June 13, 2025
In a significant development, the Education Department has initiated a collaboration with the Labor Department to transfer certain career and technical education grants. This agreement, which was reached on May 21, involves the Labor Department managing approximately $2.7 billion in grants, including the Perkins Grant program that supports career and technical education in K–12 institutions and community colleges. However, this initiative is currently on hold due to a federal judge’s intervention, which has raised questions about the future of these programs.
The agreement was initially reported by a prominent news outlet, highlighting the potential shift in how career education is administered. The plan’s suspension coincides with ongoing legal challenges regarding mass layoffs at the Education Department and an executive order aimed at restructuring the agency. The Trump administration is actively seeking to overturn the lower court’s decision, which has temporarily halted these changes.
Despite the lack of a formal announcement regarding this transfer, it appears to be part of a broader strategy to reduce the Education Department’s role. The Secretary of Education has acknowledged that while Congress holds the authority to dissolve the department, she can delegate certain responsibilities to other agencies. This includes not only the management of funds but also the oversight of career education program implementation and compliance monitoring for grant recipients.
However, this move has faced criticism from various educational organizations. Groups such as Advance CTE and the Association for Career and Technical Education have expressed their concerns, arguing that this agreement undermines existing legal frameworks related to the Perkins program and could lead to confusion among stakeholders.
In their statement, these organizations emphasized the importance of maintaining the administration of career and technical education within the Education Department, citing potential disruptions to the implementation of legislation and services provided to students nationwide.
As the situation unfolds, it remains crucial for stakeholders in the education sector to stay informed about these developments and their implications for career education programs across the country.