FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    CONTACT: Megan Reiter
May 4, 2005                                     (703) 683-9312; mreiter@acteonline.org


ALEXANDRIA, VA –Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 366, the “Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act” by a vote of 416-9, continuing the process of renewing federal career and technical education laws. The House action comes after the full Senate passed its version of the bill, S. 250, the “Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2005” by a vote of 99-0 on March 10th.

The Association for Career and Technical Education’s (ACTE) Senior Director of Public Policy Christin Driscoll commented, “We see value in both bills. While we have concerns with a few provisions in the House bill, the bulk of the bill maintains current law and contains important improvements to the Perkins program.”

Driscoll added, “We look forward to a positive conference between the two bills.”

This Congressional show of support for reauthorizing career and technical education legislation comes in a year when the Bush Administration’s FY 2006 budget request proposes to eliminate the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Act, along with several other education programs. The Bush Administration has previously called for deep cuts of 25% to the Perkins program in its last two budget proposals and Congress has rejected those cuts in the past.

Although the Perkins program has received bi-partisan support thus far, ACTE and other career and technical education (CTE) advocates remain concerned for CTE programs along with 150 other domestic programs slated for cuts by the Administration, which could see decreased funding as Congress now focuses on its yearly appropriations process.

ACTE’s Executive Director Janet Bray stated, “Congress last week passed a budget blueprint that imposed tight caps on domestic discretionary spending. This could mean cuts to vital education programs.”

Bray added, “Cuts to or the elimination of the Perkins program would force already cash strapped schools, training programs, and community colleges to reduce or eliminate programs that are working in communities across the country successfully to preparing students for careers in the 21st century.”

Career and technical education encompasses a broad curriculum of knowledge and skills that provide students with the academic and technical skills necessary to succeed in today’s workforce. These classes provide secondary students with a foundation of competencies that allow them the opportunity to pursue postsecondary education or move directly into careers. They also provide adults with the opportunity to focus their careers and acquire the technical skills needed to current meet workplace demands. These programs provide both business and industry with the skilled workers they need to compete in the 21st century economy.

The Association for Career and Technical Education is the national professional association for the field of career and technical education. Now in its 79th year, ACTE’s membership numbers more than 30,000 teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and postsecondary levels.

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May 4, 2005          NR#05-011