Head Start Deregulation: Advocates Remain Concerned as Federal Decision Approaches

EveryChild California continues to closely monitor the federal government's proposed rule that would substantially change how Head Start programs operate. EveryChild California and our members joined Head Start administrators, parents, state legislators, and two dozen state attorneys general, including California's, in submitting public comments urging the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to reconsider the proposal. More than 40,000 comments were submitted, an unusually large response. An analysis by Press Audit of about two-thirds of those comments found that nearly 89% opposed the proposed changes, while only about 5% supported them. Despite this overwhelming response, advocates remain uncertain whether the final rule will meaningfully reflect the feedback received.

In a recent EdSource article, Betty Márquez Rosales said advocates worry the final rule may closely resemble the original proposal. Melanee Cottrill, Executive Director of Head Start California and a friend of EveryChild California, noted that it is unusual for a federal agency to publicly advocate for a proposal while it is still accepting comments, as the Administration did in the press and with congressional offices. As she put it:

“Given that unusual effort to really make the case for their proposals, I feel like it’s less likely than normal that they will make changes to it.”

ACF has declined to share a timeline, but observers anticipate a final rule could be issued sometime between December 2026 and April 2027. Even if the federal government moves forward without incorporating the feedback received, several avenues to protect Head Start program quality may remain. The ACLU has indicated it would seriously consider litigation if the final rule resembles the proposal, and the state attorneys general argued in their comment letter that the proposed rule is unlawful. Congress could also act, either by repealing the rule or by prohibiting federal funds from being used to implement it, a path that has become more likely following the change in control of both houses of Congress in the midterm election.

Head Start plays a critical role in supporting young children and families, particularly those experiencing economic hardship. The proposal would condense more than 100 pages of federal standards to roughly 10, removing requirements for classroom ratios, group sizes, nutrition, parent involvement, and services for children learning English, while adding a new English-only instruction requirement. These changes could significantly affect program quality, service delivery, and the children and families who depend on these services. EveryChild California will continue monitoring developments, sharing timely updates with our members, and advocating for policies that preserve the quality, accessibility, and integrity of Head Start programs.