The Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE) within the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has administered and coordinated programs related to adult education and literacy, career and technical education, and community colleges.

Adult Education and Literacy

The Division of Adult Education and Literacy has provided programs and initiatives that support skill building and training efforts designed to help enable adults acquire basic educational skills and experience. The division was designed to prepare adult learners for completion of secondary school, establish enhanced family life, and attain citizenship. Additionally, the division has assisted adults participating in job training and retraining programs. OCTAE's initiatives are designed to:

• administer the Adult Education formula grant program to the states (ie. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA))
• 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 has been responsible for helping learners acquire challenging academic and technical skills as well as preparing them for high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations. OCTAE's CTE initiatives are designed to:

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

Community College

OCTAE has provided 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 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, learners, parents, and employers
• promote the development of strategies that support learners in the completion of their postsecondary certification and degree programs