New Interagency Agreements Announced at ED

This week, the Trump administration announced six Interagency Agreements (IAAs) that aim to offload day-to-day administrative responsibilities for several programs to other federal agencies. Notably, the Trump administration has simultaneously indicated that ED will maintain its statutory oversight responsibilities of these same programs. Under these agreements, the U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL), Interior, State, and Health and Human Services will assume administrative responsibilities of several programs currently managed by ED, including major K-12 and postsecondary education initiatives. While the agreements were announced earlier this week, the IAAs were signed in late September.  

The newly announced IAAs appear to be similarly structured to a previously published IAA regarding the administration of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) and the Adult and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) authorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) which also moved day-to-day administrative responsibilities for CTE and adult basic education (ABE) to DOL. Nearly $33 billion of K-12 education, CTE, ABE, and postsecondary education programs will now fall under one of these IAAs. 

These changes are part of the administration’s wider effort to “return authority over education to states and local communities,” in line with an executive order issued in the Spring. 

The IAAs come after ED Secretary Linda McMahon penned an op-ed earlier this week, arguing that the recent federal government shutdown demonstrated that ED is “unnecessary.” In the piece, the Secretary highlighted the CTE-ABE IAA as a model for the administration to move forward with its plans to dismantle the Department. Significantly, however, the op-ed acknowledged that it would take an act from Congress to enact these changes on a permanent basis. 

Many questions in the field remain about the implications of these IAAs, including their potential impacts on many education programs and related federal investments.  Initial concerns are beginning to emerge from Democratic and Republican lawmakers on this issue, echoing those previously reported earlier this summer.

Advance CTE will continue to closely monitor these developments and more as these efforts continue to take shape.  

Congress Heads Into Recess With Appropriations Decisions Ahead

As the Senate leaves for Thanksgiving recess, negotiations on fiscal year 2026 (FY26) appropriations remain unfinished. The “four corners” of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees reportedly met this week to discuss next steps for setting final spending levels ahead of the January 31, 2026, deadline. As previously reported, the agreement on a continuing resolution (CR) to reopen the government included full-year appropriations legislation for three portions of the federal government, while continuing level-funding for the rest of federal operations, including the Perkins V state grant program, through the end of January. 

Senate leadership is reportedly eyeing a December vote on a floor package that could combine up to five bills, including the Labor-HHS-Education bill that funds Perkins V, postsecondary, and workforce development programs related to CTE and broader education community. View the current appropriations status table here.

Advance CTE will continue to monitor the FY26 outlook and advocate for greater investments in CTE, education, and workforce development.

House Hearing Highlights Bipartisan Support for CTE & Division Over IAA

On Wednesday, the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing titled “From Classroom to Career: Strengthening Skills Pathways Through CTE”, during which lawmakers reaffirmed strong bipartisan support for expanding high-quality CTE. Witnesses showcased successful models in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and aviation, highlighting the importance of employer partnerships, modern equipment, and work-based learning that connects learners to careers. Two challenges were emphasized: ongoing program capacity limits, including CTE educator shortages, and federal funding levels that have not kept pace with demand.  

The hearing also highlighted divisions between Democrats and Republicans regarding the Trump administration’s use of an IAA to shift day-to-day CTE administration from ED to DOL. Ranking Member of the subcommittee and CTE Caucus co-chair Rep. Bonamici (D-OR) shared, “Ironically, the transfer of these programs from ED to DOL has created more bureaucratic inefficiencies, not reduced them. States, school districts, and institutions of higher education are now forced to navigate two different agencies to access one program. We’ve heard stories from states that are spending all their time learning a new grant management system instead of doing what they should be doing — which is innovating.” Throughout the hearing, Democratic lawmakers voiced significant concerns about the legality of the agreement and the IAA’s ongoing impact on the effective implementation of Perkins V. 

Witnesses also stressed that CTE is both an education and workforce development program and is designed for long-term career development and preparation through the integration of rigorous academic, technical, and employability skills  ranging from middle school through postsecondary education. Subcommittee chair Rep. Kiley (R-CA) stated, “Students who concentrate in CTE, completing more than two credits, graduate at rates above 90 percent, significantly higher than the national average. CTE participation also boosts academic achievement, and even promotes college readiness itself.”

Access the hearing statements, testimony, and recording here.

House Committee Holds Hearing on the Future of College

On Tuesday, the House Education & Workforce Committee  held a hearing on “The Future of College: Harnessing Innovation to Improve Outcomes and Lower Costs”, where lawmakers discussed the need to make higher education more affordable, flexible, and aligned with workforce demands. The discussion included the need to innovate to reduce costs and improve program completion, especially for working adults and low-income learners. The hearing underscored broad bipartisan recognition that learners need clearer pathways, stronger supports, and affordable, workforce-connected postsecondary options. Access the hearing statements, testimony, and recording here.

Odds and Ends 

• On Wednesday, ED Secretary McMahon and Under Secretary Nicholas Kent participated in a White House roundtable about the cost, administration, and accountability in higher education. Read their remarks here.
• Last week, ED announced confirmations of several senior education leaders, including Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Kirsten Baesler and David Barker as Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. Read the announcement here. Richard Lucas was separately announced to serve as the Acting Chief Operating Officer of Federal Student Aid. Read the announcement here.
• Both the House and the Senate released their 2026 calendars this week, providing useful insight for planning congressional engagement for the coming year.