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SENATE 733117th CongressRead twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Innovation Zone Act

Last Action
3/11/2021

Actions

  • 2021-03-11Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • 2021-03-11Introduced in Senate

CRS Summary

As of 2021-03-11 (00)

Innovation Zone Act

This bill replaces the Experimental Sites Initiative of the Department of Education (ED) with an innovation zone initiative consisting of voluntary experiments by participating institutions of higher education (IHEs).

Upon selection of an experiment but prior to choosing the participating IHEs, ED must identify the methodology of data collection and the evaluation methods for determining the impact of the experiment, including any differential impacts for historically underrepresented students (e.g., students of color and low-income students).

Under the experiment, ED and the IHEs may test the effectiveness of statutory and regulatory flexibility that aims for (1) an increase in student success (e.g., reductions in student loan debt and increases in student retention and employment outcomes); and (2) a reduction of regulatory burdens on IHEs or ED, without harm to students.

The bill also requires ED to conduct a review of existing experiments.

Cosponsors (3)

  • Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
  • Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
  • Timothy Kaine (D-VA)

Subjects

  • Academic performance and assessments
  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Congressional oversight
  • Department of Education
  • Education of the disadvantaged
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Higher education
  • Student aid and college costs
Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.