The Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) administers and coordinates programs that are related to adult education and literacy, career and technical education, and community colleges.
Adult Education and Literacy
The Division of Adult Education and Literacy (DAEL) administers adult education and literacy and English language acquisition programs that help adults to improve their knowledge and skills in literacy and mathematics; to understand the responsibilities of citizenship; to attain a secondary education diploma; to successfully transition to postsecondary education and training programs; and to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The Office of Correctional Education is also located in DAEL.
DAEL responsibilities include:
- Administering the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) formula grant program, Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA);
- Assisting states to improve program quality, accountability, and capacity; and
- Establishing national leadership activities to enhance the quality of adult education and improve learner outcomes.
Career and Technical Education
The Division of Academic and Technical Education (DATE) 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. DATE:
- Administers state formula and discretionary grant programs under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins).
- Provides assistance to states to improve program quality, implementation, and accountability.
- Carries out 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:
- 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.
