"The government gets it right on Head Start. We are providing opportunities for children in underserved areas where parents may not be able to afford preschool so they can begin their schooling with a running or Head Start"
About this Quote
Bob Filner points to the government’s role in leveling the playing field for young children through Head Start, a federal program focused on early childhood education for families with limited means. By referencing underserved areas, he identifies communities where economic disparities persist, meaning that access to quality preschool is not a given for all children. The reference to providing opportunities gestures at more than simple access; it suggests removing barriers that could otherwise entrench cycles of disadvantage.
The core of the statement hinges on the assertion that early education is not merely care, but foundational to later success. Filner acknowledges that beginning school with prepared children is advantageous. Phrasing like “running or Head Start” underscores how critical early childhood experiences are in shaping academic achievement. Entering the education system behind peers due to lack of resources can put children perpetually at a disadvantage, exacerbating inequality as they move through school.
Government intervention through Head Start, then, attempts to address these structural inequities. It recognizes that preschool costs can be prohibitive; many families, not due to lack of effort but because of socioeconomic circumstance, simply cannot afford the same educational starting line for their children as more affluent counterparts. By providing Head Start, the government actively helps ensure these children don’t commence their formal education behind, both academically and socially.
Filner’s view celebrates such policy as “getting it right”, affirming a responsibility of government to invest in collective futures by attending to its youngest members. Interwoven is the idea that opportunity is not self-generated alone, but often requires institutional support. Education, particularly in its earliest stages, has ripple effects throughout society, contributing to stronger communities and creating broader societal gains. The statement thus positions Head Start not just as a benefit to individuals, but as a wise and equitable investment in the nation’s overall wellbeing.
The core of the statement hinges on the assertion that early education is not merely care, but foundational to later success. Filner acknowledges that beginning school with prepared children is advantageous. Phrasing like “running or Head Start” underscores how critical early childhood experiences are in shaping academic achievement. Entering the education system behind peers due to lack of resources can put children perpetually at a disadvantage, exacerbating inequality as they move through school.
Government intervention through Head Start, then, attempts to address these structural inequities. It recognizes that preschool costs can be prohibitive; many families, not due to lack of effort but because of socioeconomic circumstance, simply cannot afford the same educational starting line for their children as more affluent counterparts. By providing Head Start, the government actively helps ensure these children don’t commence their formal education behind, both academically and socially.
Filner’s view celebrates such policy as “getting it right”, affirming a responsibility of government to invest in collective futures by attending to its youngest members. Interwoven is the idea that opportunity is not self-generated alone, but often requires institutional support. Education, particularly in its earliest stages, has ripple effects throughout society, contributing to stronger communities and creating broader societal gains. The statement thus positions Head Start not just as a benefit to individuals, but as a wise and equitable investment in the nation’s overall wellbeing.
Quote Details
| Topic | Learning |
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