Educators Rising recently welcomed Dr. Alisha Hyslop, Chief Policy, Research & Content Officer at the Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE), for a timely briefing on the federal policy landscape shaping Career & Technical Education — and what it means for education and training pathways nationwide.

Speaking to our community of CTE leaders, teacher-leaders, and future-educator program coordinators, Dr. Hyslop offered a concise but powerful look at the forces currently influencing CTE funding, student supports, and program growth.

Here are the key highlights.

Federal Funding & Policy: What’s Happening in Washington

Dr. Hyslop noted that while education funding is somewhat insulated due to advance appropriations, ongoing federal budget negotiations and the government shutdown have created uncertainty around timelines and administrative support.

Key takeaways:

• Education programs remain funded, including Perkins, Title I/II/IV, and IDEA.
• However, administrative and support functions have slowed, affecting data collection, technical assistance, and competitive grants.
• Congress must finalize FY26 appropriations soon to avoid disruption to district budget planning.
• The House and Senate proposals differ significantly — with the Senate maintaining level funding and the House proposing a small increase for Perkins alongside cuts to other education programs.

Educators should expect continued negotiation and should stay connected to updates as appropriations move forward.

Policy Developments Affecting CTE Programs

Dr. Hyslop highlighted several policy areas to watch:

• Short-term Pell Grants: Implementation work is underway, with rulemaking continuing.
• Guidance related to undocumented student access under Perkins is paused pending legal action — but programs should be aware of potential implications, especially for dual enrollment and credentialing pathways.
• Perkins administration shift to the U.S. Department of Labor: Minimal immediate impact, but long-term questions remain about ensuring CTE maintains a balance between workforce entry and college-preparatory alignment — especially for pathways like education and training.

Bottom line: CTE leaders should continue to advocate for academic-plus-workforce models that support students pursuing teaching and higher education.

Tools & Resources for CTE Teachers

Dr. Hyslop walked through ACTE supports especially relevant for education and training programs, including:

• Perkins guidance and toolkits, including a “Perkins 101” series
• High-Quality CTE framework and self-assessment tools
• Professional learning communities by topic and educator identity
• Over 200 online courses through ACTE’s CTE Learn platform
• Teacher pipeline and educator diversity resources
• A new CTE micro-site for counselors and new administrators

These resources help CTE teacher-leaders strengthen programs, document quality, prepare students for postsecondary success, and advocate for support in their schools and districts.

Opportunities for Leadership & Growth

Educators looking to expand their leadership can explore:

• ACTE National Fellowship Program
• Next Level Postsecondary Fellowship
• CTE for All Mentorship Program

Additionally, ACTE’s CareerTech VISION Conference offers sessions across all CTE pathways — including education and training — plus networking and professional growth opportunities. Next year’s conference will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of CTE in New Orleans.

Why This Matters for Educators Rising Teachers

As Dr. Hyslop emphasized, the education and training pathway is a vital part of the national CTE landscape. Ensuring our future educators have strong programs, clear pathways, and access to policy-informed supports is essential for building the teacher pipeline our schools need.

Staying plugged into national CTE discussions ensures Educators Rising teachers and students remain at the forefront of:

• Federal funding updates
• Dual enrollment and credentialing guidance
• Recruitment and retention strategies
• Best-practice models for high-quality CTE programs
• Opportunities to amplify student voice and teacher leadership

Watch the Full Conversation

Want to hear the updates directly from Dr. Hyslop?