Congress Passes Continuing Resolution Through December 11
Last week, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (CR) that extends federal funding levels from the present fiscal year (FY) 2026 through December 11. The measure was previously approved by the Senate earlier this year. President Trump signed the legislation shortly after lawmakers approved the measure on a bipartisan basis, avoiding a potential government shutdown at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1. The CR will provide additional time for Congress to negotiate appropriations for the remainder of FY27.
For the Career Technical Education (CTE) community, the CR’s passage means federal funding for CTE through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) will remain at level funding for the foreseeable future, ahead of further congressional deliberations later this fall. Advance CTE and its partners will continue to advocate for robust funding for education and workforce development programs as the appropriations process continues.
ACTION ALERT: Ask your member of Congress to support Education and Workforce Funding in FY27.
The passage of the CR also delays the implementation of the proposed changes to the Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG) through the December 11 deadline. As previously reported, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) introduced these changes earlier this year, drawing significant public input during the comment period. However, the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) recently proposed changes to the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) include regulatory changes similar to the UGG, but is not similarly delayed by the CR. The public comment period, as previously reported for EDGAR, closes on September 23.
DOL Releases New Framework for Effective Pre-Apprenticeships
This week, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released Training and Employment Notice (TEN) 05-26, “Framework for Effective Pre-Apprenticeships”. The guidance establishes a framework for effective pre-apprenticeship programs, reaffirms the connection between pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship, and clarifies how pre-apprenticeships can be delivered through federally funded education and workforce programs.
The TEN rescinds and replaces DOL’s 2024 guidance on quality pre-apprenticeship programs and is directed to a broad group of education and workforce stakeholders, including state education agency leaders, state CTE directors, workforce agencies, state apprenticeship agencies, and federal workforce grantees. The new framework is intended to provide states and their partners with a reference as they consider how pre-apprenticeship can strengthen pathways into Registered Apprenticeship and connect education and workforce systems. Read the notice here.
Advance CTE and ACTE Submit Comments on Proposed AI Questions in American Time Use Survey
This week, Advance CTE and ACTE submitted joint comments to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on proposed questions about artificial intelligence (AI) use in the American Time Use Survey (ATUS). The organizations generally support collecting information about how Americans use AI in education and the workplace, while recommending additional questions that would provide more useful information about AI use across the education-to-workforce continuum. Read ATUS comments here.
IES Grant Awards Expected at the End of September
Elsewhere, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is expected to announce additional FY 2026 grant awards by the end of September, including awards through the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER). These awards will provide new federal investments in education research focused on building evidence about programs, practices, and interventions that can improve learner outcomes. View current IES-funded research and grant awards here.
Census Expands Postsecondary Employment Outcomes Partnerships
At the end of August, the U.S. Census Bureau announced new partnerships with postsecondary institutions and state education and workforce agencies to expand its Postsecondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) data. The new partnerships add 165 institutions across eight states, bringing the PSEO to 1,117 institutions and approximately 40% of U.S. college graduates.
PSEO provides information on employment and earnings outcomes by postsecondary institution, degree level, major, and state. The expansion aims to give states and other education and workforce leaders additional information to understand how education and training connect to employment outcomes and to strengthen data-informed career pathway decisions. Read the Census Bureau announcement here.
Odds & Ends
- ED launched a new Learning Agenda Playbook to help state education leaders develop and implement evidence-based learning agendas focused on improving student outcomes. The playbook builds on lessons from pilot states and is intended to support states in identifying priority questions, using evidence to inform decision-making, and strengthening continuous improvement efforts. Read about the playbook here.
- ED released the 2023-24 Civil Rights Data Collection, which includes information on student enrollment, educational programs and services disaggregated by race or ethnicity, sex, English learner status and disability. The data provide an opportunity to examine disparities in access and participation across education programs, including CTE. Click here to see the release.
- The U.S. Departments of Transportation, Homeland Security, and Justice announced a multi-state initiative targeting compliance issues in the commercial driver licensing (CDL) and trucking industry, including actions involving CDL training providers and third-party skills testers. The effort includes the emergency removal of more than 110 entry-level driver training providers and a nationwide audit of third-party CDL skills testers. Read the announcement here.
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) awarded approximately $10.5 million to seven institutions to establish state or regional hubs that connect aerospace employers, education providers and workforce systems to strengthen pathways into skilled technical careers. The initiative will support pathways into occupations including welding, electrical work, and machining and includes partnerships with high school CTE programs and community colleges. Read more about the announcement here.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $10.8 million in available grant funding to strengthen the water and wastewater workforce, including through internships, apprenticeships, education programs, and regional industry and workforce partnerships. Applications are due October 5, 2026, and eligible applicants include community colleges, institutions of higher education, nonprofit training organizations, labor organizations, and public works agencies. Read more about the available funding here.
