High Country Times

Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx and Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Aaron Bean have expressed concerns over the Department of Education's proposed changes to career and technical education (CTE) programs. The two Republican lawmakers are questioning the Biden-Harris administration's revisions to the State Plan Guide and Consolidated Annual Report for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, commonly known as Perkins V.

In a letter addressed to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Foxx and Bean stated that these revisions could impose significant burdens on state agencies, school districts, and postsecondary institutions responsible for implementing CTE programs. "The proposed revisions...are problematic," they wrote. "These proposed revisions make substantive policy changes that exceed the Department’s authority under the law."

Foxx and Bean emphasized that employers nationwide are facing a shortage of skilled workers, underscoring the importance of robust CTE programs in preparing students for careers. They noted that Congress had made reforms in 2018 to enhance state control over these programs while limiting federal involvement.

Their letter also pointed out attempts by the executive branch to undermine Congress's legislative role: “And while Perkins V deliberately removed the Department from setting performance levels...the proposed revisions...are a blatant attempt to re-insert the Department in the process.”

The lawmakers concluded their correspondence by urging ED to withdraw its proposed changes.