CTAT Advocates for Federal CTE Funding on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, DC – Members and staff of the Career and Technology Association of Texas attended the Association for Career and Technical Education’s (ACTE) National Policy Seminar (NPS) March 7-9 in Arlington, VA, and met with Members of Congress on Capitol Hill to educate them about the value of career and technical education (CTE). One of the major concerns was the House-passed FY 2011 appropriations bill, H.R. 1, which would reduce funding of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins) by $120.9 million. Perkins provides resources for secondary and postsecondary education and training programs that prepare youth and adults to be successful in high-wage, high-demand careers.

While attending ACTE’s three-day briefing on federal policies, CTAT members and staff consulted with Congressman Ruben Hinojosa and education policy advisors to Senator John Cornyn, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Congressman John Carter, and Congressman John Culberson to encourage more support for CTE and other education and workforce development programs.

“Texas lawmakers and their staff were supportive of the role of career and technical education in student achievement and workforce development,” said Robin Painovich, Executive Director of the Career and Technology Association of Texas.

At the opening session of the NPS, attendees heard from Chris Cillizza, editor of washingtonpost.com’s The Fix. He provided information about the political climate on Capitol Hill as well as predictions about the 2012 race for president. During Monday afternoon’s general session, congressional staff spoke about the priorities of the 112th Congress as well as advice on how to tell the CTE story effectively. During Tuesday’s general sessions, leading education and workforce experts presented information on key education and worker retraining issues driving legislative developments.

During the final general session, attendees heard from Assistant Secretary Jane Oates from the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and Assistant Secretary Brenda Dann-Messier from the Office of Vocational and Adult Education, and watched a video greeting from Education Secretary Arne Duncan. After the speeches, a panel from other federal agencies shared information about specific programs and initiatives relating to CTE and workforce development, and how CTE leaders can benefit from a wide range of federal programs and collaborate across agencies to prepare tomorrow’s workforce.
 

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Download the press release here.