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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Preschool discipline disparities start early: boys are 54% of enrollment but 84% of expulsions; Black children are 18% of enrollment but 33% of expulsions. Explore our new report: ow.ly/EaVN50ZSv6V #ExclusionaryDiscipline #EarlyLearning #ChildDevelopment #HeadStart

Bar chart comparing preschool enrollment, out-of-school suspension, and expulsion shares for boys, Black children, American Indian or Alaska Native children, and children of two or more races. Boys represent 54% of enrollment but 81% of suspensions and 84% of expulsions; Black children represent 18% of enrollment but 38% of suspensions and 33% of expulsions.

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

How do state child care rules compare with Head Start ratios for 1-year-olds? Our latest report found that 85% of states had weaker ratios for this age group than the Head Start standard. That’s the share of states, not children. Learn more: ow.ly/OMzE50ZTlcf

Eighty-five percent of states have weaker child-staff ratios for one-year-olds than the Head Start standard, shown with toddlers playing blocks.

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

👶 Teacher ratios are critical to young children’s safety, development, and learning. ⚠️ If Head Start adopted state licensing standards, ratios for 2-year-olds would at least double in 24 states. Lowering standards puts quality and equity at risk. 📖 ow.ly/rAHB50ZSv6C

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Head Start ratios are 1:4 for infants & toddlers, 1:8 for 3-year-olds, & 1:10 for 4-year-olds. Our report compares them with state licensing rules using 2025–27 state plans. No state met Head Start’s standards across every age group. Learn more: ow.ly/JPob50ZTl9t

Infant playing with a colorful ball on the floor, supervised by a smiling adult woman in a childcare setting.

Two toddlers playing with wooden blocks, illustrating the 1:4 adult-to-child ratio for children under 36 months in Head Start programs.

Teacher engaging three-year-olds in a classroom with colorful building blocks, illustrating a 1:8 adult-to-child ratio.

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

What could happen to classroom conditions if Head Start ratios and group sizes followed state child care licensing rules? Our latest report builds on our previous work exploring ratios, and expands to group sizes. Read the report: ow.ly/YwvX50ZThTO #HeadStart #ECE

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Harsh and exclusionary discipline starts early, disproportionately impacting Black, AI/AN, and disabled children and boys. What happens when Head Start protections are replaced by uneven state policies? Read our new report: ow.ly/MvzI50ZSv6z

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

🧠 Screening rates vary sharply by system. 📊 In 2024, 72% of children in Head Start received screenings examined in our report, vs. 39% in Medicaid. 📍 Mississippi: 92% in Head Start vs. 6% in Medicaid. 🔗 cep.asu.edu/resources/access-inclus…

A toddler playing with a colorful stacking toy while an adult watches, alongside statistics on Early Head Start screenings in 2024.

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

♿ Inclusion for young children with disabilities varies widely. 🏫 In Head Start, children with disabilities learn alongside their peers. Nationally, only 43% of preschoolers with disabilities receive services in regular early childhood programs. 🔗 ow.ly/T1cY50ZQQxX

Infographic showing 100% of Head Start preschoolers with disabilities aged 3-5 receive inclusive special education, compared to 43% national average.

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

♿ State child care policies vary widely on disability inclusion: • 44 states address care for children with disabilities • Only 5 require accessible child care centers • About 1 in 3 require accommodations • 12 require appropriate materials/equipment Read more: ow.ly/N0Ju50ZQQxy

Map showing average monthly percentages of children with disabilities receiving child care subsidies by state in FY2023, with Georgia highest at 15%.

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Inclusion for preschoolers with disabilities varies widely by state, while Head Start centers include children with disabilities alongside peers. Our new report looks at why: ow.ly/Wm0j50ZQQx3 #DisabilityInclusion #HeadStart #EarlyLearning #SpecialEducation

Bar chart comparing the percent of preschoolers with disabilities receiving special education services in inclusive settings in FY 2023. Head Start is highest at 100%, compared with 36.1% across all states. Colorado is highest among states at 90.6%, while Idaho is lowest at 6.5%.

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Teacher-child ratios matter—especially for children who need more individualized support. If Head Start ratios were replaced by state licensing standards, about 80% of enrolled children would experience worse ratios. Read more: ow.ly/e3Pg50ZPvC1 #HeadStart #DisabilityInclusion

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Access to inclusive early learning can vary widely for children with disabilities. Our new report examines what children need to thrive and compares Head Start’s inclusion standards with state policies. Read more: ow.ly/MIjI50ZPvvy #HeadStart #DisabilityInclusion #EarlyChildhoodEducation

Child playing with colorful toys on the cover of the Children’s Equity Project report, “Access & Inclusion for Children with Disabilities in Head Start: A Review of the Research and a Policy Comparison Between Head Start Standards and States,” published September 2026.

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

100% vs. 43%. In Head Start, children with disabilities receive services alongside their peers. Nationally, just 43% of preschoolers with disabilities receive special education services in regular early childhood programs. Read more: ow.ly/ANM750ZPvzY #HeadStart #DisabilityInclusion

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

What does meaningful inclusion look like for young children with disabilities? Our new report examines how Head Start’s disability inclusion standards compare with state early care and education policies. Read the report: ow.ly/BfG250ZPvtu #HeadStart #DisabilityInclusion #EarlyChildhood

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

New CEP Report: Our 4th report examines how rolling back Head Start Program Performance Standards could affect access and inclusion for children with disabilities. Read the report: ow.ly/H0WJ50ZPn5w Check out our other resources: ow.ly/rH5950ZPn5x

Cover of the Children’s Equity Project report “Access & Inclusion for Children with Disabilities in Head Start,” featuring a young child playing with colorful learning materials outdoors. Subtitle: “A Review of the Research and a Policy Comparison Between Head Start Standards and States.” Published September 2026.

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

If a young child may have a developmental delay or disability, timing matters. ⏱️ In 2024, 72% of newly enrolled Early Head Start children ages 0–3 received screenings within 45 days. Among those screened, 19% needed further evaluation. 🔎 🔗 ow.ly/7Ptr50ZPSb0 #HeadStart #EarlyIntervention

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Preschool discipline disparities start early: boys are 54% of enrollment but 84% of expulsions; Black children are 18% of enrollment but 33% of expulsions. Explore our new report: ow.ly/jqJF50ZOu6T #ExclusionaryDiscipline #EarlyLearning #ChildDevelopment #HeadStart

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

👶 Quality matters. If Head Start were required to follow state child care licensing standards, 2-year-olds would see the biggest decline in teacher-to-child ratios. ⚠️ In 24 states, ratios would at least double. 📖 Learn more: ow.ly/yuML50ZLJQW

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Watch the Campaign for Grade Level Reading webinar on the proposed changes to Head Start & what they could mean for children, families, & communities. The CEP’s Dr. Shantel Meek & a panel of experts joined in on the conversation. Watch the recording: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD2bQxZZp1c

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

About 1/3 of Head Start kids are dual language learners (DLLs). Research shows bilingualism is a distinct asset that boosts long-term reading, math, & earnings. Our new brief shows why dual language education is the gold standard for success. Learn more: ow.ly/kvC750ZLJQS

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

As of 2024, 17 states still allow corporal punishment in public schools. Research links the practice to physical harm and negative outcomes for children. Explore CEP’s new report: ow.ly/8ofZ50ZL5KO #EarlyChildhoodEducation #CorporalPunishment #EducationPolicy #ChildSafety

U.S. map highlighting 17 states that allow corporal punishment in public schools as of 2024: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Only 14 states have policies that align with Head Start’s exclusionary discipline protections in content, & just 7 apply across the full 0–5 age range. See our new report: ow.ly/S92350ZL5JR #HeadStart #EducationPolicy #EarlyLearning #ExclusionaryDiscipline #EducationEquity

U.S. map showing state alignment with Head Start Program Performance Standards on exclusionary discipline. Seven states align for ages 0–5, seven align only for preschool-aged children, and most states are shown as not aligned.

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Black children are 18% of preschool enrollment, but 38% of out-of-school suspensions and 33% of expulsions. These disparities start early. Explore CEP’s new report: ow.ly/MEHt50ZL5Jm #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EducationEquity #Preschool #ExclusionaryDiscipline #EarlyLearning

Stacked bar chart comparing preschool enrollment, out-of-school suspensions, and expulsions by race and ethnicity. Black children represent 18% of enrollment, 38% of suspensions, and 33% of expulsions; children of two or more races represent 5%, 9%, and 7%, respectively.

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Preschool discipline disparities start early: boys are 54% of enrollment but 84% of expulsions; Black children are 18% of enrollment but 33% of expulsions. Explore our new report: ow.ly/nhX150ZL5Ij #ExclusionaryDiscipline #EarlyLearning #ChildDevelopment #HeadStart

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

DLLs need linguistically appropriate assessments. Without them, DLLs risk misidentification for special ed or missing needed services. Weakening Head Start’s bilingual assessment standards could threaten access to early intervention under IDEA. Learn more: ow.ly/OHMh50ZH8Jy

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Strong Head Start programs rely on strong family partnerships. For non-English-speaking families, bilingual staff are essential for communication, trust, & engagement. 🌎In Puerto Rico, 99% of enrolled Head Start children are DLLs. ➡️ Read the brief: ow.ly/VN1r50ZH8uv

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Join the Campaign for Grade Level Reading for a timely conversation on the proposed changes to Head Start & what they could mean for children, families, and communities. The CEP’s Shantel Meek & a panel of experts will join in. 📅 Sept. 8 | 3–4:30 p.m. ET 🔗 Register: ow.ly/KziS50ZHawY

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Accurate bilingual assessment protects #duallanguagelearners. Dropping #HeadStart standards risks misdiagnosis & deprives kids of needed early intervention. Read the full brief to understand the intersection of language standards & #specialeducation: ow.ly/32sv50ZFt7f

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Strong early childhood programs rely on strong family partnerships. Eliminating Head Start’s bilingual staff requirements weakens these ties, strains workers, & threatens culturally rooted care in communities like Puerto Rico. Learn more: ow.ly/X6YJ50ZFt4M #HeadStart #DualLanguage

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Language access in early ed is a federally mandated civil right. Since 1975, Head Start performance standards have guaranteed bilingual staff for multilingual kids. Removing them violates statutory law. Policy brief: ow.ly/mzVA50ZFt4h #HeadStartAct #EarlyEd

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Almost 40% of Head Start kids are dual language learners (DLLs). Research shows bilingualism is a distinct asset that boosts long-term reading, math, & earnings. Our new brief shows why dual language education is the gold standard for success. Learn more: ow.ly/NGAn50ZF1jQ

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Our new report highlights Head Start’s 50+ year legacy supporting dual language learners. Per federal mandate, high-quality dual language education outperforms English-only models—boosting English proficiency, academics, and long-term earnings. ow.ly/enZq50ZENNA

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

CEP was featured in The Washington Post on proposed changes to Head Start & what they could mean for children & families. Our research shows Head Start’s standards support high-quality learning, health, inclusion & family engagement. Read the full piece: ow.ly/H54c50ZAZvi

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

About 1 in 3 young children in the U.S. are dual language learners. Head Start standards protect language access, support home language development & strengthen family partnerships. These protections have been in place for 50+ years. ⏳ Learn more: ow.ly/qR2F50ZAZkY

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

🧩 Head Start has led inclusive early learning since before IDEA, ensuring children with disabilities are fully supported. Replacing its standards with state licensing risks this, as state inclusion rules remain inconsistent. 🔎 ow.ly/nGoS50Zyiob

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Early learning outcomes are entirely contingent on quality experiences for children; quality is codified in the HSPPS. Check out these published stories featuring our report below. Washington Post: ow.ly/b3zJ50ZyFNI ABC News: ow.ly/Nmsm50ZyFNK Report: ow.ly/3ba150ZyFNJ

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families are a child’s first teachers, and Head Start puts them at the center—referencing families 198 times across all operations! Yet state licensing lags far behind: only 21 states have family involvement policies, and just 12 require them. 📖 ow.ly/hHXI50ZyimN

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Research shows harsh discipline starts early, disproportionately impacts Black children, boys & children with disabilities, & leads to negative outcomes. 🌱 HSPPS protects children w discipline safeguards, strong ratios & mental health supports. HSPPS ≠ state licensing. 📖 ow.ly/iZWg50ZwoCJ

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

📊 If Head Start ratios were replaced by state child care licensing standards: 👶 Infants in 4+ states would see ratios rise 50%+; 🧒 2-year-olds in 24 states would see ratios at least double; ⚠️ 80% of children (0–4) would have worse ratios. 📖Learn more: ow.ly/PaLY50Zwoyg

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The Children's Equity Project @childrensequity.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

📊 Head Start Program Performance Standards ≠ state child care licensing. 🌱 Head Start promotes child development; state licensing sets the minimum to operate. ⚠️ ZERO states match Head Start's teacher-to-child ratios from birth to age 5. 📖Learn more: ow.ly/g00350Zworv

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