Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking: Reducing Federal Burden For Head Start Programs

The Administration for Children and Families published this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 7, 2026. This NPRM proposes to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards), last revised in 2024. The proposed Performance Standards would significantly reduce Federal bureaucratic burden on programs; defer to State policies wherever possible; return substantial local control to Head Start agencies delivering the services and to parents as the primary caregivers and decision-makers for their children; reduce unnecessary duplication of Head Start regulations with Federal statute and other regulations; and emphasize the critical role of health, nutrition, and . . .