FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 29, 2006

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

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Representing the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Michael McDaniel, Superintendent of the Ashland County-West Holmes Joint Vocational School District in Ohio, testified today before the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee about the importance of funding for the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act.   

The Perkins Act provides critical resources to state and local CTE programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels, with investments ensuring innovation and program improvement, as well as accountability for results. The President’s Fiscal Year 2007 budget request asks Congress to eliminate federal funds for career and technical education (CTE), along with other education programs, to implement the President’s high school reform plan and to launch his American Competitiveness Initiative.

On Capitol Hill, McDaniel took a moment during his testimony to thank the Members of the Subcommittee for their “…longstanding support of Perkins as it has faced proposed cuts in recent years.”  The Bush Administration also called for elimination of the Perkins program in its Fiscal Year 2006 budget proposal.  Congress rejected the proposal and funded Perkins at almost $1.3 billion.

McDaniel shared how the loss of Perkins funding would affect the career and technical education programs and the communities they serve.  Under the President’s current proposal, “…$50.4 million in federal funds would no longer be available in Ohio to support CTE programs.”  He went on to discuss how his Congressional district (OH-16) would stand to lose $1.746 million in Basic State Grant funding alone.

McDaniel stated, “Without the resources provided through Perkins, our students and our community would have even fewer options and services available at a time when they are so desperately needed.”  He added, “Your support of career-technical education and the funds from Perkins truly makes a difference for our students and our community.”

The House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee is expected to approve funding levels for programs like Perkins later this spring or early this summer.  Click here to view the written testimony submitted to the Members of the Subcommittee. 

The Association for Career and Technical Education is the national professional association for the field of career and technical education.  Now in its 80th 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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