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Statements by the following individuals were given at this hearing and are presented in this document: Hon. Lamar Alexander; David McCullough; Hon. Robert Byrd; Bruce Cole; Eugene W. Hickok; James H. Billington; Diane Ravitch; Hon. Christopher J. Dodd; and Russell Berg accompanied by Peter Sullivan and Blanche Deaderick. Additional material including statements, articles, publications, and letters relating to this hearing are appended. (MA)

This document includes statements given at this hearing by the following: William Y. Brown; John Cheek, Jennifer Chock; Rita Coosewon; David Dinwoodie; William Demmert, Jr.; Joycelyn DesRosier; Mary Hermes; Carla Herrera; Leanne Hinton; Holo Ho'opai; Hon. Daniel K. Inouye; Lawrence D. Kaplan; Keiki Kawaiaea; Rosalyn, LaPier; Lisa LaRonge; Vina Leno; Geneva Navarro; Travis Pecos; Namaka Rawlins; Mary Eunice Romero; Kalena Silva; Christine Sims; William Wilson; and Rosita Worl. Numerous prepared statements are appended as is additional material submitted for the record by Patricia C. Albers (letter); Blackfeet Nation (resolution); From Ocean Icons To Prime Suspects, Blaine Harden, "Washington Post" article; and Sealaska Heritage Institute (proposed amendments). (MA)

This hearing considers the budget request by the Department of Education for fiscal year 2004 for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. The request by the Department is for $600 million, a sharp reduction of last year's appropriation, which was $993 million. This is a program that serves approximately 1,300,000 students in 1,400 communities throughout the United States. It provides a wide variety of educational experiences and has generally been regarded to be a highly effective program until the Department of Education this year has cited what they conclude to be "disappointing initial findings from a rigorous evaluation." In light of this conclusion, albeit preliminary, the subcommittee concluded that it would be important to have a hearing and go into this issue in some detail. Statements in this hearing are given by: Senator Arlen Specter; Hon. William D. Hansen; Senator Barbara Boxer; Arnold Schwarzenegger; Hon. John DeStefano, Jr.; Harvey Sprafka; Steven Kinlock; and Madison White. (Author/MA)

This hearing before the Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services, Education and Related Agencies is about what will be done in the 21st century to improve the learning skills for children from the earliest age through all their education. Senator Tom Harkin (Iowa) presided. Opening statements were given by Senator Harkin and Senator Arlen Spector (Pennsylvania). The opening statements are followed by the statement of Dr. Margaret Honey, Vice President and Director, Education Development Center, Center for Children and Technology, with highlights including: the benefits of educational technology, effective software design, and the role of the Federal Government. The statement of Cheryl Williams, President, International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is then given, followed by the statement of Thomas Gann, Director, Strategic Alliances for Global Education Research, Sun Microsystems, Incorporated, with highlights including: the need for networking, progress in e-learning, the Federal role, and recommendations. The last statement is given by Dr. David H. Rose, Ed.D., Co-Executive Director, CAST, with highlights including: assistive technologies and the present, the power of digital content for students with disabilities, and the universal design of learning technologies. A discussion follows. (AEF)

This document presents witness testimonies and prepared statements from a Senate hearing held in Atlanta, Georgia to examine the problem of crime among youth and to discuss the reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. In his opening statement, Senator Fowler notes that the reauthorization puts greater emphasis on supporting efforts in schools and communities to keep youth out of trouble, to prevent crime, and to prevent gangs; addresses the children most vulnerable to the juvenile crime wave, abused and neglected children, and runaway and homeless youth; and authorizes the so-called mentoring programs in the schools designed to reach at-risk youth, keep them in school, and prevent delinquency and youth gangs. An opening statement also is included from Senator Kohl who, together with Senator Fowler, led the reauthorization bill. Testimony is included from two panels of witnesses: (1) Frederick D. Slaton, student; (2) Pat Wildman, interim director, Georgians for Children; (3) Joy A. Maxey, chairperson, Georgia Children and Youth Coordinating Council; (4) George Napper, Jr., director, State Department of Children and Youth Services; (5) Hon. Glenda H. Johnson, chief, presiding Fulton County Juvenile Court Judge; and (6) Rick McDevitt, director, Georgia Alliance for Children. Also included are charts on national arrest rates for all offenses (1979-1989) and national juvenile arrest rates by offense type for the same time period. (NB)

Testimony concerning Senate Bill 1595 includes statements submitted by Senator Daniel Inouye, from the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, and S. Timothy Wapato, Commissioner, Administration for Native Americans, Department of Health and Human Services. The bill in question aims to preserve and enhance the ability of Alaska Natives to speak and understand their languages through support of efforts originating in the native communities. Senator Inouye's statement offers background information on the languages considered, explains briefly the process whereby grants to Alaska Native organizations are considered, outlines the legislation's history, provides a section-by-section analysis of the legislation, reviews costs, and gives a brief regulatory impact statement. The statement by S. Timothy Wapato expresses support for the concept behind the bill but expresses concerns about establishment of a new grant program and grant matching requirements. (MSE)

This report discusses the Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Adoption and Family Services Act of 1991. Section I provides background information on child abuse, family violence, and adoption opportunities, and addresses the need for reauthorization legislation. Section II provides a list of witnesses from relevant hearings, and briefly describes the primary issues raised. Section III, "Committee Views," addresses the following child abuse issues: U.S. Advisory Board, state grants program, change in title of grant program and purposes, requirements for applying and reporting, state task force, community-based prevention grant, child maltreatment and homelessness, child maltreatment and substance abuse, child abuse treatment improvement grants program, and emergency child abuse prevention. Also covered are committee views on family violence and adoption opporunities. Section IV, "Votes in Committee," notes that Senate bill 838 was approved by the committee. Section V describes the Congressional budget office cost estimate for the bill. Section VI states the inflationary or regulatory impact of the bill. Section VII provides a section-by-section analysis of Senate bill 838. The final section contains a detailed description of the changes in existing law. Sections are reviewed under the following titles: miscellaneous programs, community-based child abuse and neglect prevention grants, certain preventive services regarding children of homeless families or families at risk of homelessness, and family violence prevention and services. (LLL)

Hearings are presented on the proliferation of interstate guarantee arrangements in the area of student loans, and the effect of such arrangements on student access to loan capital. Topics include: the desirability of establishing territorial monopolies for student loan guarantee agencies, the views of the Higher Education Assistance Foundation and the United Student Aid Funds organization concerning the proposal to prohibit lending or guaranteeing loans across state borders, views on Utah's Law School Assured Access Program, and results of a study of the coordination of interstate activities in lending and loan guaranteeing. A primary concern of the hearings is whether state guaranteed agencies are meeting the borrowing needs of students, as specified in the Higher Education Act. Questions are raised concerning public accountability of private lenders, whether better services could be provided to the public through multiple guarantors in a state, and whether new proposals would erode participation by the smaller size lender. Additional topics include participation by United Negro College Fund colleges in the Citibank higher education assistance foundation program, and the role of the Law School Admissions Council in assuring that students accepted to law school will have the resources to attend. (SW)

The transcripts of testimony given before the Senate Committee on Aging by the Secretary of the Department of Labor, F. Ray Marshall, and Ewan Clague, consultant and former Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, are presented. Issues reviewed in these statements address the following areas of concern: retirement trends, economic problems, an aging population, CETA efforts, employment benefits for older workers, and the Consumer Price Index. The appendices contain correspondence from Committee Chairman, Senator Frank Church, Marshall, Church and Clague. (HLM)

This record of the testimony presented to the Subcommittee to Investigate Juvenile Delinquency of the Committee on the Judiciary concerns the problem of the juvenile status offender in Iowa. Running away, truancy, defiance of and refusal to submit to parental authority and promiscuity are defined and treated as status offenses. This problem is viewed from the different perspectives of (1) the Civil Liberties Union, (2) a U.S. senator, (3) a judge, (4) a law professor, (5) a probation officer, (6) family services, (7) the crime commission, and (8) program specialists. (BN)

The Hearings presented in this publication review the current state of federal child nutrition programs. Much of the testimony focuses on (1) the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program, which serves exclusively low income, pregnant women, nursing mothers and their children; and (2) the Nutrition Education and Training (NET) program. Most witnesses before the Subcommittee on Nutrition spoke in favor of the approval of the Child Nutrition Amendments of 1980. Continuation and expansion of the school meal program were special concerns of many witnesses. Prepared statements addressed to the committee are appended. (Author/RH)

The Subcommittee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse of the Senate Committee of Human Resources exists to review the federally funded alcohol and drug abuse education and prevention programs for youth. The purpose of this hearing was to consider S. 2915, a bill to renew and revise the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education Act. Specifically, it suggests extending the authorization of appropriations for carrying out the provisions of this act. To this end, testimony of witnesses regarding various aspects of alcohol and drug education programs for youth is presented. Also included are an amended version of the proposed bill, complete texts of the witnesses' statements, and additional information such as supporting tables and charts. (BP)

These proceedings of a hearing before the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Subcommittee include testimony about the health and educational effects of marijuana on young people. The materials describe recent findings on the extent of drug use among youth, recent changes in drug use trends, and the consequences of marijuana use on health and intellectual functioning. The report also outlines policies and programs of the National Institute of Drug Abuse. The effects of drug use on driving, reproduction, motivation, moods and behavior are discussed. The testimonies include suggestions on how the government can assist parent groups, and what kinds of behaviors and attitudes parents and teachers should watch for when drug abuse is suspected. The statements of witnesses such as psychiatrists, U.S. senators, pediatricians, substance abuse prevention program coordinators, and a pharmacologist are also included. (JAC)

This committee hearing was held to consider factors in federal suport of health care services, including the roles of professional organizations, insurance companies, and hospitals. The process of evaluating whether the use of medical technology, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic procedures are cost-effective and beneficial is identified as "technology assessment." Included in the considerations were general cost containment strategies and cost implications of defensive medicine and medical malpractice. Statements from 14 witnesses were recorded. Responses to questions posed by members of the committee are included. (JD)

The proceedings of the hearings on the proposed bilingual education amendments of 1981, held in 1982 before the Senate Subcommittee on Education, Arts and Humanities, are presented. Statements and testimony from 33 witnesses regarding the role of the federal government in promoting bilingual education are included. The witnesses include representatives of national educational organizations, local school districts, state boards of education, citizens' advocacy organizations, and educators. Additional information is provided in the form of articles, publications, letters, and responses to questions on such topics as characteristics of a successful Indian bilingual program, implications of Canadian research findings, and the results of transitional bilingual education approaches. (RW)

Hearings are presented of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, U.S. Senate, on the impact of federal student aid reductions in Vermont and Connecticut. Statements by various college administrators, college students, citizens, and state legislators are provided. More than half the students who attend higher education institutions in Vermont receive federal aid in the form of grants and guaranteed loans, amounting to almost $50 million in the 1981 school year. It is suggested by Senator Robert T. Stafford that cuts in federal student assistance will have a severe impact on the ability of qualified Vermonters to attend schools of higher education, and that cuts have been proposed at a time when college costs are increasing faster than the general rate of inflation. According to Senator Lowell Weicker, Jr., many of the students who attend colleges and universities in Connecticut receive federal aid in the form of grants and student loans. The aid totals almost $281 million in the 1981 academic year. Comments and panel discussions are presented by presidents of colleges in Vermont and Connecticut and by other concerned officials and people affected by the proposed cuts. The president of Trinity College suggests that adoption of the Senate Appropriations Committee recommendation for the Special Educational Opportunities Program would mean a projected one-third reduction, and the changes in the guaranteed student loan program would affect 70 percent of the students enrolled half time or more. In general, the reductions that have been outlined would result in an increase of unmet needs from $2,500 in 1981 to $3,300 in 1982. In order to fund students with only $2,500 remaining need, 16 percent of current aid recipients will be unable to attend Trinity College, Vermont. An article on the costs versus benefits of competitive employment for mentally retarded persons by Ken Schneider and others is appended. (SW)

Recognizing the importance of the need for quality day care for children of working mothers, handicapped children, and children of low income families, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Labor and Human Resources met to address this issue in the Child Care Center of Owens Technical College, in Toledo, Ohio. The Subcommittee interviewed or heard prepared statements from over 30 people concerned with child care, including parents, faculty and students of Owens Technical College, day care practitioners, women's group members, child care educators, representatives of government welfare and child care agencies, and representatives of Ohio community agencies. Testimony and statements stressed: (1) the need for day care while parents are receiving job training; (2) the importance of current model child care programs; (3) the poor pay and low level of training of child care workers; (4) the low profits of day care centers; (5) problems with day care for the handicapped; (6) difficulties and inconsistencies of in-home day care; (7) the importance of improving upon federal child care support programs; and (8) the day care needs of low income families. (An appendix to the testimony contains additional materials testifying to the need for affordable quality day care services.) (SKC)

This is a congressional hearing on the Training Technology Transfer Act of 1984, which would establish a mechanism for transferring the Federal Government's investment in computer programming for training systems to those organizations and groups that can use such technology in training the civilian work force. Focus is on refining this bill, which would implement a program specifically charged with the special responsibility for transferring training technology to support vocational education and job training in the private sector and thus promote employment. Testimony includes statements and prepared statements from the president, Community College of Rhode Island; Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Productivity, Technology, and Innovation, U.S. Department of Commerce; editor and publisher, Videodisc Monitor, Falls Church, Virginia; manager of retraining, Motorola training center, Schaumberg, Illinois; Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower, Installations, and Logistics; and vice president for community affairs, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and president of the Boston Private Industry Council. (YLB)

This hearing before the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources focuses on poverty in the 1980s. The goal was to explore innovative methods to improve the nation's poverty situation. The historical background, including the War on Poverty of the 1960s, was discussed. Much of the testimony centered around Michael Harrington's book, "The Other America." In the 25 years since its publication, the poverty rate has remained high. Main points in the testimony were the following: (1) family structure changes are overemphasized as causes of poverty; (2) the economy and reductions in benefits are major causes of poverty; (3) jobs must be created in order to lower poverty rates; (4) the public must be educated to dispel them of the myth that welfare mothers and ghetto dwellers do not want to work; and (5) related problems such as affordable housing must be remedied along with the elimination of poverty. (VM)

This hearing before the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources focuses on national goals for employment and poverty reduction. Testimony was heard from government officials, union representatives, economists, and other interested persons. Excerpts from articles and publications were submitted for review. The testimony included the following points: (1) the minimum wage is not a living wage; (2) an increase in the minimum wage would increase inflation; (3) three groups whose needs must be addressed are dislocated workers, disadvantaged youth, and families in need of daycare; (4) over 90 percent of the new jobs will be in the service sector; (5) the educational skills of the work force must be upgraded; (6) much of the funding for jobs programs has been cut by the Reagan Administration; and (7) a national policy is needed to promote full employment. Much of the debate focused on whether or not employment has increased or decreased in the past decade. The session closed with accusations that the panel of witnesses was selected poorly, as evidenced by a political imbalance in the various statements. (VM)

This testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Affairs focuses on the need for decent, affordable housing. It reviews the loss of monies for federally assisted housing units and projects the consequences in the deterioration of the quality of life for many Americans. Because of budget cuts enacted during the Reagan Administration, the number of federally funded units completed has dropped by 100,000, leaving the poor, homeless, and the middle class unable to afford their own homes. Testimony from realtors, developers, economists, community leaders, and lending agents is presented. Some of their suggestions were the following: (1) increase the budget for housing and housing programs; (2) establish a more comprehensive policy which considers the needs of low income people; (3) give incentives to private enterprises which put a priority on housing rather than on commercial buildings; (4) plan mechanisms to foster partnerships between the Federal Government and local groups involved with housing; (5) establish a national homeowners trust fund to help working people with down payments; (6) amend tax laws to create incentives for developers of low income housing and multiple unit rental housing; and (7) support the Homeless Persons Survival Act. (VM)

The document contains testimony presented in a 1987 Senate committee hearing on two education bills. The first bill, entitled the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Children and Youth Education Act, is designed to establish a discretionary grant program within the Department of Education to provide funds to local education agencies for programs for gifted and talented students. The second bill, the Office of Comprehensive School Health Education Act of 1987, seeks to establish an office of comprehensive school health education within the Department of Education and would authorize discretionary grants to state and local education agencies to provide comprehensive health education to students. Testimony and prepared statements from gifted and talented program coordinators and from organizations such as the American Heart Association, the National Education Association, the Council for Exceptional Children, and the National School Health Education Coalition are included. (JW)

The purpose of this bill is to: (1) improve teacher recruitment by identifying, supporting, and recruiting prospective teachers from junior high school through graduate school with incentives and financial support aimed at attracting highly qualified individuals; (2) encourage access to the teaching profession for people currently in other professions; (3) alleviate shortages of teachers, including minority teachers, particularly in urban schools with a high concentration of disadvantaged students, and teachers specializing in certain subject areas or trained to work with certain populations; (4) improve teacher training by encouraging new developments in teacher preparation which provide for greater integration of subject matter and pedagogical training; (5) improve teacher retention by supporting new teachers' induction into the teaching profession; and (6) improve teacher retention by providing opportunities for experienced teachers to take leadership roles in professional development academies, school-based management efforts, and sabbatical programs. (JD)

These hearings present testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Aging. The purpose of the meeting was to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to provide assistance for legal services projects for the elderly. In addition to testimony and statements from a variety of expert witnesses, a number of articles, publications, and written answers to specific questions are included. (Author/BP)