Although CTE month activities are beginning to wind down, the House CTE month resolution remains open for cosponsors while the Senate unanimously passed their resolution on Feb. 26. In Congress, appropriators are beginning to work on FY 27 budget bills, with the House Appropriations Committee holding a hearing on community college funding earlier this week. The Administration also announced that the President’s budget request is expected to be released the week of March 30. ACTE is also preparing for the National Policy Seminar later this month – we hope to see you there!. Read more updates below.

• ED Issues Proposed Rules for Workforce Pell Implementation: On March 6, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register regarding Workforce Pell implementation. The notice outlines more details on how provisions of Workforce Pell that were passed under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year and later discussed by a rulemaking committee convened by the department will be operationalized. Comments on the proposed rules are due on April 8.
• House Holds Hearing on Community Colleges: On March 4, the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee held a hearing titled, “Preparing for the Future: America’s Community Colleges.” Witnesses emphasized the importance of community colleges in supporting the nation’s workforce. Read more on the blog here.
• House Holds Hearing on AI and Workforce Development: On March 4, the House Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing titled, “Building an AI-Ready America: Strengthening Employer-Led Training.” During the hearing, witnesses discussed how WIOA can better support the nation’s workforce development systems in preparing individuals for an AI-infused workplace. Read more on the blog here.
• Senate Commerce Committee Examines AI’s Impact on the Workforce: March 3, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness held a hearing titled “Less Hype. More Help: AI That Improves Safety, Productivity, and Care.” The hearing examined practical applications of AI in the workplace and how it is reshaping labor market demand. You can read more and watch the hearing here.
• ED Proposes Priorities, Requirements and Definitions Under the Comprehensive Centers Program: On Mar. 3, ED released a proposal for new priorities and a reworked structure for the Comprehensive Centers program, which provides technical assistance and capacity-building services to state, regional and local educational agencies.
• Lawmakers and University Leaders Dispute Federal Loan Caps: On March 2, the public comment period for federal loan caps ended. ED received responses from both lawmakers and university leaders urging it to amend its new regulations on federal loans.
• Federal Court Dismisses SAVE Lawsuit: On Feb. 27, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from the Trump Administration that aimed to end the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) student loan repayment plan. Borrowers are expected to retain access to the plan, but the federal reconciliation bill that was signed last summer phases out the plan by July 1, 2028.
• GAO Releases Report on American Rescue Funding: On Feb. 27, the Government Accountability Office released a report on the dissemination of COVID-19 relief funds from ED. GAO found that districts lacked the necessary data to properly identify high-poverty schools and meet the equity requirements for funding distribution. The report outlines several recommendations for ED, including establishing procedures to ensure reliable data is collected for grant oversight and technical assistance.
• ED Issues Interpretive Rule to Reduce Barriers for New and Emerging Accrediting Agencies: On Feb. 26, ED issued an interpretive rule aimed at reducing existing barriers for new accrediting agencies to apply for recognition from the Secretary of Education.
• States Considering Legislation to Limit or Ban Ed Tech in Grades K-5: Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia have proposed legislation prohibiting ed tech in K-5 classrooms to some extent. We’ll be watching these trends closely to ensure we don’t start seeing policies proposals in this space that would significantly impact CTE.