HS2K Head Start to Kindergarten Proximity Map

Publication Date: August 22, 2023

Introduction

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Click on “More Details…” in the lefthand pane to learn more about the Proximity Map and how to use the tool.

The Understanding Children’s Transitions from Head Start to Kindergarten (HS2K) Project aims to better understand how to improve children’s transitions from Head Start programs to elementary schools. Central to this project is a systems approach that recognizes that transition strategies and practices must be implemented at multiple levels across both the sending programs (Head Start) and the receiving programs (elementary schools).

One goal of the HS2K project is to explore what collaboration might look like between and among different Head Start programs and schools near each other. These programs and schools are likely to be sending and receiving children amongst each other, given a range of social and planning policies that influence how families access programs and schools. The first step to investigating potential coordination and collaboration is to examine the spatial relationships between neighboring Head Start programs and elementary schools.

The HS2K Head Start to Kindergarten Proximity Map is a tool that allows users to explore the proximity of all Head Start programs and elementary schools with kindergarten across the nation. This map brings together publicly existing national data to visually display the locations of Head Start programs and elementary schools with kindergarten—two pieces of information that have never been brought together before.

Watch this video to learn more about how to use this tool: 

Purpose

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This ArcGIS mapping tool allows researchers, policymakers, journalists, and the general public to examine the spatial relationships between Head Start centers, schools with kindergarten, and census-tract level demographic characteristics. Findings from this map can be used to gain a greater understanding of the Head Start to Kindergarten transition landscape, target resources, and inform future research. 

For example, this map can be used to answer questions such as: 

  1. What does the Head Start and kindergarten landscape look like in my area? 
  2. What is the average distance between Head Start centers and kindergarten programs in my state? 
  3. How demographically similar are areas with relatively large distances between Head Start centers and kindergarten programs? 

Click Here to Watch the "How To Guide: The Head Start to Kindergarten Proximity Map" Video

Key Findings and Highlights

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  1. View the locations of all Head Start centers and schools with kindergarten in one place.  
  2. Observe data at different levels; for example, you can explore at the state level or at the census level.  
  3. Obtain information about how far Head Start programs and elementary schools are from each other. 
  4. Explore the proximity of Head Start programs to schools with kindergarten in relation to a variety of demographic and geographic characteristics. 
  • ACS 2020 Percent White 
  • ACS 2020 Percent Black 
  • ACS 2020 Percent Hispanic or Latino 
  • ACS 2020 Percent Native American 
  • ACS 2020 Percent Bachelor’s Degree 
  • ACS 2020 Percent Under 5 Years 
  • ACS 2020 Percent Under Poverty Line 
  • ACS 2020 Median Age 
  • ACS 2020 Median Family Income 
  • Urbanicity 
  1. Apply advanced filters based on the characteristics of interest to investigate a host of different research questions. 
  2. Download all map data to run custom analyses in the statistical program of choice. 

Methods

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The HS2K Head Start to Kindergarten Proximity map includes data from the following sources: 

  1. Head Start Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC) Head Start Center Location Datasets   
  2. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Elementary/Secondary Information System (ElSi) Common Core of Data (CCD) and Private School Survey (PSS) 
  3. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey  
  4. NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties 

Citation

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Chang, Z., Malpica, A., Streett, G., Kabourek, S., Ehrlich Loewe, S. B., Cook, K. D. (2023). The Head Start to Kindergarten Proximity Map, OPRE Report # 2023-194, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Glossary

ACS:
American Community Survey