DC Digest November 25-December 1
This week, Congress returned from Thanksgiving recess with only a few legislative days left in the calendar year and many policy items to tackle. Focus remains on Israel and Ukraine aid, and multiple appropriations bills, including the Labor, Health and Humans Services, and Education bill, face looming funding deadlines early in the new year. Read more news and notes from the week here:
- New HLC Faculty Qualifications Policy Impacts Credentials for Dual Enrollment Educators: This month, the Higher Learning Commission, a major postsecondary accreditor, implemented an altered Faculty Qualifications Policy that offers colleges a role in determining personalized requirements for faculty credentials and includes new alternative indicators of faculty qualification. This policy change will increase the routes available for dual enrollment educators to meet necessary credentials for employment in HLC-accredited institutions. Read more about its impacts for CTE educators here.
- Senate Releases Draft Education Sciences Reform Act Bill: On Dec. 1, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee leaders released text of a bill to reauthorize the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA). ACTE will be reviewing this draft and submitting comments, and providing a more detailed summary soon! The Committee’s summary is available here.
- Department of Education Releases Brief on Effective Practices for Integrated Education and Training Programs: As the second publication released as part of its ADVANCE IET project, this new brief discusses different ways in which bridge programs and stackable credentials can be effectively utilized to support beginning-level learners. Read the full report here.
- Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Launches New Free to Learn Webinar Series: OESE’s new webinar series will share effective strategies and practices to respond to potential hate and bias-based conflicts or harassment within educational environments. The series is composed of 4 webinars focusing on different points of the educational experience with the first occurring on December 6th. Register at this link.
- Department of Education Selects Winners of its Future Finder Challenge to Support Adult Learners: The Department of Education has selected public benefit corporation Gladeo as the winner for its Future Finder Challenge which seeks to promote innovation in career navigation for adult learners. Read more about the winner and its initiatives here.
- Department of Commerce Holds Interagency Convening on Equitable Economic Growth: On Nov. 28, the Department of Commerce joined with other federal agencies to discuss business diversity, equitable workforce development and community investments. You can view comments delivered at the convening here.
- Department of Labor Opens YouthBuild Grant Applications: The Department of Education has announced the availability of $98 million in grants for pre-apprenticeships through the YouthBuild program. Applications are due Feb. 1.
- Department of Education Announces New Rulemaking Panel on Federal Financial Aid Rules: ED has announced it will hold another negotiated rulemaking panel in early 2024 on institutional quality and program integrity rules, including the definition of distance education as it pertains to clock hour programs, which could impact CTE.
- House Education and the Workforce Committee Holds Member Day Hearing: On Dec. 1, the Committee hosted an open hearing for Members of Congress to testify about issues of concern. While there was limited focus on CTE-related issues, Members did highlight upcoming work and priorities within the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
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