The DC Digest is a new, weekly policy blog that provides more coverage of the news and activities related to federal CTE policy. Since we cannot post a lengthy blog on every policy item that could impact CTE, this blog allows us to post additional relevant material that might be of interest, in concurrence with our other in-depth blog posts on the most important issues in CTE.
- Secretary DeVos Observes CTE Programs in Alaska: Secretary DeVos traveled to Alaska last week, where she made several different stops to local CTE programs and hosted a roundtable in order to learn more about the career and college readiness initiatives being led by education and business leaders in the state. More coverage is available here, here, here and here.
- Department of Education Issues Final Borrower-Defense Regulations: On Friday, the Department of Education issued final regulations to “raise the bar” for student loan forgiveness for borrowers who claim they have been defrauded by postsecondary institutions.
- OCTAE Rescinding Perkins IV Questions and Answers: In a continued effort to streamline regulatory volume and as the transition to Perkins V is well underway, the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education announced last week that they are rescinding the “Q&A” documents that helped to guide Perkins IV implementation. These documents are no longer relevant to the new law.
- Input Floods in on DOL Proposal for Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs: Comments on the Department of Labor’s proposed rule to establish Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs were due on August 26, and over 300,000 were received. Policymakers in particular were outspoken about the new proposal. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Republican Chair of the Education and Labor Committee, along with 19 other Republican members, sent a letter expressing support for the initiative but asking that it be expanded to allow the construction industry to participate. Forty-three Senate Democrats sent their own letter in which they oppose the creation of the new program and request an extension to the public comment period. These policymakers are concerned about the impact of a parallel apprenticeship program on workplace safety, wages and training quality.
- Chiefs for Change Advocacy Agenda Includes CTE: At their recent annual meeting, members of Chiefs for Change discussed its advocacy agenda for the year, which includes a focus on “new and better postsecondary pathways for all students” including CTE.
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