S. 2323 — HEADWAY Act

This section revises teacher qualification requirements for center-based Early Head Start programs (i.e., those under the Head Start Act providing comprehensive child development and family support services to low-income families with infants, toddlers, and pregnant women) by— (1) requiring at least one teacher per classroom to have a minimum credential or equivalent training in early childhood development focused on infants and toddlers (previously requiring all such teachers by September 30, 2010); (2) requiring each additional teacher providing direct services to work toward, at a minimum, a child development associate (CDA) credential and early childhood development training or equivalent coursework, with mentoring provided by the employing Early Head Start agency; and (3) requiring at least one teacher per classroom to have an associate's degree in early childhood education or equivalent training (previously requiring all such teachers by September 30, 2012), with each additional teacher working toward that training or coursework.