Education (Career & Technical Education)

in committee · United States · House Aug 12, 2025

HR 4965: Counseling for Career Choice Act

HR 4965, the Counseling for Career Choice Act, requires schools to strengthen career guidance programs for students. It directly affects K-12 school counselors and students by mandating specific components, including identifying local job market trends with workforce agencies, providing financial aid awareness, and developing personalized career plans. Key provisions require schools to create systems for counselors to access workforce data, offer professional development, and connect students to apprenticeships, internships, dual enrollment, and job training programs. The law also encourages using technology like AI tools to support career counseling and evaluate student outcomes. This focuses on preparing students for college and careers through structured, data-informed school counseling services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates strengthened career guidance programs in K-12 schools, requiring personalized plans, workforce data access, and counselor development to enhance student career preparation and support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 23, 2025

S 235: Apprenticeship Pathways Act of 2025

The Apprenticeship Pathways Act of 2025 funds business groups and nonprofits (called "industry intermediaries") to create apprenticeship programs for secondary students and disconnected youth (ages 16-25 not in school or work). It prioritizes high-poverty schools, rural communities, and underrepresented groups like women in construction and people with disabilities. Key provisions include using federal funds to cover 50% of apprentice wages, provide wraparound support (childcare, tutoring, transportation), and develop training in high-demand fields like plumbing, healthcare, and technology. The bill directs these intermediaries to partner with schools and employers to build pathways into skilled trades and STEM careers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds apprenticeship programs for secondary students, prioritizes high-poverty schools and underrepresented groups, providing wage coverage and wraparound support to expand educational access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds apprenticeship programs covering 50% of wages for disconnected youth, prioritizes underrepresented groups, and provides wraparound support - directly advancing employment opportunities and workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Early Childhood Apprenticeships Labor Standards Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 26, 2025

S 756: Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act

This bill amends the tax code to allow 529 college savings accounts to cover certain postsecondary credentialing costs, such as certifications, licenses, and apprenticeship fees, in addition to traditional tuition. It directly affects individuals using 529 accounts who pursue industry-recognized credentials (like IT certifications, nursing licenses, or registered apprenticeships) instead of degree programs. The key provision expands "qualified higher education expenses" under Section 529(e)(3) to include tuition, testing fees, and required continuing education for recognized credentials listed in state directories or federal systems (like the COOL directory). It defines "recognized" credentials based on industry standards, federal programs, or state approval. This change enables 529 account holders to use tax-advantaged savings for workforce training beyond traditional degree paths.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax-advantaged 529 use for workforce credentials, providing tax relief for middle-income earners seeking certifications/licenses.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands 529 account coverage to include industry credentials, increasing access to non-degree workforce training and supporting higher education affordability.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands 529 coverage for IT certifications and tech credentials, directly funding tech workforce development through tax-advantaged savings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Career & Technical Education Higher Education

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in committee · United States · Senate May 8, 2025

S 1683: PELL Act of 2025

This bill creates "Workforce Pell Grants" to support students in short-term, job-focused training programs instead of traditional degree programs. It directly affects students enrolled in state-approved programs lasting 8-15 weeks (150-600 hours) that lead to portable credentials in high-demand fields, not graduate degrees or programs exceeding 600 hours. Key provisions require programs to meet state-determined job placement (70%+ within 180 days), earnings standards (median earnings exceeding 150% of poverty line), and academic credit transferability. The program starts July 1, 2026, replacing standard Pell Grants for eligible short-term training while preventing double-benefits with other aid.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new Pell Grants for short-term job-focused training programs, expanding higher education access and funding for non-traditional pathways with job placement/earnings requirements.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates grants for short-term job training requiring 70%+ job placement within 180 days and median earnings standards, directly advancing employment outcomes and worker earnings in high-demand fields.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 26, 2025

S 758: Apprenticeships to College Act

S 758 establishes a voluntary "Registered Apprenticeship College Consortium" to connect apprenticeship programs with colleges. It requires the Labor and Education Secretaries to create an interagency agreement promoting data sharing between apprenticeship records and college transcripts, aligning funding from education laws, and enabling credit transfer for apprentices. The bill mandates that participating colleges and apprenticeship sponsors enter into agreements for articulation (credit recognition), electronic transcripts, and sharing program details via a public website. It directly affects students in apprenticeships, postsecondary institutions, and apprenticeship sponsors by creating structured pathways to earn college credit while completing on-the-job training. Participation is optional for all involved parties, as specified in the bill's limitations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates credit transfer pathways from apprenticeships to college, aligns education funding, and expands post-secondary access through interagency agreements.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLinks apprenticeships to college credits for career advancement, supporting worker education and employment pathways through interagency collaboration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Sep 19, 2025

HR 5531: Career and Technical Education Access Act

HR 5531, the Career and Technical Education Access Act, creates a voluntary federal grant program for states to establish, expand, or improve career and technical education (CTE) programs in public secondary schools. It directly affects students in underserved communities, rural areas, and opportunity youth by requiring states to align CTE programs with local job markets through workforce assessments and mandating industry partnerships, work-based learning, and automatic college credit transfer. Key mechanisms include competitive grants for building CTE facilities, developing online/hybrid programs, and creating CTE Pell Grants to cover costs for certifications, apprenticeships, and dual-enrollment courses. States must report annually on student outcomes like graduation rates, job placements, and credential attainment to ensure accountability.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates federal grants to expand CTE programs in public schools, targeting underserved communities and requiring industry partnerships to enhance student access and career pathways.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAligns CTE with local job markets and mandates industry partnerships to improve workforce readiness and employment pathways for students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 3, 2025

S 370: Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act

This bill establishes tax credits for individuals and corporations that contribute to scholarship-granting organizations and workforce training organizations. Individuals can claim a credit up to 10% of their adjusted gross income for contributions supporting elementary/secondary education, career training, or vocational education. Corporations can claim a credit up to 5% of taxable income for similar contributions. The bill includes a $10 billion annual cap on total credits ($5 billion for education, $5 billion for workforce training) and creates a web portal to help taxpayers make contributions and receive tax credit pre-approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits for education contributions, providing tax relief and directing private funds toward education without direct government spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes tax credits for private contributions to K-12 and vocational education scholarships, expanding access through private funding mechanisms.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce training via tax credits, directly supporting employment standards through skill development and career preparation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Career & Technical Education School Choice Student Financial Aid Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Dec 3, 2025

HR 6375: 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act

This bill creates federal grants to support STEM education programs for girls and underrepresented minorities in K-12 schools. It directs $250,000 annually per grant to school districts serving high-poverty communities (with at least 40% students eligible for free/reduced lunch) to fund specific activities like after-school STEM programs, teacher training on reducing bias, mentorship, parental engagement, and summer camps. The grants require schools to track student participation and academic progress in STEM through annual evaluations. The program aims to increase opportunities for these students to develop skills and pursue STEM careers, while ensuring funds supplement - rather than replace - existing resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $250k/year grants for STEM programs targeting girls/minorities in high-poverty K-12 schools, directly funding educational access and teacher training.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds STEM education programs for underrepresented groups, promoting digital equity and technology access in schools through targeted grants and bias-reduction training.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Apr 4, 2025

HR 1952: Future FARMER Act

The Future FARMER Act reauthorizes annual funding for agricultural education programs under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. It specifically allocates $40 million each year from fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for grants and fellowships supporting students and educators in food and agricultural sciences. This funding directly affects institutions like land-grant universities and their students participating in these programs. The bill makes no new requirements but ensures continued financial support for existing educational initiatives in agriculture.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $40M annually for agricultural education grants/fellowships, directly funding essential programs under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $40M annually for agricultural education grants/fellowships at land-grant universities, directly funding higher education programs and supporting students/educators in food/agricultural sciences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · House Sep 16, 2025

HR 5374: Promoting Health Careers in Community and Technical Colleges Act

This bill requires community colleges and technical colleges receiving federal grants under the Health Professions Opportunity Demonstration Project to train participants to earn industry-recognized certifications, such as nursing assistant or medical coding credentials. It directly affects students in health career training programs at eligible community colleges and technical schools, as well as the institutions administering these grants. The bill expands eligibility for these grants by modifying federal law to include more types of colleges under the specified educational frameworks. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands federal grant eligibility for health career training at community colleges, increasing access to certified workforce programs and funding educational pathways.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands federal grants for health career training at community colleges, directly supporting workforce development in healthcare through certification programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds certification training for health careers, enhancing workforce readiness and employment opportunities in high-demand fields, directly advancing employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce Workforce Development

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