Biden Administration Increases Head Start Teacher Pay to Address Shortage

New rules aim to align wages with local school districts by 2031, improve benefits, and retain educators.

Large operators must ensure pay parity and provide healthcare by 2031.
Head Start enrollment has dropped from over one million to 650,000 due to staff shortages.
A quarter of Head Start teachers left in 2022, many for higher-paying retail jobs.
Concerns arise about funding the pay increases without reducing program slots.
The initiative seeks to support women of color who have been the backbone of the program.