HEADWAY Act
2/8/2025, 2:05 PMSummary of Bill HR 336
Bill 119 HR 336, also known as the "Head Start Teacher Improvement Act," aims to amend the Head Start Act to allow certain teachers in Early Head Start programs to teach while working towards earning a child development associate credential. This bill is designed to provide more flexibility for teachers in Early Head Start programs, allowing them to continue teaching while furthering their education and professional development.The Head Start program is a federally funded program that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. Early Head Start programs specifically serve infants, toddlers, and pregnant women.
Currently, teachers in Early Head Start programs are required to have a child development associate credential, which is a nationally recognized credential in early childhood education. This bill would allow teachers who do not yet have this credential to continue teaching while working towards obtaining it. By allowing teachers to teach while earning their credential, this bill aims to address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators and improve the quality of education provided in Early Head Start programs. It also recognizes the importance of professional development and education for teachers in order to better serve the needs of young children and their families. Overall, Bill 119 HR 336 seeks to support and empower teachers in Early Head Start programs by providing them with the opportunity to further their education and professional development while continuing to teach and make a positive impact on the lives of young children.
Congressional Summary of HR 336
Head start Education And Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act or the HEADWAY Act
This 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.
