WASHINGTON — President Bush yesterday signed into law a five-year renewal of Head Start, the federal preschool program for poor children.

The latest update to Head Start, which began in 1965, aims to open the program to more children and ensure that teachers are better qualified. Congress overwhelmingly approved the legislation last month, and Bush signed it despite misgivings about aspects of the bill.

The legislation continues funding for state programs such as Hawai'i's, which is funded to the tune of about $22.6 million annually and includes 3,049 children, according to the Web site of the National Child Care Information Center.

Bush praised the bill's push to increase competition among Head Start providers, raise learning standards and coordinate early-childhood education.

"I am pleased that this bill addresses several longstanding administration priorities, such as increased competition among Head Start providers, improved coordination of early-childhood delivery systems and stronger educational performance standards," Bush said in a statement released by the White House. "Increasing competition for providers will help ensure that we offer the highest quality programs to our nation's most vulnerable young children."

In a separate statement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the re-authorization "makes clear that we take seriously our responsibility to America's children and that we understand that America's future will only be as strong as our commitment to the health and well-being of every child. I am pleased the president has signed it into law."

The bill raises the eligibility ceiling from 100 percent of the poverty level for a family of four, about $20,650, to 130 percent, or $26,845, while giving priority to the neediest children. It also sets a deadline of 2013 for half of all Head Start classroom teachers to have at least a bachelor's degree in early-childhood education.

Bush took issue with the elimination of a testing regime for 4-year-olds, which the administration contends is a valuable tool for measuring progress.

"We should be working to provide more and better data to parents, teachers and policymakers, not less," Bush said.

He also expressed concerns that the legislation provides more money for the program than he wanted.

"I am concerned that the bill authorizes spending levels higher than those proposed in my budget. Approval of this legislation is not an endorsement of these funding levels or a commitment to request them," the statement said.

Bush signed the bill during a photo opportunity with lawmakers of both parties, a rare showing of bipartisanship as he battles Congress over spending.

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