Policy news - News you can Use - education and training legislation - Brief Article

T+D, March, 2002

A snapshot of U.S. federal legislation and policy affecting workforce development and the HRD profession.

Bush Signs New Education Bill. Describing it as his top domestic priority, the President signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law on January 8. A significant revision of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the law increases federal funding to schools by US$3.4 billion, requires states to give all students reading and math testing in grades 3 through 8, and holds schools accountable for test results.

IT Training Bill Would Help Companies, Dislocated Workers.

Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) introduced The Technology and Education Training Act of 2001 (S 762 and HR 1796, known as TETA) to help address the IT skill shortage. The act would provide a tax credit for 100 percent of an employer's IT training expenses up to $1,500. Small businesses or individuals in enterprise zones would receive a tax credit for 100 percent of expenses up to $2,000. People who aren't receiving employee-provided training could use the tax credit in their personal income taxes. Efforts are underway to incorporate this legislation into the Economic Stimulus package or the Trade Promotion Authority bill. ASTD has endorsed both S 762 and HR 1769.