February 4, 2008

Today President Bush released his proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009. The budget includes $52.9 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Education, the same level appropriated by Congress for FY2008; it eliminates all funding for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (including Perkins Basic State Grants, Tech Prep, and National Programs) and eliminates 44 other programs at a total cost of $3.2 billion. Numerous other education and workforce programs are reduced or level funded, see ACTE's funding chart for more details.

U.S. Department of Education officials rationalize that elimination of Perkins is due to “tough choices,” a continued focus on federal programs that support rigorous academics, and a federal Program Assessments Ratings Tool (PART) analysis which rates Perkins as ineffective.

This is unacceptable! The Perkins program plays a critical role in providing the skills and knowledge essential for a competitive workforce. Quality CTE programs are linked to rigorous academic instruction and are improving student engagement through “real world” application to prepare students for successful careers.  The PART analysis is based on faulty research and was performed over five years ago.

The Bush Administration eliminated Perkins funding in FY 2006 and FY2007, and cut funding in half in FY2008. However, Congress has ignored this request and restored funding for the Perkins program each year.

It is extremely important that all members of the CTE community rally together to urge Members of Congress to reject the President’s blueprint for education, and increase Perkins funding to $1.7 billion! The Perkins program is crucial to ensuring that student’s have the necessary skills to compete in a global economy and a $1.7 billion investment will help address rising student enrollment and costs of implementation.

Contact your Member of Congress to urge the rejection of the Bush Administration’s budget and to fully restore and increase the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to $1.7 billion.

TAKE ACTION

• Call and e-mail your Member of Congress to communicate that the threat to eliminate Perkins’ funding by the Administration is unacceptable and that an increase of Perkins funding is needed!
• Rally parents, teachers, administrators, students, business leaders, and other advocates to help this campaign to save Perkins funding.
• Use data and research to support your case.
• Gather and collect student success stories to personalize the use of Perkins funds as you speak to your Representative and Senators.
• Be sure to stress how Perkins’ funding is helping to ensure a successful workforce in your community.
• Visit ACTE’s Budget and Appropriations Web page for the latest news and resources.
• Consider attending ACTE's National Policy Seminar March 10-12 to visit Members of Congress in person and share the CTE message.