"Given the proven inefficiencies of Head Start"

As a Head Start teacher, I want you to know that there are many Head Start programs in Texas that are far from inefficient. Please point me to the research you are basing your assumption on. Head Start takes in the children who are the most at risk in this state and gets them ready for public school. There are, on average, 20 children in one class who are from the ages of barely 3 years old to almost 5 years old. We address their nutritional needs, health concerns, dental needs, social-emotional needs as well as educational needs. Children cannot learn if their basic needs are not met. We address those needs to the best of our ability in order to help them and their families be ready to enter public school. At times, our children might have undiagnosed disabilities that we address as a team with the parents. This all happens within the first 45 days of school, by the way. This also all happens while teaching them the skills of functioning in a classroom and getting along with other children who are very different from them. In addition, this happens while educating them about letters, numbers, keeping their bodies healthy, and other themes that change on a weekly to bi-weekly basis. I challenge anyone who thinks that Head Start does not work to talk to one of the many Head Start parents who now have a GED because Head Start helped them pay for it. Whatever research you have that says that Head Start is inefficient is false.