"Aides to leaders of the House and Senate education panels have begun 'pre-conference' discussions aimed at finishing an overhaul of the nation's primary higher education law, but time is of the essence," Congressional Quarterly reports. "Negotiators have just weeks to reconcile differences between the House and Senate bills and win adoption of a final version by both chambers. The latest extension of the Higher Education Act, the third in this Congress, expires March 31. In practical terms, however, lawmakers have only until March 14, when a two-week spring recess begins."