Tampabay.com
DECEMBER 13, 2007

Head Start reauthorized, without the test

President Bush has given Head Start a five year renewal, but he didn't sound very happy with all the provisions within the  bill.

Education Week reports that the president criticized Congress for stripping out the test that allowed the government to "examine consistently how Head Start children are performing in programs across the nation."

"I am also disappointed that the bill fails to include my proposal to
protect faith-based organizations' religious-hiring autonomy," Bush said.

Not everyone is upset with the law. AFT president Edward J. McElroy said, "This new Head Start law will help our youngest and most vulnerable children get the boost they need. This bill is an example of the smart legislation and forward-thinking investment in education that our country needs to support all of America's children."

For more, read the president's news release and see the bill and related information.

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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