There's a new, multibillion-dollar funding source for career pathways. (No, not Workforce Pell.)
The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit could become one of the largest federal funding sources for career pathways in public schools. But only if policymakers start planning.
The New York Times and The 74 ran stories this week about how a new multibillion-dollar federal education tax credit can help public school students. But for that to happen, education leaders need to start acting now.
I wrote about this in a policy brief for public education leaders back in April. That brief is becoming increasingly relevant as we get closer to the launch of the Education Freedom Tax Credit (AKA the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit).
Read More:
Link to the policy brief: Using the New Federal Scholarship Tax Credit to Fund Career Pathways in Public Schools
Full series: Pathways Policies That Work
My basic argument is:
📌 Most states will opt in to the tax credit, sooner or later. 31 states have already signed up. It'll be controversial in blue states, but "free money" from the feds is hard to turn down.
📌 The program can benefit public school students--but only if public education leaders are proactive. Wealthy parents and private schools will be prepared to take advantage of the tax credit no matter what. States and districts need to launch and publicize their own affiliated non-profits in order to direct at least some of these dollars to public school students.
📌 Career pathways programs are a particularly good use case for the funding. That's because these programs, by design, provide opportunities outside traditional K-12 schools--and therefore outside traditional K-12 funding. (Possible things to fund include college course fees and transportation to employer job sites.)
To be honest, if I were in Congress, I'm not sure I would've voted for the program. But it now exists, and if you don't plan for how it will help public school students, you're guaranteeing that it won't.
Congress may be giving you lemons, but you should start making some lemonade.