One of the most important elements of program quality is having qualified staff who can deliver services for children and their families. Head Start requires that educational services staff meet specific qualifications as mandated in the Head Start Act. This section provides information on specific educational requirements for teachers, home visitors, and education coordinators.

The information and resources are related to the subjects listed below:

Mentor-Coaching
Multiple strategies that support professional development are necessary to improve the quality of education for children and families. The Office of Head Start's Mentor-Coaching Initiative combines many elements with the goal of strengthening child achievement and professional development. Information on mentor-coaching included here can provide guidance to improve the training and qualifications of classroom staff, which in turn influences positive outcomes for children.

Qualifications
The Office of Head Start has mandated that Head Start and Early Head Start programs improve the training and qualifications of home visitors and classroom teachers. As part of that effort, quality improvement funds have been made available. This section includes specific guidance and strategies to assist grantees with increasing their number of teachers with college degrees.