This week, the House Appropriations Committee released their proposed FY 2027 appropriations bill for the Departments of Education (ED) and Labor (DOL). While the bill provides a small increase for Perkins, it proposes deep cuts to many education and workforce programs, including eliminating Adult Basic Education State Grants. The bill was approved by the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee and now moves for consideration by the full Appropriations Committee. Read more updates below.  

• Committee Releases FY 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill: On June 4, the House Appropriations Committee released the FY 2027 bill for the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. On June 5, the bill was considered in subcommittee. Read our breakdown of the bill on the CTE Policy Watch blog.  

• House Committee Holds Hearing on AI in Postsecondary Education: On June 3, the House Education and Workforce Committee hosted a hearing on AI in postsecondary education. Readers can watch a recording of the hearing here and read a summary of the hearing here.  

• NCFL Launches In-demand STEM Careers Grant: This week, the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) launched a grant program aimed at expanding STEM workforce credentials and learning opportunities for middle and high school students and their parents. Applicants—which can include schools, districts, nonprofit organizations and government agencies—must submit their proposals by June 18. 

• BlackRock Launches Skilled Trades Grant: This week, BlackRock launched a $25 million grant program to expand the nation’s skilled trades workforce training programs. Nonprofits must submit their proposals by July 10. 

• ED and HHS Announce Grant Competition Under Family Engagement and School Support Partnership: On May 29, ED and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the School Safety Enhancement (SSE) program’s FY 2026 competition to bolster school safety and school infrastructure security. The SSE program provides competitive grants to state educational agencies to develop, implement, and strengthen statewide school safety systems and the physical security of schools. Applications are due July 28, 2026.  

• ED and DOL Launch Postsecondary Grant Program: On June 3, ED and DOL announced the launch of the Postsecondary Student Success Grant Program (PSSGP). One of the focuses of the program is expanding short-term career pathway programs, and applications from nonprofits and postsecondary institutions are due on June 29.  

• ED Projections on Workforce Pell Reach: ED officials projected 184,000 students could take advantage of Workforce Pell in FY 2027–28, the second year of the policy’s implementation. They also predicted that as many as 28,000 existing undergraduate certificate programs could be eligible based on program requirements. They did acknowledge that making programs eligible will take time and come at some cost for states and higher ed institutions.  

• Nursing and Health Groups Sue ED: This week, 10 nursing groups as well as the American Academy of Physician Associates sued ED over its reclassification of specific health occupations, excluding them from the federal definition of “professional degree” programs and limiting how much students can borrow through federal loans.  

• FCC Announces Review of E-Rate: On May 3, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced they would be conducting an evaluation of their E-Rate program that supports internet access for schools and libraries. They are considering reforming or ending the program altogether as part of their review.   

• National Spring 2026 Postsecondary Enrollment Figures Released: On June 4, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center released national postsecondary enrollment data for the Spring 2026 semester. Skilled trades programs continue to experience enrollment increases.  

• OESE Programs Move to the IES: Four programs under the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education moved to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) this week. The programs include the Comprehensive Centers Program, Equity Assistance Centers Program, Education Innovation and Research Program, and the Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program 

• Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Visits Vermont on National Tour: On June 2, Secretary of Education McMahon toured the Center for Technology, Essex in Essex Junction, Vermont, a career and technical education school preparing roughly 400 students for a wide range of high-demand technical fields.  

On June 4, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies released its funding bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027. 

On June 5, the bill was considered in subcommittee. A recording of the subcommittee markup can be found here.  

Overall, the bill proposes broad cuts to both the Department of Education (ED) and the Department of Labor (DOL). The bill would cut ED by approximately $8 billion (10%) and DOL by $3.7 billion (27%).  

In some positive news, the bill includes an $8 million increase for CTE programs under the Perkins Act, and there is no indication that the subcommittee accepted the Administration’s proposal to prohibit Perkins funds from being used for postsecondary CTE programs. However, the bill eliminates funding for the Adult Basic Education program, which is consistent with the Administration’s budget request, and cuts numerous other programs that support CTE programs and learners, including once again also proposing the complete elimination of ESSA Title II funding for educator development and cutting the Federal Work Study program.  

The bill would also fund the following programs at these levels: 

• Every Student Succeeds Act Title I Grants – $16.5 billion, a decrease of $1.9 billion 

• Pell Grant – $22.7 billion, an increase of $250 million and $7,445 for the maximum Pell Grant award, and increase of $50 (However, this increase is paid for by cutting subsidized student loans) 

• Registered Apprenticeships – $290 million, an increase of $5 million 

• Strengthening Community College Training Grants – $75 million, an increase of $10 million 

In addition to these programs, the bill would eliminate funding for the WIOA Adult training program and the WIOA Youth Job Training program. 

The bill will next be considered by the full House Appropriations Committee, and that markup is tentatively scheduled for June 9. In the following weeks, Senate appropriators will release their funding bill for FY 2027. Many expect that their bill will be much different than the House version. Lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol will need to reach a compromise to avoid a shutdown.  

ACTE will continue to provide appropriations updates as the process continues to unfold.

The Department of Education (ED) released final Workforce Pell regulations on May 18, providing states and institutions with the guidance needed to begin offering Workforce Pell Grants after the policy goes into effect this summer. While the regulations provide important clarity, many implementation details will continue to be shaped at the state level over the coming months. States will ultimately play a central role in determining labor market alignment, supporting employer engagement, and building the data infrastructure necessary to ensure program quality and accountability.

Recognizing the significant implementation work ahead, states have already begun developing strategies to operationalize Workforce Pell. In May, the National Governors Association (NGA) convened leaders from 37 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for a Workforce Pell Implementation Lab focused on helping states prepare for the July launch.

According to NGA, state leaders are working through a range of policy and operational questions, including:

• Identifying eligible programs and credentials.
• Aligning training programs with workforce needs.
• Coordinating among higher education, workforce development, and economic development agencies.
• Strengthening employer partnerships.
• Developing data systems to track outcomes and support accountability.

Many states are building on existing efforts to define credential quality, evaluate labor market demand, and connect education programs to employment outcomes. These foundations will be critical as states seek to ensure Workforce Pell funding supports programs that deliver value for students and employers alike.

While Workforce Pell expands access to financial aid, stakeholders across the workforce and education communities have emphasized that implementation must focus on quality. The final regulations establish baseline quality requirements, but advocates note that states will ultimately determine how effectively those standards are applied. Strong state oversight, coupled with investments in workforce data systems, will be necessary to ensure students have access to reliable information about program quality and employment outcomes.

Despite broad support for Workforce Pell, implementation faces several challenges.

The timeline is among the most immediate concerns. Institutions have only a short period between the release of final regulations and the July 1 implementation date to update systems, identify eligible programs, train staff, and communicate with students. It is important to remember that very few programs will likely be eligible initially, but that as states develop systems, the number can be expanded – programs can be added at a later date.

Additionally, many states lack comprehensive data systems for tracking credential attainment, employment outcomes, and earnings across education and workforce programs. There are also ongoing questions about employer engagement, career navigation services, and student supports.

As Workforce Pell officially launches this summer, implementation will likely unfold over several years rather than a single academic cycle. State leaders, institutions, employers, and workforce organizations will continue refining policies and practices as they gain experience with the new program.

Members of Congress were on recess this week, with little activity happening in the Capitol. Attention has primarily been directed toward the reconciliation bill that would provide funding to ICE and CBP. Senate Republicans had hoped to pass the bill last week, with the ultimate goal of sending it to the president by June 1. However, disagreements over provisions in the bill delayed the process, forcing the votes to be delayed until after the recess. When Congress returns next week they face a long “to do” list and limited time before the mid-term elections. Read more policy updates below.    

• OMB Releases Proposed Changes to Grant Guidance: On May 29, the White House Office of Management and Budget published proposed changes to the Uniform Grant Guidance in the Federal Register. If enacted, these changes would apply to all grants across the federal government. While we are still evaluating the entire proposal, it appears to include significant changes to how federal funds can be spent on conferences and memberships, requiring the approval of the federal agency that awards the funds. Other recommended changes include giving Administration officials more power over federal competitive grants. Comments are due on the proposal on July 13, and we will have much more information as we analyze and learn more. 

• IES Releases the Condition of Education: On May 28, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) released its 2026 Condition of Education report. The Condition of Education is an annual report mandated by Congress to examine the state of education across the nation, from pre-kindergarten through postsecondary workforce outcomes. 

• ED Announces Additional Grant Competitions: The Education Department launched various grant programs this week, including programs on basic needs for postsecondary students, promoting civics education, assisting veteran students, developing new textbooks and transitioning gang-involved youth to postsecondary education.  

• FAA To Invest $26 Million to Bolster Aviation Workforce: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be investing $26 million to bolster the aviation workforce, primarily through Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grants and the Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants. The deadline to apply is June 22, 2026.   

• FSA to Hold Webinars on OBBBA Implementation: The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will be hosting a series of webinars and virtual office hours to assist schools with implementing provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including Workforce Pell and other student loan changes. 

• ED Finalizes Priority on Patriotic Education: On May 22, ED finalized its Supplemental Priority on Patriotic Education for use in future grant competitions. 

• ED Faces Pressure to Release Research Funds: Following a report finding that ED has yet to utilize nearly $300 million in research funding, education groups and lawmakers have been urging the Department to release those funds before the current fiscal year ends. An official told K-12 Dive that the Department is “committed to using appropriated funds to meet our statutory obligations while supporting high-quality research.” 

• ED Sends SAVE Borrowers Warning Before July 1 Formal Notices Begin: ED has started emailing borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan to remind them that a court order ended the SAVE plan and that starting July 1, they will have 90 days to select a different repayment plan.  

Perceptions of CTE Graduates: An article in the Journal of Career and Technical Education by Jamie Molina, Karen Alexander, Cynthia Miller, Melanie Schmitt and Kyle Roberson analyzes the career and employability perceptions of high school CTE program graduates. The researchers surveyed over a thousand CTE program graduates in Texas and found that about 87% of graduates plan on pursuing a career aligned with their CTE program, with the highest rates for students in STEM (95.6%) and Information Technology (92.8%).  

Seventy-two percent of graduates indicated that their current or future career will require industry certifications they earned in high school. The researchers also found that graduates whose careers require certifications are more likely to pursue occupations aligned with their CTE program than those whose careers do not require certifications.  

Landscape of CTE in Los Angeles: A landscape analysis conducted by SRI examines CTE programming and outcomes in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The most common CTE program models offered by the district are more traditional CTE programs and Linked Learning pathways that combine rigorous technical training with college preparatory coursework. 

Analyzing 2020-22 administrative data, the researchers found that enrollment across CTE programs and Linked Learning pathways is relatively even across race, gender and disability status. However, English learners, as well as the highest- and lowest-achieving students by test scores, took fewer CTE courses in either pathway compared to other groups. The researchers hypothesize that scheduling poses a barrier, as high-achieving students may need to decide between AP and CTE coursework while low-achieving students may need to retake core classes. 

Students who completed either a more traditional CTE program or a Linked Learning pathway have stronger outcomes across various measures compared to those who did not take any CTE courses, including attendance, graduation, completion of college preparatory coursework and college enrollment.  

State Dual Enrollment Policy: The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships conducted a state scan of dual enrollment legislation and found that 18 states have comprehensive frameworks that address dual enrollment program quality, 22 have some policies in place and 11 states lack policies that address program quality. Furthermore, few states connect dual enrollment to broader statewide priorities such as labor market needs, and most policies addressing quality largely stop at the course level and do not consider other supports such as advising and transition guidance. Many states also lack the infrastructure to assess and evaluate dual enrollment programs. 

From these findings, the researchers developed a framework aimed at improving dual enrollment policy implementation in states. The framework is organized into four pillars: 

• Align: Clarify the role of dual enrollment within state education and workforce goals 

• Define: Establish the essential elements of dual enrollment program quality 

• Empower: Ensure state policy is translated into practice 

• Assess: Determine whether programs meet quality standards 

Readers interested in learning more about dual enrollment and other CTE-related state policies can view ACTE and Advance CTE’s state policy project and tracker. 

Technical Education for Boys and Men: An article by Hannah Kistler and Shaun Dougherty in the ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science examines the impact of CTE for boys and men, outlining previous research and noting the need to scale programming to help boys and men overcome barriers to postsecondary education and workforce participation.  

The researchers examine national labor market data and found that male participation in the workforce has been steadily decreasing since World War II, with some of this decline attributable to the loss of male-dominated industries. Furthermore, many of the industries that tend to employ males, which often do not require a college degree, have seen less growth. The researchers note that while educational requirements for employment have been increasing steadily over time, men have been making up a smaller share of college graduates over the same period, likely explaining some of the challenges they face today. They also found that many high-growth jobs that do not require a degree, such as transportation and health care careers, fall under the CTE umbrella and may serve as effective pathways for men. 

The researchers conclude with four implications for policy and practice: 

• Scale successful CTE programs and models 

• Support occupations where men thrive and demand is steady, such as the skilled trades 

• Use CTE to create connections to applied postsecondary education and employment options 

• Use CTE to connect men to industries and occupations of known high demand or strong compensation but where they are not as well represented 

There was a lot of activity this week as Congress prepared to head out of town for the Memorial Day recess. The Department of Education (ED) finalized rules on Workforce Pell implementation and reached a consensus on accreditation rulemaking. Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling also testified this week regarding the Trump Administration’s proposed FY 2027 budget for the Department of Labor (DOL). Read more updates below. 

• ED Issues Final Rule to Create New Workforce Pell Grant Program: On May 18, ED released it’s final rule for the implementation of Workforce Pell. Beginning July 1, eligible students will be able to use Pell Grants for approved high-quality, short-term workforce training programs. Read more on the blog. 

• ED Reaches Consensus on Accreditation Rulemaking: On May 21, ED announced that its accreditation rulemaking committee reached consensus on a number of changes to accreditation regulations. These include making it easier for new accreditors and for institutions to switch accreditors, revising transfer credit policies, requiring accreditors to evaluate whether institutions are maintaining academic freedom protections and prioritizing intellectual diversity. 

• ACTE and Advance CTE Submits Comments on Accountability Framework: On May 20, ACTE and Advance CTE submitted comments to ED regarding the recently enacted postsecondary accountability framework regarding institutional participation and eligibility under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA). 

• ACTE Endorses Several Bills: This week, Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA-06) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act (S. 4597/H.R. 8937). The bill would address the childcare workforce shortage by investing in CTE programs and incentivizing more students to enter the early childhood workforce upon graduation. Senators Hassan (D-NH), Young (R-IN), Collins (R-ME) and Kaine (D-VA) also reintroduced the Gateway to Careers Act (S. 4578) to help hardworking Americans gain new skills and advance in the workforce and help businesses find the skilled workforce that they need to grow. Finally, the Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act (S. 4567/H.R. 8896) was reintroduced in the House and Senate to modernize and expand teacher loan forgiveness. ACTE has endorsed all of these bills.  

• ED Launches More Grant Programs: ED launched several grant programs this week, including two programs for migrant students and two programs focused on preparing special education teachers and support staff. The Department also launched the Strengthening Institutions Program to help states develop programs for Workforce Pell. This program previously supported grants for minority-serving institutions (MSIs). 

• Labor Secretary Testifies Before Congress: On May 19, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing titled, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Department of Labor.” Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling testified regarding the Administration’s proposed FY 2027 funding levels and policy priorities for DOL. A full recording of the hearing can be found here, as well as more information on our blog.   

• Deadline for Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award Approaching: The deadline to submit a nomination for the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award is on May 31. The award recognizes two outstanding cybersecurity teachers from across the nation. 

• Acting Assistant Secretary for OCTAE Announces Departure: On May 20, Nick Moore, the Acting Assistant Secretary for ED’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) and Deputy Assistant Secretary at DOL, announced his departure from the federal government. Dr. Casey Sacks, the Chief Financial Officer at ED who also served in OCTAE during the first Trump Administration, will be assuming the duties of Acting Assistant Secretary.  

• New OCTAE Website: ED combined the Perkins Collaborative Resource Network (PCRN) website with the Department’s adult education website to form a new consolidated website for the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education. 

• 24 States Sue Over Loan Limits on Healthcare Degrees: On May 19, a coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging a rule that limits access to federal student loans for borrowers earning a graduate degree in several healthcare-related fields. 

• HELP Committee Chair Loses Re-Election Bid in Primary: Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, lost his bid for re-election in the Louisiana primary on May 16. It is unclear who will succeed him as education committee chair when he leaves the Senate.  

• ED Approves More Federal Funding Waivers for States: On May 19, ED announced that it was approving additional federal funding waivers for Florida, Illinois and Louisiana to allow for more flexibility in how they allocate funds. The Department also released guidance encouraging states to take advantage of current funding flexibilities in the law. 

• Senate HELP Committee Holds Hearing on Charter Schools: On May 20, the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing titled, “Meeting the Individual Needs of All Students: The Role of Charter Schools.” A full recording can be found here.  

• NAGB to Restore Previously Cut NAEP Exams: The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), which oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), announced that it was restoring several NAEP exams that it had previously cut last year, including 12th grade reading and math exams in 2032. 

• Surgeon General’s Office Issues Warning on Screen Time for Children: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. issued a U.S. surgeon general’s advisory urging families, schools, and providers to reduce children’s screen time.  

• DOL Releases Guidance on Federal Funds for Marketing: On May 19, the Department of Labor released a Training and Employment Guidance Letter, Clarifying Allowable Outreach Activities for Federal Formula and Competitive Grants. The guidance clarifies the allowable uses of funds under WIOA and Perkins for outreach activities and program marketing.  

On May 19, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing titled “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Department of Labor.” Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling testified regarding the Administration’s proposed fiscal year (FY) 2027 funding levels and policy priorities for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

Throughout the hearing, senators questioned the Administration’s proposed restructuring of federal workforce development programs, reductions to overall discretionary spending, and the growing coordination between the Departments of Labor and Education.

Democrats on the subcommittee criticized the administration’s “political crusade” to eliminate the Department of Education (ED) by shifting to co-manage programs with other agencies through recent interagency agreements. They argued that DOL is not equipped to manage these programs[AH1]  and that moving ED programs across agencies has resulted in difficulties in administering education programs while creating new challenges for DOL in administering its own programs.

Proposed cuts to the Job Corps program also emerged as a major flashpoint. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said the program helped students in her state move into cybersecurity, shipbuilding and other careers. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) also warned that eliminating Job Corps could hurt workforce pipelines tied to shipbuilding and the defense industrial base.

A recording of the hearing can be found here.