Oregon Public Broadcasting

The National Head Start Association is responding with indignation to what was said, and not said, in the final presidential debate Wednesday night.

At issue is Senator John McCain’s comment that the federally funded childhood program only benefits kids up to third grade. But Senator Barack Obama's letting the comment slide isn’t winning him any friends at Head Start, either.

The Head Start Association’s national board chair is long-time Portland education advocate, and Albina Head Start director, Ron Herndon.

Herndon says McCain has advocated for Head Start in the past, and should know that research shows lasting benefits.

Ron Herndon: “I was the one who handed him an award for standing up to protect Head Start. And to hear him to quote some antiquated, outdated research, I was really shocked. And again, I was further shocked that Senator Obama didn’t refute that.”

Herndon says he believes Obama knew that McCain was quoting questionable research, and should have corrected him.