Archived Information

Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act

Subpart 7 - Access and Retention

SEC. ---. Part A of title IV of the Act is amended after subpart 6 by adding a new subpart 7 to read as follows:

"SEC. 420A. (a) PURPOSE.--To obtain reliable evidence that would better measure the effectiveness of programs under this Act so as to enhance access to, and persistence in, postsecondary education, and to provide a scientific basis for policies designed to achieve those goals, it is the purpose of this section to provide the Secretary with authority to conduct research under controlled conditions that will yield data to measure comparative student outcomes.

"(b) AUTHORITY.--The Secretary is authorized, directly or through grants to, or contracts and cooperative agreements with, institutions of higher education and other public and private institutions, agencies, and organizations, to conduct innovative research on ways to enhance access to and persistence in postsecondary education, including research on the amount and configuration of federally supported student financial assistance, college application and admissions testing, student support services, counseling and recruitment, and college awareness.
"(c) REPORTS.--The Secretary shall promptly report to the President and the Congress on the results of the research funded under this section and, as appropriate, make recommendations to the President and the Congress based on such results, including recommendations for changes in the amount and configuration of federally supported student financial assistance.
"(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--There are authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the four succeeding years to carry out this section."

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