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Latest Action: 06/23/2008 - Mr. Sarbanes moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

Bill Text
Recognizing the achievements of America's high school valedictorians of the graduating class of 2008, promoting the importance of encouraging intellectual growth, and rewarding academic excellence of all American high school students.

6/23/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Honors the valedictorians and graduating seniors of the class of 2008 for their academic achievements and contributions to their communities.

Encourages all valedictorians and graduating seniors to continue their studies.

Supports the continued social engagement of valedictorians and graduating seniors.

Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding environmental education, and for other purposes. 7/12/2007--Introduced. No Child Left Inside Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize states to use federal funds for the development of kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) plans for environmental education and teacher training to ensure that high school graduates are environmentally literate. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to partnerships that include a local educational agency (LEA), and may include institutions of higher education (IHE) and other educational or business entities, for activities that include the development of teacher training programs and more rigorous environmental education curricula. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive matching grants to nonprofit organizations, states, LEAs, or IHEs for activities to improve and support environmental education [...]

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Latest Action: 05/15/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4284-4285)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish a program to provide college coaches to low- and middle-income high-achieving high school students. 5/15/2008--Introduced. Coaching Our Adolescents for College Heights Act or the COACH Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to direct the Corporation for National and Community Service to award a contract to a nonprofit organization to establish a seven-year pilot program under which recent college graduates commit to two terms of service as coaches to high-achieving, low- or middle-income high school students in exchange for national service awards for each term of service. Requires such coaches, which are to total 100 and operate in no more than five school districts, to: (1) build a strong college-going culture for all students in high schools with historically low college attendance rates; and (2) provide limited cohorts of high-achieving, low- or middle-income students [...]

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Latest Action: 05/15/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4285)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to promote community service among United States youth by connecting secondary school seniors to community service opportunities.

5/15/2008--Introduced.

Senior Year Community Service Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to direct the Corporation for National and Community Service to implement a national pilot program awarding six competitive grants to local educational agencies to establish local programs matching secondary school seniors to community service opportunities for which such students receive national service educational awards.

Directs the Corporation to contract with an independent agency to study the effects of the national pilot program on the achievement of participating students. Requires the Corporation to plan an expansion of such program if it is shown to be effective in improving student achievement.

Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to suspend temporarily the process of identifying schools and local educational agencies as in need of improvement and of imposing sanctions on such schools and local educational agencies. 6/11/2008--Introduced. NCLB Recess Until Reauthorization Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to suspend, during the 2008-2009 school year, new identifications of schools or local educational agencies as needing: (1) improvement, after they fail to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward state academic performance standards for two consecutive years; (2) corrective action, after they fail to make AYP for an additional two years after being identified as needing improvement; or (3) restructuring, after they fail to make AYP after a year of corrective action. Lifts such suspension on the earlier of the last day of the 2008-2009 school year or the authorization of FY2009 appropriations for title [...]

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Latest Action: 01/09/2007 - Star Print ordered on the bill.

Bill Text
A bill to expand access to preventive health care services that help reduce unintended pregnancy, reduce abortions, and improve access to women's health care. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Prevention First Act - Title X Family Planning Services Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for family planning services grants and contracts under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA). Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and PHSA to prohibit a group health plan and a health insurance issuer providing group coverage from excluding or restricting benefits in any way for prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and outpatient services if the plan or coverage provides benefits for other outpatient prescription drugs, devices, or outpatient services. Applies such prohibitions to coverage offered in the individual market. Emergency Contraception Education Act of 2007 - Directs [...]

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Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Bill Text
To amend the Head Start Act to improve the math and science readiness of disadvantaged children.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Math & Science School Readiness Act of 2007 - Amends the Head Start Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish additional scientifically-based education performance standards to ensure that children participating in the Head Start program develop and demonstrate premathematics and prescience knowledge and skills, including number concepts and operations, geometry and spatial concepts, classification, and time and measurement concepts.

Requires each Head Start classroom in a center-based program to be assigned one teacher with the competency to impart such knowledge and skills.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize resources for a grant program for local educational agencies to create innovation districts. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Innovation Districts for School Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to 10 urban and 10 non-urban local educational agencies (LEAs) for the creation of innovation districts. Requires the LEAs to: (1) establish tests and longitudinal data systems to track the academic progress of each elementary and secondary school student and use such performance measures in evaluating and awarding school personnel and programs; (2) work with teacher representatives and other community partners to attain the administrative flexibility to staff more equitably all agency schools with effective personnel; (3) evaluate and award effective teachers on the basis of student progress and observations of teacher performance; (4) provide grants to recent college graduates and mid-career professionals to attend LEA-established [...]

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Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S157-158)

Bill Text
A bill to modernize the education system of the United States. 1/4/2007--Introduced. States Using Collaboration and Coordination to Enhance Standards for Students Act of 2007 or the SUCCESS Act - Amends the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act to require a biennial national assessment of student achievement in grades four and eight, and grade 12 student preparedness, in reading, mathematics, and science. (Currently, science is not included in such assessments and grade 12 assessments need not be biennial.) Requires the Assessment Board's national academic content and student achievement standards to be competitive with rigorous international standards and set at a level that prepares students for non-remedial higher education, participation in the 21st century workforce, and the Armed Forces. Requires the Board, at a state's request, to assist it in identifying discrepancies between its standards and national standards, and in aligning such [...]

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Latest Action: 09/07/2007 - Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11278-11279 text as passed Senate: CR S11278)

Bill Text
A resolution designating September 2007 as "Adopt a School Library Month".

9/7/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates September 2007 as "Adopt a School Library Month" to raise public awareness about the important role school libraries play in the academic achievement of children.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to suspend temporarily the process of identifying schools and local educational agencies as in need of improvement and of imposing sanctions on such schools and local educational agencies. 6/11/2008--Introduced. NCLB Recess Until Reauthorization Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to suspend, during the 2008-2009 school year, new identifications of schools or local educational agencies as needing: (1) improvement, after they fail to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward state academic performance standards for two consecutive years; (2) corrective action, after they fail to make AYP for an additional two years after being identified as needing improvement; or (3) restructuring, after they fail to make AYP after a year of corrective action. Lifts such suspension on the earlier of the last day of the 2008-2009 school year or the authorization of FY2009 appropriations for title [...]

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Latest Action: 06/23/2008 - Mr. Sarbanes moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

Bill Text
Recognizing the achievements of America's high school valedictorians of the graduating class of 2008, promoting the importance of encouraging intellectual growth, and rewarding academic excellence of all American high school students.

6/23/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Honors the valedictorians and graduating seniors of the class of 2008 for their academic achievements and contributions to their communities.

Encourages all valedictorians and graduating seniors to continue their studies.

Supports the continued social engagement of valedictorians and graduating seniors.

Latest Action: 05/15/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4285)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to promote community service among United States youth by connecting secondary school seniors to community service opportunities.

5/15/2008--Introduced.

Senior Year Community Service Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to direct the Corporation for National and Community Service to implement a national pilot program awarding six competitive grants to local educational agencies to establish local programs matching secondary school seniors to community service opportunities for which such students receive national service educational awards.

Directs the Corporation to contract with an independent agency to study the effects of the national pilot program on the achievement of participating students. Requires the Corporation to plan an expansion of such program if it is shown to be effective in improving student achievement.

Latest Action: 05/15/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4284-4285)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish a program to provide college coaches to low- and middle-income high-achieving high school students. 5/15/2008--Introduced. Coaching Our Adolescents for College Heights Act or the COACH Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to direct the Corporation for National and Community Service to award a contract to a nonprofit organization to establish a seven-year pilot program under which recent college graduates commit to two terms of service as coaches to high-achieving, low- or middle-income high school students in exchange for national service awards for each term of service. Requires such coaches, which are to total 100 and operate in no more than five school districts, to: (1) build a strong college-going culture for all students in high schools with historically low college attendance rates; and (2) provide limited cohorts of high-achieving, low- or middle-income students [...]

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Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3985-3986; text: CR S3985-3986; text of measure as introduced: CR S3980-3981)

Bill Text
A resolution congratulating charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education, and for other purposes.

5/8/2008--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Acknowledges and commends charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the country for their ongoing contributions to education and our public school system.

Supports the ideas and goals of the ninth annual National Charter Schools Week (May 5-May 9, 2008).

Latest Action: 03/14/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the commi

Bill Text
To provide public charter school options for those students that attend schools that are in need of improvement and have been identified for restructuring and those schools with a graduation rate of less than 60 percent, and for other purposes. 3/14/2008--Introduced. Pell Grants for Kids Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary, subject to advance appropriations, to award competitive grants to states, public chartering agencies, local educational agencies, or tax-exempt organizations to enhance the capacity of public charter schools to serve additional students, particularly those transferring from schools identified as needing restructuring under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for failing to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) pursuant to state academic performance standards for five consecutive school years. Limits grant use to providing subgrants to public charter schools, covering the administrative expenses of grantees and subgrantees, and enhancing [...]

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Latest Action: 03/05/2008 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1654-1655; text as passed Senate: CR S1655; text of measure as introduced: CR S1599-1600)

Bill Text
A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that providing breakfast in schools through the National School Breakfast Program has a positive impact on the lives and classroom performance of low-income children.

3/5/2008--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Recognizes the positive effect the National School Breakfast Program has had on children's classroom performance and the lives of low-income children and families.

Expresses strong support for states that have successfully implemented school breakfast programs and encourages all states to improve their programs.

Recognizes the need to provide states with resources to improve the availability of adequate and nutritious breakfasts.

Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of Congress that providing breakfast in schools through the National School Breakfast Program has a positive impact on classroom performance. 3/5/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Recognizes the importance of the National School Breakfast Program and its overall positive effect on the lives of low-income children and families, as well as its effect on helping to improve a child's overall classroom performance. Expresses the support of the House of Representatives for states that have successfully implemented school breakfast programs in order to improve the test scores and grades of their participating students. Encourages states to: (1) strengthen their school breakfast programs by improving student access; (2) promote improvements in the nutritional quality of breakfasts [...]

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Latest Action: 12/07/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S15037; text as passed Senate: CR S15037; text of measure as introduced: CR S15034)

Bill Text
A resolution recognizing the 2007-2008 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology and celebrating the first time in the history of the competition that young women have won top honors. 12/7/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Honors the Siemens Foundation, sponsor of the Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology, for its contributions to science education and academic excellence. Congratulates the competitors and finalists in the Siemens Competition.Celebrates the many contributions of women in the fields of math, science, and technology on the occasion of the first time that young women have won both the individual and team grand prizes in the Siemens Competition.Recognizes the dedication of parents, educators, and organizations such as the Seimens Foundation in [...]

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Latest Action: 02/05/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Bill Text
To amend part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve elementary and secondary education. 12/6/2007--Introduced. Improving Student Testing Act of 2007 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow states to use academic indicators other than statewide standardized assessments in determining whether schools need improvement, corrective action, or restructuring. (Currently, such indicators may not be used to reduce the number of schools requiring such interventions.) Permits states to use growth or hybrid growth and status models in determining whether students are making adequate progress toward state standards. Requires growth models and the growth portion of hybrid models to: (1) use statewide education data systems capable of tracking individual student growth; and (2) assess students annually in grades 3 through 8, and once in grades 9 through 12. Allows states to alter their current assessment [...]

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