Staff, Parents, and Politics in Head Start: A Comprehensive Examination of Power Dynamics and Collaboration

Head Start is a federally funded early childhood education program that serves low-income families in the United States. The program provides comprehensive services to children and their families, including education, health care, nutrition, and social services. Head Start is unique in that it requires the involvement of parents in all aspects of the program, from planning and decision-making to implementation and evaluation.

Staff, Parents and Politics in Head Start: A Case Study in Unequal Power, Knowledge and Material Resources (Studies in Education/Politics Book 1188)

by Peggy A. Sissel

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1214 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	250 pages
Hardcover	:	390 pages
Item Weight	:	1.44 pounds
Dimensions	:	5.98 x 1 x 9.02 inches

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This article explores the complex relationships between staff, parents, and politics in Head Start programs. It examines the power dynamics that shape these relationships and the ways in which staff and parents collaborate to provide high-quality services to children and families. The article also discusses the challenges and opportunities that staff and parents face in working together.

Historical Context

Head Start was created in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. The program was designed to provide comprehensive services to low-income families, including education, health care, nutrition, and social services. The program was also designed to be parent-centric, with parents playing a key role in all aspects of the program.

The early years of Head Start were marked by conflict between staff and parents. Staff members were often seen as experts who knew what was best for children and families. Parents, on the other hand, were often seen as uneducated and uninformed. This conflict was exacerbated by the fact that most staff members were white and middle class, while most parents were black and low-income.

In the 1970s, there was a shift towards greater parent involvement in Head Start. This shift was due in part to the Civil Rights Movement and the growing awareness of the importance of parent involvement in children's education. In 1972, the Head Start Act was amended to require that parents be involved in all aspects of the program, from planning and decision-making to implementation and evaluation.

Legal Framework

The Head Start Act requires that parents be involved in all aspects of the program. This requirement is based on the belief that parents are the primary educators of their children and that they should have a say in the decisions that are made about their children's education.

The Head Start Act also establishes a number of specific requirements for parent involvement in Head Start programs. These requirements include:

* Parents must be involved in the planning and decision-making process for the program. * Parents must be represented on the program's policy council. * Parents must have access to information about the program and their children's progress. * Parents must be able to participate in the program's activities.

The Head Start Act also provides for the establishment of Parent Committees. Parent Committees are groups of parents who meet regularly to discuss issues related to the program and to make recommendations to the program's staff.

Research Findings

There is a growing body of research on the importance of parent involvement in Head Start. This research has found that parent involvement is associated with a number of positive outcomes for children, including:

* Improved academic achievement * Increased social skills * Better health * Reduced risk of delinquency * Greater self-esteem

Research has also found that parent involvement is associated with a number of positive outcomes for families, including:

* Improved relationships between parents and children * Increased parental knowledge and skills * Greater family stability * Reduced stress for parents

Challenges and Opportunities

There are a number of challenges that staff and parents face in working together. These challenges include:

* Different perspectives on what is best for children and families * Lack of trust and communication * Power imbalances * Limited resources

Despite these challenges, there are also a number of opportunities for staff and parents to collaborate in order to provide high-quality services to children and families. These opportunities include:

* Joint planning and decision-making * Parent involvement in program activities * Staff training on parent involvement * Collaboration with community organizations

Staff, parents, and politics are all integral parts of Head Start programs. The power dynamics and collaboration between these stakeholders shape the quality of services that are provided to children and families. Understanding these relationships is essential for creating Head Start programs that are responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.

Staff, Parents and Politics in Head Start: A Case Study in Unequal Power, Knowledge and Material Resources (Studies in Education/Politics Book 1188)

by Peggy A. Sissel

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1214 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	250 pages
Hardcover	:	390 pages
Item Weight	:	1.44 pounds
Dimensions	:	5.98 x 1 x 9.02 inches

FREE