U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has introduced two new proposed supplemental priorities for the Department’s discretionary grants: Meaningful Learning, and Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness.
These priorities are intended to guide grant competitions within the U.S. Department of Education. They aim to promote instructional approaches that enhance core academic instruction, deepen conceptual understanding, and provide more personalized learning experiences. The priorities also seek to support career and technical education along with work-based learning opportunities that are integrated into both K-12 and higher education systems.
“Amid declining academic outcomes, the Department is committed to revitalizing American education to prepare every student for success in school, work, and life. After four years of the Biden Administration pedaling divisive ideology and racial preferencing, the Trump Administration will prioritize discretionary grants to education programs that actually improve student outcomes by using evidence-based strategies for instruction and creating pathways to high-demand fields,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “The Department looks forward to empowering states to close achievement gaps and align education with the evolving needs of the workforce.”
A Notice of Proposed Priority (NPP) has been published in the Federal Register for a 30-day public comment period on both initiatives: one for Meaningful Learning and another for Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness. After reviewing public feedback, the Department plans to finalize these priorities through a Notice of Final Priorities (NFP), which will shape future grant competitions.
The Meaningful Learning priority includes strengthening mathematics instruction, expanding access to high-quality materials, supporting effective interventions, developing competency-based models, implementing strategic staffing solutions, introducing new school schedules, increasing access to tutoring programs, promoting career-connected learning experiences, and advancing innovative assessment practices.
The Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness priority focuses on aligning workforce development efforts with state objectives, encouraging industry-recognized credentials in skilled trades, promoting partnerships between educational institutions and industries, expanding work-based learning such as pre-apprenticeships, and supporting talent marketplace development.
Supplemental priorities serve as tools for aligning federal grantmaking with administration goals across various educational areas.
Secretary McMahon has previously released five supplemental priorities: Evidence-Based Literacy; Expanding Education Choice; Returning Education to the States; Advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education; and Prioritizing Patriotic Education.
