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Federal Monitoring

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Introduction to Monitoring

How does the Office of Head Start monitor grant recipients?

The Office of Head Start (OHS) uses the Head Start Monitoring System to measure the performance and accountability of Head Start programs across the country. OHS assesses grant recipient compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, and other regulations. The Head Start Monitoring System provides feedback to grant recipients in support of their continuous improvement. OHS also uses monitoring data to understand performance trends at a regional and national level and inform training and technical assistance supports. This system conducts on-site and virtual reviews and disseminates its findings through formal monitoring reports.

What does the Aligned Monitoring System (AMS 2.0) address?

The Aligned Monitoring Virtual Expo provides a comprehensive introduction to the Head Start monitoring process and each of the review topics. Monitoring reviews explore each grant recipient’s management systems and comprehensive services across the five-year grant cycle. This approach evaluates grant recipient compliance, progress, and performance across multiple years of program implementation, instead of simply capturing data from grant recipients at a single place in time. Monitoring reviews implemented in fiscal year (FY) 2026 include, but are not limited to:

  • Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) Review: OHS will conduct CLASS reviews during the 2025–2026 program year and scores will be used to make competitive determinations under the Designation Renewal System.
  • Focus Area One: Program Systems Review (FA1): Focuses on management systems for program oversight and governance; child safety; fiscal integrity; and eligibility and enrollment processes.
  • Focus Area Two: Comprehensive Systems Review (FA2): Focuses on quality implementation across all service areas.

AMS 2.0 will provide OHS with the performance data needed by year four of the grant cycle. The data is used to determine whether the grant recipient will need to compete for further Head Start funding according to the Designation Renewal System (DRS). Through monitoring reviews, OHS will also collect and report information on strong practices that grant recipients demonstrate.

What kind of reports will a typical grant recipient receive throughout their five-year monitoring cycle?

Monitoring reports for the FA1 and FA2 will provide grant recipients with information regarding their performance, including areas of compliance, non-compliance, and deficiencies. In FY26, reports for FA1 reviews will also include information about any Strong Practices observed.

What happens after a review?

When a grant recipient receives a monitoring report that includes findings, the OHS Regional Office program specialists provide support during the corrective action process. When the correction period comes to an end, OHS will conduct a follow-up review to determine if findings identified in the monitoring report have been addressed in a systematic and timely manner.

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Federal Monitoring