Congress spent last week wrapping up work before adjourning for the elections. Before the House and Senate adjourned, their primary goal was to pass a short-term government spending measure to extend funding beyond the end of the fiscal year on September 30, which you can read more about below. The House also passed legislation to provide additional compensation to support the families of 9/11 victims and the Senate continued negotiations on environmental permitting legislation and potential Electoral College reforms. The House and Senate are both set to return in mid-November to complete the legislative work for the year, which could include a potential tax bill negotiation and fiscal year (FY) 2023 appropriations bills, which have not been completed. ACTE will be providing timely updates both pre- and post-election to ensure that CTE stakeholders have the information they need to build relationships with members of the incoming 118th Congress and effectively advocate for CTE in the coming months.
- House and Senate Pass Continuing Resolution to Fund Government: On September 29, the Senate passed a short-term government spending bill, which was then passed by the House on September 30. The President signed the bill into law, extending government funding at current levels through December 16.
- FAA Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force Holds Final Meeting: On September 22, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Task Force on Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation held its final meeting, during which the task force shared its findings and recommendations for aviation workforce stakeholders. You can watch the full meeting here for more insight into the task force’s work.
- Senate Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on Infrastructure Investments: On September 29, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing on new investments from the CHIPS and Science Act, particularly in the fields of autonomous technology and artificial intelligence. Witnesses from across the academic and business spectrum were present, and workforce development was a key topic of the hearing.
- NCES Survey on Teacher and Other Vacancies in Public Schools: The Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has released the latest data from the August 2022 School Pulse Panel that found more than half of all public schools “reported feeling understaffed entering the 2022-23 school year.” Of districts with a vacancy, 74% reported a very or somewhat difficult time filling CTE teacher positions.
- Department of Education Awards Funding to Strengthen the Teacher Pipeline: The Department of Education has announced new awards to further address the teacher shortage and help ensure long-term investments in teacher pipeline and development programs across the country. New investments under the Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program include 22 new three-year grants totaling more than $60 million. The SEED program supports evidence-based practices that prioritize educators’ growth across the continuum of their careers.
- Department of Education Launches Future Finder Challenge: The Department of Education has announced the launch of Stage 1 of the Future Finder Challenge, a $1 million challenge to reimagine career navigation for adult learners. The Department's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) invites innovators to build digital tools that better support adult learners as they launch and advance their careers. Creators must submit prototypes by 6:00 p.m. ET on December 15, 2022. The online submission should outline how the digital tool will be designed to improve adult learners' career navigation outcomes, such as increased self-awareness, career knowledge, confidence and/or job attainment in high-quality, in-demand occupations and high-growth industries.
- ACTE and Illinois ACTE Holding Joint Media Tour: ACTE is holding a joint media tour in southern Illinois with Illinois ACTE, where there will be tours of nine CTE programs between Monday, October 3 and Thursday, October 6. The tour includes stops at innovative CTE programs at the secondary and postsecondary level. This program tour will give attendees the chance to learn more about CTE programming at the secondary and postsecondary level and underscore the important role CTE plays in preparing Illinois students for careers of their choice in the 21st century workforce, as well as in supporting the needs of businesses and industries across Illinois. ACTE will have more coverage of the media tour over the coming days.
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