Capital Update
Capital Update tracks the movement of legislation, the
introduction
of notable bills, and routine regulatory announcements.
School LunchThe House Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education Subcommittee
HR 24last week began hearings on legislation to reauthorize child-nutrition programs,
including the school-lunch and breakfast programs.
Legislative Action
Head StartThe House last week passed a bill that would increase the 1990 authorization
Authorizationceiling for the Head Start preschool program by $147 million, to $1.6 billion.
HR 1300The increase would accommodate President Bush's budget request for the program.

School LunchThe House Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education
Subcommittee
HR 24held a hearing last week on legislation to reauthorize child-nutrition programs.

Student-LoanThe Senate March 17 passed a bill aimed at curbing student-loan defaults. The
Defaultsmeasure would require institutions to reduce their default rate to below 25 percent
S 568within three years or face possible suspension or termination from the program.

Vocational-EducationThe House Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education Subcommittee last
Reauthorizationweek held its final hearing on the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational
HR 7, HR 22,Education Act, with testimony from Secretary of Education Lauro F. Cavazos. The
HR 1128subcommittee's markup session on the bill is scheduled for April 12.
In the Education Department
Even StartThe Education Department has published final regulations for the new Even Start
Finalprogram. The new rules alter the wording of some sections and slightly change
Regulationsthe criteria by which applications are to be judged. The rules, published in the
March 23 Federal Register, are to take effect in May.
Impact AidThe Education Department has proposed regulations implementing changes in the
Proposedimpact-aid program made by last year's reauthorization law and clarifying
Regulationssome current department policies. The regulations were published in the
March 23 Federal Register, and comments are due June 21.

Student AidThe Education Department has proposed regulations to curb abuses in student-aid
Proposedprograms. The rules would clarify policies relating to institutions with
Regulationsmore than one branch and the liability of individuals, require institutions to
give department officials access to financial information, and allow only remedial
courses at the high-school level or above to be paid for with federal aid. The rules
were published in the March 17 Federal Register, and comments are due May 1.
Vol. 08, Issue 27
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