The U.S. Department of Education has announced a significant reversal of a regulatory reporting requirement implemented by the Biden-Harris Administration that would have increased compliance burdens for states and local career and technical education (CTE) programs. This decision comes as part of an effort to streamline CTE operations, allowing states, high schools, and community colleges to focus more on equipping students with critical skills needed for the workforce.
Acting Under Secretary of Education James Bergeron emphasized the importance of reducing bureaucratic red tape, stating that the previous information collection under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins V) was excessive and would detract from innovation and cost-efficiency. He expressed a commitment to working collaboratively with stakeholders to reauthorize the Perkins Act in a way that better serves CTE programs and the students they support.
Concerns about the reporting scheme have been echoed by industry organizations such as Advance CTE and the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). They argued that the proposals exceeded the intended scope of Perkins V, creating unnecessary administrative challenges. In a letter sent to the Department of Education, they highlighted that these additional requirements could disrupt current programs and fail to provide any added value for learners.
In December 2024, the Department had introduced two new information collections that requested CTE providers to revise their Perkins V State Plans outside the normal five-year cycle, leading to worries about administrative burdens and potential misalignment with existing education and workforce laws.
In light of these developments, the Trump Administration plans to reinstate the previous versions of the Perkins State Plan Guide and the Consolidated Annual Report Guide, with actions to be formally communicated soon. This move is seen as a proactive step toward fostering a more supportive environment for CTE programs.
Additionally, President Trump has proclaimed February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to promoting and enhancing vocational education. This proclamation follows the signing of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act in 2018, marking the continued importance of CTE in the U.S. educational landscape.
As the CTE community looks forward to these positive changes, there is hope that the renewed focus on workforce preparedness will ultimately lead to a more skilled and capable workforce, ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.