The Trump administration’s Department of Health, through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), proposed changes to Head Start rules that would require programs to teach children exclusively in English, following an executive order from President Donald Trump. The proposal was announced August 6 by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. If a child’s native language is not English, programs "must prioritize teaching English to the child."
Native American tribes received an exemption for language tied to preserving tribal heritage. The rule change is open for public comment until October 6. Head Start provides Puerto Rico about $325 million annually and serves more than 25,500 children.
Puerto Rico’s Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) reported 18,488 preschool Head Start slots and 7,183 Early Head Start slots on the island. The program employs 10,149 workers across 701 centers in Puerto Rico. The proposal would also cut the administrative expense cap from 15% to 5%.
The amendment states current rules requiring bilingual support (English and children’s native language) conflict with Executive Order 14224, which designates English as the official U.S. language.