Education

National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008

National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 to extend deadlines for development of a five-year strategic plan for the geologic mapping program and for appointment of the advisory committee. Removes from program objectives the development of a geophysical- and geochemical- map database. Directs that mapping priorities be based in part on the needs of the Department of the Interior land management agencies. Modifies the composition of the advisory committee and increases the number of members on such committee. Requires the advisory committee, at the request of the President, the President's designee, the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, or the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, to provide an overview report on the quality, utility, and appropriateness of geologic maps (including maps of geologic hazards) used or disseminated by federal agencies for regulation or land-use planning. Directs that the national geologic map database include all maps developed with funding provided by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, including under the federal, state, and education components. Authorizes appropriations for each of FY2008 through FY2017. Increases the percentages allocated for the state and education components.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United States Explorer I satellite, the world's first scientific spacecraft, and the birth of the United States space exploration program.

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008

Celebrates the achievement of the late Dr. James A. Van Allen and his science team and all of the individuals at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Army Ballistic Missile Agency who, through the successful launch of Explorer I, brought the United States into the space age and science into the realm of space. Supports science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs, which are critical for preparing the next generation to lead future U.S. space endeavors. Recognizes the role of the U.S. space program in strengthening the scientific and engineering foundation that contributes to U.S. innovation and economic growth. Looks forward to the next 50 years of U.S. achievements in the robotic and human exploration of space.

Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2008

Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act of 2007 - Amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require State part E plans to provide that the state shall have in effect such laws and procedures as are necessary to ensure that: (1) a child may not be placed in foster care under state responsibility solely because the family with which the child is living is homeless or living in substandard housing; and (2) the state will work with the family and state housing authorities to secure permanent housing for any family that includes a minor child and is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Requires the Comptroller General to report to appropriate congressional committees on state policies and practices regarding: (1) access to federally funded child welfare services by children who have attained age 13; and (2) consideration of runaway and homeless situations as risk assessment factors for determining the appropriateness of placement in the child welfare system. Requires state part E plans to describe state policies and procedures regarding runaway or missing foster children. Provides for extension of child welfare services to emancipated youth between ages 18 and 21. Revises the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) to revise the requirement that the state provide adult-supervised living arrangements for teenage parents not yet living in such an arrangement. Suspends the five-year time limit on TANF assistance for parents under age 21 who are involved in education or training. Prohibits the imposition of sanctions under TANF with respect to minor parents unless the state has established procedures that help TANF recipients understand, avoid, or end sanctions, and has applied the procedures to the recipient. Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on: (1) TANF recipients who are parents and have not attained age 20; and (2) a representative sample of low-income teen parents who are not TANF recipients. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include homeless youth as a qualified targeted population for the work opportunity business income tax credit.

Securing Success for Veterans on Campus Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2008

Securing Success for Veterans on Campus Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award three-year grants to institutions of higher education to develop model programs that require each grantee to establish a campus Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success that provides a single point of contact for the coordination of comprehensive support services for students who are veterans. Requires the Secretary to develop an evaluation and accountability plan for measuring the effect such programs have on veterans' success in postsecondary education.

Raising awareness and promoting education on the criminal justice system by establishing March 2008 as "National Criminal Justice Month".

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2008

Urges policymakers, criminal justice officials, educators, victim service providers, nonprofits, community leaders, and others to promote awareness of how to prevent and respond to crime through National Criminal Justice Month.

Civil Rights Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 24 January 2008

Civil Rights Act of 2008 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 to set forth requirements for: (1) establishing discrimination based on disparate impact; and (2) rights of action and recovery for unlawful discrimination (intentional or based on disparate impact). Amends those Acts and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to set forth requirements regarding a right of recovery for harassment. Amends the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to provide that a state's receipt or use of federal financial assistance for a state program or activity constitutes a waiver of sovereign immunity for a suit by a program employee. Amends the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 to authorize civil actions in federal court for discrimination based on disability. Settlement Encouragement and Fairness Act - Modifies the definition of "prevailing party" for purposes of provisions governing the recovery of attorney's fees to include a party whose pursuit of a non-frivolous claim or defense was a catalyst for a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the opposing party that provides any significant part of the relief sought. Preservation of Civil Rights Protections Act of 2008 - Makes arbitration clauses in employment contracts unenforceable, with exceptions. Authorizes recovery of expert fees by prevailing parties in civil rights actions. Equal Remedies Act of 2008 - Repeals provisions limiting the amount of compensatory and punitive damages that may be awarded in cases of intentional discrimination in employment. Amends the FLSA to revise provisions governing discrimination in the payment of wages, including equal pay requirements. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit denying back-pay or other monetary relief for unlawful employment practices against undocumented immigrant workers. Applies specified provisions of this act to violations pending as of enactment or occurring prior to enactment.

INVESTING IN EARLY EDUCATION: PATHS TO IMPROVING CHILDREN'S SUCCESS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 23 January 2008

Colorado Forest Management Improvement Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008

Colorado Forest Management Improvement Act of 2007 [ sic ]- Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and of the Interior to make grants to at-risk communities in Colorado to assist them in preparing, revising, or implementing a community wildfire protection plan. Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize the use of fire department grant funds for the development and implementation of community wildfire protection plans. Directs the Secretaries to establish collection points for the placement of vegetative material removed from federal or other land as part of a hazardous fuel reduction project under this Act. Rewrites provisions governing the biomass commercial utilization grant program. Authorizes the Secretaries to designate as Healthy Forest Partnership Zones certain federal lands and non-federal lands adjacent to those lands that are at risk of uncharacteristically severe damage to at-risk communities or community water supply facilities from a wildland fire or an outbreak of insects or disease and require at least one management activity to reduce that risk. Allows the Secretaries to enter into contracts or other agreements with partnering entities to implement hazardous fuel reduction or other projects on federal land to complement similar projects on bordering or adjacent non-federal land. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) provide grant assistance to the Colorado Wood Program and the Forest Restoration Institute, and any other appropriate entities; and (2) collaborate with the Institute to research, develop, and transfer broader landscape treatment strategies and ways to integrate best science with community needs. Establishes the Colorado Forest Health Fund. Requires the Secretaries to provide grants for the Colorado fuels for schools program. Extends terms for stewardship end result contracting projects. Makes permanent the Secretaries' authority to enter into cooperative agreements and contracts for federal and state cooperative watershed restoration and protection. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prepare fire-danger maps of forested lands.

Civil Rights Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008

Civil Rights Act of 2008 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 to set forth requirements for: (1) establishing discrimination based on disparate impact; and (2) rights of action and recovery for unlawful discrimination (intentional or based on disparate impact). Amends those Acts and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to set forth requirements regarding a right of recovery for harassment. Amends the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to provide that a state's receipt or use of federal financial assistance for a state program or activity constitutes a waiver of sovereign immunity for a suit by a program employee. Amends the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 to authorize civil actions in federal court for discrimination based on disability. Settlement Encouragement and Fairness Act - Modifies the definition of "prevailing party" for purposes of provisions governing the recovery of attorney's fees to include a party whose pursuit of a non-frivolous claim or defense was a catalyst for a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the opposing party that provides any significant part of the relief sought. Preservation of Civil Rights Protections Act of 2008 - Makes arbitration clauses in employment contracts unenforceable, with exceptions. Authorizes recovery of expert fees by prevailing parties in civil rights actions. Equal Remedies Act of 2008 - Repeals provisions limiting the amount of compensatory and punitive damages that may be awarded in cases of intentional discrimination in employment. Amends the FLSA to revise provisions governing discrimination in the payment of wages, including equal pay requirements. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit denying back-pay or other monetary relief for unlawful employment practices against undocumented immigrant workers. Applies specified provisions of this act to violations pending as of enactment or occurring prior to enactment.

Resolution reaffirming the goals and ideals that formed the impetus for Albert Gallatin's national plan for transportation improvements 200 years ago, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008

Reaffirms the goals and ideals that formed the impetus for Albert Gallatin's national transportation plan 200 years ago. Calls on the federal government, states, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and U.S. citizens to mark the 200th anniversary of such plan by recalling the legacy of public investment in infrastructure that connects and enhances the economies, communications, and communities of the states. Expresses support for the creation of a new national plan to align the demands for economic development with the resources of the nation.

Honoring the 100th anniversary of President Theodore Roosevelt's Conference of Governors, supporting the goals and ideals of that Conference, and recognizing the need for a similar undertaking today.

United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008

Recognizes, celebrates, and acknowledges the goals and ideals that formed the impetus for President Roosevelt's Conference of Governors 100 years ago. Calls on the federal government, states, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and U.S. citizens to consider future efforts to preserve for future generations the resources that support our current well-being. Express support for the creation of a national plan to align the demands for economic development with the resources of the United States.

Joanne Weiss, of California, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring November 28, 2010, vice James R. Davis, term expired.

United States · United States Senate · 22 January 2008

Sally Epstein Shaywitz, of Connecticut, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring November 28, 2011. (Reappointment)

United States · United States Senate · 22 January 2008

Frank Philip Handy, of Florida, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring November 28, 2011. (Reappointment)

United States · United States Senate · 22 January 2008

Jonathan Baron, of Maryland, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Board for Education Sciences for a term expiring November 28, 2011. (Reappointment)

United States · United States Senate · 22 January 2008

Veterans Education Benefits Extension Act of 2008

United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2008

Veterans Education Benefits Extension Act of 2008 - Eliminates the ten-year time limit for use of entitlement to education assistance under the Montgomery GI bill. Prohibits, however, any increase in the rate of benefit payments after the end of the ten-year period following the last discharge or release from active duty of an individual entitled to educational assistance. Prohibits, furthermore, any transfer of an individual's entitlement to a dependent after the end of such ten-year period. Extends the time periods for the use of educational assistance benefits to which members of the selected reserve and members of the reserve component supporting contingency operations are entitled.

Supporting the goals and ideals of "Career and Technical Education Month".

United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2008

Supports the goals and ideals of Career and Technical Education Month.

Expressing support for designation of the week of February 4 through February 8, 2008 as "National School Counseling Week".

United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2008

Honors the contributions of school counselors to the success of students in our elementary and secondary schools. Encourages the observation of National School Counseling Week (February 4-8, 2008) with ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of the crucial role school counselors play in preparing students for fulfilling lives as contributing members of society.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2008

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2008. Authorizes appropriations to DOD for: (1) procurement, including for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, and shipbuilding and conversion; (2) research, development, test, and evaluation, including ballistic missile defense; (3) operation and maintenance, including for defense working capital funds, the Defense Health Program, drug interdiction and counter-drug activities, and environmental restoration; (4) active and reserve military personnel, including end strengths and the Armed Forces Retirement Home; (5) increased costs for military activities and military construction due to the global war on terror (6) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program; (7) chemical demilitarization construction; and (8) Guard and reserve forces facilities. Sets forth provisions or requirements concerning: (1) active and reserve military personnel policy; (2) military education and training; (3) military justice; (4) military pay and allowances; (5) retired pay and survivor benefits; (6) military health care; (7) acquisition policy and management; (8) DOD organization and management, including intelligence-related matters; (9) counter-drug activities and matters related to homeland security; (10) civilian personnel matters; (11) matters relating to other nations; and (12) cooperative threat reduction with states of the former Soviet Union. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for military construction for the Armed Forces and defense agencies. Allows a victim of terrorism (or his or her representative) to seek money damages for an injury or death in a private cause of action in U.S. courts against a foreign state designated as a state sponsor of terrorism at the time of the injury or death if such injury or death was caused by an official, employee, or agent of such foreign state while acting within the scope of his or her employment. Permits the President to except the government of Iraq if: (1) the exception is in the interest of U.S. national security; (2) the waiver will promote the reconstruction of, the consolidation of democracy in, and the relations of the United States with, Iraq; and (3) Iraq continues to be a reliable ally of the United States and partner in combating acts of international terrorism.

Supporting the goals and ideals of "National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day".

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2008

Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; (2) full and equitable funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006; (3) development of a national AIDS plan to reduce new HIV infections; (4) appropriate funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment; (5) the strengthening of stable African-American communities; (6) reducing the impact of incarceration as a driver of new HIV infections within the African-American community; (7) HIV prevention education programs to promote the early identification of HIV through voluntary routine testing and to connect those in need to treatment as early as possible; (8) reducing the number of HIV infections in the African-American community resulting from injection drug use; and (9) efforts to link those infected with HIV to accessible care and treatment options. Applauds the codification of the Minority AIDS Initiative within the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act.

Honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2008

Expresses support for the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and established to recognize the vital contributions of America's thousands of Catholic elementary and secondary schools.