To provide for a feasibility study with regard to a free online college degree program.
What it does: Adds SEC. __. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON FREE ONLINE COLLEGE DEGREE PROGRAM wherever appropriate
Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND)Adds SEC. __. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON FREE ONLINE COLLEGE DEGREE PROGRAM wherever appropriate
Adds a sectionInserted: SEC. __. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON FREE ONLINE COLLEGE DEGREE PROGRAM.
Inserted: (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct and complete a feasibility study on creating a national, free online college degree program that would be available to all individuals described under section 484(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091(a)(5)) who wish to pursue a degree in a field of strategic importance to the United States and where expertise is in demand, such as mathematics, sciences, and foreign languages. The study shall look at the need for a free college degree program as well as the feasibility of--
Inserted: (1) developing online course content;
Inserted: (2) developing sufficiently rigorous tests to determine mastery of a field of study; and
Inserted: (3) sustaining the program through private funding.
Inserted: (b) Study.--The study described in subsection (a) shall also include a review of existing online education programs to determine the extent to which these programs offer a rigorous curriculum in areas like mathematics and science and the National Academy of Sciences shall make recommendations for how online degree programs can be assessed and accredited.
Inserted: (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000 for fiscal year 2008.
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Original wording
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
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As printed
SA 958. Mr. DORGAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 761, to invest in innovation and education to improve the competitiveness of the United States in the global economy; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
SEC. __. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON FREE ONLINE COLLEGE DEGREE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct and complete a feasibility study on creating a national, free online college degree program that would be available to all individuals described under section 484(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091(a)(5)) who wish to pursue a degree in a field of strategic importance to the United States and where expertise is in demand, such as mathematics, sciences, and foreign languages. The study shall look at the need for a free college degree program as well as the feasibility of--
(1) developing online course content;
(2) developing sufficiently rigorous tests to determine mastery of a field of study; and
(3) sustaining the program through private funding.
(b) Study.--The study described in subsection (a) shall also include a review of existing online education programs to determine the extent to which these programs offer a rigorous curriculum in areas like mathematics and science and the National Academy of Sciences shall make recommendations for how online degree programs can be assessed and accredited.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000 for fiscal year 2008.
Legislative Activity
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Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 958 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
April 25, 2007
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Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 958 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
April 25, 2007
Senate amendment proposed (on the floor): Amendment SA 958 proposed by Senator Bingaman for Senator Dorgan.(consideration: CR S5057-5063; text: CR S5060)
April 25, 2007
Amendment SA 958 proposed by Senator Bingaman for Senator Dorgan. (consideration: CR S5057-5063; text: CR S5060) To provide for a feasibility study with regard to a free online college degree program.
April 25, 2007
Amendment SA 958 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
April 25, 2007
Senate amendment submitted
April 24, 2007