The Biden Administration Invests $25 Million in Grant Awards to Advance Career Connected High Schools

The Biden Administration has announced a significant $25 million investment through the Perkins Innovation and Modernization, Career Connected High Schools (CCHS) grant program. The goal of this initiative, spearheaded by the United States Department of Education, is to improve collaboration between education, workforce systems, and businesses in order to create innovative career-related high school programs that will prepare students for future success.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized President Biden’s commitment to investing in career-related learning, predicting a transformative shift in the American high school experience. Cardona emphasized four key strategies for the grant’s success: postsecondary education and career guidance, increased access to dual enrollment programs, expanded work-based learning opportunities, and the provision of industry-recognized credentials.

“President Biden understands that it’s time to invest in career-connected learning that will better prepare our young people for exciting careers and family-sustaining jobs in today’s most in-demand fields,” Secretary Cardona declared.

The grant is part of the Department’s broader initiative, “Raise the Bar: Unlocking Career Success,” which aims to help young Americans gain access to well-paying jobs. This initiative is consistent with President Biden’s larger vision of investing in America through new models. The funds will help to scale promising educational models that have the potential to have a significant impact on students’ careers.

As part of the announcement, Secretary Cardona will pay a visit to the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s Advanced Technical Center. The CCHS grant program marks a watershed moment for the Department, encouraging collaboration between secondary and postsecondary education, workforce development systems, and community partners to increase access to career-related high school programs, with a focus on underserved students.

With over 160 eligible applications from 43 states and the District of Columbia, the demand for comprehensive career-related learning projects exceeded $850 million. The grantees listed below will have a significant impact on the future of American education by providing students with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed in their careers.