In-state tuition for veterans. On Tuesday, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Ranking Member Michael Michaud (D-ME) introduced the GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act (H.R. 357) in the House of Representatives. The bill would require public universities to charge in-state tuition to veterans in order to qualify to receive veterans’ education benefits. The law would go into effect on Aug. 1, 2014 in order to give schools time to prepare for the change. Currently, the GI Bill covers the cost of in-state tuition, and veterans pay the difference to study out of state.
Updating for common core. Common Core State Standards have been adopted by 46 states and the District of Columbia, and assessments that are part of those criteria will be used starting in the 2014-15 school year. In preparation for those assessments, many school districts are working to improve their technological capabilities in order to allow many students to participate in online assessments simultaneously. In an effort to minimize the costs of these upgrades, districts have asked the federal government to contribute through the E-rate program, which provides federal funding for improving telecommunications services and Internet access. The deadline for applying for these funds for fiscal year 2013 is March 14, 2014.
Graduation rate improving. The U.S. high school graduation rate in 2010 hit its highest level since 1974, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Education. The National Center for Education Statistics estimated that 78% of U.S. students earned a diploma within four years, suggesting graduation rates are improving in the country as a whole. The data also showed disparities by location, including lower graduation rates in urban areas.
As a member of New England Council, we publish the DC Shuttle each week featuring higher ed news from Washington. This edition is drawn from the Council’s Weekly Washington Report Higher Education Update, of Jan. 28, 2013.
Founded in 1925, the New England Council is a nonpartisan alliance of businesses, academic and health institutions, and public and private organizations throughout New England formed to promote economic growth and a high quality of life in the New England region. The Council’s mission is to identify and support federal public policies and articulate the voice of its membership regionally and nationally on important issues facing New England. For more information, please visit: www.newenglandcouncil.com.
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