Both the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Education made important announcements over the last two weeks. Read below to find out more about these announcements and how you can help push the U.S. Senate to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins).
Secretary Acosta Names Members of Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion
On October 16, U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta announced the members who will serve on the Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion. Members include representatives from education, business, industry and labor. The Task Force was one of the components outlined in the Executive Order, “Expanding Apprenticeship in America,” that President Trump signed in June.
U.S. Department of Education Announces Proposed Priorities for Competitive Grants, Seeks Comments
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Empowering Families to Choose a High-Quality Education that Meets Their Child’s Unique Needs.
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Promoting Innovation and Efficiency, Streamlining Education with an Increased Focus on Improving Student Outcomes, and Providing Increased Value to Students and Taxpayers.
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Fostering Flexible and Affordable Paths to Obtaining Knowledge and Skills.
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Fostering Knowledge and Promoting the Development of Skills that Prepare Students to be Informed, Thoughtful, and Productive Individuals and Citizens.
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Meeting the Unique Needs of Students And Children, including those with Disabilities and/or with Unique Gifts and Talents.
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Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education, With a Particular Focus on Computer Science.
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Promoting Literacy.
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Promoting Effective Instruction in Classrooms and Schools.
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Promoting Economic Opportunity.
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Encouraging Improved School Climate and Safer and More Respectful Interactions in a Positive and Safe Educational Environment.
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Ensuring that Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families Have Access to High-Quality Educational Choices.
You Can Still Help Push the Senate to Reauthorize Perkins
As you may know, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Perkins reauthorization bill in June (find our summary and analysis online here). We have been urging the Senate to take up reauthorization swiftly, but they have yet to do so. Right now, Representatives Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Thompson (R-PA), the two main co-sponsors of the House Perkins reauthorization bill, are planning to send a bipartisan “Dear Colleague” letter to the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee leadership encouraging them to take up Perkins reauthorization. They are asking for their colleagues in the House to join them in signing this letter. Now is a great time to reach out to your Representative to ask them to sign on to this letter (thanks to our partners at ACTE for sharing this Action Center with the entire CTE community)!
Kathryn Zekus, Senior Associate for Federal Policy