September 18, 2024

Leading the news this week: Congress continues deliberating on a Continuing Resolution to keep the government funded and operating past September 30, it's officially National Workforce Development Month and a set of bipartisan lawmakers want Congress to recognize it, meanwhile Congressional leaders introduced a bill to increased federal support for students' basic needs.   

Now let's dive into the latest news in higher education!

Financial Value Transparency & Gainful Employment Rule Reporting Deadline Delayed

 The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced an updated deadline to report required information under the Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) rules. Institutions will now have until January 15, 2025, to provide all required FVT/GE reporting and review the Completers Lists.

The rule officially took effect on July 1, 2024, and had an original reporting deadline of July 31, 2024. Earlier this year, that deadline was pushed to October 1, 2024. However, given the FAFSA delays and challenges, several national groups, including ACCT urged the department to further delay the deadline. 

ED will offer an opt-in opportunity for a limited number of institutions interested in reporting earlier. They will provide more information on this early opt-in opportunity in the future.

Department of Education Publishes Additional Resources Related to Title IX

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released two new resources to help schools comply with the 2024 amendments to Title IX Regulations, which went into effect Aug. 1, 2024. The resources explain how the 2024 Title IX Regulations clarify, and update longstanding obligations related to Title IX coordinator duties, as well as prohibitions on sex discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions and parental, family, or marital status.

The two new resources are the 2024 Title IX Regulations: Impact on Title IX Coordinator Duties, which highlights new and updated requirements for Title IX coordinators, who play a critical role in ensuring compliance with their schools’ Title IX obligations; and the 2024 Title IX Regulations: Nondiscrimination Based on Pregnancy or Related Conditions & Parental, Family, or Marital Status, which clarifies prohibitions on sex discrimination on these bases for students, employees, and applicants for admission or employment.

As a reminder, the new Title IX regulations are currently being litigated and are not enforceable in 26 states (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming), and the schools located in this list. 

• September 22 - Good Jobs Challenge Grant Webinar
• September 23 - Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program 
• September 24 - Strengthening Community College Training Grants Round 5
• September 27 - Good Jobs Challenge Initiative
• September 30 - Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education Program
• November 12 - Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act State Plan Guide Comments Due
• November 12 - Consolidated Annual Report for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act Comments Due

Outreach Efforts

Is your institution meeting or hosting an event with federal elected officials?

We created a Congressional Contact Form that will help us track outreach efforts of community college leaders across our membership. By filling out the form, you are better informing ACCT's advocacy efforts and our advocacy team is able to continue those conversations with congressional staff in DC. 

ACCT NOW is the go-to resource for issues affecting community colleges. Our new website features original reporting and research, as well as of-the-moment legislative updates. ACCT NOW also includes articles, reports, and research from outside sources that benefit the ACCT community. Read the Latest Articles on ACCT NOW:

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