Education

Directing the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives on plans to implement certain STEM education and outreach efforts.

United States · United States Congress · 22 December 2023

This resolution directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide a briefing to the House Armed Services Committee no later than February 1, 2024, on DOD's plans to implement recommendations from the 2022 Systems Engineering Research Center workshop on the Department of Defense-Defense Industry Collaboration in STEM Education and Workforce Development.

Combating Hate Across Campus

United States · United States Congress · 22 December 2023

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit institutions of higher education from requiring ideological oaths or similar statements, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2023

This bill prohibits an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs from requiring a student enrolled at the IHE, an employee or contractor of the IHE, or an applicant for admission to or employment or contracting at the IHE to make certain ideological oaths or similar statements. Specifically, the bill prohibits an IHE from compelling, requiring, inducing, or soliciting such an individual to (1) endorse an ideology that promotes the differential treatment of an individual or group of individuals based on race, color, or ethnicity; or (2) provide a statement indicating certain information about the individual, including the individual's views on efforts involving diversity, equity, and inclusion or other specified concepts. Additionally, the bill prohibits an IHE from providing preferential consideration to a student, employee, or contractor based on the individual's unsolicited support for an ideology that promotes the differential treatment of an individual or group of individuals based on race, color, or ethnicity.

Federal Grant Accountability Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2023

Federal Grant Accountability Act This bill limits the indirect costs that are allowable under federal research awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, the total amount of indirect costs allowable under a federal research award may not exceed the total amount of indirect costs allowable under private research awards. The Office of Management and Budget must determine the average indirect cost rate applicable to private research awards. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on (1) the indirect cost rates allowable under federal research awards to IHEs, including awards made by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and other such organizations; and (2) the indirect cost rates allowable under private research awards to IHEs.

A resolution designating November 2023 as "National Lung Cancer Awareness Month" and expressing support for early detection and treatment of lung cancer.

United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2023

This resolution designates November 2023 as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. The bill also designates the first week of November 2023 as National Women's Lung Cancer Awareness Week and the second Saturday of November 2023 as National Lung Cancer Screening Day. The resolution also promotes awareness of, education about, and research on lung cancer.

HEARTS Act of 2024

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in the Schools Act of 2023  or the HEARTS Act of 2023 This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements relating to cardiomyopathy. (Cardiomyopathy refers to a collection of diverse conditions of the heart muscle that can affect the ability of the heart to pump blood.) Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services must disseminate information about cardiomyopathy and the use of automated external defibrillators to certain school professionals, families, and others, and it must develop specified risk assessment tools for cardiomyopathy. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must report on certain research and surveillance activities, and the National Institutes of Health must report on its research relating to cardiomyopathy.

To designate the visitor and education center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine as the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center.

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

This bill designates the visitor and education center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Maryland, as the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center.  

PROTECT Our Kids Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings for Our Kids Act or the PROTECT Our Kids Act This bill prohibits federal education funding for any elementary or secondary school that (1) has a partnership in effect with a cultural or language institute funded by the Chinese government, including a Confucius Institute; (2) operates a learning center supported by the Chinese government (commonly referred to as a Confucius Classroom); or (3) receives support from an individual or entity acting on behalf of the Chinese government, including support in the form of teaching materials, personnel, funds, or other resources. The bill directs the Department of Education to provide notice of the bill's requirements to schools, as well as guidance for achieving compliance with the requirements.

Artificial Intelligence Literacy Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Artificial Intelligence Literacy Act of 2023 This bill provides for grants under the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program to support training and programming on artificial intelligence in schools, colleges, and other community institutions.  The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program provides grants to governments, nonprofit organizations, and other entities to support efforts to achieve digital equity, promote digital inclusion, and stimulate adoption of broadband. Under the bill, such grants may fund programs to support artificial intelligence literacy, including education on the basic principles, applications, and limitations of artificial intelligence.  The bill also requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which administers the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, to report to Congress on any specific uses of grant funding that NTIA recommends for expansion or modification to benefit larger populations.  

Parent PLUS Loan Fairness and Responsibility Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Parent PLUS Loan Fairness and Responsibility Act of 2023 This bill allows parent borrowers to transfer their parent PLUS loans to their child under certain circumstances. Among other requirements for a transfer, the child must demonstrate the ability to repay the loan, as determined by the Department of Education. Additionally, the bill makes these transferred loans eligible for income-driven repayment plans.

Reengage the Workforce Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Reengage the Workforce Act This bill requires the Department of Labor, in consultation with the Department of Education, to make competitive grants to eligible entities for carrying out in-person or virtual programs to provide specified services to eligible secondary school dropouts. Eligible entity refers to a partnership between or among (1) a local educational agency, a unit of general local government, a nonprofit intermediary, or a consortium of any of these entities; and (2) a community-based organization, an institution of higher education, or a local or state board (or a combination of these entities). Eligible secondary school dropout refers to an individual who is not younger than 16 years of age and who is not enrolled in a secondary school or high school equivalency program. A program funded with a grant must provide specified services to eligible secondary school dropouts. These services include assistance in reentering a secondary school or entering an in-person or virtual high school equivalency program, flexible secondary school credit recovery to accelerate the time to receive a high school diploma, life and career workshops, and supportive services (e.g., transportation, child care, and housing). Labor must give preference to eligible entities that will use the grant to carry out programs in low-income communities or that will implement evidence-based practices in providing these services. Labor must annually report to Congress about this grant program.      

Intelligence Community Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Intelligence Community Families Act This bill makes officers or employees of the intelligence community (or their spouses and dependent children) who are domiciled or assigned to a duty station in a given state eligible for in-state tuition at public institutions of higher education in that state. Such individuals retain their eligibility for in-state tuition provided they maintain continuous enrollment even if their domicile or duty station changes.

ACE Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Achieving Choice in Education Act or the ACE Act  This bill modifies provisions of qualified tuition programs (i.e., 529 plans) and provides other tax incentives to promote education.  Specifically, the bill expands the definition of qualified higher education expense to include tuition, books or instructional material, fees, and educational therapies for disabled students. It also increases to $20,000 the limitation on distributions from 529 plans for elementary and secondary school expenses.  Further, the bill provides for an increased gift tax exclusion for contributions to 529 plans and limits tax-exempt bond financing to states that implement school choice laws. 

PSLF Administrative Improvements Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

CTE Awareness Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

CTE Awareness Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to disclose certain information related to career and technical education. Specifically, the bill requires the Office of Federal Student Aid within ED to publish on its public website information on (1) career and technical education programs, including average completion time, program cost, and postgraduation employment rate; and (2) opportunities in each state to pursue these programs and obtain Perkins funding. In addition, ED must include this information and a related acknowledgment signature box on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Think Differently about Education Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Think Differently about Education Act of 2023 This bill establishes a notification requirement related to an individualized education program (IEP). (Generally, IEPs are individualized plans to ensure that a child with a disability receives a free appropriate public education.) Under current law, states and local educational agencies (LEAs) must convene a team to develop an IEP. The composition of the team that develops the IEP is outlined in current law and allows for other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the child (including related services personnel, as appropriate) to participate in this team. This bill requires the relevant agency (e.g., the LEA or state educational agency) to notify the child's parents of their right to include these other individuals with knowledge or special expertise on the child's IEP team.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the excise tax on net investment income of certain private colleges and universities.

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

This bill increases the excise tax (from 1.4% to 35%) on the net investment income of private educational institutions whose assets had a aggregate fair market value of at least $10 billion in the preceding taxable year.   

Reengage the Workforce Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Reengage the Workforce Act This bill requires the Department of Labor, in consultation with the Department of Education, to make competitive grants to eligible entities for carrying out in-person or virtual programs to provide specified services to eligible secondary school dropouts. Eligible entity refers to a partnership between or among (1) a local educational agency, a unit of general local government, a nonprofit intermediary, or a consortium of any of these entities; and (2) a community-based organization, an institution of higher education, or a local or state board (or a combination of these entities). Eligible secondary school dropout refers to an individual who is not younger than 16 years of age and who is not enrolled in a secondary school or high school equivalency program. A program funded with a grant must provide specified services to eligible secondary school dropouts. These services include assistance in reentering a secondary school or entering an in-person or virtual high school equivalency program, flexible secondary school credit recovery to accelerate the time to receive a high school diploma, life and career workshops, and supportive services (e.g., transportation, child care, and housing). Labor must give preference to eligible entities that will use the grant to carry out programs in low-income communities or that will implement evidence-based practices in providing these services. Labor must annually report to Congress about this grant programs.

A resolution recognizing Interscholastic Athletic Administrators' Day on December 14, 2023.

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

This resolution supports the annual recognition of Interscholastic Athletic Administrators' Day on December 14, 2023. In addition, the resolution commends (1) interscholastic athletic administrators for their commitment to secondary school student athletes; and (2) the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association for providing continuous learning, professional development, and resources to assist those within the profession.

ACE Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

Achieving Choice in Education Act or the ACE Act This bill modifies provisions of qualified tuition programs (i.e., 529 plans) and provides other tax incentives to promote education. Specifically, the bill expands the definition of qualified higher education expense to include tuition, books or instructional material, fees, and educational therapies for disabled students. It also increases to $20,000 the limitation on distributions from 529 plans for elementary and secondary school expenses.  Further, the bill provides for an increased gift tax exclusion for contributions to 529 plans and limits tax-exempt bond financing to states that implement school choice laws. 

A bill to designate the visitor and education center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine as the "Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center".

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

This bill designates the visitor and education center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland, as the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center.

CTE Awareness Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

CTE Awareness Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to disclose certain information related to career and technical education. Specifically, the bill requires the Office of Federal Student Aid within ED to publish on its public website information on (1) career and technical education programs, including average completion time, program cost, and postgraduation employment rate; and (2) opportunities in each state to pursue these programs and obtain Perkins funding. In addition, ED must include this information and a related acknowledgment signature box on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

SMARTER Debt Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023

A resolution designating September 2023 as "National Cholesterol Education Month" and September 30, 2023, as LDL-C Awareness Day.

United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023

This resolution designates National Cholesterol Education Month and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) Awareness Day. The resolution also encourages all individuals in the United States to know their LDL-C number. High levels of LDL-C increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Iron Deficiency Education and Awareness Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act of 2023 This bill exludes from gross income amounts received as AmeriCorps educational awards provided under the National and Community Serivce Act of 1990. 

A resolution designating November 8, 2023, as "National First-Generation College Celebration Day".

United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023

This resolution designates November 8, 2023, as National First-Generation College Celebration Day.

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act of 2023 This bill excludes from gross income amounts received as AmeriCorps educational awards provided under the National and Commuity Service Act of 1990.  

Condemning antisemitism on University campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2023

This resolution strongly condemns (1) the rise of antisemitism on university campuses around the country, and (2) the testimony of specified university presidents to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on December 5, 2023.

Condemning all forms of hate.

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2023

This resolution condemns all forms of discrimination and expresses support for policies to prevent and respond to hate crimes, including education and training on prevention and response.

PATH to College Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2023

Promoting Advancement Through Transit Help to College Act or the PATH to College Act This bill authorizes Department of Transportation (DOT) grants for improving transit connections for students at institutions of higher education. Specifically, grants must be used for projects such as (1) adding transit stops that serve campuses and connect to surrounding areas or other cities, (2) increasing the frequency of service or adjusting the transit time to allow students to get to and from their classes, or (3) providing for service operating costs. DOT may award the grants to partnerships of public transit providers and one or more community colleges, historically Black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, or other minority-serving institutions.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1147) to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to allow schools that participate in the school lunch program under such Act to serve whole milk; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 357) to require the head of an agency to issue and sign any rule issued by that agency, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2023

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1147) to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to allow schools that participate in the school lunch program under such Act to serve whole milk; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 357) to require the head of an agency to issue and sign any rule issued by that agency, and for other purposes.

Students and Young Consumers Empowerment Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2023

Students and Young Consumers Empowerment Act This bill establishes the Office for Students and Young Consumers within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and eliminates the position of Private Education Loan Ombudsman. (Currently, the Private Education Loan Ombudsman provides assistance to borrowers of private education loans.) The Office for Students and Young Consumers must provide assistance to borrowers of private or federal student loans and enter into an information-sharing agreement with the Department of Education. The office must also report annually regarding campus banking and the student loan marketplace.

Education Against Hate Crimes Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2023

Education Against Hate Crimes Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award competitive grants to states, local educational agencies, and nonprofit organizations to conduct hate crime prevention and prejudice reduction education for secondary school students and students in middle grades. The bill also requires ED, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, to develop relevant curriculum requirements.

New Essential Education Discoveries Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2023

Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2023

Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act This bill authorizes certain construction grants under the Impact Aid program for four fiscal years. The Impact Aid program provides funding to local educational agencies (LEAs) that have lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal property or to those that have experienced increased expenditures due to enrollment of federally connected children (e.g., children living on Indian lands or military bases). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Education (ED), based on applications submitted by LEAs that are eligible to receive payments under the Impact Aid program, to establish a priority listing for grant awards based on facility condition. Further, ED must comply with specified requirements when making grant payments under this bill. For example, ED must provide a grant in full to an LEA that (1) has a facility in violation of a building code that represents a health hazard and which fails to meet other standards, and (2) has no capacity to issue bonds. ED must also require an LEA that has the capacity to issue bonds to pay a percentage of the total cost of the project supported with grant funds. ED must annually report to Congress on the projects carried out under this bill and make the report publicly available.

A Stronger Workforce for America Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023

A Stronger Workforce for America Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 and modifies various programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the Job Corps program for low-income youth ages 16 to 24, as well as grant programs for states to provide employment and training services for youth, adults, and dislocated workers through a One-Stop delivery system. It also requires state plans for the grant programs to (1) describe how the state will use real-time labor market information to assess economic conditions and workforce trends, and (2) include an analysis of any gaps in service for applicable youth. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) programs, which provide educational services at or below the secondary level and English language training for out-of-school adults. It also specifies that the primary performance indicator for these programs includes the percentage of program participants who exit the program during the program year and complete an integrated education and training program. Finally, the bill integrates within the One-Stop delivery system career services that are funded under the Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Service (ES) program (a nationwide system of public employment offices). For more information on this bill, see CRS Report R47905, A Stronger Workforce for America Act (H.R. 6655): In Brief .

Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023

Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and modifies the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) Program. This Department of Agriculture (USDA) program provides grants to nonprofit institutions to help individuals and businesses start, expand, or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses through Rural Cooperative Development Centers. USDA must give preference to grants that commit to providing technical assistance and other services to socially vulnerable, underserved, or distressed communities. Under current law, USDA must give preference to underserved and economically distressed areas in rural areas. In addition, USDA may give an additional preference to applications that commit to providing a 25% matching contribution for the center with private funds and in-kind contributions. Specifically, USDA may award the maximum points in application scoring criteria to applicants that satisfy this requirement. Under the bill, cooperative development includes activities (e.g., outreach, education, training, and technical assistance) to support the startup, expansion, or ongoing sustainability of new and existing cooperatives. Current law does not define cooperative development. The bill directs the RCDG interagency working group to submit an annual report to Congress on its activities. Finally, the program currently includes cooperative research program requirements to collect data on the effects of all types of cooperatives on the national economy. Under the bill, USDA must analyze the data resulting from the research and include the data and analysis in the annual report to Congress.

Student Loan Relief for Medicare and Social Security Recipients Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023

Student Loan Relief for Medicare and Social Security Recipients Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Education to forgive the outstanding balance of principal, interest, and fees due on eligible federal student loans for borrowers who are recipients of Medicare or Social Security Disability Insurance.

Addressing SILO Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023

Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults Act of 2023 or the Addressing SILO Act of 2023 This bill provides funding through FY2028 for grants to prevent and address social isolation or loneliness among older adults and individuals with disabilities through education, outreach, and community-based interventions. The Department of Health and Human Services must award these grants to area agencies on aging and community-based organizations.

Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023

Never Again Education Reauthorization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023

Never Again Education Reauthorization Act of 2023 This act extends the authorization for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to carry out certain Holocaust education program activities through FY2030.

Protecting Education from Malign Foreign Influence Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023

A bill to provide low-income individuals with opportunities to enter and follow a career pathway in the health professions, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023

Pathways to Health Careers Act This bill provides funding for, reauthorizes through FY2028, and makes a variety of changes to certain grants administered by the Department of Health and Human Services that provide education and training to low-income individuals for health care occupations, including by establishing a new competitive grant for projects designed to train low-income individuals in allied health professions.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023

United States · United States Senate · 6 December 2023

No Taxpayer Funding for Ivy League Schools Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

No Taxpayer Funding for Ivy League Schools Act This bill prohibits federal funding for any institution of higher education (IHE) that has an endowment of $5 billion or more. However, such an IHE may receive federal funds for projects or research related to a national critical function. National critical function means a function of government that is so vital to the United States that its disruption would endanger national security or operational control of the southern border.

College Admissions Accountability Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

PLAN for School Safety Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

A resolution recognizing Jobs for America's Graduates for helping young people of truly great promise in the United States succeed in school, on the job, and in postsecondary education, leading to generations of productive and rewarding careers.

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

This resolution acknowledges the significant accomplishments of the members, volunteers, alumni, and community partners of Jobs for America's Graduates in helping at-risk youth reach economic and academic success.

Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2023

Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by establishing the Workforce Pell Grant Program. The bill also places conditions on certain private educational institutions. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award Workforce Pell Grants to students enrolled in eligible workforce programs. Eligible programs are those that provide at least 150 clock hours (but less than 600 clock hours) of instruction during a minimum of 8 weeks (but less than 15 weeks). A state workforce development board must first make a determination that the program (1) provides education aligned with the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations; (2) meets the hiring requirements of potential employers; and (3) satisfies any applicable educational prerequisite requirement for professional licensure or certification in the state or states in which the program is offered. Furthermore, an eligible program must lead to a recognized postsecondary credential that is portable across multiple employers and accepted toward requirements for a certificate or degree, as determined by an accrediting agency or association recognized by ED. Next, ED must determine if a program meets verified completion and job placement rates. ED must also collect and publish information regarding eligible workforce programs. The bill also places certain conditions on private educational institutions that are subject to an excise tax (also known as the endowment tax) on their net investment income. For example, the bill prohibits these institutions from awarding federal student loans to eligible students.