Updates for the week of April 16th, 2026
- Education Department Issues Proposed Rules for Workforce Pell Implementation: On March 6, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register regarding Workforce Pell implementation. The notice outlines more details on how provisions of Workforce Pell that were passed under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year and later discussed by a rulemaking committee convened by the department will be operationalized. Comments on the proposed rules are due on April 8.
- House Holds Hearing on Community Colleges: On March 4, the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee held a hearing titled, “Preparing for the Future: America’s Community Colleges.” Witnesses emphasized the importance of community colleges in supporting the nation’s workforce. Read more on the blog here.
- House Holds Hearing on AI and Workforce Development: On March 4, the House Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing titled, “Building an AI-Ready America: Strengthening Employer-Led Training.” During the hearing, witnesses discussed how WIOA can better support the nation’s workforce development systems in preparing individuals for an AI-infused workplace. Read more on the blog here.
- Senate Commerce Committee Examines AI’s Impact on the Workforce: March 3, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness held a hearing titled “Less Hype. More Help: AI That Improves Safety, Productivity, and Care.” The hearing examined practical applications of AI in the workplace and how it is reshaping labor market demand. You can read more and watch the hearing here.
- Education Department Proposes Priorities, Requirements and Definitions Under the Comprehensive Centers Program: On Mar. 3, ED released a proposal for new priorities and a reworked structure for the Comprehensive Centers program, which provides technical assistance and capacity-building services to state, regional and local educational agencies.
- Lawmakers and University Leaders Dispute Federal Loan Caps: On March 2, the public comment period for federal loan caps ended. ED received responses from both lawmakers and university leaders urging it to amend its new regulations on federal loans.
- Federal Court Dismisses SAVE Lawsuit: On Feb. 27, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from the Trump Administration that aimed to end the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) student loan repayment plan. Borrowers are expected to retain access to the plan, but the federal reconciliation bill that was signed last summer phases out the plan by July 1, 2028.
- GAO Releases Report on American Rescue Funding: On Feb. 27, the Government Accountability Office released a report on the dissemination of COVID-19 relief funds from ED. GAO found that districts lacked the necessary data to properly identify high-poverty schools and meet the equity requirements for funding distribution. The report outlines several recommendations for ED, including establishing procedures to ensure reliable data is collected for grant oversight and technical assistance.
- Federal Funding Updates: Based on the most recent numbers from the most recent appropriations bill, we now have a better idea as to what the FY 2026 budget looks like:
- Department of Education’s Higher Education Account: $139,430,000
- Department of Education’s Innovation and Improvement Account: $20,508,000
- Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration Account: $49,349,000
- State Funding Updates:
- $6.5 million for East Carolina University’s biomanufacturing education programs, including equipment purchases.
- $5.3 million for Mississippi State University to expand a workforce training program in skilled manufacturing
- $2.5 million for Central Vermont Career Center School District, on behalf of the Vermont Association of Career and Technical Directors, to expand and enhance CTE programs
- $1.5 million for Northwest Maritime in Washington to develop a maritime workforce pilot program for high school students to develop workforce-ready skills and competencies
- $1 million for Hall County School District in Georgia to develop a career pathway program in meat processing