PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 105-332.
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Jun 12, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Vocational Education Title II: Tech-Prep Education Title III: General Provisions Title IV: Authorization of Appropriations Title V: Repeal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1998 - Replaces the current Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act (Perkins Act). (Sec. 3) Prohibits the use of funds under this Act to: (1) require any secondary school student to choose or pursue a specific career path or major; or (2) mandate that any individual participate in a vocational education program, including a vocational education program that requires the attainment of a federally funded skill level or standard. (Sec. 4) Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize any Federal control over any aspect of a private, religious, or home school, regardless of whether a home school is treated as a private school or home school under State law. Allows students attending such schools to participate in programs or services under this Act. Title I: Vocational Education - Subtitle A: Federal Provisions - Directs the Secretary of Education to reserve certain amounts of vocational education funds for: (1) assistance for the outlying areas (U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau); (2) Indian and Hawaiian Native programs; (3) grants to tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions; (4) incentive grants to States; (5) national activities; (6) national assessment of vocational education programs; and (7) national research centers. Sets forth State allotment formulas for the remainder of vocational education funds. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to establish and publish performance measures to assess the progress of each eligible agency in achieving certain goals for students with respect to academic, job readiness, and vocational skills, postsecondary degrees or certificates, secondary and postsecondary education, employment, military service, and nontraditional vocational education programs. Requires each eligible agency, in developing a State plan, to negotiate with the Secretary the expected levels of performance for such measures. (Sec. 103) Sets forth requirements for use of reserved funds for assistance for the outlying areas, Indian and Hawaiian Native programs, grants to tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions, and incentive grants to States. Subtitle B: State Provisions - Makes each eligible agency responsible for State administration of programs under this Act. (Sec. 112) Requires State reservation of certain portions of vocational education funds for: (1) State leadership activities; (2) technical assistance for gender equity; (3) State planning, review of local applications, program evaluation, and compliance; and (4) criminal offenders programs. Requires distribution of the remainder to local secondary school and postsecondary vocational education programs, at the eligible agency's discretion. Requires the eligible agency to match Federal funds dollar-for-dollar. (Sec. 113) Sets forth mandatory and permissible State leadership activities. (Sec. 114) Sets forth requirements for State plan development, contents, approval, and reports. Subtitle C: Local Provisions - Sets forth formulas for State distribution of funds for: (1) secondary school vocational education; and (2) postsecondary vocational education. Allows alternative allocation formulas for postsecondary programs if the eligible agency demonstrates that certain conditions are met. (Sec. 123) Sets forth mandatory and permissible local activities. (Sec. 124) Sets forth minimum requirements for local applications. (Sec. 125) Allows a local educational agency and an eligible institution to form a consortium to carry out programs under this subtitle if the consortium receives a specified minimum combined amount for secondary and postsecondary programs for a fiscal year. Title II: Tech-Prep Education - Tech-Prep Education Act - Revises requirements for tech-prep programs (which are currently under the Perkins Act replaced by this Act). (Sec. 204) Retains the mandate for the Secretary's discretionary grants to specified local consortia for such programs when program funding is below a specified minimum. Prescribes the formula for allotments to States for State competitive and formula grants to such programs. (Sec. 205) Revises requirements for the content of tech-prep education programs and for additional authorized activities. (Sec. 206) Requires the eligible State agency (currently a State board) to approve applications for State grants by eligible entities. (Sec. 207) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 208) Directs the Secretary to award demonstration grants to consortia to carry out tech-prep education programs that: (1) involve the location of a secondary school on the site of a community college; (2) involve a business as a member of the consortium; and (3) require the voluntary participation of secondary school students in the program. Allows such programs to provide summer internships at a business for students or teachers. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: General Provisions - Provides for program and funds administration, evaluation, improvement, and accountability for programs under this Act. (Sec. 303) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out research, development, dissemination, evaluation, capacity-building, and technical assistance activities under this Act. (Sec. 304) Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a national assessment of vocational education programs assisted under this Act, through studies and analyses conducted independently through competitive awards; (2) appoint an independent advisory panel on the implementation of such assessment; and (3) report to the Congress. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the Secretary to establish one or more national centers in the areas of: (1) applied research and development; and (2) dissemination and training. (Revises and replaces requirements for such centers which are in the current Perkins Act.) (Sec. 306) Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain a data system to collect information about, and report on, the condition of vocational education and on the effectiveness of State and local programs, services, and activities carried out under this Act; and (2) report annually to Congress an analysis of performance data collected each year. (Sec. 307) Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to make permanent the program of discretionary grants to promote scholar-athlete games. (Sec. 308) Defines gender equity for purposes of this Act. Title IV: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Repeal - Repeals the Perkins Act.
People & committees
Rep. Riggs, Frank [R-CA-1] · R–CA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 105-332.
Became Public Law No: 105-332.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H10200-10201)
Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H10200-10201)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report.
Mr. Goodling asked unanimous consent for consideration of the conference report, H. Rept. 105-800.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Senate agreed to conference report by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12034-12035)
Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12034-12035)
Conference report H. Rept. 105-800 filed. (text of conference report: CR H10032-10048)
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 105-800 filed.(text of conference report: CR H10032-10048)
Conference held.
Conference committee actions: Conference held.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The Speaker appointed conferees for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Goodling, McKeon, Riggs, Peterson (PA), Sam Johnson, Clay, Martinez, and Kildee.
On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection.
Mr. Knollenberg asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate insists on its amendment asks for a conference, appoints conferees Jeffords; Coats; Gregg; Frist; Dewine; Enzi; Hutchinson; Collins; Warner; McConnell; Kennedy; Dodd; Harkin; Mikulski; Bingaman; Wellstone; Murray; Reed.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 2704 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Amendment SP 2704 proposed by Senator Hagel for Senator Jeffords.
Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6306)
Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6306)
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 1853.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 414 - 12 (Roll no. 289).
House roll call 289 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 414 - 12 (Roll no. 289).
House roll call 289 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 207 - 220 (Roll no. 288). (consideration: CR H5541-5543)
House roll call 288 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the motion of Mrs. Mink.
Mrs. Mink moved to recommit with instructions to Education and the Workforce.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1853.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that proceedings would now resume on amendments which had been postponed from earlier in the day. Votes will occur in the following order: Mink of Hawaii amendment and Kennedy of Massachusetts amendment.
At the conclusion of debate the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Kennedy (MA) amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was agreed to. Mr. Riggs objected to the vote on grounds that a quorum was not present and made a point of order that a quorum was not present. Pursuant to the previous order of the House, further proceedings were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
At the conclusion of debate the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Mink amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mrs. Mink objected to the vote on grounds that a quorum was not present and made a point of order that a quorum was not present. Pursuant to the previous order of the House, further proceedings were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
When the Committee of the Whole rose on Thursday, July 17, 1997, the pending business was an amendment by Mrs. Mink relating to continuation of vocational education programs for homemakers, single parents, and pregnant women and programs promoting gender equity. The Committee of the Whole proceeded with consideration of the amendment under the five-minute rule.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5526-5544)
Mr. Goodling asked unanimous consent that, during the further consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may postpone requests for recorded votes until a later point during consideration and that the Chair may reduce to a minimum of five minutes the second vote in any series of votes. Agreed to without objection.
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1853 as unfinished business.
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Goodling moved that the Committee rise.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Thomas W. Ewing to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 187 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1853 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be read by section. Bill is open to amendments. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in recognition to those Members who have caused their amendments to have been printed in the Congressional Record.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 187. (consideration: CR H5414-5440)
Rule H. Res. 187 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 187 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1853 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be read by section. Bill is open to amendments. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and the Workforce now printed in the bill. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in recognition to those Members who have caused their amendments to have been printed in the Congressional Record.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 109.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 105-177.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 105-177.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 18.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1169)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.1853 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.1853 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.1853 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.1853 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.