Deborah Ross, PhD

09/20/2026

We need your voice.

Since the release of the Notice of Proposed Rule Making on August 6, IHSA is actively working to protect the standards of Head Start nationwide and combat the threats placed by the proposal. Please join us in our efforts by calling your local Representative, Senator and Congressperson.

The NPRM places a threat on the impacts Head Start can make on children and families across the country. Please ask Congress to urge HHS to withdraw this proposal: "Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs" (Docket No. ACF-2026-0595).

09/20/2026

MU Lujan Head Start Health Staff conducted hearing tests today for students who were pending it for their health clearance.

The students did so good!

09/20/2026

Looking for meaningful, flexible work that makes a real impact? 🌟 Join the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) as a Substitute Instructional Assistant!

Whether you are a high school graduate, college student, or simply looking for part-time work that fits your life, this role lets you build your own schedule while supporting students in Special Education programs across San Joaquin County.

Role Details:
Pay: $21.65/hour
Flexibility: Work 1 day a week or all 5—you choose your schedule and school sites!
Impact: Assist students with autism, visual impairments, deaf/hard of hearing needs, intellectual disabilities, and more.

Apply today to make a difference in local classrooms!
👉 Apply here: https://bit.ly/SJCSubIA

09/16/2026

At the heart of every successful Head Start program lies an unwavering commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships with families, and this course is your golden ticket to enhancing that vital connection! Understanding the unique challenges families face—from trauma and mental health struggles to everyday hurdles like food insecurity—empowers you to make a profound difference in their lives. HS University equips you with essential skills to not just recognize these challenges but to actively engage in a collaborative goal-setting process that truly transforms their well-being and nurtures children's growth.

Email from HS University Don't Miss Out! Space is Limited to 40! Join us for 2 Days! Family Engagement: Writing Family Goals and Partnership Agreements Register Now At the heart of every successful He

09/16/2026

This course is meticulously designed to equip you with comprehensive knowledge and invaluable insights that will empower you to effectively manage and implement reporting processes for ERSEA PIR Reporting and On-Site ERSEA Federal Reviews. We recognize that professionals in this field face numerous challenges, from navigating complex regulations to ensuring accurate attendance and enrollment tracking.

Email from HS University Get our NEW Course Manual. Learn about the NEW Forms & Tools ERSEA: Addressing Monitoring & Reporting Register Now At HS University, we pride ourselves on our authoritative ex

09/11/2026

08/18/2026

Dear Friends of Head Start,

The Office of Head Start released their Notice of Proposal Rulemaking (NPRM): Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs. I have been thoroughly reviewing and discussing the impacts of these proposed changes to community, State, and the Nation. I am reaching out to keep you updated on the immediate concerns of this NPRM. It is important to remember that this is a proposed rule change and is not final yet.

In the NPRM’s effort to reduce duplication and burdens for programs and have them defer to state policies, we are concerned that we will lose the very thing that defines Head Start. Below are the immediate concerns from this NPRM:
• The rule would increase class size and reduce the teacher workforce.
• The rule would lower wages for Head Start staff and not allow programs to incentivize staff who further their degree.
• The rule would require Head Start programs to provide shorter school days and fewer days per year.
• The rule also limits some of the comprehensive services we provide to our children.
• The rule limits parent involvement by making parent committees optional and reducing their role.
• The rule would eliminate jobs for Head Start home visitors, Family Service Workers, Child Development Specialists, and Coaches
• The rule would reduce program quality for dual language learners and their families by mandating that all teaching and learning is done in English, including prohibiting classroom materials from being in languages other than English (i.e. children’s books).

So what can you do? The Department has a public comment period open until October 6th. You can submit a comment to tell your story (what Head Start means to you) and ask HHS to withdraw the changes or significantly revise the proposed rule with direct input from programs and families.

Submit a comment:

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...

08/05/2026

Great choice!

Tomiko Brown-Nagin, one of the nation’s leading experts in educational law and policy, history, and constitutional law, will be the next dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education, Provost Jenny Martinez announced today.

Brown-Nagin joins Stanford from Harvard Radcliffe Institute, where she has served as dean since 2018. There, she led an ambitious five-year strategic vision, broadened a competitive fellowship to include fields from AI to the arts, and expanded opportunities for students to engage with interdisciplinary research, courses, and activities.

“I came to the GSE because its mission is my mission,” she said. “I am deeply purpose‑driven, and I am committed to working alongside this community of innovative and collaborative scholars who are grappling with the most complex problems educators face today to ensure that every student has access to a high‑quality education. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”

🗞️: https://stanford.io/4byKTs5
📷: Melissa Blackall