Higher Ed Act may finally see action

Teacher-quality programs could get extra attention — and resources — as Congress finally tackles the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, a piece of unfinished business that the chairmen of the House and Senate education committees say will be a priority this year.

The reauthorization of the HEA, last renewed in 1998, has been languishing on Capitol Hill. Many of the law's provisions were set to expire in 2003, but Congress has passed numerous extensions — the most recent extending the measure to June 30.

The broad legislation authorizes many federal higher education programs, including Pell Grants, student loans and initiatives in teacher education.

— Education Week

Teacher academy wins NSF training grant

Building on the success of its Laser Academy for high school students, Queensborough Community College's physics department is the recipient of a $1.05 million three-year grant from the National Science Foundation to establish the Laser Academy for High School Science Teachers.

The academy aims to ease the shortage of technology-qualified teachers in the New York City area.

Faculty and professional staff at the college are represented by the Professional Staff Congress, NYSUT's affiliate at the City University of New York.

UUP trainings focus on part-time faculty

Keeping part-timers in the loop is a full-time job for United University Professions.

The union conducts training sessions throughout the year to assure that part-time concerns representatives from UUP chapters around the state are well prepared when they meet with campus administrators.

"Part-timers don't always have the same issues as their full-time colleagues, and UUP has recognized this," said Jacqualine Berger, who co-chairs the union's statewide Part-Time Concerns Committee.

UUP represents faculty and professional staff at SUNY campuses. Conducted by UUP/NYSUT labor relations specialists, the training is designed to give part-time concerns reps the skills to foster long-term labor-management relationships.

— The Voice