Revised 2024 Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) introduce new requirements related to wages and staff benefits, emphasizing pay parity for Head Start staff to improve workforce retention and program quality. Vermont Head Start programs must assess and align their compensation structures with these federal requirements. However, existing wage and benefit data do not fully capture public school educator compensation, limiting the ability to conduct a comprehensive comparability analysis. This study will provide an updated 2026 Early Childhood Wage and Fringe Benefit Comparability report that builds on the 2020 Vermont Early Childhood Wage & Benefit Comparability Report and other relevant data sources and specifically includes public pre-kindergarten and kindergarten educators. The findings will support Vermont Head Start programs in meeting the HSPPS requirements while informing state policy regarding early childhood workforce compensation.
