Head Start, the national school-readiness program, works and should be left alone. Studies have shown that for every dollar spent on quality pre-school programs, up to $7 can be saved on future costs for special education, teen pregnancy and unemployment.

That is why the current attempt by the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress to restructure the program is puzzling. Local Head Start programs now receive the bulk of their funding from the federal government, through the Department of Health and Human Services. The Bush plan would move Head Start to the Department of Education and give the states the money to run the program, in the form of block grants. This invites trouble because the states don’t have the infrastructure to run the program so another layer of bureaucracy would have to be created, thereby taking money away from the 1 million low-income children who now receive Head Start services nationally.

There is also a concern that states, many now facing huge budget deficits, will use the money for other purposes, something the proposed legislation does not expressly forbid. Further, once the federal government turns over control to the states, its interest in the program – and the accompanying financial support – may ebb.

“It makes no sense for Congress to recklessly mortgage the success of Head Start by turning over its funding to cash-strapped states,” said Ron Herndon, chairman of the National Head Start Association. “If Head Start funds are diverted and sent to state governments struggling with crippling budget deficits, you either will see fewer kids served or those who do get help will be in programs that are not of Head Start’s proven quality.”

President Bush says he wants to strengthen Head Start by focusing it more on promoting literacy skills. While improving literacy is an important goal, Head Start also provides important social services such as medical and dental screenings, parenting assistance and nutrition guidance. This could all be lost under the proposed restructuring. President Bush and others have called for higher credentials for Head Start teachers. This is a good goal, but more money is needed to hire teachers who are qualified to work in the public and private schools.

Gov. John Baldacci and the state’s congressional delegation have all said they oppose the changes. They are correct in speaking up in favor of this worthy program. A recent federal report gave Head Start the highest customer service score of 29 government agencies. It scored higher in customer satisfaction than many major corporations, including Mercedes Benz and BMW.

This speaks highly of a program that is largely achieving its goal of preparing high-risk youngsters for school. It is a program that deserves to be left intact.