Statement of ACTE on the U.S. Senate approval of "Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Improvement Act of 2006"

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2006

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

Last night on Capitol Hill the U.S. Senate voted to approve final reauthorization of the “Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006”. The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is pleased with the progress that has been made and is hopeful the bill will soon become law.

The federal investment in high-quality career and technical education (CTE) is essential to meeting the needs of both specific employers and the economy as a whole as the nation’s education and workplace systems continue to evolve. This legislation sends an important message that career and technical education is critical to ensuring individuals have opportunities throughout their lifetimes to develop the knowledge and skills needed to keep the United States competitive.

ACTE is pleased that the bill approved by the conference committee maintains many important aspects of current law, while at the same time making positive improvements. ACTE and its 30,000 members are particularly appreciative of the conference committee’s final agreement to update the terminology in the bill from “vocational education” to “career and technical education,” to maintain state administrative funding at 5 percent of a state’s allocation, and to maintain the Tech Prep program as a separate funding stream within the legislation. These critical issues were the top three priorities for ACTE during the conference committee negotiations.

In addition, this bill reflects the positive changes being made and implemented in CTE programs across the country. In particular, new requirements for “programs of study” build on current initiatives to ensure that students have the academic and career and technical skills necessary to be successful in further education and careers, and can move seamlessly through the education continuum. While revised accountability provisions in the bill may prove challenging, ACTE is confident that results will show the positive impact career and technical education has on student achievement.

The Perkins Act provides more than $1.2 billion in federal support for CTE programs in all 50 States. It was last reauthorized by Congress in 1998. Before the bill can be signed into law it must be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.

For ACTE’s summary of key issues within the bill click here.

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