Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007

The Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 (H.R. 1429) was a bill in the 110th Congress "to reauthorize the Head Start Act, to improve program quality, to expand access, and for other purposes." (Official title.)

Current status


Attempt to recommit bill with instructions
Before initial passage of the bill, the House defeated a motion to recommit the bill with instructions by a vote of 222-195. The motion instructed the House Committee on Education and Labor to add an amendment to the bill that would have amended the Head Start Act by adding a new section 654a following section 654, which concerns nondiscrimination provisions. It included the following provision: "``(3) EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.--Section 654 shall not apply to a recipient of financial assistance under this subchapter that is a religious corporation, association, educational institution, or society, with respect to the employment of individuals of a particular religion to perform work connected with the carrying on by such corporation, association, educational institution, or society of its activities. Such recipients shall comply with the other requirements contained in section 654." 

Initial passage in the House


Final passage in the House
From Project Vote Smart: Vote to pass a bill that reauthorizes the Head Start Program for five years and makes changes to teacher qualifications and participant eligibility.



Supporters

 * American Civil Liberties Union
 * Anti-Defamation League
 * Catholic Charities USA
 * National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
 * National Council of La Raza
 * National Education Association
 * National School Boards Association
 * Save Head Start