Recently, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA). As we previously reported, the House education committee approved an HEA reauthorization bill in December—the measure will likely be considered on the House floor in the coming weeks. The HELP committee has yet to introduce a reauthorization bill of its own, but it is considered a top priority for committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) for 2018.
During the hearing, the HELP committee members explored a number of proposed higher education reform ideas. Of particular interest for postsecondary CTE, a proposal to allow students to use financial aid for short-term education and training programs under 600 clock hours in length. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rob Portman (R-OH), co-chairs of the Senate CTE Caucus, reintroduced the Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act, which would expand Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in short-term education programs that lead to a recognized postsecondary credential and are least 150 clock hours of instruction time over a period of 8 weeks. The JOBS Act would also ensure that programs are providing real value to students through quality control provisions, such as those embedded in career pathways.
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