Plain Language Summary
# HEADWAY Act Summary **What It Does:** The HEADWAY Act would relax current staffing requirements for Early Head Start programs (federally-funded preschool programs for infants and toddlers). Currently, all teachers in these programs must already have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and specialized training in early childhood development. The bill would allow additional teachers to work while *in the process* of earning their CDA credential, rather than requiring them to complete it first.
At minimum, each classroom would need just one fully-credentialed teacher instead of all teachers being fully qualified. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects Early Head Start programs, which serve low-income families with young children. It would impact teachers seeking to enter the early childhood education field, program administrators, and the children and families served by these programs. **Key Provisions:** - Requires only one teacher per classroom to have a completed CDA credential (rather than all teachers) - Allows other teachers to teach while still earning their CDA and completing required training - Maintained requirement that teachers receive early childhood development training **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Head start Education And Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act or the HEADWAY ActThis bill allows some teachers in Early Head Start programs to teach while in the process of earning their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and completing training.Currently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must ensure that all teachers providing direct services to children and families in Early Head Start centers (1) have a minimum of a CDA credential and have been trained in early childhood development, and (2) have been trained in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.The bill revises this requirement by requiring at least one teacher per classroom (instead of all teachers) to have a CDA credential and training. In particular, the bill requires HHS to ensure that (1) each additional teacher providing direct services to children and families is in the process of earning a CDA credential and completing training, and (2) the Early Head Start agency provides a mentor to oversee the progress and guide the work of a teacher who is in the process of earning a CDA credential and completing training.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.