The 1972 Amendments to the Economic Opportunity Act mandated that not less than 10% of the Head Start enrollment nationwide be made available to handicapped children. This article reports research evaluating the effect of the mandate during the first year of its implementation. The findings indicate reasonable progress in meeting the needs of the handicapped; however, labeling appears to have increased and serious problems remain in accommodating youngsters with severe disabilities. Recommendations for the enhancement of Head Start efforts on behalf of the handicapped are including a suggestion for reducing society's inclination to segregate or exclude children with major differences in development.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BlattB., & GarfunkelF.The educability of intelligence: Preschool intervention with disadvantaged children. Washington DC: The Council for Exceptional Children, 1969.
2.
CahnJ.Preliminary survey: Head Start services to handicapped children. Unpublished manuscript, 1972. (Available from the Office of Child Development, US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare).
3.
DeGrandpreB. A.The culture of a state school ward. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Syracuse University, 1973.
4.
FrostJ. L. (Ed.). Revisiting early childhood education: Readings. New York; Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, 1973.
5.
Kirachner Associates, Inc.A national survey of the impacts of Head Start centers on community institutions. Unpublished manuscript, 1970. (Available from the Office of Child Development, US Department of Health, Education. and Welfare).
6.
LaVorM. L.Economic Opportunity Amendments of 1972, Public Law 92–424. Exceptional Children, 1972, 39, 249–253.
7.
Public Law 92–424, 92nd Congress, H. R. 12350, September 19, 1972.
8.
US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.Developing new approaches to Head Start services to handicapped children guidelines for experimental projects serving preschool children with special needs (Appendix B to RFP-53-73-HEW-OS). Unpublished manuscript, 1973.(a) (Available from the Office of Child Development).
9.
US Department of Health. Education, and Welfare. Head Start policy manual, (OCD Notice N-30-333-1-00). Washington DC: Office of Child Development, 1973.(b).
