January 13, 2025
Mr. Ciscomani (for himself and Ms. Sherrill) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To amend the Head Start Act to permit some teachers in Early Head Start programs to teach while earning a child development associate credential.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Head start Education And Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act
or the HEADWAY Act
.
Sec. 2. Teachers in Early Head Start programs
Section 645A(h) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a(h)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1)—
(A)
by striking , not later than September 30, 2010, all teachers
and inserting at least one teacher per classroom who is
;
(B)
by striking Early Head Start programs located in Early Head Start centers, have a minimum
and inserting an Early Head Start program located in an Early Head Start center, has a minimum
;
(C)
by striking have been trained (or have
and inserting has been trained (or has
; and
(D)
by striking and
at the end;
(2)
by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);
(3)
by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
(2)
ensure that—
(A)
each additional teacher providing direct services to children and families described in paragraph (1) is working towards earning a credential that is, at a minimum, a child development associate credential and towards completing training (or equivalent coursework in early childhood development); and
(B)
during the period in which such a teacher is working towards earning that credential and completing that training or coursework, the Early Head Start agency employing the teacher shall provide a mentor to oversee the progress and guide the work of the teacher towards earning that credential and completing that training or coursework; and; and
(4)
in paragraph (3), as so redesignated—
(A)
by striking not later than September 30, 2012, all such teachers
and inserting at least one teacher per classroom providing direct services to children and families described in paragraph (1) has
;
(B)
by striking (or have
and inserting (or has
; and
(C)
by striking the period at the end and inserting , and that each additional teacher providing direct services to such children and families is working towards completing that training or coursework.
.