Congress is closely divided over the reauthorization of Head Start.
The Head Start program provides nutritional, educational, medical and social services to 900,000 low-income children nationwide.
The GOP-backed reauthorization bill calls for higher academic standards, and proposes a pilot project that would shift control from the federal government to individual states.
The legislation has generated concern from Republicans and Democrats alike.
Both of New Hampshire Representatives support the bill.
They argue the legislation will only enhance opportunities for poor children in the state.
New Hampshire Public Radio?s Dan Gorenstein reports.
The US House originally planned to vote on Head Start reauthorization last week.
But GOP leaders pulled the bill when they saw it didn?t have the votes to pass.
Lawmakers received some 12,000 calls, expressing concern that the program was being under funded and undermined.
Merriam Russell shares that worry.
She oversees 11 North Country Head Start programs, that served about 300 families last year.
While the bill proposes a modest $202 million dollar increase over 5 years, Russell says it imposes new costs that it doesn?t fully fund.
In particular, the bill sets new standards for who can teach in Head Start.
17:51 this bill now says they...want everyone to have a bachelor?s degree. But the funding...was not raised this year, so it?s ok, where is the money going to come from now.
Under the bill, Head Start teachers must have at least an associate?s degree in early education or related field, and requires 50% of all teachers to have a bachelor?s by 2008.
Not only is this expensive, say critics, it could also lead to a Head Start teacher shortfall.
Instead critics further question the bill?s tighter focus on academic skills.
Michael McGrady with the National Head Start Association, says right now children are tested on their cognitive, social, behavioral, and academic skills.
If the proposed legislation became law, McGrady says that test would only cover academics.
But what worries McGrady, and many others most is the bill?s eight state pilot project that would give states control over Head Start.
McGrady says that would mean relaxing standards that have made the program a success.
3:56...there is a provision in this law that say that the states may follow standards, it does not say they must, they shall, and just that word gives them a loophole around using the HS performance standards.
Republican Representative Charlie Bass dismisses the critics.
He sees very little downside to the proposed changes.
4:16 it?s typical and not unexpected when you talk about changing a program that the status quo is always supported by the providers. The people who provide the programs, and it is our responsibility to determine where they are right, and where they are not.
Bass says the pilot project could help reduce the number of Head Start students that academically lag behind more affluent students when they enter grammar school.
2:36 ... there are safeguards that prevent states from ciphoning off resources, and prevent them from lowering the standards, but what they can do is have more flexibility...and maybe provide more innovative tools without costing more money.
The House is scheduled to vote on the measure this week.
Also this week, the Senate will hear testimony on the proposal in the Education Committee chaired by New Hampshire?s Senator Judd Gregg.
For NHPR News, I?m DG.
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