WASHINGTON, D.C. - More than nine out of 10 Americans support the Head Start program as it operates today, with money funneling directly from the federal government to local Head Start programs, according to a national opinion survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation International for Pax World Funds and the National Head Start Association.

The survey found that only one in four Americans think that worsening state budget crises should be ignored in considering the controversial proposal to dismantle Head Start by relinquishing control to already cash-strapped state governments.

The survey also revealed broad bipartisan support. Republicans (89 percent), independents (91 percent) and Democrats (96 percent) support Head Start in its current version.

According to survey results, lawmakers accused of "dismantling Head Start face a likely backlash. More than four out of five Americans (84 percent) would or might oppose an elected official accused of "dismantling" or otherwise "damaging" Head Start. More than half (52 percent) "definitely would oppose" an elected official faced with such an accusation and another third (32 percent "might oppose" an elected official of acting in that manner.

Results are based on interviews conducted August 7-10 by Opinion Research Corporation among a representative sample of 1038 adults living in private households in the continental U.S.

Full survey findings can be accessed at www.paxworld.com