Notes from Washington: Yarmuth Amendments
By James R. Carroll
Congress last week passed a higher education bill that contains several amendments drafted by Rep. John Yarmuth, D-3rd District.
The bill had broad bipartisan support in the House and Senate and now awaits President Bush's signature.
Yarmuth, a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, told his colleagues during floor debate that the bill would "help to ensure every American has a world-class education."
"Our nation's teachers confront a multitude of challenges, and if we aren't providing them with the tools to succeed, we're failing them and their students," he said.
The overall bill changes federal law regarding financial aid and deals with various aspects of federal support and grants to colleges and universities.
Yarmuth's amendments create grants for training teachers of students with autism and other disabilities; forgives $2,000 annually in loans for teachers, nurses, librarians and others involved in providing public services; promotes better use of technology in schools; establishes a program allowing universities to get partnership grants for literacy training; provides for mentors to help students stay in college; and sets up a program of support centers for veterans going to school.
8/3/2008
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