Final Waivers and Extensions of the Project Periods with Funding: Native American Career and Technical Education Program

Final Waivers and Extensions of the Project Periods With Funding for the Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On May 7, 2026, the Department published in the Federal Register (91 FR 24763) a proposal to waive the requirements in the Education Department General Administrative Regulations that generally prohibit project periods exceeding five years and extend the project periods with funding to enable 36 NACTEP projects under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.101A, currently in their fifth year, to receive funding for an additional period, not beyond September 30, 2027.

There are no differences between the notice of proposed waiver and extension of the project period with funding and this notice of final waiver and extension of the project period with funding, as discussed in the Analysis of Comments and Changes section of this document.

Public Comment

In response to the Department's invitation in the notice of proposed waiver and extension of the project period with funding, 15 parties submitted 15 comments.

Generally, the Department does not address technical and other minor changes or suggested changes the law does not authorize the Department to make under the applicable statutory authority. In addition, the Department does not address general comments that raised concerns not directly related to the proposed waiver and extension of the project periods with funding.

Analysis of Comments and Changes

An analysis of the comments follows.

Comment: Fourteen commenters submitted comments in support of the extension of the project periods with funding, stating the extension is necessary for the continuity of career and technical education (CTE) services to existing NACTEP program participants. One of the 14 commenters cited that extending the project period would preclude programs from competing for available funds, limiting opportunities to expand services to new students; however, the commenter advocated that current recipients should receive an additional year of services.

Discussion: We appreciate the commenters' support for the waiver and extension and agree that funding this extension will continue to provide CTE services to existing participants.

Change: None.

Comment: One commenter did not support a waiver and extension, expressing concern that not having a new competition would lead to program stagnation.

Discussion: The Department appreciates the commenter's feedback on the NACTEP program. As discussed in the proposed waiver and extension, the Department intends to hold a new competition in FY 2027. The Department believes the waivers and extensions will not cause stagnation; on the contrary, they are important to ensure continuity of program services.

Change: None.

Final Waiver and Extension

The Department believes that it is in the public interest to extend the NACTEP program in lieu of running a new competition in FY 2026.

Extending the project end dates of the 36 NACTEP grants for one year allows for efficient continuity of CTE services for current recipients. Pending FY 2027 appropriations, there may be new competitions for all eligible applicants.

For these reasons, the Department waives the requirements in 34 CFR 75.250, which prohibit project periods exceeding five years, as well as the requirements in 34 CFR 75.261(a) and (b)(2), which allow the extension of a project period only if the extension does not involve the obligation of additional Federal funds. These waivers allow the Department to consider FY 2026 continuation awards to the 36 NACTEP projects (ALN 84.101A) based on their Year 5 planned amount. It is estimated that each grantee's continuation award will be at the amounts listed within the Proposed Waivers and Extensions as published in the Federal Register (91 FR 24763), pending review and discussion of carryover.

Any activities to be carried out during the year of these continuation awards have to be consistent with, or a logical extension of, the scope, goals, and objectives of the grantees' applications as approved in the FY 2021 NACTEP competition. The FY 2021 NACTEP Notices Inviting Applications continue to govern each grantee's project during the extension. The requirements for continuation awards are set forth in 34 CFR 75.253.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

The Secretary certifies that the waivers and extensions of the project periods with funding would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The extension of existing project periods imposes minimal compliance costs, and the activities required to support the additional year of funding would not impose additional regulatory burdens or require unnecessary Federal supervision. The only entities that are affected by the waiver and extension of the project period are the 36 ALN 84.101A grantees.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

The final waiver and extension of the project period with funding do not contain any information collection requirements.

Intergovernmental Review

This action is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.

Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT , individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.

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