SANTA ANA : Head Start Reports Improved Skills

The district’s Head Start program has taught a vast majority of its students skills ranging from math to problem solving, according to a report presented to the school board this week.

The report, prepared by the Santa Ana Unified School District staff, which interviewed 112 parents, found that more than 90% of the children improved problem-solving skills.

The least-effective Head Start programs involved beginning reading and beginning writing.

About 65% of the students unfamiliar with those skills picked them up in Head Start, according to interviews with parents.

School board member Tom Chaffee said he has opposed the program in the past because it creates government dependency and keeps children away from their parents.

“It is nice to see there are some results here,” he said but added, “I still think they ought to be home with Mom.”

Chaffee also noted that, speaking as a father, it is not unusual for children at that age to learn in leaps and bounds.

Children in the federally funded preschool program are about 4 years old, and must come from families living at or below the poverty line, which is an annual income of $14,350 for a family of four.

No local or state money is used for the program, which receives $985,477 in federal funds to teach 323 children. Officials say about 4,000 children total qualify for the local program.

School board member Sal Mendoza said he requested the report because “it is important for us, as decision-makers, to have feedback and awareness.”