Silver Spring, MD – ACTE and Advance CTE released the following joint statement in response to the announcement that the reauthorization markup of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins), which was previously scheduled for June 20, would be delayed a week as a result of progress on bipartisan negotiations:

 

“We are encouraged by Senators’ hard work and continued efforts to negotiate a bipartisan path forward for Perkins reauthorization. For more than a century, career and technical education (CTE) has enjoyed bipartisan federal support and we hope to see the Senate’s reauthorization proposal follow a similar trend.

 

“With a growing skills gap and a 21st century economy demanding a skilled labor market, to better serve today’s learners and tomorrow’s workforce it is more important than ever that both sides come together to produce a bill that will help ensure all students have access to high-quality CTE programs. Postponing the markup and continuing bipartisan negotiations is a positive sign that policymakers are carefully considering how this legislation can best impact students, employers and communities. We urge continued bipartisan cooperation in advance of next week’s markup, and look forward to reviewing draft legislation when it is released.”

 

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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, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals 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 Advance CTE

Advance CTE: State Leaders Connecting Learning to Work is the longest-standing national non-profit that represents State Directors and state leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Established in 1920, Advance CTE supports visionary state leadership, cultivates best practices and speaks with a collective voice on national policy to promote academic and technical excellence that ensures a career-ready workforce.