Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the introduction of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
Legislative Action
Education of the Handicapped Act
Members of the House Subcommittee on Select Education have reached agreement on legislation to extend a number of federal programs serving children with disabilities. (See page 17.)
Environmental Education
S 1076
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing last week on legislation to create an office of environmental education within the Environmental Protection Agency.
National Report Card
S 2034
Senator Jeff Bingaman, Democrat of New Mexico, last week introduced a bill to create a National Council on Educational Goals. The council would analyze existing information on educational achievement, recommend improvements in the nation’s data-gathering methods, set national education goals, and issue an annual report card on progress toward meeting those goals. (See page 16.)
Regulatory Study
HR 3860
The House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing last week on the proposed “regulatory impact on student excellence act,” which would require the Education Department to conduct a study of the impact of federal and state regulation on the public schools in each state. (See page 20.)
School-Year Study
S 2035
Senator Jeff Bingaman last week introduced legislation establishing a commission to study proposals for lengthening the school year and the school day. (See page 13.)
Teacher Supply
S 498, S 1675, S 1676, HR 3909
The Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee held a hearing last week on legislation aimed at encouraging more young people to enter the teaching profession. Also last week, Representative Bill Goodling, Republican of Pennsylvania, introduced teacher-recruitment and training legislation named for Representative Augustus F. Hawkins, the California Democrat who chairs the House Education and Labor Committee. Mr. Hawkins has announced that he will not seek re-election next year. (See page 18.)
In the Education Department
FIRST Program
991 Grants
The governing board of the Fund for the Improvement and Reform of Schools and Teaching agreed last month to award its 1991 grants to projects that enlist broad community support. (See page 20.)
Study Confidentiality
Proposed Regulations
The National Center for Education Statistics has proposed a new record-keeping system designed to maintain the confidentiality of study subjects. The proposed regulations appear in the Jan. 22 edition of the Federal Register. (See page 20.)
In Other Agencies
Water Coolers
Final List
The Environmental Protection Agency has released its final list of water coolers that contain lead or have lead-lined water tanks. The list appears in the Jan. 18 edition of the Federal Register.
