Friday News Roundup: Week of January 19-23

University of California May Aid Struggling Families

House Committee on Ways and Means Passes Economic Recovery Package

Potential Cuts to Abstinence-Only Education Funding

University of California May Aid Struggling Families
The Chronicle of Higher Ed reported that the president of the University of California, Mark Yudoff, will propose a plan to cover the cost of tuition and fees for students from families making less than $60,000 a year, the state’s median income. The $3-million plan would be covered by a tuition increase for students from families earning more than $60,000. Some experts worry that the shift in costs from one group of students to another will place too heavy a burden on some. However, there is evidence that programs like this, including one started by Yudoff at the University of Texas, successfully attract lower-income students to college. Approximately 50,000 students are expected to benefit from the plan. More here.

House Committee on Ways and Means Passes Economic Recovery Package
The House Committee on Ways and Means yesterday approved a tuition and textbook tax credit for inclusion in the House version of the stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The legislation offers an American Opportunity Tax Credit of up to $2,500, of which up to $1,000 is refundable. The tax credit aims to make college more affordable for low-income families struggling to navigate the economic crisis. This is the first time that course materials have been included in college tuition tax credit legislation. More here.

Potential Cuts to Abstinence-Only Education Funding
Critics of abstinence-only education are pushing president Barack Obama to cut federal funding for federal programs that fund abstinence-only education in schools. Under the Bush administration, abstinence-only education programs were funded at $1.5 billion annually and enjoyed strong support from the president. Though Obama has not made his plans clear, he is known to support comprehensive sex education – leading some to speculate that he will cut federal funding for abstinence-only education. Support for comprehensive sex education extends beyond the executive office to the House of Representatives. Earlier this month Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) introduced the Prevention First Act, a bill that includes multiple initiatives requiring schools to teach “medically accurate” information to reduce unintended pregnancies. More here.