This week, the U.S. Department of Education rescinded recently proposed information collection requests impacting the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) state plan and consolidated annual report guides. In addition, significant new cuts to education research and evaluation efforts were announced, some of which impact CTE, while the Department announced new key leadership nominations. In Congress, Linda McMahon’s Senate confirmation hearing took place as House appropriations leaders examined the importance of community colleges in workforce preparation amid the introduction of new legislation promoting skills development. 

ED Rescinds ICRs Negatively Impacting Perkins V

This week, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced its intent to rescind two Information Collection Requests (ICRs) impacting the Career Technical Education (CTE) community. As previously reported, the ICRs sought to make significant changes to the implementation of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) nearly seven years after the law’s passage, creating significant new and unnecessary burden on states and local Perkins V grantees in addition to reducing the value of reported data. As shared previously, ED finalized these proposals on January 17th, 2025, despite significant concerns Advance CTE and partners have raised throughout the regulatory process initiated by ED last fall. 

In this notice, ED has indicated that it will reverse course on these counterproductive proposals and will direct the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) to reinstate the prior versions of the State Plan Guide and the Consolidated Annual Report Guide. Advance CTE expects that formal notices on the Federal Register to this effect to be published in the near future. 

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), the Chair of the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, issued a statement in support of the rescinding of the ICRs. As previously reported, Rep. Walberg and colleagues on the House Education and Workforce Committee have been outspoken about the regulatory burden created by these ICRs. Read Rep. Walberg’s full statement here. Advance CTE welcomes and applauds this effort from ED and looks forward to the timely completion of this process. 

OCTAE Assistant Secretary Nomination Announced

This week, President Trump announced the nomination of Dr. Kevin O’Farrell as Assistant Secretary for Career Technical Education (CTE) at the Department of Education (ED).  As Chancellor for the Division of Career and Adult Education in Florida’s Department of Education, he currently serves as Florida’s State CTE Director. In this new role, Dr. O’Farrell will lead the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) — the office within ED that oversees Perkins V and other federal CTE policy efforts. Advance CTE welcomed and congratulated Dr. O’Farrell’s nomination this week and looks forward to the expertise he brings to OCTAE from years of implementing high-quality CTE programs in Florida. Read the full statement here.

Senate Considers Linda McMahon to Lead ED 

This week, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee formally considered President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon. During the hearing, McMahon emphasized her strong support for CTE and other career-focused education programs, including apprenticeships and the potential expansion of federal Pell Grants for shorter-term, high-quality training programs. Senators also questioned her extensively regarding recent activities at ED led by the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) to cancel contracts and grants at the agency (more on that below). In addition, Senators asked many questions regarding a reportedly forthcoming executive order seeking to dismantle the department. 

The hearing also featured extensive discussion regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies at ED – an issue McMahon indicated she would implement in accordance with recent executive orders if confirmed. McMahon also emphasized strong support for parental involvement in education and her desire to reduce the federal role in education policy. A full archived webcast of the hearing, including McMahon’s testimony, can be accessed here. 

DOGE Cuts Impact ED Research Arm

This week, the Trump administration cut $900 million in funding through the cancellation of more than 100 contracts maintained by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the research and evaluation arm within ED. The widespread cuts included the Congressionally-mandated National Evaluation of Career and Technical Education under Perkins V (NECTEP). This evaluation, required by Perkins V, was set to begin sharing interim and final reports this year after beginning work in 2019. Advance CTE remains deeply concerned about these actions, including their potential impact on education research and evaluation activities, which remain critical to advancing high-quality CTE programs and related policies. Our organization continues to monitor these and other developments at ED for potential impacts to the wider CTE community.  

House Appropriations Hearing on Postsecondary Career Development 

This week, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing titled “Career Ready Students: Innovations from Community Colleges and the Private Sector”. The hearing focused on innovative approaches community colleges implement to prepare students for career success. The panel of experts discussed programs that align education and training programs with labor market needs and emphasized partnerships between community colleges and employers. 

Ranking Member Rep. DeLauro (D-CT) spoke at length about the importance of federal investment in the nation’s education system, highlighting the importance of investments from Perkins V and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) youth program funds and the risk of disinvesting in these programs. Panelists discussed investing further in apprenticeships and other earn-and-learn opportunities with federal funds and maintaining research efforts through the Institute for Education Sciences. In particular, Dr. Mary Alice McCarthy emphasized the importance of the federal investment made in CTE via Perkins V, calling for a significant expansion in federal support for CTE and the considerable disruption that would be caused by moving CTE oversight outside of ED. View the recording of the hearing and information shared by the panel here.

DOL Nomination Hearing Delayed and Apprenticeship Grant Opportunities

This week, the Washington, D.C., area received an unexpected amount of snow, causing delays for public schools and early closure of some offices downtown, citing public safety. Another delay took place on Capitol Hill as the Senate hearing scheduled for the Trump administration’s Secretary nominee for the Department of Labor (DOL) was waylaid by the snowstorm. The hearing for former Oregon Representative Lori Chavez-Deremer has been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 19th, at 10 a.m. ET. Click here to watch the hearing. 

At the end of last month, the third round of State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF3) DoL grants were made available through the Employment and Training Administration (ETA). In accordance with recent executive orders, DoL will provide more guidance for the grant application and extend the deadline for applicants as needed. Currently, the application window for funding closes on March 18th, 2025, and awards will be determined through both a base-formula application and a competitive application dependent on state apprenticeship systems. Details for the apprenticeship grants can be found by clicking here.

CTE Caucus Leaders Introduce Bipartisan to Bolster Skills Training

Last month, Representatives Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (R-PA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Brad Schneider (D-IL) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand investment in skills training in recent weeks. The Skills Investment Act will expand opportunities for tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals seeking new skills and better career opportunities through Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Currently, beneficiaries of ESAs must establish the accounts before turning 18 and use funds from the account before turning 30, with limited exceptions. This legislation will raise the age limit on Coverdell accounts to 70 years old and broaden qualifying educational expenses that Coverdell funds can be used for, including CTE, literacy, and other workforce-related programs to better facilitate lifelong learning opportunities. Read more here.