Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8937
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T21:37:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation establishes a new competitive grant program to create, expand, or support career and technical education (CTE) pathways in early childhood education. The goal is to build a stronger pipeline of qualified educators by linking secondary and postsecondary training with child care providers and workforce needs.
Key Provisions
- Authorizes the Secretary of Education, working with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to award grants to partnerships for CTE programs focused on early childhood education.
- Requires grant applications to describe program plans, partner roles, funding use and sustainability, benefits for students (including special populations), coordination with existing CTE laws, alignment with employer needs, and support for infant/toddler care and children with disabilities.
- Sets priorities for grant awards, including geographic balance, service to rural and urban areas, locations with child care shortages, programs serving infants/toddlers or offering nontraditional hours, inclusive services for children with disabilities, and involvement of higher education institutions with early childhood programs.
- Allows grant funds to support instructional materials, work-based learning, credentials (such as the Child Development Associate), educator recruitment and training, wrap-around student supports (including child care and transportation assistance), and professional development for teachers and counselors.
- Mandates independent evaluations, annual performance reports using Perkins Act indicators, and data disaggregation by student subgroups and special populations.
- Limits grants to five years, with a possible two-year extension based on demonstrated progress.
- Defines key terms and requires partnerships to include at least one eligible CTE recipient plus entities such as higher education institutions, child care providers, Head Start programs, or workforce boards.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill creates a new federal grant authority rather than amending core statutes. It builds on the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 by requiring coordination with sections 124, 134, 135, and 113 of that law, while adding targeted early childhood education requirements. It also references existing frameworks under the Every Student Succeeds Act (preschool development grants), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act, and the Head Start Act without altering their core provisions.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services would administer the program, conduct evaluations, and ensure data privacy compliance.
- Citizens: Students in CTE programs could gain credentials and supports; families might see expanded child care options; early childhood educators could access training and compensation incentives.
- No direct effects on international relations are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Secondary schools and CTE programs (eligible recipients).
- Institutions of higher education with early childhood education programs.
- Child care providers, including those serving infants and toddlers or children with disabilities.
- State and local workforce development boards and labor organizations.
- Students, especially those in special populations or rural/urban underserved areas.
- Head Start and early intervention providers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The program operates under Congress’s spending power in education and workforce development. It emphasizes data privacy protections under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and requires equitable geographic distribution. No constitutional conflicts are evident in the text. The bill promotes coordination across multiple existing federal education and child care statutes while prioritizing inclusive practices and workforce shortages.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-05-20: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (13 pages)