CTE Policy Watch: A blog for CTE advocates

New Data on Certificates and Associate Degrees

Future earnings for certificates and some associate degree programs are closely linked to the field of study, reports Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce researchers in their latest study, “The Overlooked Value of Certificates and Associate’s Degrees: What Students Need to Know Before They Go to College.”

Researchers first examined national postsecondary enrollment data to determine the prevalence of certificates and associate degrees within the U.S. higher education system. They found that 50% of postsecondary students are enrolled in certificate and associate degree programs, 47% are enrolled in bachelor degree programs, and 3% are taking coursework but are not enrolled in a certificate or degree program. Similarly, colleges award approximately the same number of associate degrees and certificates combined as bachelor’s degrees – in 2016, there were 1,948,500 certificates and associate’s degrees and 1,920,800 bachelor’s degrees awarded. Of the certificates and associate degrees, most are strongly linked to careers. About 94% of certificates and 57% of associate degrees are awarded in career-oriented fields.

The strong linkage to careers makes employment outcomes from certificates and associate degrees critical measures of success. Researchers found that earnings from associate degrees and certificates are extremely dependent on the field of study, and there was wide variation depending on career area. In addition, in line with previous research, this study showed that future earnings for some of these fields of study are more lucrative than for those requiring a bachelor’s degree. For example, workers with an associate degree in engineering have median earnings between $50,000 and $60,000 per year, which is significantly more than those with associate degrees in education and the arts whose median earnings are between $20,000 and $30,000 per year. Workers with certificate degrees in engineering technologies have median earnings between $75,000 and $150,000, which is significantly more than the median earnings of those with certificates in cosmetology and education (between $10,000 and $20,000), or even healthcare (between $20,000 and $30,000). Similar trends were evident in analysis of state data. “What you make depends on what you take, particularly for workers with certificates and associate’s degrees,” was a key conclusion of the report.

Finally, researchers examined the population of students who enroll in certificate and associate degree programs. Students in these programs were more diverse by socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, and age than students in bachelor’s degree programs. Specifically, Black and Latino students were disproportionately enrolled in certificate and associate degree programs compared to bachelor’s degree programs. The reverse was true for White students, as 47% were enrolled in certificate and associate degree programs and 53% in bachelor’s degree programs, and White students earn a disproportionate share of bachelor’s degrees. Low income and independent students were also more likely to enroll in certificate and associate degree programs than bachelor’s degree programs. These trends reinforce current equity gaps in educational attainment and potential labor market outcomes.

To help address the gaps and ensure that all students can achieve success, the researchers stress the importance of educators and policymakers strengthening all pathways to and through college, providing students with more information about potential pathways and their economic returns, expanding federal data collection and strengthening accountability.

State CTE Policies: 2019 Year in Review

On the federal and state levels, 2019 was an important year for CTE. States have been creating their four-year state CTE plans for the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V), responding to increased emphasis in the law on ensuring quality CTE opportunities and expanding access for all students.

In the 2019 calendar year, at least 45 states and Palau enacted or passed at least 208 policy actions related to CTE and career readiness, including legislation, executive orders, board of education actions and budget provisions, as documented in the newly released publication State CTE Policies: 2019 Year in Review.

The policy areas that states focused on in 2019 were similar to previous years. States most frequently addressed the following topics:

• Funding;
• Industry partnerships and work-based learning;
• Industry-recognized credentials;
• Governance; and
• Access/equity

This report from ACTE, Advance CTE and Education Commission of the States, the seventh annual review of CTE and career readiness policies across the United States, summarizes each state’s CTE policy activity and describes major themes across states.

In addition to reading the report, you can also join ACTE, Advance CTE and Education Commission of the States on Tuesday, February 18, 3:00-4:00pm EST for a webinar that will explore trends in state CTE policy and discuss implications for 2020 state policy. Participants will also hear from state leaders in Texas about major policies enacted in the state.

Sign up for this one-hour webinar at https://advancecte.webex.com/advancecte/onstage/g.php?MTID=e7e286cd64240dd0545cbcbd59dcc2360

DC Digest: January 20-26

Last week was fairly quiet on the Hill regarding federal education policy updates because of the ongoing impeachment trial in the Senate and the fact that the House was in recess. Though little movement happened from the Hill, ACTE was still active this week:

• ACTE Signed House Infrastructure Letter: ACTE joined over 30 education advocacy organizations in signing a letter to House leadership urging them to include investments into school facility modernization and construction in any infrastructure package that is introduced in the House of Representatives. These funds could be used to modernize CTE programs nationwide.
  
  
• Meetings with Appropriations Committee Members: As the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 appropriations cycle gets started, ACTE’s public policy team began meeting with key Appropriations Committee members and their staff to advocate for increased funding for the Perkins Basic State Grant program.
  
  
• Looking Ahead: A quick reminder that the State of the Union will be held on February 4, and the President’s budget will be released on February 10 (both dates are a bit later than normal). Be sure to be on the lookout for information on education and workforce initiatives that may be addressed!

DC Digest: January 13-19

Despite the fact that much of Congress’ attention was focused on preparation for the impeachment trial, several new developments regarding education occurred in the third week of the new year. Read more below to find out more!

• House Disapproves of Borrower Defense Rule: The House passed a resolution to revoke the Department of Education’s borrower defense rule, which they think would make it more difficult for students to receive debt forgiveness from defrauded colleges. The resolution now goes to the Senate, but faces an uphill battle to enactment.
  
  
• Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) Joins the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP): Loeffler replaces Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) on the HELP committee, which oversees authorizing legislation affecting education like Perkins, making her the second woman to represent Georgia in the Senate. She was formally the chief executive of Bakkt, which is a trading platform for bitcoin.
  
  
• Updated Rules Treatment for Faith-Based Education Institutions and Guidance on School Prayer: The Department of Education has announced a series of actions related to religious liberty. The actions include proposing new rules related to equal treatment of faith-based institutions and the implementation of First Amendment freedoms on college campuses, and updated guidance on prayer in schools. The new documents are based on current legal rulings, so do not represent policy changes, but do contain some new institutional requirements.

DC Digest: January 6-12

The second week into 2020 has been relatively quiet for federal education policy, despite the House and Senate coming back in session. However there have been some CTE-related activities and news that have kick-started the new year.

• 2020 National Career Development Summit: On January 8, the National Career Development Summit brought together over 200 attendees (including ACTE representatives) to discuss topics of career readiness. Scott Stump, the Education Department’s Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education, spoke about promoting career development and ensuring accountability. There were other panels on promoting equity, the role of businesses, career development technology and work-based learning.
  
  
• Representative Phil Roe (R-Tenn) Retiring: Rep. Roe, who is on the House Education and Labor Committee and the House Veterans Affairs Committee, has announced he would not seek reelection for a seventh term in 2020. While in office, he supported CTE and the passage of Perkins V.
  
  
• ED Games Expo: The Education Department hosted the 7th annual ED Expo Games which brought together students, developers, government representatives, and industry partners to exhibit learning games and technologies. The game topics ranged from STEM to early learning, and emphasized that this type of technological learning can be accessed in all classrooms.
  
  
• Federal Financial Aid Deadlines: The Department of Education released deadlines for institutions participating in campus-based aid programs for the 2020-21 award year, including the Federal Perkins Loan Program, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant programs. If your institution participates in one of these programs be sure to check out the deadlines here.
  
  
• IES Update: The Director of the federal Institute of Education Sciences, which oversees federally funded research projects across a wide range of topics, released an update on the agencies plans this week, including simplifying research reports and releasing more info on CTE in community colleges.

DC Digest: December 16 – January 5

Happy New Year! While we hope you were able to unplug and relax over the holiday break and to ring in the New Year, on the CTE policy front, things remained busy. 

• Several Bills Signed into Law: Among a number of bills signed into law in the final days of 2019, an appropriations bill increased Perkins Basic State Grant funding by $20 million for Fiscal Year 2020. The FUTURE Act was also signed into law, which extends mandatory funding programs for historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions, including some postsecondary CTE programs. Additionally, the bipartisan Building Blocks of STEM Act was signed into law, which creates and expands STEM education initiatives at the National Science Foundation, including a special focus on girls in computer science.
• National Competitiveness Forum Held: Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos spoke at the National Competitiveness Forum, where she touted a proposal for federal tax credits in exchange for donations to state scholarship programs as a way to address workforce development needs in the 21st century.
• New White House Child Care Principles: As part of the Trump Administration’s child care reform principles, the White House states it aims to address the child care workforce shortage. Postulating that postsecondary education is an “uncertain proxy for quality child care,” the Administration aims to pursue alternative metrics for competencies and skills “irrespective of academic degrees.” Additionally, it seeks to promote child care apprenticeships.
• New Student Aid Website: The Trump Administration launched a new gov website aimed at providing additional information for students, parents and borrowers. The website aims to be a centralized hub to assist those pursuing financial aid.
• New Bill on Community College Reporting: Three Republican senators recently introduced a bill to amend reporting requirements at community colleges to reflect and account for the often more diverse populations of part-time, returning students at community colleges.
• Senate, House Return: While the Senate returned on Friday, January 3 with potential votes scheduled for Monday, January 6, the House is set to return on Tuesday, January 7.