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.
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