This week was the final week Congress was in session until after the election, so the schedule was packed! There were several education- and workforce-related hearings and legislation was passed to extend government funding until December 20. Meanwhile, the Administration kept busy with several new grants to support workforce development and education, new resources on relevant workforce development programs and updated information and assistance with FAFSA. Keep reading for more details!
- Congress Passes Continuing Resolution (CR): The House and Senate both passed a CR and it was signed into law by President Biden. This legislation funds the government at current funding levels through December 20. With this extra time, Congress must work on passing fiscal year (FY) 2025 appropriations bills, including the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education bill.
- House Education and Workforce Committee Holds Hearings on Teacher Prep, FAFSA: The House Education and Workforce Committee held multiple hearings this week. The Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing on the challenges with and changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Meanwhile, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education held a hearing on how to best prepare K-12 teachers for the classroom.
- House Small Business Committee Holds Hearing on Workforce Training Programs: The House Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Entrepreneurship and Workforce Development held a hearing on workforce development programs, noting the importance of apprenticeships and how they, and similar programs, can be helpful in expanding the small business workforce.
- Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Holds Hearing on AI: The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing this week on how to best prepare workers for AI. Senators Kaine and Budd, co-chairs of the Senate CTE Caucus, raised questions on CTE and workforce development as it relates to AI.
- Department of Education to Hold Federal Financial Aid Bootcamp: The Department of Education is holding an online, free, one-day webinar series geared toward students, parents and college access professionals on the new FAFSA form on Oct 23. This is following Secretary Cardona’s letter and white paper to leadership at higher education institutions.
- Department of Education Seeking Feedback on Perkins Regulations: The Department of Education is accepting public comments on the new proposed regulations to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act State Plan Guide. Advance CTE and ACTE have formally requested a 30-day extension to the comment period in order for the CTE community to have adequate time to provide meaningful feedback. For updates on this, see the CTE Policy Watch Blog.
- Department of Education Announces $46 Million in Grants to Support State and Local Education Agencies: The Department of Education announced $46 million in grants to advance resource equity in schools, accelerate academic recovery, strengthen educator workforce, promote early school success and support English and multilingual learners.
- Department of Labor Awards $18.4 Million in Grants to Measure Sector-Based Training for Low-Income Older Adult Workers: The Department of Labor announced $18.4 million to measure the effectiveness of industry or sector-based training as a bridge to unsubsidized employment for low-income, older workers.
- Department of Labor Announced $71 Million in Grants to Improve Job Quality: The Department of Labor announced grants to improve job quality, expand access to good jobs in critical sectors and prepare workers for the jobs created by the administration's Investing in America agenda.
- Department of Labor Shared General Apprenticeship Resources: The Department of Labor published updated resources focused on apprenticeship expansion. This includes resources on career pathways and postsecondary education.
- Department of Labor Shares Updated Webcast Series on WIOA Youth and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs: The Department of Labor updated their resource on WIOA VR programs to support state and local workforce leaders, youth program practitioners and youth stakeholders and partners. The resource includes information on eligibility and services.
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