On March 9, the Biden-Harris Administration released its budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2024, which will serve as an initial starting point for congressional negotiations around federal funding. The budget proposes a $43 million increase to the Perkins Basic State Grant, representing a 3% increase over the current FY 2023 funding level. While this is a larger increase than proposed by the Administration in recent years, more resources are needed given that the Perkins Basic State Grant program is currently funded at least $320M below its inflation-adjusted level from twenty years ago. ACTE and Advance CTE had formally requested a $400 million increase for the Perkins Basic State Grant and will be working with Congress to continue advocating for a larger increase.
Further, the budget proposes a $200M competitive grant program for “Career-Connected High Schools”, which would award funding for dual enrollment, industry-recognized credential attainment, career counseling and work-based learning. It is important to note that competitive grant programs only reach a limited number of students at schools that may be more equipped to apply for and manage the grants, whereas formula grant programs, such as the Perkins Basic State Grant, reach all students.
In total, the President’s budget request proposes a 13.6% increase for the Department of Education, including the following programs:
Secondary
- 12% increase, or $2.2 billion, for ESSA Title I grants to local education agencies
- $2.1 billion increase for IDEA state grants
- $2 million in Program Administration funding to support a Commission on the Future of the Teaching Profession
- $25 million increase for Title IV of ESSA, the Student Support and Academic Enhancement Grants
Postsecondary and Adult Education
- $500 million for a new grant program that would assist institutions in providing free community college for students enrolled in postsecondary programs that lead to either a four-year degree or a good-paying job.
- $500 increase to the maximum Pell Grant award.
- $165 million for the Postsecondary Student Success Grant program for competitive grants that improve retention and completion
- Level funding for Adult Education state grants; $30 million increase for adult education national programs including a focus on incarcerated individuals, a College Bridge Initiative and disconnected youth.
For the Department of Labor, the budget proposes $15.2 billion, a $1.5 billion increase over FY 23 levels. Specific funding proposals include:
- $200 million for a new Sectoral Employment through Career Training for Occupational Readiness (SECTOR) program to support partnerships between educators, employers and other stakeholders
- $50 million increase to expand Registered Apprenticeships
- $35 million increase for the Strengthening Community Colleges program
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