Getting Technical

DC Shuttle …

Perkins CTE Reauthorization Bill Introduced. Republican and Democratic members of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce introduced a bill designed to reauthorize and reform the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act. The current laws promoting career and technical education were passed in 2006. The Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, introduced by Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA), and Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA), would give states more flexibility to use federal resources in response to changing education and economic needs. The bill would ensure that career and technical education prepares all students, including historically disadvantaged and vulnerable students, for high-skill, high-wage occupations and careers in nontraditional fields. It also calls for improved alignment with in-demand jobs by supporting innovative learning opportunities, building better community partnerships and encouraging stronger engagement with employers. Importantly, the bill aims to improve career and technical education through increased focus on “employability” skills, work-based learning opportunities and meaningful credentialing so students are prepared to enter the workforce.The bill text, detailed summary and fact sheet are available.

Democratic Senators Write Letter on Graduate Students and ACA. A group of 17 Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) wrote a letter to the administration asking for rules to be formed to allow graduate students to receive subsidized student health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the American Council on Education reports. In February, the Internal Revenue Service issued a notice saying that institutions might be violating the ACA by subsidizing student health insurance coverage for their graduate students.

Report on Community College Students and Public Universities. A new report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found that public colleges and universities are drawing a large percentage of their students from community colleges, where nearly two-thirds of students transfer to a four-year institution. The Washington Post reports that the study found that two in five students who receive associate degrees, achieve bachelor’s degrees within six years.

Story on New England Professors. Inside Higher Ed also ran a story last week called “Professors, Politics and New England” which claims that the perceived liberal inclination of professors nationwide can be attributed to professors in New England. The story details the research of Sarah Lawrence College professor and Hoover Institution research fellow Samuel J. Abrams, who posted some of his results in the New York Times.

Administration Releases Data on Fines. The Obama administration released comprehensive data on how often it imposes financial penalties on colleges and universities. Over the past five fiscal years, the U.S. Education Department has fined colleges for failing to submit information about their institutions to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, or for violations of the Clery Act, data shows.

Appropriations Hearing This Week. The House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies will hold a markup of the FY 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill.