New Requirements to Access Perkins Formula Funding
Last week, the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTAE) issued a program memo outlining new “Mandatory Written Payment Request Justification” requirements for states seeking to access formula funding authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) and the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA). The memo indicates that the new requirements are a result of transitioning both programs from ED’s G5 payment and grants management system, to two new payment and grant management systems operated by the Department of Health and Human Services and are derived from a Presidential Executive Order last year creating the “Department of Government Efficiency.” The memo requires state grantees to provide a written justification for each draw down request of formula funding and outlines a specific format in which these descriptions should be structured, including itemized expenses categories, related amounts, date ranges, and more all within a 255-character limit.
Advance CTE is examining this new administrative requirement closely and remains concerned about the new burden this places on states seeking timely access to formula-based CTE resources.
Senate Committee Markup Considers IAAs, CTA, and Sonderling Nomination
On July 30, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) marked up several pieces of legislation, including S.5046, which would bar ED from transferring several offices—including Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Postsecondary Education, Elementary and Secondary Education, and Indian Education—to other agencies via interagency agreement (IAA). However, the measure does not include the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE). An amendment from Sen. Murray (D-WA) to add all IAA-affected offices, including OCTAE, failed 12-11 along party lines while a separate amendment filed by Sen. Markey (D-MA) to include OCTAE was also not considered. A separate Murray amendment requiring cost and administrative reporting on IAAs passed by voice vote. The bill, as amended, advanced out of committee 13-9, with Sens. Collins (R-ME) and Murkowski (R-AK) joining all committee Democrats. The measure is the latest indication of growing congressional scrutiny over the Trump administration’s continued use of IAAs to dismantle ED. Following the committee passage of the bill, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon sent a letter to Congress defending the administration’s use of IAAs for this purpose.
Additionally, the committee considered and advanced the College Transparency Act (CTA) (S. 2511) which would reverse a longstanding ban on the creation of a postsecondary student-unit record system and directs ED to improve data collection and infrastructure to help students, leaders, and policymakers better understand key postsecondary measures. The bill passed on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis, 21-1.
Finally, the Committee also advanced Keith Sonderling’s nomination for Secretary of Labor along party lines. His nomination now moves to the full Senate for further consideration, although it remains unclear when this will occur.
Senate Advances Continuing Resolution
This week, the Senate Committee on Appropriations continued to advance a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the federal government through December 11 of this year and seeks to maintain current fiscal year (FY) 2026 funding levels for most programs, including Perkins V. 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 during this same period. Because the Senate and House have passed different CR proposals, further work will still be required before a final measure can be enacted ahead of the September 30 FY27 funding deadline. 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
ACTION ALERT: Ask your member of Congress to support Education and Workforce Funding in FY27.
Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Modernize State Data Systems
Last week, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced the Reimagining Education and Skills through Unified Longitudinal Talent Systems (RESULTS) Act. The RESULTS Act aims to modernize statewide longitudinal data systems and make significant improvements to grant programs that support this work. The bill would improve states’ ability to securely connect education and workforce data, helping policymakers better understand education and employment outcomes while reducing administrative burden. Advance CTE was pleased to endorse this legislation. Read more on the RESULTS Act
Senate Examines AI’s Impact on the Workforce
At the end of July, the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing on The Impact of AI on the Workforce, where lawmakers and witnesses emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping work more than replacing jobs. A recurring theme was the need to preserve entry-level career pathways, apprenticeships, internships, and work-based learning opportunities as AI changes workplace tasks. Witnesses also stressed that stronger education-to-workforce data systems, AI literacy, and employer-informed training will be essential to preparing learners and workers for an AI-driven economy. Watch the hearing
First Workforce Pell Program Approved
This week, the U.S. Department of Education approved the nation’s first Workforce Pell (WFP) Grant program, authorizing an eligible short-term training program in Iowa to participate. The approval marks the first implementation of the new short-term Pell authority created last summer under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and provides an early example of how this newly created program will be implemented by states moving forward. Read the announcement
Careers in Your Community Challenge Launches
The Careers in Your Community Challenge officially launched on August 4. The initiative encourages educators, learners, employers, and community partners to highlight local career opportunities and promote CTE through community engagement activities during the upcoming school year. This is the fourth phase in the CTE Momentum Challenge series, building more interest and support for CTE each year with federal investment in innovation. Read more
CTE Caucus Highlights Artificial Intelligence
Recently, the Congressional CTE Caucus hosted a briefing on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and Career Technical Education (CTE). Panelists emphasized the importance of preparing learners with both AI literacy and durable technical skills, while highlighting CTE’s role in helping learners adapt to evolving workforce needs. House CTE Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) delivered remarks at the event regarding the importance of human-centered design in AI and education systems that work together to improve outcomes for learners.
