FY27 Appropriations Brewing Ahead of Midterms

With the midterm elections approaching next week, federal lawmakers remain on a planned recess period. After the elections, they will return to D.C. for a “lame-duck” session, with an expected focus on finalizing appropriations for fiscal year (FY) 2027. As a reminder, Congress did not enact full-year FY27 funding and instead opted to temporarily extend existing levels of funding through December 11 with a continuing resolution (CR). 

It is widely expected that FY27 negotiations will include decisions both on future funding for education and workforce development programs, but potentially also additional policies governing how these programs are implemented. This comes amid increased Congressional scrutiny of the Trump administration’s actions over the last year impacting the availability of legally authorized funding. 

For instance, as previously reported, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has proposed changes to the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) that aim to give the department greater direct control over federal grant awards and related administration. The comment period for those changes closed earlier this month. Elsewhere, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed changes earlier this summer to the Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG) that will broadly impact grant administration across all federal agencies. The OMB guidance is delayed until December 11 for implementation, as part of the CR that continues to fund the government until that December deadline. It remains possible that future FY27 funding proposals will address one or both of these issues. 

Earlier this month, Senate Appropriations Committee leaders Patty Murray (D-WA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon calling for a reversal of ED’s recent practice of “frontloading” grant awards– a tactic where the department commits multiple years of funding to fewer grants upfront rather than making a larger number of awards available on an annual basis. The concerns shared in the letter reflect one of many negative impacts the proposed UGG and EDGAR changes could have on Congressionally appropriated funds. Read the letter here.

Advance CTE will continue to closely monitor both the FY27 appropriations process in the coming weeks and the potential impact of these administrative changes, particularly as Congress considers how legislative investments are administered for state and local education agencies. As a reminder, Advance CTE and the Association for Career Technical Education (ACTE) submitted joint comments on the EDGAR proposed changes earlier this fall raising serious concerns about the proposal. 

ED Finalizes Higher Education Accreditation Rule

This week, ED finalized a rule to change the federal recognition process for higher education accrediting agencies. The rule follows the negotiated rulemaking from earlier this year, and includes changes to reduce regulatory burdens and emphasize the importance of learner outcomes, including completion, employment, and earnings. Read about the final accreditation rule in an ED fact sheet here. 

Advance CTE and ACTE submitted joint comments on the proposed rule earlier this year and will continue to monitor implementation impacts on postsecondary Career Technical Education (CTE) programs and institutions. 

CTE Learners Among U.S. Presidential Scholars

Each year, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes a select group of graduating high school seniors who have distinguished themselves in academics, arts, and Career Technical Education (CTE). This year, the program recognized 20 CTE scholars, highlighting the importance of access to pathways where learners can demonstrate academic achievement and technical ability. Including CTE learners in this national spotlight reinforces the value of rigorous academic and technical learning as complementary strategies for preparing learners for college and careers beyond high school. Read more about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program here.

New Perkins V Data Highlights Continued Reach & Interest of CTE

This month, ED’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) released updated enrollment and performance data for CTE programs funded through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) on the Perkins Collaborative Resource Network (PCRN), which provides the latest available information on CTE participation. During the 2024-25 school year, nearly 8.8 million secondary and slightly over 3.5 million postsecondary learners participated in CTE– an increase in participation at both education levels year over year.  

The 2024-45 data also provides an important baseline as states transition to reporting under the modernized National Career Clusters® Framework in the coming academic years. The updated data creates the opportunity to better connect the dots between CTE participation and the evolution of education and workforce needs. 

Earlier this month, Advance CTE and ACTE submitted joint comments on a proposed update to regulations regarding the Perkins Consolidated Annual Report (CAR) requirements, emphasizing the importance of maintaining useful, consistent data while considering the reporting burden faced by states and local Perkins V program fund recipients. Read the comments here.

Ability to Benefit Moves Ahead

Last week, ED announced an information collection request on “Ability to Benefit (ATB)” flexibilities, which allows certain eligible learners without a high school diploma or recognized equivalent to access federal student aid after demonstrating their ability to benefit from postsecondary education through an approved career pathway program. The notice seeks approval for the information collection associated with states’ approved ATB processes, with comments open through November 23, 2026. Read the announcement here.

Workforce Pell Implementation Continues

This month, ED released resources on Workforce Pell (WFP) implementation that address how to establish and maintain eligibility for approved programs. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) provide additional guidance as states and institutions of higher education (IHEs) continue to move through the approval and implementation process. These resources are available as ED and the U.S. Department of the Treasury continue to implement the Interagency Agreement (IAA) to administer federal student aid.

ED continues to approve WFP programs, most recently in Arizona for a phlebotomy technician program, the first in the state to receive approval. Read more about the approval here.

Advance CTE & ACTE Submit Comments on E-Rate

This month, Advance CTE and ACTE submitted joint comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as the agency reviews the E-Rate program that supports broadband and telecommunications access for schools and libraries nationwide. The FCC review began earlier this year to identify whether the program is operating with congressional intent.

The CTE community remains committed to expanding reliable broadband access in rural and other underserved areas. As more CTE programs rely on digital tools and online learning environments, students without dependable internet risk being shut out of high-quality instruction– a key risk at the center of these proposed changes.  Advance CTE and ACTE will continue to monitor changes to the E-Rate program. Read the joint E-Rate comment here.

DOJ & ED Clarify Enforcement of Civil Rights Guidance

This week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and ED issued a joint notice clarifying that previously issued federal nondiscrimination guidance documents are not enforceable and will no longer be relied upon in federal civil rights enforcement. The Departments also shared they intend to revisit the guidance in light of recent Supreme Court action. Read the notice here. Advance CTE will continue monitoring changes to federal civil rights enforcement and their implications for state and local education systems.

Odds & Ends

• Advance CTE and ACTE submitted joint comments on the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed Registered Apprenticeship awareness survey, emphasizing the importance of capturing how learners and employers understand and engage with apprenticeship opportunities. Read the joint comments here. 
• The National Science Foundation’s S-STEM program provides scholarships and support to academically talented, low-income learners pursuing STEM credentials. Applications are currently open, with the next full proposal deadline on March 2, 2027. Read the announcement here.