Head Start enrollment remains low, possible shift in scope on the horizon

With no clear answer as to what exactly is causing the drop in enrollment at some Guam Department of Education Head Start centers, education officials are looking to pivot to align with the island’s needs, which could in turn avoid the closure of more centers and improve staffing shortages. 

February is projected to mark five consecutive months of under enrollment for Head Start. GDOE Head Start program director Angelina Lape informing the Guam Education Board of that news during Tuesday’s meeting, saying, “Head start is following the trend in our public schools in that reduced enrollment.”

The falling enrollment and staffing shortage reflected in the temporary consolidation of two Head Start centers, one at Finegayan Elementary and the other at M.U. Lujan Elementary School.  Both centers,  historically known to have long waiting lists, are now barely able to fill two classrooms. 

“What I would suspect is that really, people are having smaller families. But still, last year we had more kids at Finegayan than could fit into classrooms, and this year, all of a sudden we don’t," said Lape. 

Lape detailing the action that the Office of Head Start will more than likely take should the program drop below 97% — resulting in being identified as  under-enrolled, and then placed under a full enrollment initiative, which she clarifies is not necessarily a bad thing. 

“That just means that for a 12-month period, once we get the notice, they will work very closely with us to improve attendance or to change our scope," she said.

She says a change in scope could also mean reducing enrollment, going from 534 to 400 kids, which, if approved by the feds, would not jeopardize federal funding. More available funding could also mean getting rid of hard-to-fill limited-term employment positions, freeing up the opportunity to fill full-time positions, which Lape says there is interest in. 

Looking ahead, the Head Start director adds she hopes to stabilize things after the 12-month period, ensuring they are reaching those they need to.