Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the introduction of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
Legislative Action
Chapter 1 Grants
HR 2218
A bipartisan group of House Education and Labor Committee members, including the panel’s leadership, has introduced legislation that would allocate Chapter 1 funds directly to school districts, rather than to counties. The change would allow poor districts located within relatively wealthy counties to be eligible for concentration grants under the compensatory-education program.
Education Nominations
Norma Cantu, the assistant secretary of education for civil rights, and Kay Casstevens, the assistant secretary for legislation and Congressional affairs, were sworn in last week, following Senate approval of their nominations on May 27.
E.S.E.A. Reauthorization
HR 6
The House Subcommittee on Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education continued hearings last week in preparation for reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, focusing on impact aid and the Chapter 2 block grant.
National Service
HR 2010
The House Subcommittee on Select Education and Civil Rights and the Subcommittee on Employment Opportunities held a joint hearing last week on President Clinton’s proposal to allow volunteers to earn student aid or loan forgiveness through community service.
Research Programs
The House Subcommittee on Select Education and Civil Rights held a hearing last week on the National Academy of Sciences’ recommendations for restructuring the office of educational research and improvement.
