Congress OKs Renewal of Higher Education Act

With just days to spare before the August congressional recess, Congress on Thursday approved a final Higher Education Act reauthorization bill that would bolster collaboration between school districts and teacher-preparation programs, encourage colleges to hold down tuition costs, and simplify the main federal student-aid application.

A bipartisan majority in both chambers approved the bill, the House by a 380-49 vote and the Senate by an 83-8 vote. It next heads to the White House for President Bush’s signature.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, said the bill’s passage “sends a clear message that improving college opportunities for the nation’s students and families is again a...