Department of Education Proposes Changes to Federal Grant Administration Rules
This week, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register to update the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), which govern how federal education grants are administered. The proposed changes would update ED’s regulations to align with a recently proposed significant revision of the Uniform Grant Guidance announced earlier this year. One major administrative change is eliminating the requirement for ED to publish certain grant application notices and annual priorities in the Federal Register. Instead, that information would be included directly in the grant application notices on Grants.gov, serving as the central source for federal funding opportunities. The proposal also revises the criteria for discretionary grant competitions, clarifies continuation award procedures, and allows the Department to consider unspent funds when determining funding for multiyear projects. In addition, the proposal would incentivize directing grant funding toward applicants with lower indirect cost rates.
The proposal also revises the grant selection criteria to align with ED’s existing priorities around career pathways and workforce readiness. Comments are due September 23. Read the proposal here.
ED Reverses Course on Planned K-12 Funding Transition
Earlier this month, ED announced that it will delay, for a second time this year, plans set forth in the Interagency Agreements (IAAs) to shift the distribution of K-12 formula funds to payment and grant management platforms operated by the U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL) and Health and Human Services (HHS). ED will instead use the existing G5 grants management system to distribute the remaining K-12 formula funds scheduled for disbursement on October 1. Most federal K-12 formula programs are funded in two disbursements, with funds historically becoming available on July 1 and October 1. As a reminder, ED pursued a similar change last fall for Career Technical Education (CTE) and adult education formula funding disbursements, which encountered challenges. This latest announcement regarding K-12 formula funds remaining on G5 means that it is unlikely these programs will experience these same challenges later this fall.
Read coverage on the announcement here.
ED Proposes Updates to Perkins V Consolidated Annual Reporting
Last week, ED published a proposed revision to the Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) authorized under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V). The proposed changes would update the financial reporting instructions and forms to reduce burdens on states and make some technical, non-substantive changes to improve clarity. A key update in this proposal is the updated performance reporting forms to reflect the modernized National Career Clusters® Framework. Aligning Perkins reporting with the National Career Clusters Framework is particularly relevant as states continue to adapt their CTE systems and data reporting to the modernized Framework.
The CAR is used by ED to collect annual information from states on Perkins V implementation and performance, and the proposed collection would affect state, local, and Tribal governments. Comments on this information collection are due October 20. Read the CAR collection announcement here.
Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award Announced
Elsewhere last Friday, ED published a notice proposing to reinstate the information collection supporting the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award. The award was first established following a 2019 executive order and recognizes one elementary and one secondary school educator each year who demonstrate exceptional efforts to develop cybersecurity skills, knowledge, and interest in their classrooms. This award highlights the continued federal focus on developing cybersecurity knowledge and skills among learners, especially in secondary Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways.
This notice reinstates the collection without any changes and is open for comments until September 21. Read the cybersecurity award notice here.
ED Proposes Changes to Higher Education Accreditation
Last week, ED released a proposed rule to overhaul the higher education accreditation system, changing how ED recognizes accreditors with greater emphasis on learner outcomes, return on investment, workforce alignment, and academic quality among many other proposed changes. The proposed rule seeks to emphasize the connection between postsecondary education and workforce needs and the importance of measuring outcomes such as completion, employment, and wages. The proposal is on the Federal Register and open for public comment through September 21. Read more about the proposed accreditation changes here.
ED Approves Second Workforce Pell Program
Last week, ED approved a second Workforce Pell (WFP) program, this time at the statewide Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana. The approved program is an eight-week Clinical Medical Assistant program. The approval follows the earlier approval of an Iowa Central Community College Emergency Medical Technician program, as previously reported. Read more about the WFP program approval.
DOL Seeks Input on Credential Data and Apprenticeships
Last week, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) at DOL published a notice on proposed information collection activities titled “Linked Open Data on Credentials.” The proposal seeks to require recipients of the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant to make information publicly accessible about credentials and competencies developed with federal funding, using a standardized, shareable format based on Credential Transparency Description Language specifications.
The proposed information collection aims to capture information including credential providers, competencies, delivery methods, industries and occupations, costs, assessments, quality assurances, and available outcomes. Comments are due October 19. Read more about the information collection regarding credentials.
In a separate notice, ETA is seeking public comment on a proposed new information collection for a Registered Apprenticeship National Awareness Campaign. The proposed surveys would establish a baseline for public and employer awareness of Registered Apprenticeship and would measure the changes in awareness. The notice proposes surveys to assess the effectiveness of a national campaign and inform future outreach in support of the Trump administration’s goal of “One Million Apprentices.” Comments are due October 19. Read more about the proposed national apprenticeship campaign here.
ED Issues Dear Colleague Letter for Ed-Tech and FCC Opens Review of the E-Rate Program
Last Thursday, ED released a Dear Colleague Letter on education technology (ed-tech) and screen time in schools that outlines principles for responsible technology use in classrooms. The guidance emphasizes that education technology should be evaluated based on its instructional value and impact on learning, rather than screen time alone. The Department encourages states and districts to select technology based on evidence, accessibility, cost, educator experience, and implementation support, and calls for greater transparency from technology providers.
The guidance recognizes technology’s potential to expand access to specialized learning and CTE, dual enrollment, and other advanced coursework, especially for learners in rural areas, and highlights how technology can support learners with disabilities. The letter builds on the guidance on artificial intelligence (AI) previously shared by ED, which focuses on five principles: ed-tech should be educator-led, ethical, accessible, transparent, and protect student data. Read the ed-tech guidance here.
Elsewhere, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a proposed rule regarding the future of the E-Rate program, a federal program that for nearly 30 years has provided schools and libraries discounted rates for internet access, telecommunications, and internal intranet connections. The FCC is reportedly considering narrowing the E-Rate program to limit these investments in the nation’s schools, despite significant progress made in recent years to connect schools and libraries to broadband.
This collection is also seeking input on children’s online safety, the interpretation of the Children’s Internet Protection Act, and program integrity in service to rural and lower socioeconomic area schools. Comments are due October 13. Read more about the FCC proposal here.
ED Clarifies Upcoming Reporting Deadlines for FVT/GE
Last week, ED provided updated guidance on the Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) reporting for the transition to the new Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability framework. Institutions that have not completed the required reporting for the 2025 and 2025 cycles have until January 15, 2027, to submit data. The proposed STATS and Earnings Accountability rule will replace the FVT/GE framework beginning July 1, 2027. There are virtual office hours on the guidance on Thursday, September 10. Read more about the guidance and office hours here.
Senate Passes Continuing Resolution
Right before the Senate left Washington, D.C., for an August recess period, it passed a continuing resolution (CR) to continue federal government operations at fiscal year (FY) 2026 funding levels through December 11, 2026. The Senate-passed measure continues level funding for education and workforce programs based on the FY26 appropriations levels, including for Perkins V. As previously reported, the proposal includes provisions that would prohibit the implementation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recent proposal to significantly change the existing Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG) until December. Because the Senate and House have passed different CR proposals, Congress is set to return to a busy work period in September focused on federal FY27 appropriations following the upcoming August recess. Read the CR here.
