President Bush is right to say that we “want better than OK in America. We want excellence,” as he did Monday while visiting a Head Start pre-school program in Maryland. The problem is that there is much disagreement over whether changes proposed by his administration will make the highly successful school readiness program excellent or turn it into another failed government program.

The statistics so far have been impressive. Studies have shown that for every dollar invested in quality pre-school programs, up to $7 can be saved on future costs for special education, teen pregnancy and unemployment.

But, like any other program, Head Start can be made even better. President Bush is right to advocate for more emphasis on academic preparation for the children and stronger teacher qualifications for those who work with 1 million of the nation’s poorest 3- and 4-year-olds. What is missing from the administration’s proposal, however, is how this will be paid for as teachers with more training will no doubt expect higher salaries.

The president is also correct to hope to close the gap in academic performance between low-income students and their more affluent peers. But to expect Head Start to do this is unrealistic as much more than two or three years of schooling are needed to boost academic achievement.

One of the most controversial components of the proposed overhaul would be to begin a pilot program whereby funds would be sent directly to eight states to administer their own Head Start programs. Federal dollars are now sent to city, county and community organizations to run their own programs. The fear is that cash-strapped states would divert the funds to other needs, and that this signals the federal government’s backing away from the program.

The state’s congressional delegation and Gov. John Baldacci have properly opposed the changes, which could be voted on in the House as early as this week. It is expected to face strong opposition in the Senate. “It makes no sense to start down a totally new path with a program that’s been proven effective by three full decades of research,” said Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts. “Why would anyone want to turn Head Start into Slow Start of No Start?”

Why indeed.