Elevating Home Language for Early Childhood English Learners
TESOL Comments on Proposed Changes to Head Start Program
TESOL International Association provided comments to the U.S. Office of Head Start's proposed changes eliminating bilingual and dual language services supporting English learners and their families.
TESOL supports effective and research-based instruction for multilingual learners of English in all educational levels, especially for early childhood programs like Head Start.
Our comments on the proposed changes call for Head Start to preserve research-based bilingual and dual language instruction, along with home language support; to preserve linguistically appropriate screening and assessment safeguards for English learners; and to preserve clear expectations for meaningful communications with families.
As noted in our concluding remarks, preserving these aspects of the program would strengthen English acquisition and school readiness, while making responsible use of federal resources.