Category: Press Releases

Hillwood, A Perot Company Named as an ACTE Business-Education Partnership Award Winner 

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and its Board of Directors is pleased to announce Hillwood, A Perot Company as an ACTE Business-Education Partnership Award Winner. The Business-Education Partnership Award celebrates the contributions and achievements of schools and businesses that aid in the development and maintenance of partnerships supporting high-quality career and technical education (CTE).  

Hillwood created AllianceTexas, a 27,000-acre master-planned community. It’s an economic engine powering a region where businesses big and small are embracing innovation. They are unique in having a dedicated customer experience team. This provided them with the perfect landscape for student work-based learning experiences that have partnered with a variety of corporations from a vast array of career clusters. 

 The team at Hillwood, led by Director of Customer Experience, Hope Bell, created a plan for a nine-month student networking opportunity. The AllianceTexas Student Influencers Program was formed. Hope, ESC Region 11 Regional Industry Advisory Board Executive team member and Hillwood employee has championed this initiative with other advisory board members. There is a vision for expansion of this model with Hillwood having offered mentorship to members of the ESC 11 Regional Industry Advisory Board so more companies in our ten-county region can use this framework to connect with high school students in a deep and meaningful way.  

Students walk away from this program with highly honed professional skills, networking capabilities, a deeper understanding of the world of work, and the ability to advocate for themselves in a professional manner. This four-year old program is built into their Customer Experience program, as it supports the education/workforce pipeline, and ongoing initiatives focused on workforce development and collaboration. The program is a tremendous success, and they plan to add training in professional development skills, and public speaking. These needs are expressed by company leaders and HR Executives for all new employees, so they will be embedded into the Student Influencers Program aligning with Career and Technical Education at the highest levels. 

 The investment of human capital to plan, manage, and champion this initiative is crucial. They have two staff members that manage this initiative, Hope Bell and Sara Hunton, and many associated companies donate time to engage with students. The most important component is the vision for this program to fill the need of providing real world experience gained through facility tours, interviews, networking opportunities, hands-on project planning and for more students in the local community to have access to work-based learning. 

 Hillwood, A Perot Company will be recognized alongside other national ACTE award winners on December 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. ET, at the annual ACTE Awards Gala. For more information on the Impact Awards and the Awards Gala, visit http://www.acteonline.org/awards.  

 ###  

About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources.

Fullerton Tool Company Named as an ACTE Business-Education Partnership Award Winner 

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and its Board of Directors is pleased to announce Fullerton Tool as an ACTE Business-Education Partnership Award Winner. The Business-Education Partnership Award celebrates the contributions and achievements of schools and businesses that aid in the development and maintenance of partnerships supporting high-quality career and technical education (CTE).  

Fullerton Tool, a third-generation, family-owned business, specializes in designing and producing solid carbide cutting tools for various industries, including high-quality end mills, drills, reamers, burrs, saws, key seat cutters, and custom tooling. 

Fullerton has been instrumental in enhancing Career Technical Education (CTE) programs by providing state-of-the-art tools and technology, ensuring students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment. They actively promote CTE by partnering with educational and industry leaders, sponsoring events, participating in career fairs, and offering workshops, job shadows, internships, field trips, and talent tours and seminars to raise awareness and inspire students to pursue technical careers. Their collaboration with educators to design curricula and training programs ensures students receive relevant and comprehensive training, enhancing their employability. 

 Fullerton has been a strong partner in bringing manufacturing to Saginaw County school districts through the SME Education Foundation P.R.I.M.E. program. Patrick Curry, President of Fullerton Tool, played a key role in the M-46 Talent Consortium, part of former Governor Snyder’s Marshall Plan for Talent initiative. This consortium secured over $6 million in grant funding, with more than half dedicated to growing manufacturing in Saginaw County. Fullerton promoted and gathered manufacturers to build a skilled talent pipeline, introducing high school students to manufacturing concepts using up-to-date equipment and curriculum, and providing industry certifications. 

Fullerton was a champion of Saginaw County’s CTE Millage, passed in November 2018. The company has served on the Saginaw Career Complex’s Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing program board for five years. They continuously donate tooling and resources to the Career Complex program, dedicating staff and manufacturing partners to support student training and P.R.I.M.E. programs. 

 In 2023, Fullerton dedicated 300 hours to on-site classroom assistance at Saginaw Career Complex in the Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing program. In 2024, they continue to provide advisory support and tooling for CNC machine courses. Fullerton has also contributed to events like Skills USA at the regional, state and national level by judging competitions, providing essential tools to top-performing students, as well as funding. 

 Fullerton Tool Company will be recognized alongside other national ACTE award winners on December 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. ET, at the annual ACTE Awards Gala. For more information on the Impact Awards and the Awards Gala, visit http://www.acteonline.org/awards.  

###  

About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources.

Bryan Fix Named ACTE Champion for CTE

ALEXANDRIA, VA - The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce the ACTE Champion for CTE: Bryan Fix, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, OR. The ACTE Champion for CTE award recognizes education leaders, business and industry executives, celebrities and thought leaders who support and champion career and technical education (CTE) programs as a vital part of developing a prepared, adaptable and competitive workforce.

Bryan has significantly contributed to Career and Technical Education (CTE) through his role as Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls, OR. As a former state officer in the FFA during high school and an active member of in his school’s FBLA Program, Bryan’s early experiences shaped his commitment to student career pathways and even paid for a full 4 years of post-secondary education through various scholarships awarded through his career-connected learning experiences. A lifelong learner with a passion for education, Bryan has worked at Sky Lakes Medical Center to dramatically improve outcomes for local students by reintroducing clinical rotations for high school students. These students receive scrubs, hospital badges, and access to over 14 hospital departments, gaining valuable insights into their potential careers.

Bryan and his teams in the Human Resources and Training and Development departments initiated an innovative “Earn-and-Learn” program, hiring high school juniors and seniors as paid Unit Ambassadors. These students participate in hands-on experiences, receive monthly career counseling, and have their training and education funded by Sky Lakes to advance within the medical system. This program has expanded into three unique tracks, including a Surgical Technician pipeline in partnership with Klamath Community College, enabling students to become Surgical Technicians with significantly higher wages.

Additionally, Bryan launched a Medical Assisting Pre-Apprenticeship Program with local high schools. Students complete their pre-apprenticeship in high school and then join Sky Lakes as Medical Assistant Apprentices receiving 6-12 months of direct mentorship and achieving full employment with national certification within a year of graduation. This initiative aims to address the shortage of MAs in Klamath County, with plans to hire approximately 35 MAs annually.

Bryan’s leadership has also influenced local high school curriculums to align with industry needs, from Medical Assisting Pre-Apprenticeship classes to Anatomy & Physiology and Professionalism and Employability courses. He has developed feedback systems to measure the success of clinical observations and secured guest speakers from the hospital for high school classrooms. His efforts have facilitated professional development for medical science teachers and garnered support for high school medical programs through grants and donations.

Passionate about equitable access to medical science education, Bryan is working to expand medical science programs to more high schools in the Klamath Basin (a rural and medically underserved region) and invite students from schools without such programs to participate inclinical observations and apply for Unit Ambassador positions. His vision includes creating a regional CTE Center to provide equitable access to CTE programming for all students and extended educational pathways from high school through university programs offered regionally with Klamath Community College and Oregon Tech (OIT).

Bryan’s initiatives have fostered a vibrant partnership between Sky Lakes and local schools, highlighting the broad scope of CTE and its impact on community development. This model has inspired other industries and CTE programs to develop similar pipelines, creating positive conversations about the future of education and workforce development in Klamath County. Bryan’s leadership has attracted attention from various regions across the state of Oregon, eager to replicate the success achieved in Klamath County.

Fix will be recognized alongside other national ACTE award winners at the Awards Gala on December 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. For more information on the Impact Awards and the Awards Gala, visit http://www.acteonline.org/awards.

###

About ACTE
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.

 

Tennessee Association for Career and Technical Education Unifies with National ACTE

Alexandria, VA – The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is pleased to announce the formal unification of the Tennessee Association for Career and Technical Education (Tennessee ACTE) with the national Association. This effort, led by Tennessee ACTE President Richard Skipper, the TNACTE Board of Directors, and TNACTE Executive Director Chris Tucker, officially brings the state association under the national umbrella. This moves benefits both career and technical education (CTE) professionals in Tennessee and ACTE’s national membership.

With this unification, Tennessee ACTE members can now join both their state and national professional membership associations simultaneously. TNACTE and its members will gain access to the national association’s extensive professional development resources, federal public policy advocacy, and leadership opportunities. The state association will also benefit from a range of organizational resources and association management services, including online membership processing and electronic communications tools. For ACTE, the unification enhances connections with CTE stakeholders in Tennessee and gives TNACTE members a stronger voice in federal policy advocacy.

“ACTE’s Board of Directors and I are excited to expand our connections in Tennessee and work closely with our friends at Tennessee ACTE and their members,” said ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Curry. “Working together, ACTE, Tennessee ACTE, and our partners in states all across the country can increase access to and students’ success in high-quality CTE programs. We are grateful to the Tennessee ACTE Board of Directors and all who made this unification possible.”

“TNACTE is excited to announce that we are no longer one of 7 states non unified. We firmly believe that the benefits of finally unifying will pay long term dividends to all stakeholders but especially to our teachers as we strengthen each program division within our organization.”  Richard Skipper – TNACTE President

### 

About ACTE 

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities. 

ACTE, Advance CTE Commend Senate FY25 Labor-HHS-ED Funding Bill

Alexandria, VA – Advance CTE and the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) commend the Senate Appropriations Committee for recently advancing federal fiscal year 2025 (FY25) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS-ED) appropriations legislation– a proposal that would provide for a $35 million increased investment in the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act’s (Perkins V) State Grant Program. We urge Congress to enact this critically needed increased investment in CTE as the wider FY25 process continues to advance this year.

ACTE and Advance CTE are particularly encouraged to note the broad bipartisan support this FY25 funding proposal received during the Committee’s recent consideration of this measure. Increasing the investment in Perkins V’s foundational support for state and local CTE systems is critical to ensuring that all learners have access to high-quality CTE learning opportunities directly supported by this legislation. 

Despite current budgetary constraints, we applaud the Senate Appropriations Committee for recognizing the importance of this annual federal investment which supports CTE pathways that lead directly to further education, training, and family-sustaining employment. We also were pleased to note overall levels of investment in other critical education and workforce development programs in support of the wider career preparation ecosystem. 

While our organizations continue to have concerns regarding additional funding for competitive grant programs as envisioned in this FY25 proposal, particularly in light of such a challenging fiscal environment, we encourage Congress to ensure that if these funds are allocated, they are targeted for activities that are truly innovative and not duplicative of the existing, foundational investment made in CTE through Perkins V’s State Grant program.

### 

About ACTE 

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities. 

About Advance CTE

Advance CTE is the longest-standing national non-profit that represents State Directors and state leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Established in 1920, Advance CTE supports state CTE leadership to advance high-quality and equitable CTE policies, programs and pathways that ensure career and college success without limits for each learner.

Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education Unifies with National ACTE

Alexandria, VA – The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is pleased to announce the formal unification of the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education (Ohio ACTE) with the national association. This effort, led by Ohio ACTE President Mike Parry, the Ohio ACTE Executive Board, and Ohio ACTE Executive Director Dee Smith, officially brings the state association under the national umbrella. This move benefits both career and technical education (CTE) professionals in Ohio and ACTE’s national membership.

With this unification, Ohio ACTE members can now join both their state and national professional membership associations simultaneously. Ohio ACTE and its members will gain access to the national association’s extensive professional development resources, federal public policy advocacy, and leadership opportunities. The state association will also benefit from a range of organizational resources and association management services, including online membership processing and electronic communications tools. For ACTE, the unification enhances connections with CTE stakeholders in Ohio and gives Ohio ACTE members a stronger voice in federal policy advocacy.

“ACTE’s Board of Directors and I are excited to expand our connections in Ohio and work closely with our friends at Ohio ACTE and their members,” said ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Curry. “Working together, ACTE, Ohio ACTE, and our partners in states all across the country can increase access to, and students’ success in, high-quality CTE programs. We are grateful to the Ohio ACTE Board of Directors and all who made this unification possible.”

“On behalf of Ohio ACTE members, we are excited to unify with ACTE”, Parry and Smith commented. “Aligning with the national association will open an array of benefits that will empower our state educators to grow professionally, become leaders within their areas of expertise, and be further positioned to create career success for each student we serve. During this time of importance for CTE, it is imperative for all levels of education along with public and private entities to partner and collaborate in a purposeful manner. This relationship allows Ohio to fully engage in this process – and to leverage a national network to support our educators and, ultimately, our students.”

### 

About ACTE 

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities. 

The Association for Career and Technical Education  (ACTE) Partners with Catapult

to Advance Institutions Forward Faster

New Partnership with the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) fills gaps in critical professional development for CTE educators nationwide

ALEXANDRIA, VA,July 7, 2024 — The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is proud to announce the initiation of a new strategic partnership with Catapult, that will offer ACTE members (and their institutions) ongoing professional development masterclasses to help support CTE educators and their local colleagues in making education relevant.

This long-term collaboration will include individual Catapult professional development masterclasses for ACTE members.  Initial memberships will be coupled with the annual ACTE CareerTech VISION Conference as a post-conference experience. VISION attracts over 6,000+ career and technical educators, administrators and school counselors each year, in addition to 400+ presenters and nearly 300 exhibitors. In 2023-2024, Catapult had over 8,300 educators registered in hybrid masterclasses making it the largest convening of Work Based Learning and Career Readiness in America.

Through ACTE, Catapult is proud to:

• Co-Sponsor various high touch aspects of the VISION conference including the 2024 keynote.
• Provide high-quality professional development year-round, in-between established conferences.
• Offer ACTE EIMs (Education Institution Members) access to customized institution-wide masterclasses with additional financial support.
• Work with ACTE Fellows and Alumni Fellows to curate and co-develop Catapult masterclasses as a dedicated cohort for ongoing collaboration and growth.

“ACTE and Catapult have a shared vision,” said Dr. Kevin J. Fleming, Founder and CEO of Catapult. “We both are dedicated to empowering and equipping educators to advance CTE programs and career-connected learning. Together, we shall continue to ensure all learners receive a meaningful and relevant education, are positioned for career success, and can fulfill their purpose on purpose.”

“CareerTech VISION is the most valuable in-person professional development for career and technical educators” said ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Curry. “Now that experience combined with Catapult Masterclasses, CTE personnel can extend their professional growth all year long”.

To learn more about how Catapult enhances education’s professional development programming, visit https://www.catapultmasterclass.com/.

To learn more about our partnership with ACTE visit:

Association for Career and Technical Education and https://www.acteonline.org/catapult-masterclass/

Joint Statement from ACTE, Advance CTE on Career and Technical Education in FY2025 House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Proposal

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Every learner across the nation must be empowered to explore and pursue their chosen career. Both of our organizations are dedicated to this goal, which requires robust investments not only in career and technical education (CTE) but the wider education and workforce development systems in which CTE programs operate. The recently introduced fiscal year 2025 (FY25) appropriations bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, set to be considered by the House Appropriations Committee tomorrow, unfortunately does not align with this vision for our nation’s future.

We appreciate and applaud the legislation’s proposed strengthened investment in CTE via the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act’s (Perkins V) formula state grant program. Our organizations are also especially supportive of the inclusion of report language that formally requests clarification and justification from the U.S. Department of Education regarding new regulations for Perkins V at this stage in the law’s lifecycle – a move we believe would be extremely counterproductive and would lead to fewer opportunities for learners across the country to access CTE programming.

Despite these encouraging aspects contained in this FY25 proposal, we remain concerned about the significant funding reductions proposed elsewhere which would limit, rather than expand, opportunities for learners to access and complete high-quality learning and training opportunities more broadly supported by this legislation.

These proposed federal spending cuts for major education and workforce development programs will likely cause significant disruptions in connecting learners, particularly our nation’s most vulnerable populations, to CTE programs and the broader postsecondary and career opportunities they provide. CTE programs are successful because they more closely connect and bridge K-12, postsecondary, and workforce development investments. These investments in the broader career preparation ecosystem support a robust and diverse workforce with in-demand skills, capable of adapting to the evolving needs of employers and the wider economy.

We urge lawmakers in the House to reconsider this funding proposal and, at minimum, maintain federal appropriations for the many education and workforce development programs that provide learners essential services and pathways into CTE. We look forward to the wider FY25 process to advocate for a strengthened investment in CTE via Perkins V’s state grant program while working to advance policies that enable more learners to access these opportunities and develop the skills necessary for success in the modern economy.

###

About ACTE 

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities. 

ACTE Board of Directors Welcomes New Members, Thanks Outgoing Members 

Alexandria, VA – The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is pleased to announce that several new members have officially joined its ACTE Board of Directors. In addition, former President-elect Carrie Giles assumed the role of President on July 1, 2024. New ACTE President Giles shared: 

“Thank you for your support and well wishes! I also wanted to extend my congratulations to the other incoming ACTE board members. I am truly honored to serve as ACTE President!”  

“ACTE is truly a nationwide network and family of leaders, and I’m excited for the opportunity to continue to serve and represent so many CTE leaders across so many states. I will listen, lead, be your voice, and grow with you” continued President Giles. 

ACTE would like to thank all current and outgoing Board of Directors members for their service to the organization throughout their tenure, as well as their continued contributions to ACTE and the CTE field. 

Incoming Board Members:

Carrie Giles, President 

Carrie Giles is the Central Region Chief Administrator at Central Ohio Technical College in Newark, Ohio. Her one-year term as President began July 1, 2024, and will be followed by a one-year term as Past-President beginning July 2025. 

Robert Torres, President-elect 

Robert Torres is a Professor and Department head at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. His one-year term as President-elect began July 1, 2024. 

Chaney Mosely, Past President 

Chaney Mosley is an Assistant Professor at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. His one-year term as Past President began on July 1, 2024, following his one-year terms as President and President-elect. 

Sandra Adams, Administration Division Vice President 

Sandra Adams is an Administrator at the Career Academy for Fort Wayne Community Schools in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  

Lavyne Rada, Agricultural Education Division Vice President 

Lavyne Rada is the Director of Recruitment and Retention for CTE at the Lakes County Service Cooperative in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.  

Brooke Kusch, Counseling and Career Development Division Vice President 

Brooke Kusch is a Career Counselor at Autry Technology Center in Enid, Oklahoma.  

LaDonna Selvidge, Health Science Education Division Vice President 

LaDonna Selvidge is the Practical Nursing Director at Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  

Shawn Freie, Postsecondary, Adult and Career Education Vice President 

Shawn Freie is the Small Business Management Coordinator/Incubator Manager at Caddo Kiowa Technology Center in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma.  

Dustin Davis-Austin, Region II Vice President 

Dustin Davis-Austin is the Director of Career, Technical & Agricultural Education for Fulton Country Schools in Sandy Springs, Georgia.  

Craig Statucki, Region V Vice President 

Craig Statucki is the Director of the Office of Career Readiness, Adult Learning and Education Options at the Nevada Department of Education in Carson City, Nevada.     

Outgoing Board of Directors Members

Scott Stone, Past President 

Eric Ripley, Administration Division Vice President 

Robert Torres, Agricultural Education Division Vice President 

Teresa “Gibby” Gibbons, Counseling and Career Development Division Vice President 

Holly Strand-Rysgaard, Health Science Education Division Vice President 

Kristina Ropos, Postsecondary, Adult and Career Education Vice President 

Beth Parks, Region II Vice President 

Shani Watkins, Region V Vice President 

  

### 

About ACTE 

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities. 

 

Advance CTE, ACTE Encouraged by President Biden’s Budget Request

Yesterday, President Biden published his Administration’s federal fiscal year 2025 (FY25) budget request to Congress. This proposal includes a $40 million budget increase for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act’s (Perkins V) basic state grant program–just under a 3% increase over current FY23 enacted levels.

Our organizations understand the tight fiscal constraints under which the Administration developed this budget proposal and we applaud the President for his vision for the future which recognizes that investing in Career Technical Education (CTE) is a national imperative. Currently, less than 3% of total education funding directly supports CTE, and this figure is only 1% without the investment made by the Perkins state grant program. Investing in the Perkins V state grant program remains the most effective way to ensure that all learners have equitable access to career-focused education through the proven model of CTE and the wider opportunities these experiences provide.

The request also proposes $64 million for the continuation and expansion of the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Career-connected High Schools competitive grant program. While we appreciate the Administration’s broader focus on providing more career-connected learning opportunities, much of what is envisioned and has been funded in the initial round as part of these competitive grants can and already is funded by Perkins V’s formula program. Any additional resources available in the President’s budget for CTE should instead be invested in the legislation’s state grant program. Prioritizing resources for the basic state grant avoids duplicating program structures already funded and avoids exacerbating equity barriers that often prevent underserved communities from applying to competitive grant opportunities.

Beyond these aspects of the proposal, we were pleased to note proposed investments in community and technical colleges, including new focus on “career-connected” dual enrollment experiences and an accompanying state matching requirement.

Our organizations look forward to working with Congress and the Biden Administration this year to enact federal investments for Perkins V that fully meet the needs of the millions of CTE learners across the nation. Learner demand for CTE is only continuing to increase. For that reason, we must provide the investments needed to ensure that every learner has the skills required to succeed in careers and in life.

About ACTE

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.

About Advance CTE

Advance CTE is the longest-standing national non-profit that represents State Directors and state leaders responsible for secondary, postsecondary and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Established in 1920, Advance CTE supports state CTE leadership to advance high-quality and equitable CTE policies, programs and pathways that ensure career and college success without limits for each learner.