On August 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a proposed rule that would effect a major change in federal standards for how Head Start programs should operate resulting in a huge reduction of regulations, oversight, funding, and involvement in a number of key areas. According to HHS, its aim is to give more control to states over the design of their early learning programs, but critics fear a significant weakening of the 61-year-old program.
The reforms proposed by HHS include removing federal rules for class ratios and sizes, curricular expectations, certain staffing requirements, and discipline policies, including undoing a prohibition on corporal punishment. It also would mandate that instruction be in English only and proposes reducing the cap on administrative costs from 15% to 5% of total approved program expenses.
The proposed regulations, in conjunction with a temporary funding freeze to Head Start in 2025 and the removal or reduction of many of the federal standards that provide a foundation for early learning and developmental success have heightened fears that standards for children’s mental health services, many pre- and postpartum supports for mothers, and safety measures like bus monitors will cause irreparable harm.
Currently, Head Start provides educational services along with health, nutrition and other supports to about 700,000 infants, toddlers and preschool children from low-income families each year.
Despite cries by those looking to sunset the Head Start program, testimonials from Head Start alumni, as well as various extensive research, have espoused the successes of the a program that has spanned six decades.
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