Challenges in needs assessment: The Head Start Needs Assessment National Analysis

Needs assessment (NA) is conducted to identify discrepancies that guide the development and improvement of services. In this article we focus on methodological issues in a secondary analysis of a multi-site, national needs assessment. Understanding challenges in such a context is important for needs assessors. The Head Start needs assessment project is a good illustration of the problems that can be encountered. Lessons learned will be useful for advancing NA practice in the future.

► Descriptions of many issues in a nationwide needs assessment for Head Start. ► Strategies for analyzing data in light of the issues are explained. ► Positive results achieved via attending to difficulties in data. ► National and local concerns and considerations related to policy are discussed.