The House and Senate were both in session this week, but it was a relatively light week for education, workforce and CTE-related policy. Instead, the majority of the focus surrounded ongoing infrastructure negotiations between President Biden and a bipartisan working group in the Senate, with a tentative framework worth $1.2 billion announced on June 24. As with any tentative agreement, there is still a long way to go until an infrastructure package may be finalized, and positioning on both sides continues. This deal does not include proposed funding for child care facilities, K-12 schools, and community college infrastructure, but does include funding to electrify school buses, eliminate lead drinking water pipes in schools, and provide broadband. The additional education-related infrastructure funding could be provided in a follow-up bill considered through the budget reconciliation process. There will be much more on the infrastructure front as the summer unfolds, but in the meantime, here is some other news from last week:
- House Education & Labor Committee Holds Hearing on Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education: On Thursday, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona testified before the House Committee on Education and Labor to discuss ongoing policies and priorities for the Department of Education, including the impacts of the American Rescue Plan and President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget request. He discussed career pathways, state and local education, Title I, teacher training, school infrastructure, postsecondary education and more. Secretary Cardona reiterated his support for CTE, and shared how education must evolve to help create pathways into the workforce, as well as the importance of workforce partnerships.
- Secretary Cardona Holds Roundtable with Rural Students: On June 21, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona spoke with middle and high school students from rural communities as part of a virtual roundtable to learn more about how the Department of Education can support them, as well as how the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted their learning experiences.
- Department of Education Holds Equity Summit: On June 22, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona held the first in a series of equity-focused summits to be hosted by the Department of Education. In the first edition, First Lady Jill Biden, educators and students from across the country discussed the impacts of the American Rescue Plan on reopening schools, in addition to the investments and potential impacts of the Biden Administration’s American Families Plan and Fiscal Year 2022 budget request. The panel also featured discussions about how to ensure students from underserved communities can have a voice in their schools and classrooms. The Equity Summit series will focus on how school reopening cannot merely represent a return to the status quo for students, schools and education more broadly.
- Department of Education Launches Postsecondary Negotiated Rulemaking: On June 21, 23 and 24, the Department of Education held a series of public hearings to hear comments on several proposed federal student aid policies. Participants discussed barriers to student loan debt repayment, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) and gainful employment. The Department is accepting comments online until July 1 in preparation for more formal regulatory activity.
- Department of Labor Announces Grants to Support Registered Apprenticeships: $130 million in grants to support registered apprenticeship programs was recently awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor to 15 states. Funding from the grants will also establish the creation of Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance Centers of Excellence in an additional three states and Washington, DC.
- Department of Labor Awards Grants to Improve Employment Outcomes for Those Currently or Formerly Involved in the Criminal Justice System: The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded over $85.5 million through 28 grants to organizations in 17 states and Washington, DC, to help individuals currently or formerly involved in the criminal justice system find employment within their communities. Young adults ages 18 to 24 will receive support and connections to apprenticeships and other opportunities, including opportunities in IT, health care and energy.
- Department of Labor Dialogue to Promote Equity for Women Workers: The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a national online dialogue to improve labor outcomes for women in the workforce. The dialogue will be open until July 9, and you can register to participate.
- Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) Reintroduce PREP Act: Senators Tim Kaine and Susan Collins, members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, reintroduced the Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals (PREP) Act to help address teacher and principal shortages. This legislation will support efforts in rural communities, in particular, to equip schools with qualified teachers and principals, and help increase teacher diversity. The aim of the legislation is to provide the next generation of students with talented, well-equipped professionals in schools and classrooms. ACTE has endorsed this legislation.
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