In Clearing O.E.R.I. Bill, Senate Panel Backs More Funding

By Lynn Schnaiberg

WASHINGTON--A Senate committee last week cleared for floor consideration a bill that would reauthorize the office of educational research and improvement, after adopting an amendment increasing the amount of funding the bill would authorize.

The bill, S 286, still differs from its House counterpart in granting the Education Department more control over spending research funds and shaping the research agenda.

The House bill, HR 856, would give substantial authority to an independent, policymaking board. Under S 286, the new board would be advisory in nature. (See Education...