Last week in Washington was quiet for CTE-related policy items. Congress focused on responding to the school tragedy in Texas, holding several hearings and confirming pending nominees. Congress is now in recess until the week of June 6 for the Memorial Day holiday. Conference committee negotiators are still working to resolve differences on the America COMPETES Act/USICA, which could see movement during June legislative days. Conferees had set Memorial Day as an informal deadline for completing these negotiations, but the process is still ongoing. A new tentative deadline of July 4 has been discussed among congressional leadership. In the meantime, here are some important news and notes:

• Fiscal Year 2023 Perkins Senate Letter: Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led a “Dear Colleague” letter to be sent to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee requesting robust funding for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins) in the FY 2023 Labor, Health, and Human Services appropriations bill. A copy of the letter and the complete list of signers is available here.

• Secretary of Education Testifies to House Education and Labor Committee: On May 26, the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona about a broad range of education funding and policy priorities. Sec. Cardona highlighted the Department’s proposed career-connected learning initiative. In response to a question about Perkins Basic State Grant funding from Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), Sec. Cardona clarified that the Department would not advocate for a cut. Cardona replied, “What ended up happening and why the proposals are low is because we’re thankful for the [FY 22] omnibus package and the funding there. But our FY 23 proposal was due before the omnibus was done. So, we sent in a proposal using [FY 21] numbers and the [FY 22] package came out after our proposals came in.” You can view the full hearing at the link above.

• House Appropriations Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Teacher Shortages: On May 25, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies discussed the teacher shortage crisis, including potential solutions, such as raising teacher salaries, credentialing reform, financial assistance, improving school leadership and the role of support staff such as counselors. Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA) noted that CTE is one of the top 10 teacher shortage areas in the state of Virginia. You can watch the hearing here and read more about the hearing here.

• House Appropriations Subcommittee Holds Public Witness Hearing: On May 26, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies held its annual Public Witness hearing. Witnesses from across the health care, education and workforce spectrum were featured, including Bob Lamer of the California Workforce Association who advocated for WIOA Title I funding. You can view the hearing here.

• Department of Education Holds Summit on Mental Health in Higher Education: On May 23, the Department of Education held a virtual summit on mental health in higher education with a particular focus on supporting students with disabilities as they transition from school to careers. Read more about the summit here.
   
• Department of Education Opens Cybersecurity Education Award Nominations: Nominations of K-12 teachers for the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award are now open! Nominations are due July 31, and more info is available here. Apply or nominate a CTE colleague today!
   
• Senate Takes Procedural Step on OCTAE Nomination: The nomination of Amy Loyd to serve as Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education is still pending in the U.S. Senate, but took a small procedural step forward on May 25. A vote could be scheduled soon. 

On May 23, the Department of Education held a virtual summit on mental health in higher education with a particular focus on supporting students with disabilities as they transition from school to careers.

Jen Mishory, deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE) highlighted the importance of examining performance indicators in Perkins V and identifying discrepancies among CTE concentrators with disabilities using Perkins data. Within adult education, OCTAE is highlighting effective practices and utilizing the Learning Innovation Catalyst (LINC) system to build teacher effectiveness in engaging students with disabilities.

Dr. Chad Gestson, superintendent of the Phoenix Union High School District, discussed the 30 CTE programs that the district offers. Phoenix Union schools worked with the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce to create ElevateEdAZ to assist with curriculum development, externships for teachers and paid internships for students.

ElevateEdAZ is focused on increasing the number of students completing high-quality education to workforce pathways that align with the needs of Arizona industries and businesses, including working with education partners to support students in completing industry credentials, earning postsecondary credit and participating in capstone work-based learning experiences.

Assistant Secretary Mishory also discussed the Department of Education’s Career Connected High Schools program that was proposed as part of the Biden Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget request for the Department.

David Arnold, assistant vice president at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), reiterated the need to destigmatize mental health and promote self-care strategies.

You can view the recording of the summit here.

Last week in Washington, Congress focused on responding to several issues, including responding to a shortage of baby formula, negotiating and passing Ukraine supplemental aid, and considering potential additional COVID-19 relief aid. Congressional action on CTE-related items was limited to the House passage of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorization, which you can read more about below. Only the Senate will be in session this week before both chambers recess for the Memorial Day holiday. Conference committee negotiators for the America COMPETES Act/USICA are also seeking to finish resolving their differences before the holiday, potentially setting up the legislation for passage in June. As we await more action, here are some news and notes:

• Employment and Training Administration Hosts Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship Meeting: On May 17, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) hosted a meeting featuring stakeholders focused on how to expand access to apprenticeships. Read more about the meeting here.

• House Appropriations Committee Holds Hearing on Department of Labor FY23 Budget Request: On May 17, the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing with Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh to discuss the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget request for the Department of Labor. Read more about the hearing here.

• Fiscal Year 2023 Perkins Senate Letter: Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led a “Dear Colleague” letter to be sent to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee requesting robust funding for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins) in the FY 2023 Labor, Health, and Human Services appropriations bill. The letter was scheduled to close on Friday, May 20, and a list of signers will be available soon!

• Committee for Education Funding (CEF) Letter to Appropriations Leaders: On May 10, ACTE’s coalition partner, CEF, sent a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting a significant increase in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 allocation for the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill.

• House Passes WIOA Reauthorization: On May 18, the House of Representatives passed a reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by a vote of 220-196, with just four Republicans joining the Democrats in favor of the bill. If passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Biden, it would replace the current WIOA law that was passed by Congress in 2014. Read more about the bill here.

• House Science Committee Holds Hearing on Electric Vehicle Workforce: On May 20, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee held a field hearing in Michigan on the development of the electric vehicle workforce. Read more about the hearing here.

• Secretary Cardona Visits Massachusetts Workforce Development Programs: On May 20, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited workforce development programs in Lowell, Massachusetts, with Reps. Lori Trahan (D-MA) and Jake Auchincloss (D-MA). During the visit, the officials toured biomedical science programs and discussed how schools are using American Rescue Plan funding to support schools and students and connecting students to career opportunities through Lowell’s early college program and high school pathways program. Read more about the visits here and view a press release about the visits here.

• House Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Juvenile Justice: On May 20, the Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on improving the juvenile justice system. Read more about the hearing here.

• Flexibility Offered for some COVID Relief Funding: The Department of Education has issued a letter outlining extensions available for some funding under the American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER). States can request extensions for liquidation of funds properly obligated by the deadline of September 30, 2024, particularly if supply chain or construction delays occur.

On May 17, the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services held a hearing titled, “Examining Ways to Improve the Juvenile Justice System and Support America’s Young People.” While this hearing mainly discussed mental health supports and facilities offered to justice-involved youth, CTE was highlighted various times.

Four expert witnesses testified during this hearing:

• Lissette Burton, Chief Policy and Practice Advisor of the Association of Children’s Residential and Community Services
• Hasan Davis, Founder/Director of Hasan Davis Solutions L.L.C.
• Alan Loux, President and CEO of Rawhide Youth Services
• Karen Kolivoski, Associate Professor at Howard University School of Social Work

During the witness testimonies, Mr. Loux described his behavioral and mental health non-profit, Rawhide Youth Services, which provides justice-involved youth with education and work experiences, such as participation in an auto maintenance program.

After highlighting how CTE programs can provide both opportunities for justice-involved youth and address the nation’s skills gap, Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) asked Mr. Loux how Rawhide Youth Services’ work experiences have improved outcomes for justice-involved youth.

Mr. Loux noted that 50% of Rawhide’s participants don’t believe they can obtain a successful career upon entering the program, emphasizing the important role work experiences play in increasing self-esteem, building life skills and securing a job.

Rep. Thompson posed a similar question to expert witness Ms. Burton who provided findings from a study on Bonnie Brae, a New Jersey-based school that offers job training for justice-involved youth. The study found that Bonnie Brae youth who participated in job training were more likely to experience positive outcomes related to employment, school attendance, substance abuse and contact with the justice system compared to non-job training participants at Bonnie Brae.

Additionally, Rep. Thompson emphasized the importance of utilizing Perkins funding for CTE-related programs that engage justice-involved youth. States can use part of their Perkins funds allocated for state leadership activities for serving students in juvenile justice facilities or correctional institutions (along with other state institutions). Up to 2% of their overall allocation can be used in this way. In addition, local recipients could also choose to use their Perkins funds to support justice-involved youth in a number of ways.

Lastly, expert witness Mr. Davis discussed the need to increase job training opportunities for workers in the juvenile justice system to better meet the needs of justice-involved youth.

You can watch the full hearing here.

On May 18, the House of Representatives passed a reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by a vote of 220-196, with just four Republicans joining the Democrats in favor of the bill. If passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Biden, it would replace the current WIOA rlaw that was passed by Congress in 2014. Due to differing priorities, however, it is unlikely to be brought up in the Senate this year. That said, it could serve as a blueprint for the next Congress to include in negotiations.  

This bill made some changes that were very favorable to the CTE community: 

• Modifies the sharing requirements for the infrastructure costs of one-stop centers by providing dedicated funding through WIOA 
• Eliminates the federal mandate of the split of youth funds 
• Codifies the Workforce Data Quality Initiative into law
• Authorizes additional funds for data system infrastructure improvements 
• Includes a strong overall commitment to equity 

The bill does need further refinements that ACTE has expressed to the House Education & Labor Committee, including:  

• The definition for “eligible youth” is very narrow, raising concerns about how it would limit CTE programs’ ability to link learners to WIOA supports 
• There is a lack of required CTE representation on workforce development boards (the bill does, however, encourage CTE representation) 
• The bill overly restricts the use of online services provided by one-stop centers 

In general, ACTE is continuing to work with policymakers to build more meaningful connections between CTE and workforce systems. Should the Senate decide to take up WIOA reauthorization this year, we will keep you updated on any changes or progress. Given the bill’s Senate prospects, however, it is most likely that we will see no further action on this bill until after the next Congress is sworn in.

On May 20, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee held a field hearing in Michigan on the development of the electric vehicle workforce.  

Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) highlighted the need for workforce training that can meet the demands of new investments in infrastructure, including electric vehicle manufacturing and related infrastructure, such as charging stations. 

“We will need a highly trained workforce capable of installing and maintaining these charging stations,” said Stevens. “Unfortunately, we may be faced with a shortage of these qualified electricians right when we need them the most. We have heard from stakeholders that in Southeast Michigan, about 35% of this workforce is retirement-ready and may leave in the next 5 to 7 years.” 

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) added that the semiconductor manufacturing provisions included in the America COMPETES Act would go a long way toward solving many of these challenges. 

“These technologies have the potential to launch entirely new industries,” said Johnson. “But the vision laid out in COMPETES can only be realized if we have a skilled STEM workforce in place to translate research and innovation into products and services.” 

Jennifer Mefford, national co-chair of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP), emphasized the importance of registered apprenticeships.  

“The best way to get more qualified electricians into the field is through U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship programs and quality pre-apprenticeship programs that prepare and place individuals in registered apprenticeship programs.” 

Ben Cruz, director of the Center for Advanced Automotive Technology (CAAT) at Macomb Community College, noted the current shortages of electric vehicle workers.  

“Currently, we have a shortage locally in EV technical skilled workers that needs attention,” said Cruz. “Representatives from several of the companies I’ve named have come to Macomb Community College to look for potential employees. In most cases, they are also looking for training programs to upskill their incumbent workers. Developing courses and training programs in emerging technologies requires input from industry experts.” 

You can watch the full hearing here.

Some College, No Credential: This month, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center released their annual progress report that examines adults who have some postsecondary experience but did not earn a credential, identified as some college, no credential (SCNC) students. When looking at student enrollment records from 3,600 postsecondary institutions, researchers revealed the following key findings:

• Since 2019, the number of SCNC students increased by 8.3% to total 39 million for the 2020-21 academic year. Forty-eight states and D.C. experienced an increase in SCNC students with Alaska, Oregon and Washington representing the largest SCNC populations per 1,000 undergraduates.
• Re-enrolling in a community college was the most common pathway for SCNC re-enrollees.
• Women SCNC students outnumbered men in re-enrollment, persistence and credential attainment, especially younger women and racial/ethnic minority women.
• Certificates and associate degrees were the most likely credentials earned by SCNC re-enrollees, especially among Latinx and Black SCNC re-enrollees.

Returns to Credentials: In a recent report by the National Bureau of Economic Researchers, researchers examined the returns on investment from different institutions, academic programs and credentials, including two-year postsecondary institutions and postsecondary CTE programs, certificates and degrees. The following summarize a few findings on these topics:

• The report concluded that students receive a positive return on investment for partially completing a two-year postsecondary program, even those who completed only one semester.
• However, completing an associate degree consistently produces substantially higher earnings compared to those who did not obtain a degree.
• Sub-baccalaureate CTE degrees, diplomas and certificates generated positive returns on investments. However, there was some variability by program of study.

On a related note, Georgetown University released a tracker this winter that ranks 4,500 postsecondary institutions by their return on investment using new data from the College Scorecard. Users can filter by institution level and type, degree and state to explore measures such as graduation rates, earnings-to-price return and much more. This tracker is meant to accompany Georgetown’s 2019 report A first try at ROI: Ranking 4,500 colleges.

Alternative Credentials & Hiring: A recent report by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) outlines employers’ views of alternative credentials during the hiring process. In 2021, SHRM surveyed executives, supervisors and human resource professionals as well as workers. The following detail the report’s key findings:

• Almost half of U.S. workers hold an alternative credential with the most common being training certificates, course completion certificates and industry or professional certifications.
• While all three employer groups indicated alternative credentials as valuable to the workplace, each consistently valued work experience and traditional degrees more.
• Most often, executives and supervisors said variability in quality among credentials prevents their wider acceptance in the hiring process while HR professionals reported that skills earned by credentials are not always clear.
• Of 45% of HR professionals who say that their organization uses an automated prescreening system to review job applications, only 32% say their system recognizes alternative credentials.
• Most executives and supervisors and over half of HR professionals agree that recognizing alternative credentials would increase their ability to hire more diverse candidates.