IN WASHINGTON.

IN WASHINGTON. Clinton Signs Job Training/Adult Education Bill President Clinton signed the Workforce Investment Act (H.R. 1385)into law on Aug. 7, hailing it as a "crowning jewel" that willenhance the nation's competitive edge by helping millions of peopleobtain education and training. The bill includes job training, adult education and vocationalrehabilitation programs Noun 1. vocational rehabilitation program - a program of rehabilitation through job training with an eye to gainful employmentrehabilitation program - a program for restoring someone to good health . Clinton praised the workforce bill now known as Public Law 105-220,for streamlining "a tangle of training programs ... into a single,common-sense system." The new law consolidates more than 60 federalprograms and calls for training to be delivered primarily throughindividual vouchers and one-stop career centers; the contract-based JobTraining Partnership Act system will be phased out. Clinton lauded provisions in the bill aimed at increasing adultliteracy, improving the accountability of training providers, creatingjob opportunities for disadvantaged youth and helping people withdisabilities prepare for work. Funding Spared for Teaching Standards Board House and Clinton administration Noun 1. Clinton administration - the executive under President Clintonexecutive - persons who administer the law officials cut a deal in August topreserve federal funding for the National Board for ProfessionalTeaching Standards. One House staff member described the agreement astypical Capitol Hill "horse trading Noun 1. horse trading - the swapping of horses (accompanied by much bargaining)horse tradebarter, swap, swop, trade - an equal exchange; "we had no money so we had to live by barter"2. ," in this case sparing theNBPTS NBPTS National Board for Professional Teaching Standards funding after the White House agreed to use Congressional BudgetOffice The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is responsible for economic forecasting and fiscal policy analysis, scorekeeeping, cost projections, and an Annual Report on the Federal Budget. The office also underdakes special budget-related studies at the request of Congress. numbers to settle a student loan rate issue. The board, which recognizes "master" teachers and isdeveloping certificates for vocational educators, faced a threat oflosing its proposed $18.5 million in fiscal 1999 federal funding. TheHouse Education and the Workforce Committee, in approving a bill toreauthorize the Higher Education Act The Higher Education Act may refer to an Act of either the Congress of the United States or of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Higher Education Act of 1965, an Act of the Congress of the United States which was supposed to strengthen the resources of colleges and , voted in March to stripNBPTS's federal funding. White House officials struck a compromise with committee leaders.Under the deal, the administration agreed to Congressional Budget Officescoring to resolve a discrepancy regarding the subsidy needed to cover areduction in the student loan interest rate. In exchange, the House withdrew its proposal to halt federalfunding for NBPTS. The board's federal funding will likely continuefor the five years that the new HEA HEA Higher Education Academy (York, UK)HEA Higher Education Act of 1965HEA Higher Education AuthorityHEA Health Education AuthorityHEA High Energy AstrophysicsHEA Happily Ever AfterHEA Hockey East Association is in effect, according to according toprep.1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians.2. In keeping with: according to instructions.3. a Houseeducation committee spokesman. Congress is expected to pass the HEAreauthorization before adjourning for the year. House Offers Compromise on Voc-Ed Bill With Congress's tight schedule following its August recess,it's unlikely that the vocational education vocational education,training designed to advance individuals' general proficiency, especially in relation to their present or future occupations. The term does not normally include training for the professions. authorizing bill (H.R.1853) will be a top priority before the Oct. 9 adjournment A putting off or postponing of proceedings; an ending or dismissal of further business by a court, legislature, or public official—either temporarily or permanently. date when theHigher Education Act (H.R. 6) and 13 appropriations bills also are onthe table. Vocational educational advocates, however, remained cautiouslyoptimistic that Congress will reauthorize the Perkins Act. House staffers fueled that optimism in August by forwarding acompromise offer on H.R. 1853 to the Senate. The offer reportedlyaddresses the differences between the House and Senate versions of thebill but the details have not been made public. Staff members sayfunding formula differences are the main issues to be resolved. Vocational education officials view the House offer as anencouraging sign. "I think there's an increasing will to tryto get [the bill] done, which is refreshing," says Jon Weintraub, apolicy analyst for the Office of Vocational and Adult Education The Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) is a subdivision of the United States Department of Education. OVAE falls under the supervision of the Undersecretary, who oversees policies, programs and activities related to vocational and adult education, postsecondary ."The House wouldn't have made an offer if they weren'ttrying to get something done." Nancy O'Brien, the American Vocational Association'sassistant executive director for government relations, says Congress"has good reason" to pass a vocational education bill thisyear. It would be "a feather in their cap" to pass a majoreducation bill as they head into the November elections. "In Washington" is prepared by James Hettinger, editor ofVocational Education Weekly, available by subscription from the AmericanVocational Association, 1410 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; (800)826-9972. Subscription fee: members, $164; others, $184.