Trump administration proposes English-only instruction for Head Start

The Trump administration has proposed an overhaul of Head Start standards that would require the federally funded early childhood program to conduct all education in English. If finalized, the proposal would move away from the long-standing practice of using multilingual teachers and home languages as a foundation for teaching English to low-income children.

The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Head Start, stated that a “firm foundation in the English language” is critical for preparing children for school. The administration argues that emphasizing English will improve children’s future economic opportunities and their ability to participate in American communities.

Under the proposed changes, programs could seek waivers, and certain Tribal-language instruction would remain exempt. Currently, Head Start serves approximately 700,000 low-income children, with at least one-third of enrollees speaking a language other than English at home.