The House and Senate were both back in session this week, although House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Wednesday that he was sending members home early for their recess. The next time the House is expected back in the Capitol will be after the November elections. The Senate is expected to be in session at least one more week before adjourning as well. Read more policy updates below.  

• Rep. Bonamici Introduces K-12 Education Legislation: On Sept. 17, Rep. Bonamici introduced the Transforming Education for the Future Act. This legislation provides the framework for public schools to address critical issues stemming from the effects of COVID-19, increased uses of technology, AI and other facets. The bill also includes a significant funding increase for Perkins state grants. 

• ED Approves Workforce Pell Grant Programs in Nebraska: On Sept. 14, the Department of Education (ED) approved three Workforce Pell Grant programs in Nebraska, making it the third state in the nation to receive program approvals. Eligible students at Metropolitan Community College can now use Federal Pell Grant dollars to enroll in its Phlebotomy Technician, Pharmacy Technician and CompTia Tech+ with Google IT Support programs. 

• ED Developing Tool on Financial Aid Offers: Reporting from POLITICO this week indicated that ED is currently working on a tool that would allow students to compare offers of financial aid from different colleges. ED did not give a timeline nor other specific details related to the project but hopes that they can share something out soon. 

• Chamber of Commerce Holds Housing Summit: On Sept. 14, the Chamber of Commerce held a summit on the housing shortage, emphasizing the need for workforce development in the housing construction industry.  

• NSCRC Releases National Data on High School Outcomes: The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center recently released national postsecondary outcomes data for students who graduated high school between 2018 and 2025.  

• Groups Sue ED Over Mass Layoffs: On Sept. 14, a group of Democratic attorneys general and other organizations filed a lawsuit against ED, asking a federal judge to require the agency to turn over hundreds of documents related to last year’s mass layoffs.  

• GAO Report Finds Facility Issues Lead to School Cancellations: A new report from the Government Accountability Office found that 47% of schools faced chronic facility issues, and about one in five school districts had to cancel school due to facility issues in 2024-25. School facilities and equipment are particularly important for CTE programs, connecting students with hands-on activities. 

• ED Issues Dear Colleague Letter on Strengthening Civic Education: On Sept. 16, ED issued a Dear Colleague letter to teachers and education leaders urging them to strengthen civic learning and provide routine opportunities for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.   

• Secretary of Education Visits Missouri and West Virginia on National Tour: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Missouri on Sept. 16 as part of a national tour. She visited the Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center for lunch prepared and served by culinary arts students, followed by a tour of the school’s hands-on instructional labs for its electrical, welding, automotive, and construction programs. On Sept. 17, McMahon visited the Woody Williams Career and Technical Center in West Virginia to tour the facility’s hands-on training education programs.  

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released 2025-35 employment projections for over 600 occupations across different industries. Overall, the U.S. economy is projected to add 5.9 million jobs from 2025 to 2035, with CTE-related occupations ranking among the fastest-growing jobs as well as those with the highest number of projected openings. 

Occupational Projections 

Fastest-growing Occupations (% change in employment) 

• Data scientists (+35%) 
• Physical therapist assistants (+23%) 
• Information security analysts (+21%) 
• Health specialties teachers, postsecondary (+18%) 
• Industrial machinery mechanics (+18%) 
• …among other occupations 

Occupations with the Highest Number of Projected Openings 

• Software developers (+174,700) 
• Construction laborers (+109,300) 
• Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors (+98,000) 
• Accountants and auditors (+79,400) 
• Electricians (+75,900) 
• …among other occupations 

Industry sectors projected to exceed the national average growth rate of 3.5% include utilities (+9.8%); health care and social assistance (+9.5%); arts, entertainment and recreation (+5.7%); and construction (+5%).  

Occupations by AI Exposure 

Alongside the 2025-35 projections, the BLS introduced new categories of occupations by their relative exposure to AI. This identifies occupations whose work is likely to be exposed to or assisted by AI technologies in some capacity. 

Occupations vary in their potential AI exposure. Examples include: 

 Occupations by Critical Skillsets 

The BLS also provides information on what skills are the most important for each occupation. Occupations that highly value specific skills include the following: 

• Adaptability: Film and video editors; physician assistants; detectives and criminal investigators; CTE teachers 
• Creativity and innovation: Graphic designers; architects; occupational therapy assistants; computer programmers 
• Mechanical: Aircraft mechanics; broadcast technicians; chemical equipment operators; clinical laboratory technologists 
• Critical and analytical thinking: Nuclear power reactor operators; database architects; industrial engineering technicians; marketing specialists 
• Problem solving and decision making: Education administrators; meeting and event planners; social workers; automotive service technicians 

Readers interested in viewing the data themselves are encouraged to explore the BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook as well as skills and AI exposure data for each occupation. Questions can be sent to ACTE’s Research and Policy Coordinator Jesus Galvan (jgalvan@acteonline.org). 

Both the House and Senate were out of session this week for Labor Day but will return from recess next week. There was still quite a bit of activity though, as the Department of Education (ED) released new resources, and the Department of Labor (DOL) released guidance around apprenticeship programs and Workforce Pell. The latest PISA scores for the U.S. were also released this week. Read more updates below. 

• DOL Releases Guidance on Apprenticeship Programs: On September 8, the DOL released guidance and opinion letters on numerous labor-related topics. Two of the notices from the Employment and Training Administration focus on apprenticeship programs: the first defines a framework for effective pre-apprenticeship programs and outlines their relationship with CTE programs and the second describes how Registered Apprenticeship sponsors can leverage Workforce Pell. 

• House Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Limit IAAs: On September 2, Reps. Mannion (D-NY), Scott (D-VA) and Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced a bill in the House that seeks to prevent the transfer of four ED offices to other agencies. The bill is companion legislation to a Senate bill passed by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in July that still awaits a full vote.  

• U.S. Reading Scores Fall, Math and Science Remain Flat: Results from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) reveal that U.S. reading scores for 15-year-olds have fallen by 14 points since the last time the test was administered in 2022. Furthermore, the gap between students in the 90th percentile and the 10th percentile was the largest among any other country. Math and science scores remained relatively flat compared to the 2022 test. 

• ED Launches Learning Agenda Playbook: On September 9, ED released the Learning Agenda Playbook, a resource aimed at helping state education agencies develop their strategic plans and then translate them into action. The playbook contains case studies, templates, exercises and resources tailored to staff supporting state teams. 

• ED Releases Workforce Pell Training Course: On September 9, the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) released a self-paced training course on Workforce Pell. The course focuses on various topics, including eligibility requirements and processes for maintaining eligibility and awarding grants to students. 

• Sen. Gallego Releases New Plan to Improve Public Education Including CTE: On September 8, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released a new plan to improve America’s public schools. The plan includes a pillar focused on preparing students for college, careers and the workforce, which specifically mentions strengthening CTE through a strong federal funding commitment to Perkins.  

• House Holds Hearing on Industrial Base and Workforce Development for Skilled Trades: On September 4, the House Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Defense held a field hearing in Santa Clarita, California, on the industrial base and workforce development for the skilled trades. A recording of the hearing can be found here.   

• Department of State Announces the Launch of National Workforce Training Initiative: On September 3, the Department of State announced the launch of the Foundry School, a training program for entrepreneurs, engineers, technicians, and industrial leaders with an emphasis on American manufacturing.  

• NTIA to Host Listening Session on E-rate Program: On September 15, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will host a listening session on the E-rate program to gather feedback from students, parents, educators and other stakeholders. The listening session is in response to a notice of proposed rulemaking from the Federal Communications Commission on whether the E-rate program should be terminated. Interested readers can register here.  

Britebound and the American School Counselor Association recently surveyed over 600 school counselors in K-12 settings, examining how they navigate CTE pathways and career readiness. Key findings from the survey include the following: 

• 90% of counselors report increased student interest in nondegree/CTE pathways, and 78% note that parents want their children to explore these pathways. 

• 56% of counselors agree or strongly agree that their school/district measures student success and career development effectively through structured activities and advising systems, assessment of student skills and interests, and support from their district and state.  

• • For the 44% that did not agree, issues raised include metrics that are overly focused on college pathways or compliance, lack of quantitative measures and lack of follow-up on collected data.  

• High school counselors emphasize the importance of sharing local workforce information and communicating CTE pathways to students and families, while middle school counselors focus on career exploration activities such as job fairs and site visits. 

• • Elementary school counselors share that career readiness is overshadowed by other academic and behavioral priorities, with minimal student time for early career exposure.  

• When assisting students with career readiness, high school counselors identified information on local workforce opportunities (61%) and professional development on career pathways (58%) as the most helpful resources. 

• • Middle school counselors selected curriculum materials on the skilled trades/technical careers (60%) and support for organizing career fairs, job shadows and site visits (59%).  

• A minority of high school (38%) and middle school (28%) counselors use AI tools for career planning and exploration, including interview preparation and analyzing students’ career interests. 

• 45% of high school counselors report that their school has a dedicated career specialist, defined in the report as “professionals who specifically focus on helping students navigate their career development journey.”  

In addition to this survey, other recent reports and data examine the importance of career readiness and navigation, including: 

• A report from RAND that analyzes educator and student perspectives on career-connected learning, including career pathway planning and advising. 

• Newly released data from the National Center for Education Statistics, which focuses on CTE and career readiness experiences for ninth-grade students in the 2022-23 school year. 

• A report from the Project on Workforce at Harvard University that examines how community college students and low-wage workers navigate the labor market.  

For more information on how school counseling intersects with CTE, check out ACTE’s CTE 101 for Counselors microsite. It provides school counselors with key information about CTE, Perkins and career exploration to help them guide students and families in making informed decisions about their educational and career goals. 

Readers with any questions may reach out to ACTE’s Research and Policy Coordinator Jesus Galvan (jgalvan@acteonline.org).  

Registering to vote is the first step in preparing for the midterm elections. Next week, National Voter Registration Day will be celebrated on September 15! This initiative is the country’s largest single-day voter registration drive and encourages eligible adults to register to vote as deadlines approach. Each year, millions of Americans are unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration or aren’t sure how to register. Find out more about how you can get involved at https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/.  

 Additional Voting Resources:  

Check your voter registration status  

Register to vote or update your voter registration 

Find your state’s voter registration deadline   

Find your state and local election offices for help registering 

Request an absentee ballot

The House was back in session this week for a few days before breaking again until September 14, when the Senate also returns from recess. In major news this week, the House passed the continuing resolution to fund the government until December 11, sending it to the President and avoiding a government shutdown before the midterm elections. Read more policy updates below.  

• House Passes Continuing Resolution to Avoid Government Shutdown: On September 1, the House passed the Senate-approved bill that would extend current funding levels for all federal programs (with a few anomalies) until December 11. This will avoid a government shutdown in October ahead of the midterm elections. Read more on the blog.   

• Ask Your Members of Congress to Support Education and Workforce Development Funding as the FY 2027 Appropriations Process Continues: With the CR in place and negotiations continuing, we need Congress to develop and approve appropriations bills that adequately fund education and workforce systems. Click here to urge your Members of Congress to support education and workforce development funding in FY 2027!   

• 2026 Election Watch Kick-Off: The general election is approximately two months away on November 3, 2026, so we are kicking off our 2026 Election Watch coverage! We will be sharing information and resources over the next two months on the blog to help you prepare for the election, as well as a post-election analysis of its implications on CTE policy.  

• ED Announces First Slate of TRIO Awardees: On August 28, the Department of Education (ED) announced more than $186 million in federal college-access funding. Many colleges and universities are among the 326 entities that received a portion of the $142.5 million awarded to TRIO Talent Search grants, according to a list of the first slate of awardees provided by the Council for Opportunity in Education. The Department also awarded $44.7 million in TRIO Educational Opportunity Center grants to 102 entities. 

• Department of Treasury and IRS Move to End Tax-Exempt Status in Private Schools: The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued proposed regulations to end federal tax-exempt status for private schools that engage in racial discrimination. Under the proposed rule, a private school would not qualify for Federal tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) if it adopts, maintains, or enforces a policy or practice that discriminates on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin. The proposed regulations would apply to tax-exempt private primary and secondary schools, colleges, universities, professional schools, and trade schools.  

• ED Releases Delayed Civil Rights Data: ED recently released federal civil rights data more than eight months after the agency initially stated it would be available. The Civil Rights Data Collection contains national and state-level data that examines students’ access to K-12 educational opportunities.   

• NSF on Track to Award Lowest Number of Grants in Forty Years: Reporting from Nature indicates that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded 30% fewer new grants this fiscal year compared to last year and is on track to award the fewest number of grants in four decades. Some of this funding has been withheld from programs, including several STEM education programs the Department of Justice recently declared unconstitutional.  

• IES Announces Awards for Several Grant Programs: This week, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) announced awards for several grant programs, including $8 million for special education research grants and $17 million for the Accelerate, Transform, Scale initiative. Relatedly, ED revealed in a court filing on August 26 that the IES still has $180 million in research funds left to expend before the end of the fiscal year on September 30. 

• NSF to Reinstate Data Collection on STEM Workforce: On August 28, the National Science Foundation (NSF) indicated that it was planning to reinstate the National Training, Education and Workforce Survey (NTEWS) in 2027. The NTEWS collects data on the national STEM workforce, including STEM workers who hold workforce and industry credentials. The survey was previously terminated as part of the major research cuts at ED and the NSF. ACTE previously wrote about this survey on the blog.  

• Census Bureau Releases Updated PSEO Data: The Census Bureau recently updated its Postsecondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) data explorer, adding data from over 160 new postsecondary institutions. The explorer allows users to examine the employment outcomes of postsecondary credentials across different fields.  

• GAO Releases Report on High School Aviation Programs: On September 1, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report examining high schools, CTE centers and colleges that offer aviation maintenance programs. From their findings, GAO recommends that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) convene a group of industry stakeholders and aviation experts to consider expanding access to the FAA’s general written knowledge test for aviation mechanics.  

Good news! On September 1, Congress finalized a continuing resolution (CR) that extends current funding levels until December 11, avoiding a government shutdown in October ahead of the midterm elections. While some progress was made on the FY 2027 bills, particularly in the House, the process overall had stalled and was unlikely to be finished by the end of the fiscal year on September 30. The CR allows Congress more time to pass appropriations bills and keep the government properly funded and functioning. For more details on the CR, read our blog post.   

As negotiations continue, we need Congress to develop and approve appropriations bills that adequately fund education and workforce systems broadly, and CTE programs more specifically, to ensure all learners have the opportunity and resources needed to build skills for lifelong career success.  

However, the FY 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill previously introduced in the House proposes broad cuts to both the Department of Education (ED) and the Department of Labor (DOL). Although the bill provides a $10 million increase for the CTE Basic State Grant under the Perkins Act, it includes significant reductions elsewhere, including full or partial funding cuts to other programs that support CTE programs and learners, like the Adult Basic Education program.  

With the extra time the CR provides for additional negotiations, please continue emphasizing to Congress that while an increase in Perkins funding is critical, it is also essential that sustained investments are made in the entire education and workforce system.  

ACTION NEEDED: CLICK HERE to urge your Members of Congress to support education and workforce development funding in FY 2027! 

Send a message directly using the ACTE Action Center. You can also call or email directly any personal contacts that you have in your Members’ offices, such as from a meeting at NPS, or call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and an operator will connect you to your Member of Congress.