Senate Panel OKs Voc. Ed. Reauthorization

Some Measures Sought by President Bush Not Part of Committee Bill

The Senate education committee last week unanimously approved a bill to reauthorize the main federal vocational education law, but its prospects for final passage remain uncertain.

Several key differences remain between the House and Senate bills for renewing the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998, which is set to expire this year.

"Given the hang-ups we’ve had with other bills in similar circumstances, it is difficult to predict" whether work on the bill will be finished this year, said Gayle Osterberg, a spokeswoman for Republicans on the Senate Health, Education,...