A quick look at the news from last week, compiled by Penn Hill Group:

HOUSE and SENATE

The House passed S.1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) by a vote of 359–64. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) filed cloture on S. 1177. A Senate vote on cloture is expected Tuesday morning, December 8, with final passage possible for later that day.

ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Education’s (ED’s) Special Master for Borrower Defense, Joseph A. Smith Jr., released a report indicating ED will begin forgiving more than $27.8 million in student loan debt owed by students who attended Corinthian Colleges’ Heald College campuses.

ED’s Office of Educational Technology Director, Richard Culatta, announced he will resign at the end of this month.

ED Secretary Arne Duncan released a statement praising the House’s passage of ESSA.