The Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) is encouraged by President Obama's commitment to increasing college access and success for all students, as evidenced by the recommendations in his Fiscal Year 2011 budget proposal. Efforts like the Access and Completion Fund, the American Graduation Initiative, the expansion of student loan…

The content of this edition of the State Governance Action Report was informed by newspaper reports, online reports, state and institutional Web sites, and conversations with state and higher education leaders. It is current through February 1, 2011. Much of this legislative activity comes at a time when the fiscal conditions of states are…

The Obama administration has offered states the chance to waive some requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. States are required, however, to make specific reforms in exchange for increased flexibility. The administration has been clear it wants states to engage in "ambitious but achievable" reforms rather than merely asking for a pass from…

State and local educators encountered both opportunities and obstacles in their first year of implementing the School Improvement Grants (SIGs) funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). In 2009, the ARRA, better known as the economic stimulus package, provided $3 billion for SIGs to help reform persistently low-achieving…

There are relatively few major federal programs focused directly on advancing a systemic approach to mental health in schools. One such program is the U.S. Department of Education's grant program entitled: "Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems." Established in 2005, the program has funded 51 projects and is in the process of funding…

A proposal to grant tax credits against the personal income tax for most health care expenditures. The premium or amount that the tax bill would increase to offset the decrease in tax revenues would depend on income. The plan would require more government participation in health services and would benefit the poor more than the wealthy. (BC)

THESE PROCEEDINGS OF A CONFERENCE WHICH EXPLORED THE POSSIBLE USE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT, TITLE I FUNDS FOR THE EDUCATION OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN CONTAIN OUTLINES FOR PROPOSED PROJECTS AND THE TEXTS OF THE CONFERENCE PAPERS. THE CONFEREES, LEADERS IN THE FIELD OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, DEVELOPED 24 OUTLINES FOR PROJECTS FOR…

The purpose of this symposium report was to provide information regarding resources for those planning projects in health, physical education, and recreation. Included are an overview of related federal programs, four accounts of successful local programs, guidelines for developing proposals, details of federal support programs, examples of ways…

Special revenue sharing is one aspect of the Administration's response to the fiscal and administrative complexity of the present structure of federal categorical grants-in-aid to State and local governments. Because of some rather widespread misunderstanding about the nature and objectives of the six special revenue sharing proposals, this…

For middle-class parents pinched by rising college costs, a tuition tax credit has irresistible appeal--and the idea's time has apparently come in Congress, where two separate bills are racing for passage. President Carter, who rejects the tax-credit approach as expensive and inequitable, countered with a plan of his own. Describes all three plans…

Although the federal government dedicated nearly $40 billion to funding student loans in 2006, only 60 percent of potential students from low-income families attend college, compared with 90 percent from high-income families. This paper argues that enrollment rates are lower than they could be because potential students undervalue loan subsidies,…

The issue: tuition aid for middle-income families with children in college. Considers the President's proposal, an automatic $250-a-year grant for college students from families with an annual income of $16,000 to $25,000 and the expansion of the Guaranteed Student Loan program, and also the plans of Senators Robert Packwood and Daniel Moynihan as…