Who Deserves a Head Start

1. When comparing “Who Deserves a Head Start” by Erin Collins to Erin Elmore’s “Pursuing an Educated Mind” both pieces include a piece of history and suggestions of what needs to be done. Collin’s essay takes different stances and looks at the current involvement and what children should be served.

“Since 1965 Head Start has helped more than 15 million children to develop the vital skills needed to become productive citizens of the United States. Yet, what about the other millions of children not able to attend Head Start because the government does not fund every child eligible for the program? To service one million children is the goal for the year 2002. However, why only one million and not everyone?”

Collin’s essay includes more prominent numbers as evidence, where as Elmore’s essay’s is more as to what educators observe as the most effective.

“According to Nancy Kole, Principle at Lee School and Coordinator for the district’s ESL program, ‘The need for such programs in Manhattan has always been present – the students have always been there – but formal entrance and exit tests and ESL evaluations did not start until last year, the 2000-2001 year.”

I see the numbers and the used by Collin to be more effective. She poses many questions that keep the reader engaged and make him/her think. Elmore’s use of an introductory story grabs the reader and shares a piece of the past, making it known that she has a connection to her writing.

I think Elmore’s section on specific programs in the Manhattan area is less effective and may be beneficial information to those that live in the area. It may have been more effective to compare two different areas and the programs offered and results.