CTE Policy Watch: A blog for CTE advocates

DC Digest September 16-22

This week Congress continued its efforts to fund the government and avoid a shutdown before the end of the month, without much progress. The House continues to struggle to pass appropriations bills on the floor and has also been unable to come to an agreement on a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open after the fiscal year ends on September 30, which is needed if the appropriations bills aren’t complete. Appropriations work in the Senate remained stalled most of the week as well, but they are now planning to take up their own version of a CR next week. Even with that step, the odds of a bill the passing the House remain low, increasing the potential of a government shutdown on October 1. Read more news and notes below:

• Department of Education Announces Funding to Improve Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities: ED has announced nearly $199 million in funding for the Pathways to Partnerships disability innovation fund that aims to support individuals with disabilities in accessing self-advocacy training, career pathways and independent living. The funding will go towards 20 model demonstration projects focused on increasing economic self-sufficiency and decreasing the unemployment disparity between youth with and without disabilities.

• Biden-Harris Administration Awards Funding to Support Hispanic-Serving Institutions: ED and the Biden-Harris Administration have announced an award of more than $40 million being dispersed to Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) across the country, including community colleges. The funding will assist these institutions in providing supports, expanding postsecondary attainment and opportunities and preparing Hispanic and Latino learners to enter the workforce.

• Department of Education Issues Details for ARP Spending Extension Requests: ED has announced a 14-month deadline extension for spending American Rescue Plan money in a letter sent to state grantees this week. Grantees can request the extension through state education agencies, which would allow for a spending deadline of as late as March 2026. Applicants will need to explain how a longer spending period would contribute to the acceleration of student learning and expand the continued path of academic recovery.

• Committee on Education & the Workforce Holds Hearing on Strengthening the Workforce Development System: This week, the Committee on Education & the Workforce held a hearing on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in which leaders discussed the legislation’s progress and needed areas of improvement since its enactment in 2014. Legislators discussed issues such as the high unemployment rate and the persistent shortage of skilled workers that have not sufficiently been improved since the passing of WIOA. The hearing also touched on reforms for WIOA’s bureaucracy, accountability mechanisms and provisions for better outcomes needed to fulfill the programs’ potential. Read more about the hearing on the blog here.

DC Digest: September 9-15

This week was a busy period in Washington as both chambers of Congress were in session for the first time following the August recess. Efforts were primarily focused on the appropriations process ahead of the deadline to enact funding bills or pass a continuing resolution before the end of the fiscal year on September 30, although both the House and Senate ran into issues moving forward. Many experts are now increasing the odds of a government shutdown. Meanwhile, the House and the Senate continued their efforts to advance their respective spending bills in policy areas of transportation, agriculture and national defense. Read more news and notes below:

• Department of Education Celebrates Completion of Nationwide Unlocking Pathways Summit Series: ED and the Biden-Harris Administration have announced the completion of the nationwide Unlocking Pathways Summit series, concluding with one final stop in Biloxi, Mississippi. This series was a part of the Raise the Bar: Unlocking Career Success initiative, aimed at reimagining the high school experience to help learners thrive in future careers by earning postsecondary degrees and industry credentials to meet economic demands and employer needs. The initiative was a joint effort across ED, DOL, DOC, public and private sector leaders and multiple community-based organizations that was split into four parts across four different states. ACTE leaders attended each event to ensure the CTE voice was included.

• Department of Education Announces New Actions to Build on Work to Accelerate Learning and Improve Student Achievement: ED and the Biden-Harris Administration have announced a list of additional actions to improve classroom instruction and accelerate academic success across the nation for the start of the new school year as a part of the Department’s Raise the Bar: Lead the World Effort. The Department announced actions that include increased state funding to improve student outcomes, expanded school capacity to build a diverse educator workforce and strategic initiatives to provide student supports for mental health needs and combat absenteeism.

• Department of Labor Awards $44 Million to Support Job Training Services for Workers in Multiple Regions: The Department of Labor has announced more than $44 million in awards for the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Delta Regional Authority and the Northern Border Regional Commission to help workers in across these regions secure good jobs in high-demand industries through career training and supportive services. The funding comes as a result of the Department’s efforts to advance economic mobility and address historic inequities for marginalized communities of color, rural areas and other underserved and underrepresented communities in these areas.

• Chairman Owens to Hold Hearing on Strengthening the Workforce Development System: The Committee on Education and thehe Workforce’s Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will hold a hearing titled “Strengthening WIOA: Improving Outcomes for Jobseekers, Employers, and Taxpayers” on Wednesday, September 20 at 10:15 a.m. EST. The hearing will aim to dissect the job market, analyze the WIOA system and highlight current practices that are working to create a system that matches the needs of a modern economy. 

• IES Announces the Extending the Reach of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Research Network: The Institute for Education Science (IES) has announced the establishment of a second research network focusing on CTE. The new network will be named the “Extending the Reach of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Research Network” and will carry out scientifically based research and evaluation to develop, improve and identify successful methods for addressing education and employment training needs of CTE participants in CTE programs. ACTE is a partner in this network and will be focused on disseminating research from the project.

• Applications for New Awards; Education Research Grant Programs: This week, ED and the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) issued a notice calling for research grant applications for research teams to participate in research networks focused on critical problems of education policy and practice, including CTE. Interested parties have until January 11, 2024, to submit an application and be considered for funding opportunities.

DC Digest: September 2 – September 8

The Senate returned to session this week, and the House is set to return next week. With only a few weeks left until government funding runs out, lawmakers face a hectic September as they work to avoid a government shutdown. Lawmakers will either need to pass all 12 appropriations bills or a continuing resolution to keep the government open past September 30. This will be a critical time for your advocacy as we work to share our message of support for the Senate’s FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education funding bill and its higher funding levels for Perkins and education and workforce development programs! In the meantime, here are some news and notes: 

• Senate to Consider Three Appropriations Bills Next Week: The Senate is aiming to move a three-bill appropriations package next week that will consist of Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development measures. The package, more commonly referred to as a “minibus,” will represent the first appropriations bills to reach the floor in the Senate. 

• Congressional Republicans to Introduce Resolution to Overturn New Student Loan Plan: Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) will introduce a Congressional Review Act Resolution that would prevent the Biden administration from continuing its new “Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) income-driven repayment plan. More than 4 million borrowers of federal student loans have already enrolled in the new plan, which can cut monthly payments and allow loan forgiveness after less time than under previous repayment plans. The Congressional Review Act provides Congress with a mechanism to overturn certain Administration rules.  

• Secretary Cardona Goes on Back-to-School Bus Tour: This week, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona embarked on a back-to-school bus tour that included several CTE stops. We will recapping his entire tour next week. 

• Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program: The Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program will invest $200 million in persistently distressed communities to create and connect people to good jobs. On June 29, 2023, Economic Development Administration (EDA) published the Phase 1 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Click here for more information on how to apply. 

• Labor Department Announces $14M in Grants to Prepare Young People for Good-Paying Jobs: The Department of Labor this week announced the award of $14 million in grants to seven organizations in five states to deliver workforce services when youth are out of school. The Workforce Pathways for Youth demonstration grants being made to organizations in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia and Virginia are intended to support recipients’ efforts to supply workforce readiness programming for historically underserved youth from ages 14 to 21 in 21 states and American Samoa. More information on the awards can be found here. 

DC Digest August 26 – September 1

This week was another period of low activity in Washington as Congress entered into its last full week of August recess. The Senate returns on September 5 and the House the following week. While recess was wrapping up, items in the headlines this week included a request from the Administration for additional FEMA disaster funds and ramped-up talks on how Congress will move forward on appropriations bills, including the agriculture spending bill and defense spending bill. Read more news and notes below:

• White House Calls on Congress to Pass Short-Term Spending Bill; Submits List of Funding Anomalies to Lawmakers Drafting CR: The Biden-Harris Administration has sent lawmakers on Capitol Hill a list of special funding items and unrelated add-ons for inclusion in the anticipated continuing resolution (CR) needed next month in the absence of a full-year appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024. This list of items represents funding areas that could present problems for major programs if a full bill is not written in time to address them. The Administration addressed policy areas such as student loans, social security, Medicaid and food packages for seniors, among other things.
• Secretary Miguel Cardona Announces “Back to School Bus Tour 2023: Raise the Bar”: The Department of Education (ED) has announced a week-long, multi-state road trip showcasing how schools, families and communities support and contribute to student learning. The tour will feature stops in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. CTE and career pathways programs are expected to be featured in several of the states.
• DOE Announces Funding to Provide Workforce Development Opportunities in Energy Communities: The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $3.5 million in federal funding that will be available to assist local communities historically dependent on energy assets to create a roadmap toward building technical capacity and developing a workforce necessary to help revitalize energy systems, address environmental impacts and tackle challenges associated with assets that have been retired or slated for retirement. Program submissions open in early September 2023 with a subsequent informational webinar taking place on September 7.
• Department of Labor and CTE Center in Idaho Falls Align to Promote Workplace Safety and Prevent Exposure to Hazards: The Office of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Idaho Falls District 91’s CTE Center (CTEC) have announced the establishment of a two-year alliance that is aimed at providing students with opportunities to earn OSHA certifications while in high school to give them an edge in the modern-day competitive job market. During this two-year term, OSHA and CTEC will use data to design joint outreach and communication activities to foster collaboration and train students in workplace safety and health effectively.
• Department of Education Announces Annual ED Games Expo: ED has announced that the ninth annual ED Games Expo will take place September 19-22, 2023, in-person and virtually at the Kennedy Center REACH and other locations across Washington, DC. The free-to-attend multi-day event, which engages shareholders such as researchers, students and educators, is a public showcase of game-changing education technology innovations created through more than 50 programs at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), ED and the government. See the full agenda here.

DC Digest: August 19-25

There was less activity this week in Washington as Congress continued its August recess. Developments in the FY 24 appropriations process, described below, illustrate how important your advocacy is going to be when the session resumes in September! Ask your lawmakers to show their support for the highest level of possible funding for Perkins, workforce development and the entire secondary and postsecondary education systems. In other items, news about the defense spending bill and the delay of this year’s farm bill was also in the headlines. Read more news and notes below:

• Members of Congress Insert New Challenges into Appropriations Process: This week, the conservative House Freedom Caucus released a list of demands they are asking for in exchange for their votes to avoid a government shutdown at the end of September. The group of Republican lawmakers said it would oppose any short-term continuing resolutions unless leadership meets their demands related to military policy, border security and the workings of the FBI and the Department of Justice. These demands underscore the difficulty of passing spending legislation once Congress returns in September.
• Department of Labor Announces $1.3 Million Grant to Support Gender Equity: The Department of Labor (DOL) has announced the award of more than $1.3 million to the state of Illinois and the Chicago Women in Trades organization to support the creation and adoption of equity plans to increase women’s inclusion in construction industry jobs.
• Department of Education Launches New Income-Driven Repayment Tool: The Department of Education (ED) has announced the launch of its new income-driven repayment application tool, which allows borrowers to enroll in the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. This plan is more generous to borrowers than previous income-driven repayment plans.
• The National Skills Coalition Publishes Update on JOBS Act and Gainful Employment Regulations: The National Skills Coalition (NSC), a close ACTE partner in the federal policy space, recently published an update on the JOBS Act and Gainful Employment Regulations. The post provides a comprehensive look at the status of both policy issues that have the potential to significantly impact CTE programs.
• OCTAE Invites High School Students to Enter into Your Place in Space Challenge: ED’s Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE) is inviting secondary-level students to submit designs for a product or service that contributes to space missions or exploration to help them envision themselves in the industry and identify a space career pathway. Submissions are due by 6:00 p.m. ET on October 30, 2023. Up to 10 winners will receive $5,000 each and earn in-kind prizes such as space-related classroom equipment or supplies, site visits to space company campuses, and interactions with high-profile leaders in the space industry.
• ED’s Office for Civil Rights Issues Resource on Race and School Programming: ED’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) on race and school programming to provide guidance to schools on lawful programs that promote racially inclusive school communities. The resource lays out the circumstances consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 under which schools can develop curricula and programs and engage in activities that promote practices of diversity and inclusivity.

DC Digest: August 12-18

Congress remained in recess this week, but Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) revealed that after recess concludes, he expects lawmakers to move forward with a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government from shutting down at the end of the fiscal year on September 30, providing Congress with additional time to complete FY24 appropriations bills. Even this CR is expected to be very contentious though, and as the appropriations process unfolds we will need your support in urging your lawmakers to support the highest possible funding levels for Perkins and additional education and workforce programs. In other items, disaster response to Hawaii, planning for the Farm Bill and discussions about foreign aid and national security were also in the headlines this week. With Congress in recess, most of this week’s specific news comes from the Administration:

• DOJ and ED Release Resources to Advance Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Education: The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education (ED) have released two resources to help postsecondary institutions understand the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent affirmative action decision and continue to advance diversity and opportunity in higher education.
  
  
• Department of Labor Announces Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants: DOL has announced the availability of $65 million in funding to increase community colleges’ ability to provide equitable access to training to meet employers’ and workers’ skill development needs for in-demand industries.
  
  
• Application Materials Officially Posted for Career-Connected Learning Proposals: On August 14, ED’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) officially released the notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2023 for the Perkins Innovation and Modernization (PIM) Grant Program for Career-Connected High Schools. The link to the Federal Register notice is available here. The application deadline is October 13, 2023.

• Third OCTAE Unlocking Pathways Summit Held in Madison, Wisconsin: On Thursday, August 17, the Department of Education (ED) hosted the third Unlocking Pathways Summit series in Madison, Wisconsin, with a visit to Madison Area Technical College to promote state partnerships between school, industry and community organizations in support of career-connected learning. This visit, joined by Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten, Under Secretary James Kvaal and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Unlocking Career Success ACTE Chief Policy, Research and Content Officer Alisha Hyslop represented ACTE at the summit.

• OCTAE Announces Career Z Challenge Winners: 81 applicants were selected as winners in the first phase of the Department of Education’s Career Z Challenge to expand work-based learning opportunities. These semi-finalists will now participate in a community of practice and receive technical assistance during this school year, as well as have the opportunity to earn $10,000 prizes for this phase of the competition. Up to 10 finalists will then be chosen as finalists for the next phase of the competition.
• Department of Education Student Loan Relief: ED has announced that automatic discharges will begin for additional borrowers who qualify for $39 billion in student loan relief as a result of fixes to income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.

• Department of Labor Launches Apprentice Trailblazer Initiative: The Department of Labor (DOL) has announced the Apprentice Trailblazer initiative, which will create a national network of apprentices and apprenticeship graduates whose individual stories may inspire career seekers interested in becoming apprentices. The first cohort will be open for youth apprentices ages 16-24 or recent youth apprenticeship graduates along with their registered apprenticeship sponsors. Apply by September 30, 2023.

• Department of Labor Announces Funding to Help Youth, Young Adults with Disabilities:  DOL has announced the availability of more than $69 million in funding to support the development of innovative strategies that will help youth and young adults with disabilities transition to the workforce successfully.

DC Digest: August 5-11

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.

DC Digest: July 29-August 4

This week in Washington was a quiet one for CTE-related policy items. Congress is in recess until next month, but the FY24 appropriations process will continue once lawmakers return during the first two weeks of September. There will be much appropriations work to be done when they return in order to avert a government shutdown before October 1. Lawmakers will either need to complete and pass all 12 appropriations bills before then, or pass a continuing resolution to extend government funding as they work to complete their funding bills. This will be a critical time for your advocacy as we work to share our message of support for the Senate’s FY24 Labor-HHS-Education funding bill and its higher funding levels for Perkins and education and workforce development programs! We will continue to share updates throughout August, and in the meantime, here are some news and notes:

• ACTION ALERT: Ask Your Members of Congress to Support the Senate’s FY 2024 Education Funding Bill: On July 27, the Senate Appropriations Committee considered and approved its Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill on a bi-partisan basis, which contains a $40 million increase to the Perkins Basic State Grant program, and provides significantly more resources to education and workforce development programs than the House version of the bill CLICK HERE to urge your Members of Congress to support the Senate’s $40 million increase for Perkins and overall higher funding levels! 

• Senate FY24 Funding Thank-You: On August 4, ACTE and Advance CTE sent a letter to the leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee thanking the committee for their proposed FY24 Labor-HHS-Education funding bill.

• Perkins V Turns Five: The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act was signed into law five years ago on July 31, amending the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and creating what we know as “Perkins V.” To celebrate the anniversary, we posted resources throughout the week on data sharing and analysis, middle grades and career development, stakeholder engagement, and the CLNA.

• Secretary Cardona Statement on New Chief of Staff for Department of Education (ED): Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona issued a statement on the new chief of staff for ED, Lexi Barrett, whose background includes time at Jobs for the Future.

• Secretary of Education and Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) Visit Maryland CTE Programs: On August 2, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) visited Crossland High School in Temple Hills, Maryland. The Secretary and Rep. Ivey toured the school’s career pathways programs, spoke with students enrolled in apprenticeship programs and learned more about employer partnerships that connect students with good-paying jobs in their communities.

• White House Releases National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy: On July 31, the Administration released a new strategy to increase cyber education and skills training and place Americans into cyber-related jobs. The strategy seeks to equip every American with foundational cyber skills, transform cyber education, expand and enhance the national cyber workforce, and strengthen the federal cyber workforce.

DC Digest: July 22-28

This was a very busy week for federal action on CTE-related policy, with Congress finishing its final week in town before the August recess. The House Appropriations Committee approved one FY 24 veterans’ affairs funding bill, while the Senate Appropriations Committee completed consideration of all 12 of its funding bills for FY 24. The House’s schedule is moving well behind the Senate’s after the House Appropriations Committee decided not to consider any additional bills this week before the full committee, including its FY 24 education funding bill. The appropriations process will now pause until after the month-long recess, but your advocacy will be critical as we work to maintain the higher funding level for Perkins included in the Senate bill, in addition to the Senate’s funding levels for key education and workforce programs. Stay tuned, and here are more updates from sunny Washington this week:

• Senate Appropriations Committee Proposes $40 Million Increase for Perkins State Grants: On July 27, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its FY 24 Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education Appropriations bill on an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 26-2. Despite the tight budget caps enforced by the debt limit deal, the bill contained an additional $40 million for the Perkins Basic State Grant program! Learn more about the next steps to come in the appropriations process here.

• ED Hosts National Summit on Equal Opportunity in Higher Education: On July 26, the Department of Education (ED) hosted the National Summit on Equal Opportunity in Higher Education to discuss strategies and resources to expand access to postsecondary education opportunities following the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action. Learn more about the summit here.

• CTE Briefing on Capitol Hill Features National FFA: On July 26, the Senate CTE Caucus organized a briefing at the U.S. Capitol with the National FFA Organization highlighting agricultural education. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), Co-Chair of the Senate CTE Caucus, delivered remarks along with several FFA leaders and students. Read more about the briefing here.

• Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) Introduces Creating Opportunities to Thrive and Advance Act: On July 26, House CTE Caucus Co-chair Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) introduced H.R. 8195, the Creating Opportunities to Thrive and Advance (COTA) Act, a bill that would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to bolster career guidance for adult learners. ACTE has endorsed this legislation.

• The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Would Allow Teaching Licenses to Transcend State Borders: Seeking to address strains on the teacher workforce, legislation newly adopted in ten states aims to make it easier for teachers to move to a new state. The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact eliminates additional training and testing requirements for teachers seeking to obtain a teaching license in a different state. Learn more about the compact here.

• ED, DOL Announce New Efforts to Advance Teacher Preparation Programs and Expand Registered Apprenticeships for Educators: ED and the Department of Labor (DOL) have announced a series of new efforts to expand registered apprenticeships for educators and invest in teacher preparation programs, including new National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards (NGS) for registered apprenticeships for K-12 teachers, funding from ED and DOL to support educator preparation programs and registered apprenticeship programs in critical sectors, and a new DOL intermediary to launch, promote and expand registered apprenticeship programs for K-12 educators, among other items.

• ED Launches Unlocking Career Pathways Regional Summits: On July 25, ED kicked off the first of the Unlocking Pathways Summit series at Renton Technical College in Renton, Washington. ACTE Region V Vice President Shani Watkins represented the association at the event. 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 will have representatives at each summit.

• CIAW Sends FY24 House Letter: On July 26, the Campaign to Invest in America’s Workforce (CIAW), one of ACTE’s coalition partners, sent a letter to leaders of the House Appropriations Committee expressing concerns with proposed cuts to education and workforce development programs in its version of the FY24 education appropriations bill.

• JOBS Act Coalition Sends Letter of Support to Senate HELP Committee: On July 26, the JOBS Act Coalition, of which ACTE is a member, sent a letter to leaders of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee in support of S. 161, the JOBS Act.

• House Education and Workforce Committee Holds Hearing on Accountability in Postsecondary Education: On July 27, the House Education and Workforce Committee’s Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing titled “Lowering Costs and Increasing Value For Students, Institutions and Taxpayers.” The Subcommittee questioned witnesses on how postsecondary education can be made more affordable, increase transparency and lead to better outcomes for students.

DC Digest: July 15-21

This week, Congress was primarily focused on continuing the FY 2024 appropriations process. The House and Senate considered several additional FY 2024 appropriations bills at the Committee level, and the House scheduled several appropriations bills to be placed on the floor next week as the Senate continued work on the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Next week, both the House and the Senate Appropriations Committees plan to consider their Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, which you can read more about below.

With the August congressional recess beginning on July 28, Congress is in a full sprint to complete as much work on their appropriations bills as possible. There are many CTE-related updates below and many moving parts, so check them out to keep informed:

• ACTION ALERT: Ask Your Members of Congress to Oppose Cuts to Education and Workforce Programs in FY 2024: On July 14, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies approved its Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations billon a party-line vote. The bill reduces overall education funding, including rescissions to some funding that would become available to programs this fall and significant cuts to or complete eliminations of dozens of education and workforce programs, such as WIOA Youth and Adult programs, federal work-study, ESSA Title I and II and more. Learn more about the impact of the proposed cuts and how you can help!

• ACTE Sends FY 2024 Appropriations Letter: On July 21, ACTE and our partners at Advance CTE sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee regarding the impact of the proposed cuts to education and workforce programs in the FY 2024 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill.

• Policymaker Perspectives: Rep. Suzanne Bonamici: ACTE is re-launching our Policymaker Perspectives discussion series! In this first Policymaker Perspectives of 2023, ACTE’s Public Policy Department heard from Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), co-chair of the House CTE Caucus.

• Senate HELP Committee Plans to Consider JOBS Act, Workforce Bills: On July 27, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee plans to consider several bills focused on CTE and workforce development, including S.161, the JOBS Act of 2023. ACTE has endorsed this legislation.

• Senate CTE Caucus Co-chair Introduces PELL Act: On July 20, Senate CTE Caucus co-chair Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC), along with Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), introduced S. 2442, the Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act. The bill creates a Workforce Pell Grant to expand Pell Grant eligibility to high-quality, short-term job training programs. This is the companion bill to the House’s H.R. 496, but is a competitor to the bi-partisan JOBS Act.

• Bobby Scott (D-VA) Reintroduces Direct CARE Workforce Act: On July 20, House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA), Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) and Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) reintroduced H.R. 4720, the Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment (CARE) Opportunity Act of 2023. The legislation invests more than $1.8 billion over five years in training and increasing opportunities for direct care workers, including funding to recruit, retain and advance the direct care workforce pipeline and for local and regional innovation to address workforce shortages and needs in this high-demand field.

• Roger Williams (R-TX) Reintroduces Student Debt Alternative and CTE Awareness Act: On July 20, Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX) reintroduced H.R. 4819, the Student Debt Alternative and CTE Awareness Act. The bill will require the Department of Education (ED) to publish information on the Office of Federal Student Aid website regarding CTE programs and Perkins funding. Additionally, the FAFSA application must include a one-page summary about CTE programs and requires applicants to sign an acknowledgment box before starting their FAFSA application.

• IES Announces FY 2024 Research Grant Competitions: On July 20, the National Center for Education Research and the National Center for Special Education Research released funding announcements for three FY 2024 grant competitions: education research grants, special education research grants and research training programs in special education. The application deadline is September 21, 2023.

• Department of Labor Awards Funding to Help States Expand Access to Registered Apprenticeships: The Department of Labor announced the award of over $65 million in grants to 45 states to increase their ability to serve, improve and strategically expand their Registered Apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeships.

• Department of Labor Awards Funding for Registered Apprenticeships in Education, Clean Energy and More: The Department of Labor announced the award of nearly $17 million in funding contracts to seven organizations to promote Registered Apprenticeships in industries such as education and the care economy, clean energy, cybersecurity, hospitality and transportation.

• Registration Remains Open for Final Family Engagement Learning Virtual Session: On July 25 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET, this session will explore how family engagement supports college and career pathways success.

• OCTAE Assistant Secretary Column on Second Chance Pell: ED’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) Assistant Secretary Amy Loyd and the Justice Department’s Assistant Attorney General for Justice Programs Amy Solomon co-authored a column in Newsweek to discuss the expansion of Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals that began on July 1.

• First Lady and Secretary of Education Visit Georgia CTE Programs: On July 18, First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited the Investing in America Workforce Hub in Augusta, Georgia, to discuss ways the community is working to expand pathways to good-paying jobs in fields like advanced manufacturing. You can view pictures from the event here, as well as a recap of the visit here.

• ED Opens Applications for Performance Partnership Pilots: ED issued a Federal Register notice inviting applications for selection as a performance partnership pilot for FY 2023 under the Performance Partnership Pilots for Disconnected Youth (P3) authority.