Supporting High-Quality Preschool with Title I Funds - Guidance to Local Educational Agencies and Schools on Implementing the Required Head Start Program Performance Standards for Title I-Funded Preschool Programs - December 2024

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

Guidance clarifies that the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) in 45 C.F.R. Part 1302 Subpart C are required for preschool programs supported with Title I, Part A funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended. It explains how schools and local educational agencies must meet Part 1302 standards, summarizes select required provisions, and directs providers to full standards in the Appendix. The document also frames compliance obligations under federal civil rights laws and related special education requirements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

PURPOSE

INTRODUCTION

SECTION I. PROVIDING EDUCATION AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT PRESCHOOL SERVICES UNDER HSPPS – 45 C.F.R. PART 1302 SUBPART C

The Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five (ELOF)

Teaching Practices & Learning Environments (§ 1302.31)

Curricula (§ 1302.32)

Screening and Referral (§ 1302.33)

Child Assessment (§ 1302.33)

Parent and Family Engagement in Education and Child Development Services (§ 1302.34)

SECTION II. SERVING SPECIFIC STUDENT GROUPS

Serving Dual Language Learners

Supporting Tribal Languages and Culture

APPENDIX

Supporting High-Quality Preschool with Title I Funds: Guidance to Local Educational Agencies and Schools on Implementing the Required Head Start Program Performance Standards for Title I-Funded Preschool Programs U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Guidance on the Head Start Program Performance Standards Required Under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act December 2024 Table of Contents PURPOSE ....................................................................................................................................... 3 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 5 SECTION I. PROVIDING EDUCATION AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT PRESCHOOL SERVICES UNDER HSPPS – 45 C.F.R. PART 1302 SUBPART C............................................ 7 The Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five (ELOF) ................. 7 Teaching Practices & Learning Environments (§ 1302.31) ........................................................ 9 Curricula (§ 1302.32) ................................................................................................................ 12 Screening and Referral (§ 1302.33) .......................................................................................... 13 Child Assessment (§ 1302.33) .................................................................................................. 15 Parent and Family Engagement in Education and Child Development Services (§ 1302.34) .. 16 SECTION II. SERVING SPECIFIC STUDENT GROUPS......................................................... 18 Serving Dual Language Learners .............................................................................................. 18 Supporting Tribal Languages and Culture ................................................................................ 19 APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................... 21 PURPOSE This guidance is intended to clarify that the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) in 45 C.F.R. Part 1302 Subpart C – Education and Child Development Program Services are required for preschool programs supported with funds under Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA); and provide information to preschool providers on select required provisions ofthe HSPPS. ESEA section 1112(c)(7) requires that early education services provided prior to kindergarten entry and funded using Title I funds must comply with the Head Start educational standards. Thus, all standards in Part 1302 Subpart C of the HSPPS are required of schools or local educational agencies (LEAs) that use Title I funds for preschool. The educational standards in full are provided in the Appendix for reference. This document builds on previous guidance from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), Serving Preschool Children Through Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as Amended (Title I Preschool Guidance)(available at: [https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/2024/02/Title-I-Preschool-Early-Learning](https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/2024/02/Title-I-Preschool-Early-Learning)Guidance-Revised-2023-FINAL.pdf) and summarizes select provisions to assist Title I preschools in understanding the HSPPS at Part 1302 Subpart C. This document is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted, with the following citation: U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Supporting High-Quality Preschool with Title I Funds: Guidance to Local Educational Agencies and Schools on Implementing the Required Head Start Program Performance Standards for Title I-Funded Presc

FAQs

Which preschool programs must comply with HSPPS 45 C.F.R. Part 1302 Subpart C when using Title I funds?

Preschool programs supported with Title I, Part A (Title I) funds must comply with all standards in Part 1302 Subpart C. This applies to schools and local educational agencies (LEAs) using Title I funds for preschool.

What does the guidance provide to Title I preschools regarding HSPPS?

It clarifies the required HSPPS provisions and summarizes select required provisions to help providers understand the requirements in Part 1302 Subpart C. Full standards are provided in the Appendix for reference.

What additional federal compliance requirements are mentioned for LEAs and schools?

LEAs and schools must comply with federal civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age, and with requirements under IDEA, including early intervention and FAPE-related obligations.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai