This week the Senate confirmed Dr. Miguel Cardona as the new U.S. Secretary of Education. Read below to learn about Secretary Cardona’s biggest priorities in his new position, as well as the latest update in the congressional reconciliation process. 

Senate Confirms New U.S. Secretary of Education

On Monday the Senate voted to confirm Dr. Miguel Cardona as the new U.S. Secretary of Education. The Senate voted in favor of Secretary Cardona 64-33, making this nomination more bipartisan than the past two U.S. Secretary of Education confirmation processes. Advance CTE shared the below statement following the confirmation: 

“Advance CTE supported Dr. Cardona’s nomination for U.S. Secretary of Education and applauds the Senate’s confirmation of his appointment. During his confirmation hearing, Dr. Cardona shared that he is a “proud graduate” of a CTE program. This unique and lived perspective, coupled with his lifetime career as an educator, administrator, and state education leader, positions him to be a powerful advocate for equity and access and a strong steward of quality and accountability. We look forward to working with Dr. Cardona to leverage his personal experience and new position to build visibility and support for CTE. “

Cardona Shares Letter as New ED Secretary

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) shared a letter from Secretary Cardona following his confirmation. In the letter the Secretary names supporting high-quality Career Technical Education (CTE) as one of the areas of focus for ED. Secretary Cardona writes that right now the top priority is to bring students back to school for in-person learning. He discusses additional goals, including: 

• Building better career pathways; 
• Making college more affordable; 
• Ensuring all students have access to high-quality schools with balanced coursework; 
• Supporting teacher quality and improving teacher diversity; 
• Ensuring teachers receive the support needed; and 
• Expanding access to high-quality preschool. 

Check out this introduction video from Secretary Cardona for more information. 

Congress Continues Reconciliation Process

This week the Senate released the text of their reconciliation bill (H.R. 1319) following the House passage of their reconciliation bill late last Friday night. The Senate version of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is similar in many ways to the legislation passed in the House. The Senate bill includes approximately $170 billion for ED, which would be available through September 2023. That amount includes: 

• $125.8 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. Of those dollars, 20% is required to respond to learning loss. The remaining funding is authorized for various federal education policies including activities under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V);
• $39.585 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund;
• $2.75 billion for governors to allocate to private schools that serve a significant percentage of low-income students; 
• $1.25 billion (1% of each state’s allocated dollars) for evidence-based summer enrichment programs;
• $850 million for outlying areas; and
• $190 million for American Indian, Native Hawaiin and Alaska Native Education.

States would be required to put 2.5% (or $3 billion in total) toward costs related to technology. The bill also includes $7.27 billion for an Emergency Connectivity Fund through the E-rate program available through September 2030 for schools and libraries to purchase internet connectivity and technological devices.

At 12:00pm today the Senate began a vote on amendments to this bill. The vote is expected to go late into the night. It is possible that the full bill could pass the Senate sometime this weekend, followed by a House vote as soon as Monday. Please note that this timeline is an estimate and is subject to change. 

Meredith Hills, Senior Associate for Federal Policy

This week, new guidance was released on assessments during the pandemic. Read below to learn more about the information and flexibilities that were detailed, as well as the next step in confirming a new U.S. Secretary of Education, updates to StudentAid.gov and a resource on performance targets. 

ED Releases Guidance on Assessments During the Pandemic

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced new guidance to states that emphasizes the need to administer assessments this year, as well as the accompanying flexibilities given the major disruptions facing schools. In the announcement, Acting Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Ian Rosenblum stated that “the Department of Education is committed to supporting all states in assessing student learning during the pandemic to help target resources and support to the students with the greatest needs. We also recognize that at a time when everything in our education system is different, there need to be different ways that states can administer state tests like moving them to the fall so that precious in-person learning time this year can be spent on instruction. Balancing these priorities is the best approach.”

Flexibilities to states include: 

• Extending the testing window and moving assessments to the summer or fall; 
• Giving the assessment remotely, where feasible; and 
• Shortening the state assessment, to make testing more feasible to implement and prioritize in-person learning time. 

In the announcement, the Department recognizes that states may need additional assessment flexibility and is prepared to work with individual states based on unique needs. 

ED is also permitting states to request a waiver for the Every Student Succeeds Act’s (ESSA) accountability provisions for having a 95 percent test participation rate. The full letter from ED to the Chief State School Officers can be viewed here. 

Senate Moves Forward with U.S. Secretary of Education Confirmation

This afternoon the Senate voted 66-32 to invoke cloture on the nomination of Dr. Miguel Cardona for U.S. Secretary of Education. Dr. Cardona’s nomination will now be brought to a full Senate vote for confirmation. This vote is likely to take place next week. 

ED Enhances Entrance and Exit Counseling on StudentAid.gov

This week Federal Student Aid shared updates to the resources on StudentAid.gov, which includes entrance and exit counseling. Modules on entrance counseling have now been integrated into the College Scorecard. This will help individuals understand their projected debt and salary so that informed decisions can be made. The new exit counseling process includes details on personalized loans and repayment options. There is also a tool that individuals can use to simulate the outcome of different repayment plans.   

Advance CTE Shares New Resource on Revising Performance Targets 

Advance CTE and the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) created a new resource that provides an overview of four steps states can take to decide whether and how they might revise their performance targets under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) as a result of the pandemic: 

1. Quantify the impact; 
2. Explore options; 
3. Revise targets; and
4. Engage the public. 

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced uncertainty into the Perkins V performance accountability system. Under the “unanticipated circumstances” provision of Perkins V, the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education is allowing states to adjust their state determined performance levels (SDPLs) in light of the ongoing crisis. You can view the full report on Mitigating Unanticipated Circumstances: Resetting Perkins V State Determined Performance Levels During the COVID-19 Pandemic here. 

Meredith Hills, Senior Associate for Federal Policy

The Administration voiced support for registered apprenticeships this week. Read below to learn more about the details of this announcement, as well as new information on safely reopening schools and an update on the reconciliation process. 

Administration Plans to Expand Registered Apprenticeships

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris announced steps that would be taken to expand and invest in registered apprenticeship programs. Specifically, President Biden will: 

• Reaffirm his commitment to expanding registered apprenticeships to reward work, rebuild the middle-class and connect a diverse workforce to family-supporting, living wage jobs.
  President Biden endorsed the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021, stating that “this bill will ensure these programs draw in a diverse workforce, by supporting industry and equity intermediaries who can help recruit women and people of color.” Advance CTE supports the National Apprenticeship Act and the impact it would have on expanding high-quality apprenticeship programs. 
• Reinstate the National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships.
  It has been requested that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reinstates the National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships. The Advisory Committee will be focused on expanding apprenticeships into new industries, such as clean energy, as well as ensuring equitable access to training and jobs. The Advisory Committee will select stakeholders from across the country to develop registered apprenticeship programs that are successful in all communities. 
• Reverse industry recognized apprenticeship programs (IRAPs), which threaten to undermine registered apprenticeship programs.
  Executive Order 13801 (Expanding Apprenticeships in America), which began the development of IRAPs, was rescinded on the basis that there are too few quality standards. President Biden also asked DOL to provide new rulemaking that would halt approval of new Standards Recognition Entities and end funding for existing ones, which would slow the already planned implementation of IRAPs. 

ED Shares New Information on Reopening Schools

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced the release of the COVID-19 Handbook Volume 1: Strategies for Sagely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools. This first volume of the ED COVID-19 Handbook supplements the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools Through Phased Mitigation. The handbook includes examples and strategies for educators and staff to use to implement the CDC’s recommendations for safe in-person learning. Information is included on: 

• Masking practices; 
• Physical distancing practices; 
• Cohorting/podding and staffing considerations for physical distancing; 
• Transportation considerations; 
• Encouraging families and staff to check for symptoms at home; 
• Handwashing and respiratory etiquette; 
• Safety considerations related to extracurricular activities and athletics programs; and
• Supporting ongoing engagement with educators, families and the school community. 

The second volume will be released by ED in the coming weeks, and it will provide strategies to respond to the disruption the pandemic has caused for students, educators and parents. This will particularly focus on historically underserved students and communities. 

House Continues Reconciliation Process

The House Committee on the Budget scheduled a markup of the $1.9 trillion reconciliation bill, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, for Monday, February 22. This legislation includes the 12 reconciliation bills from the House committees. Last week, the House Committee on Education and Labor voted to approve its $357.9 reconciliation portion. This bill appropriates $170.1 billion for education programs- broken down by $169.8 billion for the education emergency relief fund, $128.6 billion for K-12 education and $39.6 billion for higher education. If the bill passes next week’s committee vote it will then go to a full House vote. You can watch the markup at 1:00pm ET on the 22nd here. 

Meredith Hills, Senior Associate for Federal Policy

This week the Senate held a hearing as part of the confirmation process for a new U.S. Secretary of Education. Read below to learn more about how Career Technical Education (CTE) was prevalent throughout the hearing, as well as a House resolution to recognize February as National CTE Month and the next steps in passing another stimulus bill. 

Senators Highlight CTE at Hearing for Dr. Miguel Cardona 

On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing on the nomination of Dr. Miguel Cardona to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Education. In opening remarks from committee Chair Patty Murry (D-WA) and Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-NC), both discussed the challenges facing the education space during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The two committee leaders also raised the overarching issue of the pandemic’s exacerbating impact of future student success. 

In Dr. Cardona’s opening testimony, he shared that he will work to ensure that all students have access to college and career pathways upon graduation from high school. Throughout the hearing Dr. Cardona also stated that he is a proud CTE graduate of Wilcox Technical High School in Meriden, Connecticut. Dr. Cardona’s full testimony can be viewed here.  

CTE was a prominent theme throughout the hearing. Senate CTE Caucus Co-Chairs Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) asked Dr. Cardona CTE-centered questions. Senator Baldwin discussed the value of CTE in the middle grades, secondary and postsecondary education, especially during this time of economic recovery- and posed the question of how the incoming secretary would support CTE. Dr. Cardona’s response spoke to the need to build pathways to colleges and career opportunities as early as the middle grades. Senator Kaine emphasized the need to eliminate the stigma that is too often associated with CTE, and Dr. Cardona agreed that the perception of CTE must evolve. 

Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Tina Smith (D-MN) all also raised the value of CTE during their statements. 

Dr. Cardona currently serves as the Connecticut Education Commissioner- prior to this position he was an educator in Connecticut for two decades, first as an elementary school teacher and then as a principal, and was named Connecticut’s Teacher of the Year in 2012. During his career, Dr. Cardona has also served as Co-Chair of the Connecticut Legislative Achievement Gap Task Force, Co-Chair of the Connecticut Birth to Grade Three Leaders Council and Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut Department of Educational Leadership. It is notable that Dr. Cardona attended and graduated from a technical high school. 

The full hearing can be viewed here. 

House Introduces Resolution to Recognize February as National CTE Month

Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA), Co-Chairs of the Congressional CTE Caucus, introduced a resolution that recognizes February as National CTE Month. The resolution highlights the value of CTE programs for all learners, as well as the role that CTE plays in economic recovery. The press release from Congressmen Langevin and Thompson includes a statement from Advance CTE Executive Director Kimberly Green: 

“We are proud to support the CTE Month resolution, honoring the learners, educators, supporters and stakeholders who are navigating a challenging time for our education system. It has been heartening to see current and former CTE learners on the frontline of the pandemic – as educators, scientists, manufacturers, transportation professionals and healthcare workers. CTE plays a crucial role in helping learners stay engaged in their education, ensuring they are prepared with the knowledge and skills needed no matter what the future economy holds. At the same time, postsecondary CTE is paramount to the upskilling and reskilling for the millions of Americans who are still out of work, preparing them for living-wage and in-demand careers. We appreciate elevating these important issues during CTE Month.”

House Takes Step to Move Forward with New Stimulus Bill

The House approved a budget measure on a 218-212 vote that allows movement on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus proposal through a reconciliation process. Ultimately, a reconciliation bill is able to be passed in the Senate with a simple majority without the concerns  of a filibuster. This follows Monday’s introduction by House Budget Committee Chair John Yarmuth (D-KY) of a budget resolution with reconciliation guidance for committees, including the Committee on Education and Labor. In the Senate, Senate Budget Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced a budget resolution that has reconciliation guidance for committees including the HELP Committee. 

Now, committees- including House Education and Labor and Senate HELP- will prepare to draft and share corresponding pieces of the stimulus proposal. As a reminder, President Biden’s plan would allocate $170 billion for K-12 and higher education. This would be broken down by $130 billion for elementary and secondary education, $35 billion for higher education and $5 billion for governors. Committees must submit their proposals by February 16, 2021, after which the House and Senate Budget Committees will put all committee proposals together into a reconciliation bill for each chamber to consider.

Meredith Hills, Senior Associate for Federal Policy

This week Congress reintroduced a stimulus bill that would invest in Career Technical Education (CTE). Read below to learn more about this proposal, an apprenticeship reauthorization bill and an update on Congressional committee changes in the new Congress.

Congress Reintroduces Relaunching America’s Workforce Act

The Relaunching America’s Workforce Act (RAWA) was reintroduced this week by House Committee Chair on Education and Labor Bobby Scott (D-VA), incoming Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Congressman Andy Levin (D-MI), Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN). The focus of this bill is to support CTE and workforce development programs as a result of the pandemic. 

Advance CTE endorses this bill which would provide a $15 billion investment in workforce training, including $1 billion to support Perkins CTE programs and activities, as well as $2 billion to re-implement the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant program. The $1 billion for CTE can be used for activities including:

• Expanding and modernizing digital, physical or technology infrastructure to deliver academic and and work-based learning experiences; 
• Acquiring necessary equipment, technology, supplies and instructional materials that respond to business needs; 
• Providing incentives to employers and CTE participants to participate in work-based learning; 
• Expanding program offerings or supports based on updated comprehensive needs assessments; and
• Providing professional development and trainings for CTE teachers, faculty, school leaders, administrators, support personnel, career guidance and academic counselors and paraprofessionals. 

This bill was previously introduced in May 2020 in both the House and Senate, and was not voted on in either chamber. Additional information about the bill is available, including a fact sheet, section-by-section summary and full bill text.

House Proposes National Apprenticeship Act of 2021

Earlier this week, Chair of the House Committee on Education and Labor Bobby Scott (D-VA) shared a proposed reauthorization of the National Apprenticeship Act, similar to H.R. 8294 that was introduced in the last Congress. The National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 (H.R. 447) would invest over $3.5 billion in expanding registered apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships over the course of five years and create close to 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities.

The National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 would: 

• Authorize $400 million for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), increasing by $100 million every year up to $800 million in FY26; 
• Codify and streamline standards for registered apprenticeships, youth apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs; 
• Codify existing regulations and practices for equitable participation and increased diversity in apprenticeship programs; 
• Codify the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Labor (DOL)’s Office of Apprenticeship; 
• Codify the roles and responsibilities of the State Apprenticeship Agencies (SAAs); and
• Strengthen the connection between the DOL and U.S. Department of Education (ED).  

Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Congressman David McKinley (R-WV) and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) joined Chairman Scott in introducing this bill. 

Advance CTE is pleased to support this bill. Additional information about the bill is available, including a fact sheet, section-by-section summary and full bill text.

House Committee Announces New Members

New additions to the House Committee on Education and Labor have been announced, and include the follow representatives: 

• Jamaal Bowman (D-NY)  
• Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM)  
• Kathy Manning (D-NC)  
• Frank Mrvan (D-IN)  
• Mondaire Jones (D-NY) 
• Joaquin Castro (D-TX) (Returning)
• Mark Pocan (D-WI)  
• Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ)   
• Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) 
• Burgess Owens (R-UT) 
• Bob Good (R-VA) 
• Lisa McClain (R-MI) 
• Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) 
• Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) 
• Mary Miller (R-IL) 
• Victoria Spartz (R-IN) 
• Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI) 
• Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) 
• Michelle Steel (R-CA) 

Meredith Hills, Senior Associate for Federal Policy

President-elect Joe Biden shared a new COVID-19 (coronavirus) stimulus proposal. Read below to learn more about how education is included in that bill, as well as additional information on availability of funds for the latest relief package that was signed into law. 

Biden Shares New Stimulus Proposal

On Thursday evening President-elect Joe Biden shared a proposal for a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill. This would include $170 billion for K-12 and higher education to support Biden’s goal of “safely reopening a majority of K-8 schools in the first 100 days” of his presidency. That amount is broken down in the following way:

• $130 billion would go to elementary and secondary education for safe reopening of schools and additional supports. This funding can be used for activities such as reducing class sizes, modifying spaces to allow for social distancing, closing the digital divide and hiring counselors to support students as they transition between remote and in-person learning. A portion of this funding must also go to students in low-income areas that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic, as well as to a COVID-19 Educational Equity Challenge Grant that will go to state, local and tribal governments to partner with stakeholders.  
• $35 billion would go to expanding the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. This funding will be designated to public institutions, as well as public and private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). This money can support distance learning, ensuring colleges have the resources and protocols necessary since the pandemic and providing emergency grants to students. 
• $5 billion would be for a Hardest Hit Education Fund, that will go to governors to disperse to the students most significantly impacted by the pandemic across early childhood education, K-12 and higher education. 

The full legislative text has not been released yet. Advance CTE will share additional information as it becomes available.  

ED Provides More Information on COVID-19 Relief 

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has continued to make funding available for the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) that was passed at the end of December. As a reminder, the bill included close to $82 billion for an Education Stabilization Fund, comprised of $53 billion for the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, $22.7 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and $4.1 billion for the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. 

On Thursday, ED announced that $21.2 billion for the HEERF is now available. Of that amount, $20.5 billion is for public and non-profit colleges and universities, and $681 million is for proprietary schools. Public and non-profit schools can use this funding for activities such as student supports, technology costs and faculty trainings. Proprietary schools can use this funding to provide financial aid grants to students. If an application was submitted by an institution for the HEERF through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, no additional application needs to be completed. More information can be found here. 

ED also announced the availability of GEER funding. Of the GEER Fund, $2.75 billion is designated for the Emergency Assistance to Non-public Schools (EANS) award, with the rest going to supplemental GEER awards. The EANS funding can be used to safely reopen schools, address learning loss and continue instruction. EANS awards will be allocated to each governor based on the state’s share of low-income school-age youth enrolled in non-public schools. ED shared that after governors submit an EANS application they can expect a response within 24 hours. The GEER awards will be allocated based on the formula used in the CARES Act. Additional information can be found here. 

Meredith Hills, Senior Associate for Federal Policy

In the final days of 2020, the full Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) appropriations bill and COVID-19 (coronavirus) relief package were signed into law. Read below to learn more about what this means for Career Technical Education (CTE) and education funding. 

Congress Increases CTE Funding for FY21

Last week the omnibus bill that was passed by Congress to provide federal funding for the remainder of FY21- which includes Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS-Ed)- was signed into law by the president. Importantly, this included an increase of $52.25 million for the Perkins basic state grant, bringing the total to approximately $1.334 billion. Overall, the bill included an increase of approximately $785 million for education programs and an increase of approximately $122 million for labor programs.  

Stimulus Bill Provides Funding for Education 

In the final days of 2020, Congress passed and the president signed into law a new $900 billion COVID-19 (coronavirus) stimulus package. This bill includes close to $82 billion for the Education Stabilization Fund that was created to prevent, prepare for and respond to the pandemic. The Education Stabilization Fund is broken down into three categories that follow the structure of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was passed in March 2020. 

• Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, $54.3 billion
  This funding goes to states through the state education agency (SEA) using the approved application from implementation of the CARES Act. Funding will be allocated to each state per Title I Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). At least 90% of funds will be directed to local education agencies (LEAs) in the proportional amount to what’s received under Title I Part A of ESEA. Activities authorized by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) is one of the authorized uses of the ESSER Fund, as well as Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Title VII Subtitle B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, the Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Alaska Native Educational Equity, Support and Assistance Act. Additional allowable uses of funds include activities such as: purchasing educational technology; professional development; addressing learning loss and addressing the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English language learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care. Reporting by the state on use of these funds is required within six months of receipt of funds.U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced on Tuesday that funding has been made available for the ESSER Fund. State allocations can be found here. The Education Stabilization Fund Portal will track how states and districts are spending this money.
• Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) Fund, $22.7 billion
  This funding will go directly to institutions of higher education for costs associated with coronavirus response and to provide financial aid to students. Funding will be allocated to institutions in the following way: 89% to public and private non-profit institutions through a formula that takes into consideration factors such as Federal Pell Grant recipients; 7.5% for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs); 0.5% for institutions with unmet needs related to the pandemic, as determined through an application process; and 3% for institutions under Section 102(b) of the Higher Education Act (HEA). Uses of these funds include activities such as defraying costs associated with the pandemic, carrying out student supports authorized by HEA to address needs related to the pandemic and financial aid to students. $1.7 billion of the HEER Fund is dedicated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and MSIs.  

• Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, $4.1 billion
  Governors are able to use this funding for early childhood education, K-12 education or higher education. $2.5 billion of the GEER Fund is dedicated to Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools. State distribution is split 60% by the population of individuals ages 5 through 24 and 40% by individuals counted under section 1124(c) of ESEA. GEER funding can be used for purposes including: providing emergency support to LEAs selected by the SEA in order to continue providing education services and to support the LEA; providing emergency support grants to institutions of higher education and to provide support to any other institution of higher education, LEA or related entity.

Some additional provisions in the stimulus package include $7 billion for broadband access and $30 million for student aid administration. 

Through this bill Pell Grant eligibility is restored for formerly incarcerated individuals. Advance CTE has been advocating for this policy change, and is pleased to see the removal of the Pell Grant ban.  

The bill’s maintenance of effort provision requires that states keep the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) funding at least at the percentage of the state budget for the average of FY17, FY18 and FY19.  

Advance CTE will continue to monitor implementation and provide updates on future guidance. 

Meredith Hills, Senior Associate for Federal Policy

This week, Congress voted on a Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) appropriations bill to provide federal funding for the remainder of the fiscal year, along with a COVID-19 (coronavirus) relief package. Read below to learn about the details of this bill, as well as the Rural Tech Project finalists. 

Congress Passes FY21 Appropriations and COVID-19 Stimulus Bill 

Written by Hannah Neeper, Policy Research Associate, Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). Original post can be found here. 

With only days remaining in 2020, Congress reached an agreement on a long-awaited additional relief package related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and coupled it with the FY 2021 omnibus appropriations bill to finish the federal appropriations process for the year. The massive bill, providing approximately $900 billion in COVID-19 relief and approximately 1.4 trillion for regular spending across the federal government in FY 2021, passed in the House in two parts by votes of 327-85 and 359-53 and in the Senate by a vote of 92-6 on Monday evening.

The COVID-19 portion of the bill provides a wide range of resources across the federal government, including money for another round of stimulus checks, extended unemployment benefits, additional Paycheck Protection Program loans for small businesses, COVID-19 testing and other various aspects of relief aid. For education specifically, the Department of Education will receive $82 billion for the Education Stabilization Fund, significantly more than was included in the CARES Act in March but well short of needs expressed by educators around the country. Out of that funding, $54.3 billion is for K-12 (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund) and can be used for a variety of activities, including school facilities repairs and improvements,addressing learning loss among students, and any activities authorized under other federal education legislation, including Perkins. Higher education will receive $22.7 billion, while the flexible Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund will receive an additional $4.1 billion. Many more details on the distribution and use of these funds will be coming in the new year. In addition, we are likely to see additional proposals to address unmet needs as the Biden Administration comes into office. President-elect Biden stated this package “is just the beginning. Our work is far from over.” in response to the agreement. 

Within the appropriations portion of the bill, there was more good news for CTE! The Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill included a $52.25 million increase for the Perkins Basic State Grant, bringing the new total to $1.334 billion for CTE. This increase serves as the fourth straight for the Perkins Basic State Grants, which provides a strong indication of the growing support for CTE on Capitol Hill! This funding increase will ensure a strong base of support for CTE through Perkins funding, with COVID-19 relief funds supplementing for more immediate and one-time costs. 

Below are some additional funding levels in the appropriations bill that are important to CTE educators: 

• Adult Education: $674,955, an increase of $18,000 from FY 20 level
• Pell Grants: $5,435 for the maximum award, an increase of $150 from FY 20 level
• Federal Work-Study: $1,190,000, an increase of $10,000 from FY 20 level
• Career Pathways for Youth Grants: $10 million, level funded from FY 20 level 
• Strengthening Community College Training Grants (SCCTG): $45 million, an increase of $5 million from FY 20 level
• Apprenticeship Grant Program: $185 million to support registered apprenticeships, an increase of $85 million from FY 20 level

In addition, there were several changes to federal programs impacting postsecondary education included within the bill. For example, the ban on Pell grants for incarcerated students is eliminated and there are provisions to streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

ED Announces Rural Tech Project Finalists 

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced the five finalist teams for the Rural Tech Project- an initiative with the purpose of advancing technology education and supporting rural educators. Each of the finalist teams will receive $100,000 and move on to the second phase of the challenge, which will take place from January through July 2021. During that time each team will create a detailed program plan and build partnerships. The finalist teams include: 

• iLead Academy (Carrollton, Kentucky);
• Louisa County Public Schools (Mineral, Virginia);
• Premont Independent School District (Premont, Texas);
• Ravenna High School (Ravenna, Michigan); and
• Woodlake High School (Woodlake, California).

Meredith Hills, Senior Policy Associate for Federal Policy