S. 2323 Introduced Education

HEADWAY Act

A bill to amend the Head Start Act to permit some teachers in Early Head Start programs to teach while earning a child development associate credential.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA] Introduced July 17, 2025 Cosponsors 3 (2 R, 1 D) Latest action March 19, 2026

Summary

Head start Education And Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act or the HEADWAY Act
This bill allows some teachers in Early Head Start programs to teach while in the process of earning their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and completing training.
Currently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must ensure that all teachers providing direct services to children and families in Early Head Start centers (1) have a minimum of a CDA credential and have been trained in early childhood development, and (2) have been trained in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.
The bill revises this requirement by requiring at least one teacher per classroom (instead of all teachers) to have a CDA credential and training. In particular, the bill requires HHS to ensure that (1) each additional teacher providing direct services to children and families is in the process of earning a CDA credential and completing training, and (2) the Early Head Start agency provides a mentor to oversee the progress and guide the work of a teacher who is in the process of earning a CDA credential and completing training.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Mar 19, 2026 Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.
  2. Jul 17, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  3. Jul 17, 2025 Introduced in Senate

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