SUMMARY AS OF:
4/25/2000--Introduced.
Small Business Employment and Education Enhancement Act of 2000 - Expresses
the sense of Congress regarding: (1) locally-driven initiatives to improve
education; (2) considering the views of small business concerning education; (3)
education initiatives as key to fostering small business expansion,
entrepreneurship, and job creation; (4) the Department of Education facilitating
the sharing of ideas and best practices at State and local levels, particularly
with respect to partnerships between small businesses and school systems; and
(5) the expediting of the Department's approval of programs or proposals.
(Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of Education to disseminate information and
facilitate the sharing of information designed to assist small businesses in
working with school systems to improve the education system through specified
means, including the Internet World Wide Web.
(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to establish a centralized database of
materials to act as a clearinghouse for information on successful initiatives
and best practices regarding the involvement of small businesses in education.
(Sec. 6) Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish an
Office of Small Business Education, administered by a Director, to: (1) review
the needs of small businesses and the contributions the small business community
may make with respect to efforts to improve education; (2) promote efforts to
address the needs of small businesses though education programs; (3) work to
remove impediments to partnerships between school systems and small businesses;
and (4) propose solutions to education-related problems facing small businesses.
(Sec. 7) Requires the Director to provide technical assistance to small
businesses, small business organizations, school systems, and communities
working cooperatively to improve education outcomes. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 8) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a small business
education opportunity tax credit for qualified education opportunity expenses.
(Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the
challenges facing small businesses in obtaining workers with adequate skills.