This week in Washington, only the Senate was in session, and lawmakers focused primarily on hosting hearings and responding to national security concerns. Both chambers of Congress will be on recess next week before returning on February 27. CTE Month is continuing to draw awareness to our efforts to ensure high-quality CTE is an option for all learners, and ACTE’s Public Policy team is also focusing on upcoming responses to President Biden’s budget request for fiscal year 2024, preparing for the 2023 National Policy Seminar (NPS) and Congressional CTE Caucus activities, such as putting together membership recruitment drives and congressional staff briefings. We will keep you updated on how you can get involved as these efforts progress. Check out our newest headlines to share:
- CTE Expansion A Bipartisan Issue for Governors: As of early February 2023, the Education Commission of the States has reported that at least 19 governors have mentioned CTE in their State of the State addresses. Additionally, 14 governors have addressed the importance of aligning postsecondary education with workforce development. Read more from our analysis of state CTE priorities here.
- CTE Teacher Pay Highlighted in Senate Teacher Pay Town Hall: On Monday evening, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), new Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) hosted an event in coordination with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA) to discuss the state of teacher pay in America. They called for boosting teacher pay at a critical time as schools contend with teacher shortages. Read the blog recapping the event and find the link to the full town hall here.
- Senate HELP Committee Holds Hearing on Health Care Workforce Shortages: On Thursday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing on strategies to address health care workforce challenges, including workforce development solutions and experiences in workforce pipeline efforts among medical professionals. You can watch a recording of the full hearing here.
- Secretary of Labor Walsh Leaving Position: On Thursday, Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh announced to staff that he would be leaving his position as Secretary within the next month. At this time, a replacement has not been named. ACTE will keep you updated on the next nominee to serve as Secretary of Labor.
- Department of Education Announces First Hawkins Centers of Excellence Grant to Support Teachers of Color Pipeline: The Department of Education has announced its first-ever awards, totaling over $18 million, for the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program grants to increase high-quality teacher preparation programs for teachers of color, strengthen the diversity of the teacher pipeline and address teacher shortages. Read more about the grants here.
- Department of Labor Awards Grants to Improve Equitable Access to Training: The Department of Labor has announced the award of $50 million in grants to help 15 community colleges in 14 states expand access to education and training for good-paying jobs and equitably meet employers’ and workers’ skill development needs. Read more about the grants here.
- First Lady Jill Biden Gives Remarks at Mesa Community College: On February 13, First Lady Jill Biden visited Mesa (AZ) Community College to observe their Mesa College Promise program and promote the Department of Education’s Career-Connected Learning initiative. The First Lady was joined by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. You can read the full speech here.
- Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Rosters Announced: We finally have full subcommittee lists for the Senate Appropriations Committee, including the roster for the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee. You can access the new roster here.
- Department of Labor Plans Webinar on Grant Opportunities: On February 28th at 10:00 am, the Department of Labor will host a webinar on grant programs and funding opportunities available from the Department throughout the year. Register here.
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