October 19, 2007

Senate Approves Measure Blocking Evaluation of Upward Bound

Washington — The U.S. Senate approved an amendment today that would halt an evaluation of the Upward Bound program until Congress completed a reauthorization, or renewal, of the Higher Education Act, the law governing most federal student-aid programs. The Senate passed a reauthorization bill this past summer, but the House of Representatives has yet to introduce its version.

The amendment, which was offered by Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat of Ohio, during debate on an education spending bill for the 2008 fiscal year, is the latest salvo in a fight between Congress and the Education Department over the Upward Bound evaluation. The Education Department says the study is necessary to determine whether Upward Bound is serving the right students.

But some members of Congress and the Council for Opportunity in Education, which lobbies on behalf of Upward Bound programs, say the study is unethical because it denies services to some students. The study is already under way in several states, but members of Congress have made several attempts to derail it through legislation.

The Senate is expected to continue debating the appropriations measure on Monday, with a vote on final passage likely to come on Tuesday. If the legislation passes the Senate and moves quickly to a compromise with the House version of the bill, as expected, it will go to President Bush, who has threatened to veto it over its spending level. The Senate bill would spend $11-billion more on labor, health, and education programs than the president has proposed. —Kelly Field

Comments

1. What I notice here, and what I’ve noticed many times in other places, is that time, energy and resources are squandered while the possible recipients of services TRIO and other programs offer languish, along with their dreams of upward mobility. What a shame.

   — barbara    Oct 19, 03:42 PM    #

2. Upward Bound is a great program that has been around since the 60’s. I really believe it works, and I’ve seen the effects it has has on individuals. My hope is that it won’t become a “political football,” but it will be evaluated on it’s merits. It is only a small piece of the puzzle with regards to access, but an important and still relevant one.

   — Calvin    Oct 19, 04:42 PM    #

3. It is just amazing how much the haves exert to make sure the have nots continue to have not. That’s why the “achievement gap” is not going away. The achievers i.e. well off, refuse for the not well off to be “as good” as their sons and daughters. It’s just completely unacceptable for them.

   — samuel    Oct 19, 11:17 PM    #

4. I am a product of Upward Bound and without it, I would not be where I am today – a college administrator. It is sad that these millionaire lawmakers are making decisions on something that they don’t know anything about. Rather than writing to our Congress people, lets vote them out.

   — Jake    Oct 22, 11:46 AM    #

5. Upward Bound Math and Science Programs have not gotten the same type of attention as the regular Upward Bound programs. I thought that students getting into math and science programs were important agenda items. So many UBMS programs have lost funding. Where is the amendment to save these programs?

   — Anu Meacham    Oct 22, 12:43 PM    #

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