Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE)

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OCTAE is responsible for helping all students acquire challenging academic and technical skills and be prepared for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations in the 21st century global economy.

Welcome to OCTAE

Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) administers, coordinates programs that are related to adult education and literacy, career and technical education, and community colleges.

For the latest news and information about career, technical, and adult education, see the OCTAE Connections Newsletter.

Adult Education and Literacy

The Division of Adult Education and Literacy (DAEL) is responsible for enabling adults to acquire the basic skills necessary to function in today's society so that they can benefit from the completion of secondary school, enhanced family life, attaining citizenship and participating in job training and retraining programs. The Office of Correctional Education is also located in DAEL.

OCTAE's Adult Education and Literacy initiatives are designed to:

  • Administer the Adult Education formula grant program to the States.
  • Provide assistance to States to improve program quality, accountability and capacity.
  • Establish national leadership activities to enhance the quality of adult education.

Career and Technical Education

The Division of Academic and Technical Education is responsible for helping all students acquire challenging academic and technical skills and be prepared for high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations in the 21st century global economy.

OCTAE's Career and Technical Education initiatives are designed to:

  • Administering state formula and discretionary grant programs under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins).
  • Providing assistance to states to improve program quality, implementation, and accountability.
  • Establishing national initiatives that help states implement rigorous career and technical education programs.

Community College

OCTAE provides national leadership to strengthen the role of community colleges in expanding access to postsecondary education for youth and adults and advancing workforce development.

OCTAE's community college initiatives are designed to:

  • Build public support for community colleges as centers of innovation and providers of excellent education and training that are affordable and accessible to all Americans;
  • Facilitate the dissemination of timely and actionable guidance on community college educations for teachers, administrators, students, parents, and employers; and
  • Promote the development of strategies that support students in the completion of their postsecondary certification and degree programs.

Office Contacts

Mailing Address:

US Department of Education
Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education Office

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

LBJ, Room 4A197

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Emailoctae@usdept.gov

Key Staff

Office of the Assistant Secretary: Vacant Assistant Secretary

Office of the Assistant Secretary: Vacant, Deputy Assistant Secretary

Office of the Assistant Secretary: TBD, Chief of Staff

Office of the Assistant Secretary: Gregory Fortelny, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management and Planning

Office of the Assistant Secretary: Stacey St. Holder, Executive Officer

Division of Adult Education and Literacy: LaToya Newson, Director

Division of Academic and Technical Education: Dr. Sharon Miller, Director

Policy, Research, and Evaluation Staff: Adam Flynn-Tabloff, Director

Get more information about the laws and policies governing career, technical, and adult education.

Performance Measures and Accountability

Performance measures are used to quantitatively assess the implementation and outcomes of educational systems.

Accountability and Reporting

WIOA Statewide Performance Reports

Policy Resources Related to Adult Education and CTE

See policy resources related to adult education and career and technical education.

Additional Information from OCTAE

More information about career, technical, and adult education from the team at OCTAE.

Career and Technical Education Related Links

The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information.

OCTAE Connections Newsletter

Get the latest news from OCTAE.

Perkins Collaborative Research Network

Learn about important intersections and opportunities for CTE programs and students.

National Reporting System for Adult Education (NRS)

The NRS is an outcome-based reporting system for the State-administered, federally funded adult education program.

The Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS)

LINCS provides adult educators with resources, PD activities, an online community of practice, and online lessons to help enhance their practice.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan Portal

Learn what States/Territories are doing to help citizens get high-quality jobs and careers and employers hire and retain skilled workers.