FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 10, 2005

CONTACT: Megan Reiter (703) 683-9312; mreiter@acteonline.org

ALEXANDRIA, VA –Yesterday on Capitol Hill, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education approved $1.312 billion for the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, restoring the program’s basic state grant and tech prep funding streams to FY 2005 levels. Perkins provides federal funding for career and technical education programs in communities across the country.

The Association for Career and Technical Education’s (ACTE) Executive Director Janet Bray commented, “Career and technical education makes positive investments in America’s future by educating our youth and preparing our nation’s workforce to compete in the 21st century. We appreciate the House of Representatives’ acting to preserve this program that is so important to our nation.”

Career and technical education encompasses a broad curriculum of knowledge and skills that provide students with the academic and technical skills necessary to pursue postsecondary education or move directly into careers. These classes provide both youth and adults with a foundation of competencies that allows them to succeed in today’s workforce. Career and technical education programs also provide business and industry with the skilled workers they need to compete in the 21st century economy.

The fate of funding for Perkins must still be decided by the House Appropriations Committee, the full House and considered by the Senate. Earlier this year, the House and Senate also signaled strong support for the Perkins program by voting to renew the federal law governing career and technical education programs. Congress’ recent actions are significant given the Bush Administration’s FY 2006 budget request to eliminate the Perkins Act.


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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June 10, 2005                         NR# 05-013