Higher Education Act May Finally See Action

Congress could use reauthorization to push teacher provisions.

Teacher-quality programs could get extra attention—and resources—when Congress finally tackles the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, a piece of unfinished business that the incoming chairmen of the House and Senate education committees say will be a priority this year.

The reauthorization of the HEA, which was last renewed in 1998, has been languishing on Capitol Hill. Many of the law’s provisions were set to expire in 2003, but Congress has passed numerous extensions. The most recent renewal extends the measure to June 30.

The broad legislation authorizes many federal higher education programs, including Pell Grants, student loans, and...