Some Illinois schools are grappling with the aftermath of a federal decision to shift Career and Technical Education funding from the U.S. Department of Education to the U.S. Department of Labor. The move has been riddled with technical issues, funding delays and confusion, raising concerns about a broader plan to dismantle parts of the education agency.

Michael Brix is a construction industry work-based learning instructor at Woodruff Career and Technical Center in the Peoria Public Schools. His class serves high school seniors with an interest in trade work.

Brix said department budgets have been put on hold because of federal funding constraints which have caused serious concerns about curriculum planning.

"I'm just finishing my 11th year teaching at this school," he said, "and this is the first time I really had to recheck myself: ‘Do I want to spend that $100 on this item right now, or do I need to keep that money for something else because of lack of funds?’"

Despite voicing support for career tech education, the Trump administration also cut millions in grant funds for related programs. Administration officials say the transitions will streamline grant systems and improve technology. Teachers such as Brix question the feasibility of shifting tens of billions of dollars in additional education programs to the Labor Department, given current challenges.

Enrollment for CTE programs in Illinois rose nearly 10% last year. The program partners with schools, colleges and employers to provide students with career training, dual-enrollment and internship opportunities.

Brix said his program has a competitive selection process, with about half of students going on to work for their internship employers after graduation. Others typically attend community college through a program that pays for them to obtain a two-year associate degree, as long as they maintain satisfactory grades.

"This is a game changer… this is huge, definitely in Central Illinois," he said. "I have a lot of students that didn't have a plan. So I worry that if we take financial hits, that there's going to be a lot of students that we could have really helped that may end up missing out."

Brix said he’s seen a significant growth in CTE programs both locally and nationwide as more students learn about the program's benefits. Since he’s started teaching, he said, he’s consistently seen an increase in student interest, enrollment and positive outcomes.

"We're doing so well and doing so much good," he said, "that it would just be horrible if we had something like that change our momentum."

Source: Public News Service