HOUSE and SENATE

Both the House and Senate passed a reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act this week, sending the legislation to the President for signature. The bill, entitled the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21^st Century Act (H.R. 2353), passed both chambers by a voice vote.

House Democrats unveiled their version of a Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization, entitled the Aim Higher Act.

The House has adjourned for its August recess and is scheduled to return for legislative business on September 4. The Senate will be in session next week.

ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released its proposed borrow defense to repayment (BDR) rule. The proposed rule is scheduled to be published on July 31 and will be open for a 30-day comment period after publishing.

ED approved Louisiana as the first State to participate in the Innovative Assessment pilot authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

ED debuted its revamped version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website.

The Federal Commission on School Safety had a field visit at a middle school in Wisconsin and held a hearing on how to protect schools.

The New York Times reported that ED will issue a proposal to rescind gainful employment (GE) regulations as a follow-up to negotiated rulemaking sessions earlier this year. It was also reported that ED is likely to publish program level information on earnings as part of the College Scorecard.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES 

Penn Hill Group provides a list of grant opportunities and summaries for select grants. Please visit our website for more information