Background: Nearly two decades have passed since the last successful reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. Since then, student loan debt and the accumulation patterns based on race have become a pressing issue to address in U.S. society. Purpose: Student debt is one of the key issues on the federal higher education policy agenda. The…

Data shows that kids are months or even years behind where they would be in a typical year. And a deepening educational divide between majority white schools and majority black schools, between wealthier school districts and higher poverty districts. The results of this year's statewide exams made abundantly clear what other data is showing as…

This document records testimony from a hearing before the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education that was held to discuss the effectiveness of early childhood education programs. During the hearing, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) testified on their new report which finds the federal government provides…

In 2012, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions launched a series of hearings to examine the challenge of college affordability. In the first three hearings, the Committee heard from the administration, from both traditional and online universities and community colleges, from State officials, higher education associations,…

These hearings examined testimony on the practice of academic earmarking by the U.S. Congress, the process of allocating federal funds to academic projects or institutions based upon the influence of one or more members of Congress who favor the funding, rather than on the specific merits of the project or institution. Oral and written testimony…

This hearing focused on a bill to amend the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to identify violent and hard core juvenile offenders and treat them as adults. Opening statements by four U.S. senators (the Honorable Fred Thompson, Herbert Kohl, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., and Orrin G. Hatch) present various perspectives on the role of…

This hearing discussed proposed legislation authorizing funds for programs of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. Opening statements by senators Fred Thompson, Joseph R. Biden, Herbert Kohl, Orrin G. Hatch, Charles E. Grassley, and Alan K. Simpson introduced the issue. Presentations involved two panels. The first consisted of…

In observance of National Children's Day, this House of Representatives' joint hearing was concerned with children's health, education, and welfare issues. Its purpose was to discuss the first National Children's Day Report Card, which provides information about changes that need to be made in government spending and in the treatment of children…

The purpose of this hearing was to examine the education system of New Orleans. Statements were presented by: Honorable Lamar Alexander, Chairman, Subcommittee on Education and Early Childhood Development; Honorable Mary L. Landrieu, U.S. Senator from Louisiana; Honorable Richard Burr, U.S. Senator from North Carolina; Linda Johnson, President,…

This report on a House congressional hearing on proposed legislation regarding the improvement of science and technology education and advanced technical training in two-year colleges presents testimony, along with prepared letters, statements, and supplemental materials. The report opens with an introductory statement by Rick Boucher, the House…

This document outlines the joint hearing before the House of Representatives, between the Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Human Resources and the Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities, Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families. The hearing was scheduled out of concern by Congress members over the proliferation…

The report provides background information on the next reauthorization of the federal Higher Education Act, and is intended for college and university financial aid officers. An introductory section chronicles the history of federal legislation for student financial aid. The next section outlines the congressional reauthorization process,…