With Congress still in recess until early September, it was another quiet week in Washington for CTE-related policy. President Biden called for supplemental emergency spending that would support Ukraine, disaster relief and more that will likely be considered as a part of the appropriations process when Congress returns. The appropriations process is likely to be very contentious though, so we must continue to advocate for the highest possible funding level for Perkins and programs throughout the entire education and workforce development ecosystem. Ask your lawmakers to show their support! In the meantime, here are a few updates:
- OCTAE Career-Connected High School Grant Application Requirements Released: This week, the Department of Education’s (ED) Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE) posted an early copy of application requirements for new awards for the Perkins Innovation and Modernization (PIM) grant program, which will be focused on the career-connected high school initiative. The requirements will be formally posted in the federal register next week and applications will be due in mid-October.
- Department of Labor, National Governors Association Partner to Enhance State Workforce Development Systems: The Department of Labor (DOL) has announced a partnership with the National Governors Association (NGA) to bring federal partners, state policy advisors, workforce development boards and agencies and other policymakers together to make strategic improvements in the delivery of workforce development services using the 2024 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan. This could have particular implications for states pursing a combined WIOA and Perkins plan.
- Secretary of Education Talks Career-Connected Learning in Colorado: On August 10, the Department of Education continued its Unlocking Pathways Summit series in Aurora, Colorado with a conversation between Secretary of Miguel Education Cardona and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to mark the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act. The Summit also featured Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO). The series consists of four regional education and workforce convenings to highlight workforce priorities and opportunities for young people that are growing due to recent federal investments, like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act. ACTE Deputy Executive Director Steve DeWitt attended the Summit representing ACTE.
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