Counseling for Career Choice Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4965

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Education

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-08-12: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-06-19T08:06:33Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Counseling for Career Choice Act (H.R. 4965) aims to broaden access to career counseling and guidance for students by updating federal funding rules under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). It expands what schools can do with grants for student support and academic enrichment, focusing on helping students explore career paths, postsecondary education, and workforce opportunities.

Key Provisions

• Expanded Allowable Activities: The bill revises funding guidelines for career guidance and school counseling programs to include a wide range of specific supports, such as:
• Providing guidance to school counselors and students interested in career programs.
• Identifying and assessing counseling activities and postsecondary options available in-state or out-of-state.
• Collaborating with state and regional experts (e.g., workforce boards, economic development groups, or employment agencies) to identify local job market trends.
• Creating systems for counselors to access and share information on these job trends.
• Training counselors to deliver up-to-date workforce info, financial aid help, personal counseling, and academic advice tailored to students' career and education goals.
• Offering financial literacy and federal financial aid awareness programs (beyond basic advising).
• Developing professional training or certification for counselors and educators, potentially partnering with industry groups for recognized credentials in career development.
• Coordinating postsecondary pathways, including individual career planning, personalized learning plans, registered apprenticeships, internships, dual enrollment (taking college classes while in high school), programs for recognized credentials (like certificates from secondary school or beyond), and 2- or 4-year degree programs.
• Building partnerships with "one-stop centers" (local workforce hubs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) through activities like colocating services in schools, student transport to centers, or joint events such as job fairs and career days.
• Using emerging tools like artificial intelligence to support career development.
• Evaluating the long-term outcomes (e.g., high school completion and postsecondary success) for students in these programs.

These activities are funded through ESEA's student support and academic enrichment grants, which help schools provide well-rounded education.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill replaces the existing language in Section 4107(a)(3)(A) of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. 7117(a)(3)(A)) with a more detailed and comprehensive list of allowable uses for career guidance funds.
• Previously, this section had a narrower focus on general career guidance; the amendment adds explicit requirements for workforce trend analysis, technology integration (e.g., AI), partnerships with external workforce entities, and outcome evaluations, making the program more structured and aligned with national workforce laws like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: State and local education departments, as well as workforce agencies (e.g., state employment offices and one-stop centers), may see increased coordination and resource sharing to support school-based career programs, potentially straining or optimizing federal grant administration.
• On Citizens: Students in K-12 schools, especially those from underserved areas, could gain better access to personalized career advice, financial education, and pathways to jobs or higher education, improving long-term employability and economic mobility. School counselors and educators may receive more training, enhancing their ability to serve students.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic education and workforce development within the U.S.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Students: Primary beneficiaries, receiving expanded counseling to align education with career goals.
• School Counselors and Educators: Gain resources, training, and tools (e.g., AI and certifications) to provide effective guidance.
• Schools and Local Education Agencies: Eligible for ESEA grants to implement these programs, particularly in high-need areas.
• Workforce and Economic Entities: State/local workforce boards, one-stop centers, economic development organizations, and employment agencies must collaborate on job trend data and partnerships.
• Industry and Postsecondary Institutions: Involved through apprenticeships, internships, dual enrollment, and certification programs.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens ties between ESEA (focused on K-12 education) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (adult and youth workforce training), promoting integrated federal policies without creating new mandates or funding. No conflicts with existing laws are evident.
• Constitutional: Aligns with the federal government's role in supporting education under the Spending Clause (Article I, Section 8), as it conditions grants on voluntary program expansions rather than requiring state actions.
• Political: Supports bipartisan goals of workforce readiness and economic development by emphasizing practical skills and equity in education access, potentially influencing future appropriations for ESEA grants. It encourages public-private partnerships, which could foster innovation but raise questions about data privacy in using technologies like AI for student counseling.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]

Cosponsors (7)

Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-08-12: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-08-12: Introduced in House
• 2025-08-12: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Counseling for Career Choice Act — issued 2025-08-12 — PDF (5 pages)