This week, Congress continued to formally organize while leaders outlined ambitious plans for a forthcoming legislative package making use of the Congressional budget reconciliation process. Elsewhere, the Biden administration recognized several postsecondary institutions for their work in supporting learner success while finalizing a slew of new regulations prior to leaving office.
Congress Looks to Reconciliation While Full-year Funding Remains Uncertain
As Advance CTE shared last week, lawmakers recently passed a new short-term extension of current federal funding, known as a continuing resolution (CR), that continues support for programs like the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) through mid-March of this year. It remains unclear how Congress plans to finalize federal fiscal year 2025 (FY25) funding beyond this date– a key priority for our organization. This continued delay is due, at least in part, to lawmakers’ current focus on a potential legislative package using Congress’ budget reconciliation process that would address a range of topics, including immigration, energy, taxation, trade, and more.
This week, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) proposed a tentative but ambitious timeline to secure passage of this forthcoming legislative package. Speaker Johnson has indicated that a final reconciliation package, including many of these agenda items, could be on the floor of the House by late April, with final passage around Memorial Day 2025. Advance CTE is closely monitoring both of these efforts and is continuing to advocate for strengthened investments in CTE via Perkins V and other critical federal programs.
House Education & Workforce Committee Takes Shape
This week, House Education and Workforce Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) announced new Republican subcommittee leaders and members as the committee continues to organize for the new 119th Congress. Five new Republican members are set to join the committee this Congress, including Reps. Onder (R-MO), Mackenzie (R-PA), Baumgartner (R-WA), Harris (R-NC), and Messmer (R-IN). Subcommittee assignments were also published this week and can be accessed here.
Similarly, House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-Va.) announced new subcommittee Democratic leadership and members. Reps. Casar (D-TX), Lee (D-PA), and Mannion (D-NY) are set to join the committee this Congress. Following these announcements, the committee formally met for the first time this year to adopt a new rules package and outline some of the committee’s early agenda, including an oversight plan for the year. Notably, the plan includes a list of nearly 20 federal laws with lapsed authorizations, including Perkins V.
An archived webcast of this hearing can be accessed here.
ED Finalizes New Perkins Requirements
Despite significant and widespread concerns expressed by the CTE community, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) finalized two new regulatory proposals impacting the informational collection forms for Perkins V’s state plans and consolidated annual reporting (CAR). ED appears to have made few revisions to these final proposals. However, aspects of the new regulations appear to considerably change how credential attainment data and related outcomes are to be reported for Perkins V accountability purposes. ED has indicated that it will send a program memo to states outlining these new requirements shortly. Advance CTE is continuing to review these proposals to understand the full and potential impact they may have on the state implementation of Perkins V.
Following the announcement, House Education and Workforce Committee Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) issued a statement expressing significant concern with these regulatory efforts, particularly given a lack of statutory authority to advance them. It remains unclear if the incoming Trump-Vance Administration plans to carry forward these efforts impacting Perkins V. Advance CTE will closely monitor and engage with the incoming Administration regarding these and many other topics related to Perkins V implementation.
ED Announces First Winners of Postsecondary Success Program
Last week, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced the first-ever Postsecondary Success Recognition Program winners. The program, which began in April 2024, celebrates higher education institutions that support students from underserved populations, facilitate transfers, and emphasize program completions. Three of the six recognized institutions predominantly grant associate degrees or credentials and represent learning communities in the nation’s rural, urban, and suburban areas. Over 100 institutions applied for recognition; read more about the rigorous review process here.
