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EO 13697Executive OrderObama · D

Executive Order 13697

Amendment to Executive Order 11155, Awards for Special Capability in Career and Technical Education

This executive order amends a 1964 order to allow the Presidential Scholars Commission to select up to 20 additional Presidential Scholars each year specifically for outstanding achievement in career and technical education fields. It expands the existing Presidential Scholars program beyond traditional academic and arts categories to recognize technical education excellence.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 36691

Key directives

  • Amend Executive Order 11155, Section 2
  • Add paragraph (6) authorizing up to 20 additional Presidential Scholars annually
  • Selection basis: outstanding scholarship and demonstrated ability/accomplishment in career and technical education fields

Timeline

Immediate

  • New selection authority takes effect for future Presidential Scholars cycles

Near term (90d)

  • Commission to develop selection criteria and processes for CTE scholars

Long term

  • Annual cohort of up to 20 CTE Presidential Scholars
  • Potential expansion of prestige and recognition for technical education pathways

Risks & tensions

  • No funding mechanism specified; implementation depends on Commission discretion
  • Vague selection standards ('outstanding scholarship,' 'demonstrated ability') leave significant interpretive latitude
  • Potential tension between academic and technical merit criteria
  • Small cohort size (20/year) limits structural impact on CTE field
Executive Order 13697: Amendment to Executive Order 11155, Awards for Special Capability in Career and Technical Education · Executive Orders