State(s) of Head Start and Early Head Start: Looking at Equity

Head Start and Early Head Start are some of America's most effective federal programs for meaningfully improving school readiness and building a solid foundation for children's future success. However, there are persistent challenges in creating equitable access and quality nationwide. This report examines barriers to accessing these programs faced by certain demographic groups, disparities in funding allocation, and the quality of services provided by Head Start and Early Head Start programs, revealing significant variations between states. Policy recommendations include increasing federal funding to improve both enrollment and teacher salaries