Four-year-rid children are being tested for their ability to
recognize simple words and letters in the (36) . They are
also being tested for their skills with numbers. Federal education officials say
the test will help the Head Start program (37) . The
officials will compare the (38) of the children against
national (39) in early arithmetic, reading and
writing. Local non-profit organizations (40)
the programs. The government spends more than six-and-a-half
thousand-million dollars a year to pay for Head Start. Federal
officials say close to a million children (41) the country
take part in the programs. Wade Horn leads the Head Start
program for the government. Mister Horn says the test is (42)
to learn which kinds of programs help children the most.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (43)
a report on Head Start in June. (44) . It said the
Head Start children are not as ready for school as the others. But some
educators criticize the idea that one year in Head Start could raise poor
children m average levels. Some also criticize parts of the test. For example,,
critics note that the children are asked to point to a picture of a "swamp."
(45) . Still, even some educators who oppose
the test agree with federal officials that Head Start needs to do better to
prepare children for school. Currently, local programs decide what they want to
teach. Many have placed major importance on health, nutrition and social
development. (46) .
【参考答案】
They say a lot of children, especially from cities, might no......