Gossett warns English-only mandate would harm Head Start
Gossett says HHS would require Head Start instruction only in English. She reports that 73% of New York City Head Start students were dual language learners in 2024-2025 and that many staff speak Spanish or other languages.
First, HHS would require all Head Start programs going forward to be taught in English and only English.
English.
Head Start programs serve students who speak many languages, and its staff reflect this language diversity.
Additionally, families benefit from Head Start's language programming.
In 2024 to 2025, 73% or 14,000 of New York City's enrolled Head Start students were dual language learners.
Students were equally as likely to speak English at home as they were likely to speak Spanish at home.
About a quarter of Head Start staff spoke Spanish, and 35% of staff were proficient in a language other than English.
And over 400 New York City families participated in an ESL training over the course of the year.
IBO supports the continuation of student language access and urges HHS to reconsider rescinding these requirements.