Career and Technical Education Access Act

IntroducedSeptember 19, 2025

Introduced10 months ago

Intro

House

Senate

Pres

Introduced in House

Education

Why This Matters

This bill establishes a competitive federal grant program for states to build, expand, or improve career and technical education (CTE) programs. It also creates CTE Pell Grants to help public secondary school students pay for tuition and training costs.

Who this affects

state educational agencies · public secondary schools · local employers · community colleges

What changes is this bill making?

1Establishes a competitive grant program for state educational agencies to fund new or improved career and technical education (CTE) programs for five years.
2Grants may be used to build or renovate CTE high schools and regional career centers; update coursework; buy tools and software; and support professional development.
3Requires states to submit five-year plans with needs assessments, workforce alignment strategies, equity and access plans, and online or hybrid program designs.
4Mandates states to conduct workforce needs assessments every three years and report annually on enrollment, graduation rates, credential attainment, and employer participation.
5Sets performance benchmarks and allows the Department of Education to reduce or restore grants based on performance and approved corrective action plans.
6Creates CTE Pell Grants for public secondary school students to cover costs of CTE programs, credentialing, dual enrollment, apprenticeship, and other approved trainings.

Read full document

Career and Technical Education Access Act

IntroducedSeptember 19, 2025

Introduced10 months ago

Intro

House

Senate

Pres

Introduced in House

Education

Why This Matters

Who this affects

state educational agencies · public secondary schools · local employers · community colleges

What changes is this bill making?

1Establishes a competitive grant program for state educational agencies to fund new or improved career and technical education (CTE) programs for five years.
2Grants may be used to build or renovate CTE high schools and regional career centers; update coursework; buy tools and software; and support professional development.
3Requires states to submit five-year plans with needs assessments, workforce alignment strategies, equity and access plans, and online or hybrid program designs.
4Mandates states to conduct workforce needs assessments every three years and report annually on enrollment, graduation rates, credential attainment, and employer participation.
5Sets performance benchmarks and allows the Department of Education to reduce or restore grants based on performance and approved corrective action plans.
6Creates CTE Pell Grants for public secondary school students to cover costs of CTE programs, credentialing, dual enrollment, apprenticeship, and other approved trainings.

Read full document