January 8, 2016 – Silver Spring, MD – Today, 350 employers, industry associations, education organizations, and other key stakeholders throughout the nation called on Congress to strengthen the primary federal investment in Career Technical Education (CTE). The letter, which is supported by some of the nation’s largest employers, encourages lawmakers to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins) and makes four overarching recommendations for the law’s renewal that will strengthen the connections between CTE programs and workforce needs by focusing on economic alignment, secondary-postsecondary connections, experiential and work-based learning, and credentials.
“We are encouraged by this broad showing of support for Perkins and CTE from the employer and education communities,” said NASDCTEc Executive Director Kimberly Green. “These groups recognize that CTE is a critical element to student achievement and continued economic prosperity. We look forward to a comprehensive reauthorization process where our collective recommendations can be fully realized. Our members, and the students they serve, are counting on Congress to thoughtfully renew this important legislation.”
“The release of this letter demonstrates the critical need for greater federal emphasis on CTE to meet the needs of our students and employers, and we are hopeful that Congress will hear this call to action,” said ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Wilson. “Many of the CTE community’s specific policy priorities, such as our recommendation for using Programs of Study as the foundation for strengthening secondary-postsecondary-employer connections, are aligned directly with the principles in this letter. We look forward to working with Congress to achieve these goals and ensure that all students have access to high-quality CTE.”
The Perkins Act, which has been due for reauthorization since 2013, is the largest federal source of dedicated funding for CTE and is the largest investment in the nation’s high schools. Both chambers of Congress are currently considering reauthorization of the law.
Contacts:
Katie Fitzgerald, NASDCTEc
301-588-9630
Sean Lynch, ACTE
703-683-9312
About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, guidance counselors and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.
About NASDCTEc
The National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc) was established in 1920 to represent the state and territory heads of secondary, postsecondary and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across the nation. NASDCTEc, through leadership, advocacy and partnerships, aims to support an innovative CTE system that prepares individuals to succeed in education and their careers, and poises the United States to flourish in a global, dynamic economy.
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