S 2323119th CongressIn Committee

HEADWAY Act

Introduced: Jul 17, 2025

Sponsor: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA] (D-Georgia)

Infrastructure

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The HEADWAY Act (Head Start Education And Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act) would amend the Head Start Act to allow some Early Head Start teachers to teach while they are earning a minimum credential, specifically a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, and while completing related training. The bill shifts existing requirements away from a deadline that all teachers must be credentialed by a fixed date to a ongoing standard: at least one qualified, credentialed teacher per classroom, with other teachers in the program required to be working toward a CDA or higher and receiving mentorship during that process. The aim is to strengthen workforce development in Early Head Start by promoting credential attainment and providing supported supervision as teachers pursue their credentials.

Key Points

1This bill amends Section 645A(h) of the Head Start Act to change how many teachers in Early Head Start classrooms must be credentialed and how quickly. Instead of a blanket deadline for all teachers, the act now requires at least one teacher per classroom to be credentialed and serving children, with other teachers also working toward a minimum CDA credential.
2It requires that any additional teachers providing direct services in these classrooms be working toward earning a credential that is at least a CDA and toward completing related training or coursework in early childhood development.
3The bill mandates mentoring: during the period a teacher is working toward the credential and training, the Early Head Start agency must provide a mentor to oversee progress and guide the teacher.
4It makes clear that the credentialing and training requirements apply to Early Head Start programs (including those located in Early Head Start centers), and it updates the prior language that set fixed deadlines (e.g., 2010 and 2012) to an ongoing standard.
5The short title of the bill is the Head Start Education And Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act (HEADWAY Act).

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Children and families enrolled in Early Head Start programs, particularly in classrooms where teachers are pursuing credentials; the policy aims to improve staff qualifications and ongoing professional development in infant/toddler settings.Secondary group/area affected- Early Head Start teachers and program staff, who gain structured pathways toward credentials (CDA) and access to mentoring during the credentialing process; program administrators who must implement mentoring and track progress.Additional impacts- Funding and resource implications for Head Start programs to support credentialing and mentoring (training stipends, mentor roles, and potential supervision costs).- Workforce development pipeline effects, potentially improving teacher qualifications over time and possibly influencing program quality and child outcomes in Early Head Start settings.

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