))—
(i)
in agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services administering programs authorized under this subchapter (in national or regional offices of such agencies);
(ii)
in local Head Start agencies and programs;
(iii)
in institutions of higher education;
(iv)
in public or private entities and organizations concerned with services to children and families; and
(v)
in other appropriate settings.
(B)

Limitation for Fellows other than Head Start employees

A Head Start Fellow who is not an employee of a local Head Start agency or program may be placed only in a fellowship position located in an agency or program specified in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A).

(C)

No placement in lobbying organizations

Head Start Fellowship positions may not be located in any agency (including a center) whose primary purpose, or one of whose major purposes, is to influence Federal, State, or local legislation.

(4)

Selection of Fellows

Head Start Fellowships shall be awarded on a competitive basis to individuals (other than Federal employees) selected from among applicants who are working, on the date of application, in local Head Start programs or otherwise working in the field of child development and children and family services.

(5)

Duration

Head Start Fellowships shall be for terms of 1 year, and may be renewed for a term of 1 additional year.

(6)

Authorized expenditures

section 9835(a)(2)(E) of this titleFrom amounts made available under , the Secretary is authorized to make expenditures of not to exceed $1,000,000 for any fiscal year, for stipends and other reasonable expenses of the fellowship program.

(7)

Status of Fellows

Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, Head Start Fellows shall not be considered to be employees or otherwise in the service or employment of the Federal Government. Head Start Fellows shall be considered to be employees for purposes of compensation for injuries under chapter 81 of title 5. Head Start Fellows assigned to positions located in agencies specified in paragraph (3)(A)(i) shall be considered employees in the executive branch of the Federal Government for the purposes of chapter 11 of title 18 and for purposes of any administrative standards of conduct applicable to the employees of the agency to which they are assigned.

(8)

Regulations

The Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection.

(e)

Model staffing plans

Not later than 1 year after , the Secretary, in consultation with appropriate public agencies, private agencies, and organizations and with individuals with expertise in the field of children and family services, shall develop model staffing plans to provide guidance to local Head Start agencies and programs on the numbers, types, responsibilities, and qualifications of staff required to operate a Head Start program.

(f)

Professional development plans

Each Head Start agency and program shall create, in consultation with an employee, a professional development plan for all full-time Head Start employees who provide direct services to children and shall ensure that such plans are regularly evaluated for their impact on teacher and staff effectiveness. The agency and the employee shall implement the plan to the extent feasible and practicable.

(g)

Staff recruitment and selection procedures

Before a Head Start agency employs an individual, such agency shall—
(1)
conduct an interview of such individual;
(2)
verify the personal and employment references provided by such individual; and
(3)
obtain—
(A)
a State, tribal, or Federal criminal record check covering all jurisdictions where the grantee provides Head Start services to children;
(B)
a State, tribal, or Federal criminal record check as required by the law of the jurisdiction where the grantee provides Head Start services; or
(C)
a criminal record check as otherwise required by Federal law.

Pub. L. 97–35, title VI, § 648APub. L. 103–252, title I, § 115108 Stat. 643Pub. L. 105–285, title I, § 115112 Stat. 2722Pub. L. 110–134, § 19121 Stat. 1430(, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 110–134, § 19(1)2007—Subsec. (a). , amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) related to qualification and development requirements for Head Start teachers in center-based programs and gave Secretary limited authority to waive alternative credentialing requirements.

Pub. L. 110–134, § 19(2)Subsec. (c). , amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, text of subsec. (c) read as follows: “In order to improve the quality and effectiveness of staff providing in-home and other services (including needs assessment, development of service plans, family advocacy, and coordination of service delivery) to families of children participating in Head Start programs, the Secretary, in coordination with concerned public and private agencies and organizations examining the issues of standards and training for family service workers, shall—

“(1) review and, as necessary, revise or develop new qualification standards for Head Start staff providing such services;

“(2) promote the development of model curricula (on subjects including parenting training and family literacy) designed to ensure the attainment of appropriate competencies by individuals working or planning to work in the field of early childhood and family services; and

“(3) promote the establishment of a credential that indicates attainment of the competencies and that is accepted nationwide.”

Pub. L. 110–134, § 19(3)(A)Subsec. (d)(3)(C). , inserted “(including a center)” after “agency”.

Pub. L. 110–134, § 19(3)(B)section 9835(a)(2)(E) of this titlesection 9835(a)(2)(D) of this titleSubsec. (d)(6). , substituted “amounts made available under ” for “amounts appropriated under this subchapter and allotted under ”.

Pub. L. 110–134, § 19(4)Subsecs. (f), (g). , added subsecs. (f) and (g).

Pub. L. 105–285, § 115(1)1998—Subsec. (a). , amended heading and text of subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) required Secretary to ensure that not later than , each Head Start classroom in a center-based program was assigned a teacher with certain specified credentials and gave Secretary limited authority to waive that requirement.

Pub. L. 105–285, § 115(2)Subsec. (b)(2)(B). , substituted “staff or that are” for “staff, that are” and struck out “, or that lack staff of a similar cultural background to that of the participating children and their families” before semicolon.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Education and Labor of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Education and the Workforce of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, .

Effective Date

42 U.S.C. 9831section 127 of Pub. L. 103–252section 9832 of this titleSection effective , but not applicable to Head Start agencies and other recipients of financial assistance under the Head Start Act ( et seq.) until , see , set out as an Effective Date of 1994 Amendment note under .