Evaluating implementation of interventions in Head Start programs

(a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, shall— (1) determine whether the interventions, best practices, curricula, and staff trainings implemented pursuant to section 3— (A) are effectively implemented pursuant to section 3 and other relevant provisions of law such that the anticipated effect sizes of the interventions, best practices, curricula, and staff trainings are achieved; and (B) yield long-term savings; (2) develop a method for making the determination required by paragraph (1); (3) ensure that such method includes competency and testing approaches, performance or outcome measures, or any other methods deemed appropriate by the Assistant Secretary, taking into consideration existing monitoring components of the Head Start and Early Head Start programs; and (4) solicit public input on the design, findings, and conclusions of this process and shall consider whether updates are necessary at least every 5 years. (b) Process In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall— (1) conduct any research and evaluation studies needed; and (2) solicit public input on— (A) the design of the method developed pursuant to subsection (a)(2); and (B) the resulting findings and conclusions. (c) Timing The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall— (1) develop the method required by subsection (a)(2) and make the initial determination required by subsection (a)(1) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) update such method and determination at least every 5 years.