Education

Granting the authority provided under clause 4(c)(3) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the Committee on Education and Labor for purposes of its investigation into the deaths of 9 individuals that occurred at the Crandall Canyon Mine near Huntington, Utah.

United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2007

Grants the Committee on Education and Labor the authority provided under Rule X (Organization of Committees) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to adopt a rule authorizing and regulating the taking of depositions by its members or counsel, including pursuant to subpoena under Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business), in furtherance of the Committee's investigation into: (1) the deaths of nine individuals that occurred during August 2007 at the Crandall Canyon Mine (also known as the Genwal Mine) near Huntington, Utah; (2 ) the events that may have led to those deaths; (3) the administration of relevant laws by government agencies, including the Department of Labor and the Mine Safety and Health Administration; and (4) other related matters.

Honoring the University of Hawaii for its 100 years of commitment to public higher education.

United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2007

Congratulates the University of Hawaii on the momentous occasion of its 100th Anniversary. Expresses the warmest aloha and best wishes of Congress for continued success.

Financial Education and Counseling Assistance Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2007

Financial Education and Counseling Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to carry out a grant program to assist eligible organizations to provide financial education and counseling services to homeowners and prospective homebuyers. Requires the Secretary to give preference to established community-based financial education and counseling organizations capable of providing in-person services. Prohibits an organization from receiving such financial assistance unless its financial counselors are HUD-certified.

A bill to provide Federal Perkins Loan cancellation to fire fighters.

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2007

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to cancel the Perkins loans of full-time federal, state, and local fire fighters.

Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2007

Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to prescribe standards for appointment and practice as a physician within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Requires: (1) applicants to provide certain information, including each lawsuit, civil action, or other claim against the individual for medical malpractice or negligence, and their results; (2) each appointee to disclose any judgments against the individual for medical malpractice or negligence and any payments made; and (3) physicians already employed within the VHA to disclose such information. Prohibits a new appointment without: (1) approval of the regional director of the Veterans Integrated Services Network (Network) in which the individual will serve; (2) board certification in the specialties in which the individual will practice; and (3) a license to practice medicine in that state. Requires: (1) the VHA's Under Secretary of Health to designate a National Quality Assurance Officer for the VHA quality assurance program; (2) each Network regional director to appoint a quality assurance officer; and (3) the director of each VHA medical facility to appoint a quality assurance officer. Directs the Secretary to review VA policies for maintaining health care quality and patient safety at VA medical facilities. Requires the Secretary, in order to recruit and retain VHA physicians in hard-to-fill positions, to: (1) repay certain educational loans for individuals who agree to serve for at least three years as a VHA physician; (2) reimburse tuition for medical students who agree to serve as a VHA physician after such education; and (3) enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program an individual who agrees to serve as a VHA physician for at least five days per month. Encourages the Secretary to undertake additional incentives to encourage individuals to serve or practice as VHA physicians.

National STEM Scholarship Database Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2007

National STEM Scholarship Database Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish and maintain, on the public website of the Department of Education, a database of information on public and private programs of financial assistance for the study of postsecondary and graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Requires that such database: (1) provide separate information for each field of study; (2) be searchable by category and combinations of categories; (3) indicate programs targeted toward specific demographic groups; (4) provide searchers with program sponsor contact information and hyperlinks; and (5) include a recommendation that students and families carefully review application requirements and a disclaimer that scholarships presented in the database are not provided or endorsed by the Department or the federal government. Requires the Secretary and the entity contracted to furnish and regularly update information to consult with public and private sources of scholarships and make easily available a process for the sources to provide regular and updated information.

Tracy Ralph Justesen, of Utah, to be Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education, vice John H. Hager, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 15 November 2007

A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make technical corrections.

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Makes technical changes to amendments the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (the Act) made to the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Specifies the untaxed income and benefits which the Act excluded from the list of untaxed income and benefits considered in federal student need analyses (thereby, specifically excluding them from such analyses). Provides that, for married borrowers who file separate tax returns, income-based loan repayments under the HEA shall be determined solely on the basis of their individual student loan debt and adjusted gross income.

Parents' Rights Empowerment and Protection Act (PREP Act)

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Parents' Rights Empowerment and Protection Act (PREP Act) - Requires each preschool and elementary and secondary school that receives federal funds to obtain the affirmative, informed, written consent of a child's parent before requesting information from, or conveying information to, such child on topics relating to sex or sexuality. Requires parents, upon their request, to be given an opportunity to review such information as well as a description of the context of, and need for, its request or conveyance. Subjects individuals and schools to civil liability and fines for violating these consent and disclosure requirements. Makes noncompliant schools ineligible for federal funds for one year following a violation. Amends the General Education Provisions Act to direct administrators of surveys, analyses, or evaluations that require students to reveal certain personal or familial information to obtain the prior consent of adult or emancipated students and prior written consent of minor students' parents.

Indian School Construction Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Indian School Construction Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a pilot program under which eligible Indian tribes have the authority to issue tribal school modernization bonds to provide funds for the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of tribal schools, including advance planning and design. Permits a tribe to use amounts received through a bond issue to enter contracts: (1) for the design and engineering of the school; and (2) with financial advisors, underwriters, attorneys, trustees, and other professionals to provide assistance to the tribe in issuing bonds. Makes any tribal school modernization bond issued by a tribe subject to a trust agreement. Authorizes the Secretary to deposit not more than $50 million into a tribal school modernization escrow account and to accept additional amounts from other federal agencies and non-federal public or private sources. Declares that no bond shall be an obligation of, nor shall payment of the principal be guaranteed by, the United States, the tribes, or their schools. Exempts from federal income tax any earnings through the investment of funds under the control of a trustee. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit to individuals who hold such bonds.

Student Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Student Protection Act - Requires that by FY2010 states have in effect laws and policies that require disciplining of any school, state, or local educational agency employee or volunteer who, having reason to believe another employee or volunteer has committed an act of sexual misconduct against a student, fails to report such act in the same manner the state requires the reporting of child abuse and neglect or, in the absence of such a requirement, as quickly as practicable. Requires each state to have a single, statewide commission for receiving and documenting such reports that: (1) establishes policies for investigating and reporting such allegations; and (2) has a toll-free number that can be used to report such allegations. Directs states to report to the Secretary of Education whenever an employee or volunteer is terminated or punished on the basis of an act of sexual misconduct toward a student, including the reason such action was taken and the identification and last known address such individual. Authorizes the Secretary to penalize noncompliant states by reducing their funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 by up to 5%. Directs the Secretary to maintain a national database that contains, at a minimum, the details this Act requires each state to report.

Predominantly Black Institution Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Predominantly Black Institution Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide grants to Predominantly Black Institutions to: (1) enhance their capacity to serve more low- and middle-income Black American students; (2) expand higher education opportunities for students eligible for student assistance under title IV of the Act by encouraging such students to prepare for college and persist in secondary and postsecondary education; and (3) strengthen their financial ability to serve the academic needs of such students. Defines such institutions as accredited institutions serving at least 1,000 undergraduate students at least: (1) 50% of whom are pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree; (2) 40% of whom are Black Americans; and (3) 50% of whom are low-income or first-generation college students. Requires the spending per full-time undergraduate student of such institutions to be low in comparison to that of institutions offering similar instruction. Allows grant recipients to use up to 20% of a grant on an endowment fund, provided they raise nonfederal matching funds at least equal to the amount of the grant used for such endowment. Allots funding among institutions on the basis of their share of Pell Grant recipients, graduates, and graduates pursuing a higher degree. Establishes a minimum allotment for each institution of $250,000, which is to be ratably reduced if appropriations are insufficient to pay such amount.

Reconnecting Youth to Prevent Homelessness Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

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.

Indian School Construction Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Indian School Construction Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a pilot program under which eligible Indian tribes have the authority to issue tribal school modernization bonds to provide funds for the construction, rehabilitation, and repair of tribal schools, including advance planning and design. Permits a tribe to use amounts received through a bond issue to enter contracts: (1) for the design and engineering of the school; and (2) with financial advisors, underwriters, attorneys, trustees, and other professionals to provide assistance to the tribe in issuing bonds. Makes any tribal school modernization bond issued by a tribe subject to a trust agreement. Authorizes the Secretary to deposit not more than $50 million into a tribal school modernization escrow account and to accept additional amounts from other federal agencies and non-federal public or private sources. Declares that no bond shall be an obligation of, nor shall payment of the principal be guaranteed by, the United States, the tribes, or their schools. Exempts from federal income tax any earnings through the investment of funds under the control of a trustee. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit to individuals who hold such bonds.

Minority Male Academic Achievement Study

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Minority Male Academic Achievement Study - Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) commission a national study of underrepresented minority males, particularly African American and Hispanic American males, who successfully progress from high school through higher education; and (2) make specific recommendations to Congress and states on new approaches for increasing the number of minority males who make such progress and advance into careers in which they are underrepresented.

Underage Drinking Prevention Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Underage Drinking Prevention Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) understanding which programs are effective in reducing underage drinking will maximize scarce federal resources and help confront underage drinking in a more effective, cost-efficient manner; (2) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration should explore ways to expand and improve evaluation efforts; and (3) federal agencies should strive to evaluate all federally funded underage drinking programs and modify programs as needed to reach maximum effectiveness. Requires the Director of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs to award grants to states and local governments to implement and evaluate enforcement and public education programs aimed at reducing the provision of alcohol by social sources to underage drinkers as part of the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as Chair of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking, to: (1) work with members of that Committee to improve federal data collection by ensuring that federally funded surveys related to underage drinking collect and report data in a consistent manner; and (2) establish a federal data improvement committee. Requires the Secretary of Education to: (1) award grants on a competitive basis to local educational agencies to develop and implement innovative and effective programs to increase parental awareness and involvement in reducing underage drinking in elementary and secondary schools; and (2) identify existing, effective, national programs that increase parent-child interaction to prevent underage drinking and disseminate that information to such agencies for replication at the local level.

William H. Rehnquist Law Center Establishment Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

William H. Rehnquist Law Center Establishment Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Attorney General to provide a grant to the University of Arizona James E. Rogers School of Law to establish the William H. Rehnquist Center on the Constitutional Structures of Government. Requires the Law School to provide specified nonfederal contributions toward the establishment of the Law Center.

School-Based Health Clinic Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

School-Based Health Clinic Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants for the cost of operating school-based health clinics to provide comprehensive primary health services (which include physical and mental health services, and which may include optional services such as nutrition, oral health, health education, and case management services) during school hours to children and adolescents by health professionals. Requires such clinics to: (1) provide services to children and adolescents for whom parental or guardian consent has been obtained; (2) provide on-site access during the academic day when school is in session and 24-hour coverage through an on-call system and backup health providers to ensure access to services on a year-round basis. Allows the Secretary to give preference to applicants who demonstrate an ability to serve: (1) communities with evidence of barriers to primary health care and mental health services for children and adolescents; (2) communities that have consistently scored poorly on child and adolescent standardized health indicator reports; (3) communities with high percentages of children and adolescents who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in public health insurance programs; and (4) populations of children and adolescents that have demonstrated difficulty historically in accessing health and mental health services. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to provide technical and other assistance to clinics; and (2) implement a plan for evaluating clinics and monitoring the quality of their performance.

Improving the Quality of Mental and Substance Use Health Care Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2007

Improving the Quality of Mental and Substance Use Health Care Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a Commission for Evidence-Based Mental and Substance Use Health Care; (2) convene an interagency collaborative group to provide for the coordination of mental health and substance use services and primary care services funded through the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Justice, Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Education; (3) implement a plan for ensuring that HHS activities to promote information technology use by health care providers include promotion of technology that is accessible and pertinent to mental health and substance use health care providers and consumers; (4) establish the Council on Mental Health and Substance Use Health Care Workforce; (5) develop uniform methodologies regarding qualifications for eligibility for payment, financial auditing, and claims payment with respect to medical assistance, related services, and administrative costs furnished to individuals with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in community-based and residential settings; and (6) establish a five-year project designed to demonstrate the impact of creating delivery and financing structures that deliver high-quality, integrated mental health and substance use health care. Requires: (1) the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to make grants to entities to fund a network of national centers of excellence in mental health and substance use health care; and (2) the Comptroller General to study the use of publicly supported mental health and addiction services by individuals who have any level of private health insurance coverage. Amends the Social Security Act to establish a Medicaid requirement that states receiving assistance prohibit the denial of covered services and benefits based on intoxication.

IDEA Fairness Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007

IDEA Fairness Restoration Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to include expert witness fees, including the reasonable costs of any test or evaluation necessary for the preparation of the parent or guardian's case in the action or proceeding, within the definition of "attorneys' fees" that may be awarded to the prevailing party in a civil action brought under such Act.

OVERSEAS Vote Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2007

Overseas Voting Education and Reform, Safeguarding Every American's Vote Act, or OVERSEAS Vote Act - Amends the Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) to prohibit a state from refusing to accept or process any otherwise valid absentee ballot submitted by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter on the grounds that the envelope in which the ballot is submitted is not notarized or witnessed by a notary public or other official authorized to administer oaths. Repeals the requirement to apply for state absentee ballot as a condition for use of a federal write-in absentee ballot. Permits voters to request absentee ballots in all subsequent elections. Directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to establish and operate a program of grants to eligible nonpartisan organizations for activities to: (1) assist overseas civilian voters in voting in federal elections; and (2) increase turnout by providing them with information in advance of an election on how to cast absentee ballots. Requires the head of each office of the federal government with employees whose designated post of duty is outside the United States to notify them of the rights provided by UOCAVA to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters. Directs the Secretary of State to ensure that each passport issued after enactment of this Act describes such rights. Extends application of UOCAVA to certain individuals who have never resided in the United States.

Internet Safety Education Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007

Internet Safety Education Act of 2007 - Directs the Attorney General, subject to the availability of funds, to create and administer a competitive grant program for eligible organizations to carry out free, age-appropriate programs that promote Internet safety for children. Directs the Attorney General to define, by rule, the term "eligible organization."

Prevention Through Affordable Access Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007

Prevention Through Affordable Access Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the best price component of the formula for determination of the Medicaid rebate for a covered single source outpatient drug or a covered innovator multiple source outpatient drug. (Under current law, best prices shall not take into account prices that are merely nominal in amount.) Revises the list of entities to which sales by a manufacturer of covered outpatient drugs at nominal prices shall be considered to be sales at a nominal price, or merely nominal in amount (and thus excluded from computation of the best price for such drugs). Adds to such list any entity that is: (1) operated by a health center of an institution of higher education, primarily for its students (university-based clinic); or (2) a public or private nonprofit entity that provides family planning services under the Public Health Service Act (safety-net clinic).

FIRST Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007

Focusing Investments and Resources for a Safe Transition Act, or FIRST Act - Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make competitive grants to and enter into contracts with states (or state partners) to enable them to establish Individual Development Accounts for qualified foster youth to assist them in achieving self-support for housing, education, vocational training, and specified other purposes after leaving foster care.

College Cost Reduction and Access Act Technical Amendments of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007

College Cost Reduction and Access Act Technical Amendments of 2007 - Makes technical changes to amendments the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (the Act) made to the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Ensures that mandatory Pell grant funding made available for any fiscal year by such Act remains available for the succeeding fiscal year (thus, for the full Pell grant award year). Specifies the untaxed income and benefits which the Act excluded from the list of untaxed income and benefits considered in federal student need analyses (thereby, specifically excluding them from such analyses). Clarifies that students who were orphans, wards of the court, or in foster care when they were 13 or older are independent for federal student aid purposes. Provides that, for married borrowers who file separate tax returns, income-based loan repayments under the HEA shall be determined solely on the basis of their individual student loan debt and adjusted gross income. Ensures that National Guard members who serve full-time are eligible for the student loan deferment the Act provides to other military personnel for 13 months after the conclusion of active duty service. Moves the Act's funding program for minority-serving institutions from title IV (Student Assistance) to title III (Institutional Aid) of the HEA.

To increase the insurance limitations on Federal insurance for bonds issued by the designated bonding authority for Historically Black Colleges and Universities capital financing.

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the amount of the outstanding principal and interest on capital financing bonds for historically Black colleges and universities that may be federally insured.

Simplified USA Tax Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007

Simplified USA Tax Act of 2007 - Repeals, after 2006, income tax and estate and gift tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Replaces such Code with a new tax system, to be known as the Simplified USA Tax. Establishes three income tax brackets at 15, 25, and 30% for individual taxpayers. Redefines "gross income" and allows certain exclusions from gross income, including previously-taxed benefits, tax-exempt bond interest, compensation for injuries and sickness, and gain from the sale of a principal residence. Allows tax deductions for alimony and child support, home mortgage interest, certain higher education expenses, and charitable contributions. Allows a tax credit for employee social security payroll taxes. Revises rules for Roth individual retirement accounts (Roth IRAs) to allow taxpayers to make contributions up to the amount of their adjusted gross income. Allows tax-free withdrawals from Roth IRA for any purpose after five years. Establishes new rules for deductible IRAs, annuities, and endowment and life insurance contracts. Revises tax rules for business entities to: (1) establish an 8% tax rate for the first $150,000 of gross profit (12% for profit in excess of $150,000); (2) allow a tax credit for social security payroll taxes; (3) exempt from taxation all export sales income and other foreign-source income; and (4) establish new tax rules for tax-exempt organizations and certain financial institutions.

To provide grants to encourage and enhance the study of modeling and simulation at institutions of higher education.

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a taskforce within the Department of Education to recommend improvements to the study of modeling and simulation, and identify the core capacities that students in such programs should acquire. Authorizes the Secretary to award: (1) competitive grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) for the enhancement of their existing modeling and simulation programs; and (2) grants to IHEs for the establishment of such programs. Requires grantees to raise, from nonfederal sources, an amount equal to 25% of their grants.

Honoring Theodor Criveanu for being named by Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority, as Righteous Among the Nations for his heroic efforts to save Romanian Jews during the Holocaust.

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2007

Honors Theodor Criveanu for his efforts to save Romanian Jews during the Holocaust and for being named by Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority, as Righteous Among the Nations. Promotes education to preserve the legacy of the righteous gentiles who risked their lives to save innocent Jews.

Truth-in-Tuition Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007

Truth-in-Tuition Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education (IHEs) that are participating in the Act's student assistance programs to provide each prospective cohort of students applying to enter their undergraduate or graduate programs with a binding, multi-year tuition and fee schedule for the normal duration of such studies. Requires the Secretary of Education to waive the application of such requirement to IHEs that are unable to comply because of events causing them severe economic distress. Directs the Secretary to award: (1) competitive grants to IHEs that, for an academic year, have a net tuition (tuition and fees, minus grant amounts) increase that does not exceed the percentage change in the higher education price index; and (2) bonus amounts to IHEs that guarantee that their net tuition will not outpace changes in such index over specified periods of time. Requires IHEs to distribute such grants and bonuses as need-based grant aid to students who are eligible for federal Pell Grants. Requires IHEs whose annual net tuition increase outpaces such index to issue an explanatory report to the Secretary that includes actions being taken to remedy the situation.

College and University Rural Education (CURE) Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007

College and University Rural Education (CURE) Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to partnerships between rural institutions of higher education (IHEs) and rural local educational agencies, rural education service agencies, regional employers, or rural education nonprofit organizations for activities to: (1) improve the rural IHE enrollment rates of rural high school graduates and former attendees; and (2) encourage nontraditional students' participation in rural IHE degree programs. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to partnerships between rural IHEs and regional employers to: (1) provide additional training to rural IHE attendees in careers relevant to the regional economy; and (2) encourage regional businesses to employ rural IHE graduates. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to rural IHEs to create or strengthen academic programs that prepare graduates to enter high-need occupations in the regional and local economies. Requires the General Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate, and make recommendations to Congress regarding the improvement of, rural access to four-year IHEs and degree programs.

National Guard and Reserve Active Duty Higher Education Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007

National Guard and Reserve Active Duty Higher Education Act - Revises eligibility requirements for educational assistance to members of the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces supporting contingency operations to require such assistance to be based on the members' cumulative days of active duty service. (Currently, such assistance is based on the members' consecutive days of active duty service).

Higher Education Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007

College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize various programs. Revises the definition of institutions of higher education (IHEs) to include schools that enroll students who are also enrolled in secondary school. Establishes new college cost and assistance information resources for students, parents, and the public. Bars certain business arrangements, inducements, and conflicts of interests between IHEs and student loan providers. Establishes a new Teacher Quality Partnership grant program under title II for high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), high-need schools, and IHEs, replacing the Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for States and Partnerships program. Creates a new Part C (Enhancing Teacher Education) to title II providing grants for: (1) a Recruiting Teachers With Math, Science, or Language Majors program; (2) a Community Colleges as Partners in Teacher Education Grants program; (3) a Centers of Excellence program for teacher education at certain minority-serving institutions; (4) a Teach For America program; and (5) the establishment of State Early Childhood Education Professional Development and Career Task Forces. Revises title III Institutional Aid programs providing grants to IHEs serving high percentages of minority and low-income students to establish new grant programs for Predominantly Black Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, and Native American-serving nontribal institutions. Establishes a YES Partnerships grant program to engage minority youth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Revises and reauthorizes title IV Student Assistance programs. Alters the Pell grant maximum and allows year-round grants. Broadens the array of students eligible for Academic Competitiveness grants and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) grants. Eliminates Academic Achievement Incentive Scholarships and Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships programs. Turns the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship program into: (1) scholarship and loan forgiveness programs for mathematics and science students; and (2) a program providing grants to partnerships between IHEs and LEAs to improve the teaching and learning of critical foreign languages. Increases the information to be provided to federal student loan borrowers by IHEs, lenders, and guaranty agencies. Expands the child care provider loan forgiveness program under the Federal Family Education Loan and Direct Loan programs to include individuals employed in certain areas of national need. Expands the types of public service occupations for which Perkins loans may be canceled. Excludes certain military housing benefits from title IV need analyses. Requires the development of simplified and electronic student aid application forms and a system providing students and parents with early aid information and eligibility estimates. Establishes a program to encourage the development of articulation agreements among IHEs within states and across state lines. Establishes an Accreditation Ombudsman to address the grievances of those involved in the accreditation process. Revises the title V Developing Institutions grant program for Hispanic-serving institutions. Establishes a new grant program for graduate programs at such institutions. Revises and reauthorizes title VI International Education programs. Establishes a new: (1) Preparing for Early Foreign Language Instruction program providing grants to partnerships between IHE foreign language departments and LEAs; and (2) Science and Technology Advanced Foreign Language Education grant program for IHEs. Revises and reauthorizes title VII Graduate and Post-Secondary Improvement programs. Establishes Patsy T. Mink graduate fellowships for women and minorities studying to enter the professoriate. Establishes new Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education programs. Replaces the Urban Community Service grant program with an Urban-Serving Research Institutions grant program. Establishes programs to support disabled students' access and transition to postsecondary education. Creates grant programs to increase nursing school capacity and provide nurses with the scholarships and release time needed to qualify as nursing school faculty. Establishes a new title VIII creating additional HEA programs to: (1) reward IHEs that make no more than inflationary adjustments to their tuition; (2) provide students with work experiences related to their educational objectives; (3) assist IHEs in implementing articulation agreements; (4) help low-income students complete postsecondary education and training; (5) help students move from developmental studies into, and through, occupational studies; (6) assist Project Grad USA implement education reform services; (7) improve the college enrollment rates of secondary schools; (8) thwart diploma mills; (9) enhance student safety and emergency management at IHEs, and provide IHEs with disaster loans; (10) promote rural development through partnerships between rural IHEs and other rural entities; (11) improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, especially for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students; (12) create a national database on financial assistance for STEM studies; (13) promote the training and job placement of real time writers; (14) assist IHEs in implementing model programs to address veterans' needs in postsecondary education; (15) support IHE sustainablity programs; and (16) promote the study of modeling and simulation. Revises and reauthorizes various programs under the Education of the Deaf Act of 1986, the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978, and the Navajo Community College Act. Creates a grant program for two tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institutions under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978. Repeals certain programs under the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish a loan forgiveness program for prosecutors and public defenders. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to establish a Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity program at the Department of Commerce. Private Student Loan Transparency and Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to impose specified consumer protection and disclosure requirements on private educational lenders.

Fire Fighter Higher Education Incentive Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007

Fire Fighter Higher Education Incentive Act of 2007 - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to cancel the Perkins loans of full-time federal, state, and local fire fighters.

To direct the Attorney General to provide grants for Internet crime prevention education programs.

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007

Directs the Attorney General, subject to the availability of funds, to: (1) provide a grant to i-Safe, Inc., to carry out Internet crime prevention education programs; and (2) create and administer a competitive grants program for organizations to carry out Internet crime prevention education programs. Defines "Internet crime prevention education programs" to mean programs that educate parents, children, educators, and communities about how to recognize and prevent potentially criminal activity on the Internet.

STEM Promotion Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2007

STEM Promotion Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to contract with successful advertising firms to implement a campaign to expand the population of qualified individuals in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields by encouraging young Americans to enter those fields. Requires that such a campaign be designed to: (1) enhance the image of education and professions in the STEM fields and promote participation in such fields; (2) hold as a high priority making specific appeals to Latinos, Native Americans, African-Americans, and women in order to increase their numbers in STEM fields; and (3) include a narrowly focused effort to attract current professionals in STEM fields into teaching in elementary and secondary schools.

A bill to amend title VI of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide for State student achievement contracts.

United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007

Amends title VI (Flexibility and Accountability) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to set forth a new Part C: State Student Achievement Contracts. Allows the Secretary of Education to enter into five-year student achievement contracts with up to 12 states, authorizing them to: (1) waive the statutory or regulatory requirements that accompany any ESEA formula grant program for states; (2) use funds, or allow their local educational agencies (LEAs) to use funds, received under specified ESEA programs for implementing one or more of such programs or programs under part A of title I of the ESEA; and (3) require their LEAs that are not meeting state student proficiency targets to use such funds for corrective intervention activities. Requires contract applicants to demonstrate that their academic standards, assessments, accountability systems, objectives, and data systems meet specified minimum requirements under such contracts. Establishes alternative ESEA program waivers for states participating in the contract program that do not meet such minimum academic standards and assessment requirements but have a plan, approved by the Secretary, for doing so. Requires participating states to report annually on how they have used federal funds under the contract to improve academic achievement, narrow the achievement gap, and improve educational opportunities for the disadvantaged. Provides for the early termination of program participation by states not abiding by the terms of their contracts. Requires an independent five-year evaluation of this program's success in improving student academic achievement.

A resolution supporting and encouraging greater support for Veterans Day each year.

United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007

Encourages the people of the United States to demonstrate their support for veterans on Veterans Day each year. Encourages schools and teachers to educate students on the great contributions veterans have made to the country and its history, both while serving as members of the Armed Forces and after completing their service.

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish an instructional level assessment pilot program.

United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to: (1) award competitive grants to up to 10 states for pilot programs to determine the effectiveness of assessing disabled students who are achieving significantly below grade-level proficiency at their instructional level; and (2) provide quality instruction to such students. Requires each grantee to identify a minimum of five local educational agencies (LEAs) to participate in its pilot program and limit student participation to 0.5% of the students assessed in each participating LEA. Requires such states and LEAs to ensure that each participating student's individualized education program team: (1) administers, after securing parental consent, a scientifically-valid and reliable assessment based on the student's instructional level in reading and/or math; and (2) based on such assessment, develops a series of targeted interventions designed to close identified gaps in the student's instructional and grade-level content knowledge. Prohibits the use of such assessment results in determinations of adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward state academic performance standards.

Long-term Care Quality and Modernization Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2007

Long-term Care Quality and Modernization Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Service to conduct a demonstration program requiring a state to establish a process for joint training and education of surveyors and providers for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and nursing facilities at least annually. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow resumption of nursing aid training programs in SNFs after correction of deficiencies. Authorizes the Secretary to exclude from the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for SNFs: (1) certain (high cost and low probability) cancer treatment drugs, including antineoplastic drugs, antiemitics, and supportive medications; (2) all ambulance services, including those furnished to an individual in conjunction with renal dialysis services; and (3) other appropriate items and services. Authorizes a physician, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist to certify under Medicare that a prescribed series of blood glucose tests are medically required. Provides for: (1) counting of observation days in application of the Medicare post-hospital requirement for coverage of SNF care; (2) extension of the exceptions process for Medicare therapy caps; and (3) expansion of telehealth services to SNFs. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on developing management alternatives to the Medicare payment cap for physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services. Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary to make grants to, and contract with, physical therapy programs for projects to recruit and retain faculty and students, develop curriculum, and support the distribution of physical therapy practitioners in underserved areas; and (2) repeal the limitation to nonprofit entities only in the assignment of nurses under the nursing loan repayment program to private entities. Requires the Secretary to establish a national nursing database to predict future nursing shortages. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish the Long Term Care Quality Advisory Commission; and (2) make grants for five demonstration projects to implement and evaluate methods for improving the quality of health care in long-term care settings. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set a 15-year recovery period for qualified long-term care improvement property.

Education Professional Development Tax Credit Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2007

Education Professional Development Tax Credit Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow full-time elementary and secondary school teachers a tax credit for professional development and training expenses.

Accessing College through Comprehensive Early Outreach and State Partnerships Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2007

Accessing College through Comprehensive Early Outreach and State Partnerships Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to replace the current special leveraging educational assistance partnership program with a program of allotments to enable states to: (1) expand and enhance partnerships with institutions of higher education, early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach programs, private corporations, philanthropic organizations, and other interested parties to carry out specified activities and provide coordination and cohesion among federal, state, and local governmental and private efforts providing financial assistance to help low-income students attend college; (2) provide need-based grants for college access and increased college persistence to eligible low-income students; (3) provide early notification to low-income students of their eligibility for financial aid; and (4) encourage increased participation in early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach programs. Requires partnerships for the award of grants between a state agency and: (1) at least one public and one private degree granting institution of higher education located in the state; (2) new or existing early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach programs also located in the state; and (3) at least one philanthropic organization located in, or providing funding in, the state, or one private corporation located in, or doing business in, the state. Requires different federal shares of program costs and different amounts of grants awarded in partnerships with institutions of higher learning: (1) serving less than a majority of students in the state; and (2) serving the majority of students in the state. Requires annual early notification of low-income students of their potential eligibility for student financial assistance. Prescribes minimum eligibility requirements for such students.

Providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 3043) making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2007

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 3043) making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008.

A bill to amend section 435(o) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 regarding the definition of economic hardship.

United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2007

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to the meaning of economic hardship under the Federal Family Education Loan or Perkins Loan and related loan insurance programs. Considers borrowers under such programs to be suffering economic hardship if they are working full-time, have a federal educational debt burden equal to at least 20% of their adjusted gross income, and the difference between their adjusted gross income minus such debt burden is less than 220% of the greater of: (1) the annual earnings of an minimum wage earner; or (2) 150% of the poverty line applicable to their family size.

BARRIERS TO EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: ADDRESSING THE RISING COSTS OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION

United States · United States House of Representatives · 1 November 2007

Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007

Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Act) to extend the national flood insurance program (Program) through FY2013. Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make national flood insurance available for multifamily properties. Revises requirements for: (1) escrow of flood insurance payments; (2) debt forgiveness with respect to FEMA funding of flood insurance claims resulting from the hurricanes of 2005; and (3) minimum deductibles for specified properties. Instructs the Director to establish in the Treasury a National Flood Insurance Reserve Fund. Prohibits FEMA from denying payment of certain flood insurance claims by condominium owners. Establishes the Technical Mapping Advisory Council. Requires FEMA and the heads of specified federal agencies to: (1) coordinate and share flood risk determination data and geospatial data; and (2) make an interagency budget crosscut report to Congress. Directs the National Academy of Public Administration to study and report to Congress on how FEMA can: (1) improve interagency coordination on flood mapping; and (2) establish joint funding mechanisms with other governmental agencies. States that any area located within the 500-year flood plain is not subject to certain mandatory purchase requirements of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973. Provides for: (1) permissible testing of new flood proofing technology; and (2) mandatory participation of FEMA representatives in state disaster claims mediation programs. Instructs FEMA to continue to implement minimum training and education standards for insurance agents who sell flood insurance policies. Authorizes FEMA to to make expense reimbursements to certain private sector companies that have paid claims. Extends the pilot program for mitigation of severe repetitive loss properties. Establishes the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate to assist insureds resolve problems with FEMA.

Student Disability Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007

Student Disability Fairness Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to accept certifications by the Department of Veterans Affairs that student borrowers are permanently and totally disabled as sufficient documentation for the discharge of their loans under part B (Federal Family Education Loan Program) of title IV of the Act.

Bridges from Jobs to Careers Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007

Bridges from Jobs to Careers Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to improve remedial education, customize remediation to student career goals, and help remedial students progress into and through for-credit occupational programs. Gives grant priority to IHEs: (1) in which at least 50% of the first-year students are enrolled in remedial courses designed to give them collegiate reading, writing, or mathematics skills; and (2) that propose to collaborate with adult education providers and replicate practices that have proven effective with adults.

Improving Teacher Diversity Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007

Improving Teacher Diversity Act - Amends title II (Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for States and Partnerships) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to certain minority-serving institutions of higher education (IHEs), or partnerships between such IHEs and other IHEs, to establish centers of excellence for teacher education. Requires the use of such grants to ensure that current and future teachers are highly qualified by: (1) reforming teacher preparation programs so that teachers are able to understand scientifically-based research and use advanced technology effectively in the classroom; (2) providing preservice clinical experience and mentoring to prospective teachers, and increased interaction between IHE faculty and new and experienced elementary and secondary school teachers and administrators; (3) implementing initiatives to promote the retention of highly qualified teachers and principals; (4) awarding need-based scholarships for students in teacher preparation programs; (5) disseminating information on effective teacher preparation practices; and (6) conducting certain other activities authorized under title II.

Prevention Through Affordable Access Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2007

Prevention Through Affordable Access Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the best price component of the formula for determination of the Medicaid rebate for a covered single source outpatient drug or a covered innovator multiple source outpatient drug. (Under current law, best prices shall not take into account prices that are merely nominal in amount.) Revises the list of entities to which sales by a manufacturer of covered outpatient drugs at nominal prices shall be considered to be sales at a nominal price, or merely nominal in amount (and thus excluded from computation of the best price for such drugs). Adds to such list any entity that is: (1) operated by a health center of an institution of higher education, primarily for its students (university-based clinic); or (2) a public or private nonprofit entity that provides family planning services under the Public Health Service Act (safety-net clinic).