Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 7676

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-04-21T08:06:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act of 2026 (H.R. 7676) aims to improve access to information about career and technical education (CTE) programs by authorizing states to create and maintain searchable online directories of these programs and related career pathways. This helps students, educators, and families better connect education to job opportunities.

Key Provisions

• Statewide Directory Requirement: States must develop, publish, and regularly update a public, searchable online directory of CTE programs of study (structured sequences of courses leading to skills for specific careers) and career pathways (progression steps from education to employment).
• The directory must include details such as program names, descriptions, locations, industry focus (e.g., healthcare or manufacturing), course sequences, available credentials (like certificates or college credits), partnerships with colleges or workforce boards, work-based learning options (e.g., internships), and evidence of alignment with local job market needs.
• It must be searchable by school district or location, career industry or cluster (group of related jobs), and credentials earned.
• Data must use standard, open, linked, and interoperable formats (meaning it's compatible across systems and easy to share electronically).
• Updates are required at least once per school year.
• Information Sharing: Local education agencies (eligible recipients of federal CTE funds) must provide the required program details to states if the state chooses to build the directory.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, which funds CTE programs nationwide:

• Replaces an existing provision in Section 124(b)(12) (part of state plan requirements for using federal funds) to shift from general state activities to the specific mandate for creating and maintaining the directory.
• Adds a new Section 134(b)(10) to outline the exact information that local agencies must share with states about their CTE offerings, building on existing reporting requirements for program quality and alignment.

These changes expand federal incentives for states to centralize and standardize CTE information without mandating participation—states can opt in to receive the benefits.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: State education departments will need to invest in technology and data management to build and update directories, potentially increasing administrative costs but improving efficiency in tracking CTE programs. Local school districts and workforce development boards may face minor additional reporting burdens.
• On Citizens: Students, parents, and job seekers gain easier access to CTE options, helping them choose programs that match career goals and local job demands, which could boost enrollment in high-demand fields and reduce education-to-workforce gaps.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic education and workforce development.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• States and Local Education Agencies: Responsible for creating directories and sharing data; they receive federal CTE funding (about $1.4 billion annually under the Perkins Act).
• Students and Families: Primary beneficiaries through better information on career-focused education paths.
• Educators and Schools: Must align and report on programs, potentially leading to stronger CTE offerings.
• Workforce Development Boards and Industries: Involved in partnerships; benefit from directories that highlight job-aligned programs, aiding recruitment and training.
• Postsecondary Institutions: Linked through dual-enrollment credits and credentials, enhancing pathways to higher education.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens the Perkins Act's focus on accountability and transparency in CTE funding without creating new mandates—states retain flexibility to opt in. It promotes data privacy through open standards but does not specify protections, so states must comply with existing laws like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Constitutional: Aligns with the federal role in supporting education under the Spending Clause (Article I, Section 8), as it ties to conditional federal grants; no challenges to state sovereignty or free speech issues apparent.
• Political: Bipartisan support (introduced by Democrats but refers to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce) emphasizes workforce readiness amid concerns over skills gaps. It could influence future reauthorizations of the Perkins Act by demonstrating measurable improvements in CTE access, though implementation depends on state budgets and federal funding levels.

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

Sponsor

Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

Cosponsors (12)

Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2026-02-25: Introduced in House
• 2026-02-25: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-25 — PDF (4 pages)