Administration Advances Head Start Regulatory Changes

Why it matters locally: Changes to Head Start regulations could directly influence the operations and funding of early childhood education programs serving thousands of children across South Dakota, including those in the Sioux Falls and Rapid City areas. The specifics of how these changes are implemented will determine their impact on local Head Start agencies.

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WASHINGTON – The Trump administration has initiated a process to modify regulations governing the Head Start program. Officials outlined the proposed changes, which include eliminating specific requirements for the early childhood education initiative. Early childhood policy experts have indicated that such deregulation could affect how Head Start operates. These experts state that the program has historically maintained particular operational frameworks. The proposed changes represent a shift in the regulatory approach to Head Start. The administration's plan targets specific rules that have guided the program's operations since its inception.