The 1998 Head Start Act mandated that 50 percent of all Head Start teachers nationwide have a minimum of an associate degree in early childhood education or a related field by September 2003 and that each classroom in center-based programs without such degreed teachers have a teacher with a Child Development Associate credential or equivalent state certificate. In preparation for the 2003 reauthorization of Head Start, a study examined: the extent to which Head Start met legislative mandates, whether Head Start teacher salaries increased and enabled grantees to attract and retain degreed teachers, and the extent to which degree and other programs in early childhood education are available for Head Start teachers. Results indicated that Head Start met the requirements for teacher qualifications by increasing the number of teachers with at least an associate degree in early childhood education or a related field to 52 percent. The number of classrooms that did not have at least one teacher with minimum credentials was not known. Respondents noted that quality improvement funds used to pay for teacher training and increase salaries were key to success. Agreements worked out with colleges to provide easily accessible early childhood education courses were also considered important in this effort. (SM)