The Head Start Program Performance Standards are the foundation for Head Start’s mission – they provide the roadmap to delivering comprehensive, high quality individualized services for Head Start children and families and to supporting the school readiness and healthy development of children from low-income families.

Explore these questions and answers surrounding the release of the new Standards.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published a final rule on September 1, 2016 revising the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) to strengthen and improve the quality of Head Start programs. This action is part of the Administration’s early learning efforts to ensure that all children start school ready to succeed.

Head Start Program Performance Standards: Preamble - Part 1

Normas de Desempeño del Programa Head Start

Ley de Head Start

Explore excerpts from the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) around staff qualifications.

Public Law 110-134 "Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007"

Statutory Degree and Credentialing Requirements for Head Start Teaching Staff