House Backs Bipartisan Measure to Strengthen Career and Technical Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. – By an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 399-1, the U.S. House of Representatives today approved the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act (S. 250) conference report, legislation to strengthen career and technical education and improve educational opportunities for students.  The measure now heads to President Bush for his signature.  Last year, the House approved similar legislation, authored by Education Reform Subcommittee Chairman Mike Castle (R-DE), to reauthorize the Perkins program.

"This legislation is a culmination of a bipartisan effort to increase academic rigor in our career and technical programs and to ensure students have the skills necessary to enter the workforce or to continue to an institution of higher learning,” Castle said.  “I am pleased we were able to continue both the State Grant program, which infuses additional integration of academic and technical courses, as well as the Tech Prep program, which importantly focuses on articulation between secondary and postsecondary institutions.  It is critical that we continue to fund these vocational programs at the required levels so students may continue to be challenged.  High school reform is not and should not be a replacement for vocational education.  The two must work hand in hand."

Under the Perkins program, states and local communities help prepare youth and adults for the future by building their academic and technical skills.  The programs equip students with the knowledge to proceed with postsecondary education or pursue other postsecondary opportunities.

“Career and technical education is fundamental to our efforts to improve academic achievement at all levels so our nation remains competitive in the face of a rapidly-changing global economy,” said U.S. House Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA).  “Each year, millions of students enrich their secondary and postsecondary educational opportunities through participation in career and technical education, and this legislation fulfills a commitment to improving the performance-levels of those students.” 

The Perkins program represents one of the largest federal investments in U.S. high schools and is a key component of secondary and postsecondary education systems.  Through this reauthorization of the programs, Congress has aimed to strengthen the Perkins program by helping states better utilize federal funds for secondary and postsecondary vocational education programs, increasing accountability and emphasizing student achievement, and strengthening opportunities for coordination between secondary and postsecondary career and technical education.

“I was honored to work with my colleagues on the conference committee to produce a final version of this important legislation, and I’m proud of what we accomplished,” noted Rep. Tom Osborne (R-NE).  “In particular, I was pleased that the final legislation included my amendment to allow entrepreneurship programs to be funded through Perkins grants.  Career and technical education fills a great need in Nebraska by fostering innovation and ensuring that our workforce is trained to be competitive in the global marketplace.”

Also included in the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act are measures that will ensure academic courses for career and technical students are rigorous and challenging.  It also supports student achievement in core academic subjects, as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act, and emphasizes math and science education that incorporates the use of technology.

“It is increasingly important that any career and technical education includes a strong academic component, with a particular focus on math and science,” said Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN). “It’s not enough to be trained in a skill; if they are to be ready for today’s workforce, students must excel academically.  The bill also increases state and local accountability on performance measures and provides greater flexibility to states in how they use their funding.  By allowing a state to combine Tech Prep and State Grant funding, the legislation allows innovative states to respond more effectively to their state’s needs.”

Each year, millions of students participate in career and technical education.  Nearly all students – about 97 percent – leave public high school having taken some career and technical education, with nearly half of all high school students and about one-third of college students involved in career and technical programs as a major part of their studies. 

“This bill will have a significant impact on millions of students across the nation,” said Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO).  “The push for increased accountability, increased local control, and the increase of rigorous math and science education are especially beneficial.”

Highlights of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act include:

Emphasizing Student Academic and Career-Technical Achievement

·         Focusing on academics;

·         Strengthening the transition from secondary to postsecondary education; and

·         Enhancing Career and Technical Programs of Study.

Improving Accountability

·         Helping states and local communities improve opportunities for students;

·         Focusing on success at the local level;

·         Allowing states and local communities to reward local performance; and

·         Encouraging equitable participation for students.

Ensuring Effective Use of Federal Funding

·         Increasing flexibility for states; and

·         Maintaining local control.

Enhancing Professional Development for Teachers

·         Recognizing the importance of teachers in improving academic achievement; and

·         Ensuring teachers have access to quality professional development.

For more information on efforts to enhance career and technical education, visit the Education & the Workforce Committee website at http://edworkforce.house.gov/issues/109th/education/voced/voced.htm.

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