Final answer:
Head Start students continue to outperform non-Head Start students in elementary school particularly in the area of social skills, reflecting the program's strong focus on socialization and behavioral development.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of early childhood education, students who participate in the Head Start program, which targets families with limited educational and financial resources, outperform their non-Head Start peers in several areas as they enter and progress through elementary school.
One particular area where Head Start students have demonstrated an ongoing advantage over non-Head Start students is social skills. This is connected with the emphasis that the Head Start program places on socialization and preparing children for the behavioral expectations of school life. Skills such as learning to work in groups, participating in cooperative play, and resolving conflicts are integral parts of the social education provided by Head Start, which results in stronger social skills that benefit them in elementary school and beyond.
Although the question also mentions specific academic areas such as vocabulary, science, and math, the distinguishing advantage of Head Start may not be as pronounced in these academic disciplines, particularly as students progress to higher grades. However, it's the strong foundation in social aptitudes that continues to distinguish Head Start students in their educational journey.