Head Start and Parent Involvement

Central to Head Start's 2-generational approach to early childhood education is the premise that parents are important partners in their children's education. This article defines parent involvement broadly and describes Head Start's policies and principles for involving parents. The research on parent involvement in Head Start is reviewed, and the impact of recent federal social policies pertaining to families in poverty, like welfare reform, on parent involvement in Head Start is discussed. In spite of these barriers, Head Start is evolving to maintain its commitment to encouraging parents' maximum feasible participation in their children's education.