This week in Washington, lawmakers were focused on pressing national security, technology and military issues, conducting congressional oversight, debt limit conversations and holding the first of several hearings on the fiscal year 2024 appropriations process. Both chambers are set to be in session next week for the duration of the week, and they are expected to continue holding fiscal year 2024 appropriations hearings.
In addition, this week over 400 CTE professionals were gathered in Arlington, Virginia for ACTE’s 2023 National Policy Seminar (NPS) to learn how to engage in effective CTE advocacy and gain valuable advocacy tips, visit federal policymakers on Capitol Hill, learn about key developments in federal CTE policy and take in cutting-edge innovations in CTE delivery methods. A huge thank you to everyone who attended this year’s conference – your advocacy makes a difference!
Here are some additional news and notes that took place during this busy week!
- ACTION ALERT: Ask Your Senator: Support Robust Funding for Perkins in FY 2024: Each year, Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) lead a “Dear Colleague” letter to be sent to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee requesting robust funding for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins) in the FY 2024 Labor, Health, and Human Services appropriations bill. We need your help again to secure an increase for Perkins that ensures CTE can continue to meet urgent workforce needs and serve as a critical part of the country’s economic growth. CLICK HERE to ask your senator to sign the “Dear Colleague” letter!
- ED Launches “Your Place in Space” Challenge: On March 21, the U.S. Department of Education launched the “Your Place in Space Challenge,” which urges high school students to imagine and pursue innovative careers across the space industry. Read more about the challenge here.
- House Appropriations Subcommittee Holds Public Witness Hearing: On March 24, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education held its Members’ Day and public witness hearing for the fiscal year 2024 appropriations cycle. ACTE and Advance CTE submitted joint written testimony to promote Perkins funding. You can view the recording of the hearing here.
- Williams and Gluesenkamp Perez; Sens. Marshall and Coons Introduce Supporting Small Business CTE Bill: On March 24, Reps. Roger Williams (R-TX) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), along with Sens. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Chris Coons (D-DE), introduced the Supporting Small Business Career and Technical Education Act (H.R. 1730 and S. 936). The bill will amend the Small Business Act to direct Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women's Business Centers (WBCs) to increase their services to assist small businesses in hiring graduates from CTE programs. The bill also supports CTE graduates by directing SBDCs and WBCs to assist them in starting a small business. ACTE has endorsed the bill and you can read more about it here.
- Department of Education Announces Public Hearings on Higher Education Rulemaking: The Department of Education has announced that it will hold virtual public hearings on April 11, 12 and 13 to receive stakeholder feedback on potential issues for future rulemaking sessions. Learn more about the sessions here.
- Several States Receive Extensions for Spending COVID Relief Funds: A total of seven states and DC have received an extension to spend down their ESSER I funds, originally provided by the original COVID relief bill, the CARES Act, and five more states have received extensions to their Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund from that bill as well. You can read more about the extensions and see if your state is included here.
- Meet Candice Mott, ACTE's New IAED Manager: Candice Mott will be joining ACTE as the new part-time Inclusion, Access, Equity, and Diversity (IAED) Manager for ACTE. She brings over 16 years of experience in CTE and education, and she will lead certain facets of ACTE’s IAED programming, including the IAED Advisory Group and opportunities to implement new and related IAED initiatives. Read more about Candice here.
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