In October, the Urban Institute released a research report that examines the debt outcomes of postsecondary CTE programs, including associate degree and certificate programs. Researchers used a variety of sources such as the College Scorecard to explore debt, earnings and debt burden levels (debt as a share of earnings) of learners two years after graduation for six fields of study: health sciences, business and marketing, computer and information sciences, repair services, protective services and culinary services.

The data used in this analysis does not capture students who graduate without debt because they pay for their education out of pocket or have federal Pell Grants – a sizeable proportion of students in postsecondary CTE programs. For instance, about 42% of community college students in 2017-18 received Pell Grants.

Among students in postsecondary CTE programs who graduate with debt, the researchers found the following:

• The median debt of postsecondary CTE programs is $16,077. However, this figure varies significantly by field of study: students in computer and information sciences graduated with the highest median debt while students in repair services graduated with the lowest median debt, in part because programs in repair fields tend to be shorter in length.
• Two years after graduating, median annual earnings for graduates are about twice graduates’ median debt, $32,234, with the highest-earning programs being health sciences and computer and information sciences and the lowest earning being personal and culinary services.
• Together, a student’s chosen field of study and credential level contribute the most to CTE program outcomes, particularly when it comes to earnings. Institutional characteristics also play a significant role, particularly for debt and debt burden outcomes.
• While, in the aggregate, student demographics and labor market characteristics are not significant drivers of debt and earnings outcomes, significantly lower earnings for graduates of programs with large shares of women and people of color make it more difficult for these individuals to pay off debt.

The report concludes with policy, program and research strategies that can help students maximize the value of their postsecondary CTE credentials. Strategies mentioned include providing strong career guidance about institutions, fields of study and credential types; assisting adult learners and women with debt relief; removing barriers to high-value programs; examining debt and earnings outcomes beyond two years after graduation; and capturing outcomes for students who do not complete a CTE program of study.

To help more people access CTE programs without incurring debt, ACTE supports expanding Pell Grant access to short-term programs. Expanding Pell grants to support the costs of high-quality, short-term education programs will help more Americans earn credentials and enter the workforce – or begin new careers – in high-wage, high-demand industries like manufacturing, health care and transportation.

Today, ACTE published a new infographic that highlights ways to use the ACTE Quality CTE Program of Study Framework^TM and its companion self-evaluation instrument. The Framework helps CTE educators to assess quality in their CTE programs of study through more than 90 criteria organized under 12 elements, capturing the full range of activities across a CTE program.

As described by the infographic, the Framework and self-evaluation tool can be used by educators, administrators and leaders to support educator preparation programs, help new CTE instructors, identify professional development needs, conduct the Perkins V comprehensive local needs assessment and recognize CTE program quality. Since its launch in 2018, the online Framework self-evaluation has been used over 4,000 times to support CTE program of study quality across secondary and postsecondary programs and spanning all 16 Career Clusters®.

We encourage ACTE members and CTE supporters to read and share this infographic with colleagues and other CTE stakeholders to learn about how the ACTE Quality CTE Program of Study Framework ^TM can support CTE program improvement.

Click here to access more tools related to the Framework including publications, webinars, courses and more.

On Monday, the eighth annual National Apprenticeship Week kicked off nationwide as workforce development stakeholders, advocates and more join together to celebrate the benefits of registered apprenticeship programs. This year, National Apprenticeship Week will be held from November 14-20, 2022.

During the week, more than 1,000 official events celebrating registered apprenticeship will take place. The Department of Labor plans to highlight key segments of apprenticeship during the week, including registered apprenticeships in new and emerging industries, pre-apprenticeships and youth apprenticeships, increasing registered apprenticeship awareness and access for underserved populations, women in apprenticeships, public sector apprenticeships and veterans in apprenticeships. President Biden has also issued a Proclamation on National Apprenticeship Week.

Ways you can celebrate NAW 2022 include: 

• Issue a proclamation that celebrates registered apprenticeships 
• Submit an event, highlights and/or photos to the Department of Labor 
• Promote National Apprenticeship Week using the hashtag #NAW2022 
• Participate in one or more NAW 2022 events

You can read more about National Apprenticeship Week here. A full list of resources to help stakeholders celebrate NAW 2022 is available at apprenticeship.gov/national-apprenticeship-week.

National attention was focused on the mid-term elections last week, but Congress returns for the final weeks of the 117th Congress November 14. The agenda remains largely unchanged from the last several weeks, with lawmakers facing a deadline of December 16 to extend government funding for FY 2023 while juggling votes on the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), tax credits, debt ceiling reform, marriage equality and other remaining issues. The 118th Congress will begin right after the new year, on January 3. To prepare for the start of the new Congress, check your inbox or the link below – ACTE will be distributing a quick guide and list of actions that you can take in the immediate days after the mid-term elections. Stay tuned during the coming weeks, as ACTE will share more information on the impact of the election on CTE, including information on committee leadership, new Members of Congress and other resources relevant to CTE stakeholders. In the meantime, here are some updates from Washington.

• Action Alert: Learn About Your Representatives for the 118th Congress: With Election Day in the rearview mirror, now it is time for new representatives and senators-elect to start the process of hiring staff, opening offices and developing their legislative philosophies and agendas. While we are still awaiting final election results in several races, this is a critical time for CTE and CTE advocates. Read more about actions to take before the beginning of the 118th Congress here.
• CTE Caucus Co-Chairs Thompson and Langevin Introduce Resolution Celebrating National Career Development Month: Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Jim Langevin (D-RI), co-chairs of the bi-partisan House CTE Caucus, introduced a resolution recognizing November 2022 as National Career Development Month. Read the press release, including a quote from ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Wilson, here.
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Update: On November 10, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court struck down the Department of Education’s federal student loan forgiveness program. The Biden Administration plans to appeal the ruling. Read more about the ruling here, and view a statement by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona here.

• Election Watch: Democrats Hold on to Senate: Democratic control over the Senate has been solidified for the next two years after Democrats held onto all incumbencies and picked up one Senate seat. There is just one race left outstanding – Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is headed to a runoff against Herschel Walker – which will determine whether Democrats will expand their majority by one seat or remain at 50/50. Read more about the balance of power in the Senate here.

Over the weekend, Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) was declared the winner of her re-election bid by a very narrow margin, solidifying Democratic control over the Senate for the next two years. In additional to holding onto all their incumbencies, Democrats picked up one Senate seat with Senator-Elect John Fetterman’s victory in Pennsylvania to replace the retiring Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA). There is just one race left outstanding – Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is headed to a runoff against Herschel Walker – which will determine whether Democrats will expand their majority by one seat or remain at 50/50. Should Republicans win the runoff, Vice President Kamala Harris would remain the tie breaking vote.  

This result means that Democrats will remain at the helm of all the committees in the Senate, including the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP Committee) and the Senate Committee on Appropriations. It is expected that Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) will move from being the chairwoman of the HELP Committee to chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, likely paving the way for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to be the chairman of the HELP Committee in her place. With the Republican ranking members of both the HELP and Appropriations committees retiring, it is still uncertain who will take their places.  

Control over the House of Representatives has yet to be determined; however, Republicans will most likely hold a very slim majority. As of the morning of November 14, there are 19 races still too close to call as election officials continue to count ballots. Once enough races have been called to determine whether Republicans or Democrats will hold a House majority, ACTE will provide analysis of how this will affect the federal education policy landscape.  

As a reminder, ACTE is a nonpartisan organization that does not—and will not—support or oppose any candidate for public office. 

With Election Day in the rearview mirror, now it is time for new representatives and senators-elect to start the process of hiring staff, opening offices and developing their legislative philosophies and agendas.  

The First Session of the 118th Congress – comprising calendar year 2023 – will begin officially on January 3, 2023. While we are still awaiting final election results in several races, this is a critical time for CTE and CTE advocates. 

Although the current Congress still has a “lame-duck” session of the 117th Congress left to finish this year, this is the best time to start planning outreach to newly elected Members to build relationships and help shape their priorities for the months to come. It is still important to maintain existing relationships on Capitol Hill as well – now is a great time to renew relationships with existing Members of Congress and remind them to support CTE!  

This is not an exhaustive list, but some actions you can take before the start of the next Congress may include: 

• Visit member-elect campaign websites and review their information and views on education and workforce development. 
• If contact information is available, congratulate the member-elect on their election victory and offer to serve as a resource to them on education and workforce development issues going forward. 
• If members-elect are attending community events or meetings, attend to introduce yourself and inquire about their understanding and support of CTE in their state or district. 
• Reach out to your returning representatives to congratulate them on re-election, reiterate your desire to serve as a resource to them and express your hope that they will continue to take actions in support of CTE, such as increases to Perkins funding, Pell Grants expansion to short-term training programs and support for the educator workforce. 

Shortly before the beginning of the new Congress, ACTE will share more resources to help you build relationships with your new representatives  and urge them to support ACTE priorities that will benefit CTE. We need your help in getting to know the new Members of Congress and encouraging them to serve the needs of their constituents in the CTE community. You can view a full list of election winners here. 

Read ACTE’s comprehensive advocacy toolkit for a head start as we prepare for the transition! If you have any questions, please reach out to Jori Houck, ACTE Media Relations and Advocacy Associate, at jhouck@acteonline.org.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 8, is Election Day! Voters all across the country will head to the polls. At the federal level, control of the House and Senate will be decided. The results of this election have implications when it comes to committee chairs, committee compositions, the legislative agenda and more.

To learn more about what’s on your ballot, where to vote and voting times, visit Nonprofit VOTE!

Further, many voters will also cast ballots for governors, state legislative representatives, and on education-related ballot initiatives, among other critical state and local races. Be sure to make your voice heard!

As a reminder, ACTE is a nonpartisan organization that does not—and will not—support or oppose any candidate for public office.