The Biden administration has issued a final rule that mandates a $10,000 pay increase for most Head Start teachers by 2031. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) aims to bring Head Start teacher salaries in line with their counterparts in public school pre-K programs. However, concerns remain over how programs will fund the wage increase without additional support from Congress. [K-12 Dive]
Why it matters: Head Start, a critical program serving low-income families, has struggled with workforce shortages due to low pay. In 2022, a quarter of its teachers left for better-paying jobs in other sectors like retail and food service. The pay hike is part of a broader effort to reduce turnover and ensure consistent, quality education for vulnerable children. [The Associated Press]
The big picture: While the pay increase is a significant step toward improving conditions for Head Start staff, there are funding concerns.
- The National Head Start Association applauded the move, but warned that without more federal dollars, programs could be forced to reduce the number of children they serve, potentially affecting 90,000 slots nationwide.
What’s next: Head Start programs have until 2031 to fully implement the new wage requirements. The final rule also provides the possibility of a waiver if annual funding increases fall below 1.3%. Despite the extended timeline, many programs are expected to face tough decisions in balancing budgets while meeting the new requirements. [K-12 Dive]
