The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 led to an increase in the percentage of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients seeking more immediate employment and a decline in the percentage pursuing postsecondary education or degree programs. Since TANF's enactment, several legislative bills have sought to modify TANF to allow more cash assistance to recipients to participate in postsecondary education. Opponents of these proposals fear that changes in TANF designed to increase participation in postsecondary education would undercut current work requirements and expand short-term assistance costs. However, proponents of the proposed changes suggest that expanded educational opportunities could enable TANF recipients to prepare for and find better-paying and more stable jobs. Research has demonstrated a close relationship between education and earnings, and it has been suggested that increasing postsecondary education opportunities for low-income families with children through changes in TANF and other programs aimed at low-income families might eventually reduce state expenditures for public assistance by enabling adults to achieve financial self-sufficiency. Pilot projects in several states and related research studies have confirmed the benefits of increasing postsecondary education opportunities for welfare recipients. (Summaries of the positions of 11 organizations that have examined issues relevant to education/training and TANF reauthorization are included.) (MN)