Category: Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2017

Media Contact:
Kate Dowdy, ACTE
703-683-9305; kdowdy@acteonline.org

ACTE Region V Announces Winners at 2017 Annual Conference

The Association of Career and Technical Educators (ACTE) Region V held its annual conference on April 5-8 at the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn in Rapid City, SD. The theme for this year’s conference was “Leaders in the Pack!” Stephen DeWitt, ACTE Deputy Executive Director, commented “I’m confident that this year’s Region V Conference will help us all to become better leaders as we meet in a common purpose to improve teaching and learning.”

The Publication Awards and Innovative Program Awards were presented on Friday. The following states received ACTE Region V Publication Awards and received a digital badge to display on future publications:

• Newsletter – Montana, Montana ACTE-ENews
• Membership Recruitment – Arizona, ACTE AZ Membership
• Conference Publication – Montana, We Are CTE
• Advocacy Publication – Washington, WOVE Legislative Update for Career and Technical Education
• Website Publication – Arizona, ACTE AZ

The Innovative Program Awards recognize innovative career and technical education programs from each Region V state that are unique, novel, and are serving to improve and promote the image of career and technical education. Receiving Innovative Program Awards this year were:

• Bryan Stastny, North Dakota – Distance Welding Technology
• Laureen Mehlert, South Dakota – CTE Academy Digital Music Program
• Jacqueline Brewster, Washington – FACS/GRADS (Graduation Reality and Dual Role Skills)
• Jim Weber, Montana – CNC Machining
• Jason McCutcheon, Arizona – Advanced Construction Program

On Saturday, 53 state award winners from 14 states vied for the title of ACTE Region V Excellence Award winner. These awards recognize members for their contributions to career and technical education.  The following people were chosen as award recipients for 2017.

Sara Quintana was presented with the ACTE Region V New Teacher of the Year award. This award recognizes teachers who have made a significant contribution toward innovative CTE programs and have shown accomplishments early in his/her professional career. Sara is an Engineering & Technology instructor at Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sheree Moser was presented the ACTE Region V Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year award. This award recognizes the accomplishments and innovations contributed to the CTE community by a postsecondary teacher/educator. Sheree is an Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Sharon Metzger was presented the ACTE Region V Teacher of the Year award.  This award recognizes teachers who have provided outstanding CTE programs in their respective fields and communities.  Sharon is an Agriculture Education instructor at Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona.

Jillian Johnson-Sharp was presented the ACTE Region V Administrator of the Year award. This award recognizes an administrator who has made significant contributions to CTE programs in their communities and/or state. Jillian is an Administrator for Central Orange County CTE Partnership in Santa Ana, California.

Kelly Hoelting was presented the ACTE Region V Carl Perkins Community Service Award. This award recognizes a CTE professional who has made significant accomplishments and demonstrated leadership in programs and activities that promote community service. Kelly is an Agriculture Education instructor at Mission Valley USD #330 in Eskridge, Kansas.

Jan Fellow was presented the ACTE Region V Career Guidance Award. This award recognizes a school counselor or career development professional who has made significant contributions to CTE programs in his/her communities and/or state. Jan is a school counselor at Dysart Unified School District in Surprise, Arizona.

Roxanne Trees was presented the ACTE Region V Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes contributions and distinguished accomplishments of individuals who have been identified with the work and vision of the Association for Career and Technical Education. Roxanne retired as CTE Specialist from Seattle Public Schools in Seattle, Washington.

The ACTE Region V Excellence Award winners will advance to the national level where they compete against the other 4 Regions at CareerTech Vision 2017 to be named the ACTE Excellence Award winner of the year. CareerTech Vision 2017 will be held December 6-9, 2017 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

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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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2017

Media Contact:
Jarrod Nagurka, ACTE
703-683-9312, jnagurka@acteonline.org

ACTE Statement on Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act

Alexandria, VA – Today, U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Boozman (R-AR) and Al Franken (D-MN), along with U.S. Representatives Jared Polis (D-CO) and Tom Reed (R-NY), reintroduced the Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act (MEAA) (S. 718 and H.R. 1710). The bill aims to improve access to higher education for secondary students through dual and concurrent enrollment programs.

According to a press release from Senator Peters’ office, the bill would use funds provided under the Higher Education Act to provide grants to postsecondary institutions to:

• Offer dual and concurrent enrollment programs for secondary students.
• Provide professional development to educators teaching these programs.
• Support other aspects of the programs, like course design, community outreach and counseling services.

The release included the following statement from ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Wilson:

“Rigorous, high-quality career and technical education provides millions of students with opportunities to earn college credit and industry credentials through concurrent and dual enrollment programs. The Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act (MEAA) will strengthen the secondary-postsecondary transition for high school CTE students pursuing college credit and will support professional development activities for CTE teachers. ACTE is pleased to endorse MEAA and thanks the bill’s sponsors for their leadership.”

Similar bills were introduced in the House and Senate last year.

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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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2017

Media Contact:
Jarrod Nagurka, ACTE
703-683-9312, jnagurka@acteonline.org

ACTE Statement on 100-Year Anniversary of Smith-Hughes Act

Alexandria, VA – Today, ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Wilson released the following statement to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Smith Hughes National Vocational Education Act, the nation’s first federal investment in secondary CTE, which was signed into law on February 23, 1917:

“Every year, career and technical education (CTE) prepares millions of students for college and career success. Today, we celebrate the centennial of the Smith-Hughes Act and recognize the dramatic transformation within the CTE ecosystem over the last century – a transformation made directly in response to the needs of the American economy for upgraded skills.

“CTE students today are more likely to graduate from high school than their peers, and have strong academic, technical and employability skills. Unlike the “vocational education” of decades past, today 75 percent of secondary CTE concentrators go on to some type of postsecondary education. CTE is also helping to fill critical workforce shortages in both traditional career fields and in exciting new ones like cybersecurity, biomedical engineering and telecommunications. Businesses, local communities, students and the American economy alike all depend on accessible, rigorous, high-quality CTE.

“One hundred years ago the 64th Congress and President Woodrow Wilson laid the foundation for today’s CTE by making the nation’s first federal investment in secondary education that prepares students for career success. Today, the 115th Congress has the opportunity to continue this legacy by making investing in CTE a top priority.”

To mark February as CTE Month and to honor the Smith-Hughes centennial, The Hill published an opinion piece authored by Ms. Wilson, and last week the Senate unanimously passed a resolution.

Senate Resolution Honoring February 2017 as CTE Month, S. Res. 66

OPINION: 100 Years of Secondary Career Prep Success, The Hill, 2/23/17

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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.

Download the invitation here. Please RSVP to Jarrod Nagurka at jnagurka@acteonline.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
January 25, 2017

Media Contacts:

Jarrod Nagurka, ACTE
jnagurka@acteonline.org; 703-683-9312

Katie Fitzgerald, Advance CTE
Kfitzgerald@careertech.org; 301-588-9630

Forty-two States Advance Policies to Support Career and Technical Education in 2016: Fourth Annual Report Examining CTE Policies Released by National CTE Organizations

Alexandria, VA – Today the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and Advance CTE released their fourth annual report, “State Policies Impacting CTE: 2016 Year in Review.” The report identifies and summarizes nearly 140 CTE-related laws, executive orders, boards of education actions and budget provisions passed across the country last year. The report also examines major themes and trends across the states.

The only report to provide a comprehensive look at all new CTE laws, regulations and state actions, it found that last year 42 states enacted polices addressing a variety of issues, ranging from CTE access and equity to teacher certification.

The report highlights several trends, including states’ continued investment in CTE programs and initiatives; strong focus on encouraging and incentivizing industry partnerships and work-based learning; and support for dual and concurrent enrollment in CTE subjects.

“Through strong and effective state leadership, states have made significant new investments in CTE, as well as adopted policies that strive to give more students the opportunity for a bright future,” said Kimberly Green, Advance CTE Executive Director.  “I am so proud of what has been accomplished and of the states’ steadfast commitment to expand access to and improve the quality of CTE. Advance CTE looks forward to supporting states as they continue this important work.”

“In 2016, states all across the country demonstrated their commitment to expanding and enhancing CTE,” said ACTE executive director LeAnn Wilson. “State and local leaders are critical to the CTE ecosystem, and a program’s success is directly related to the support it receives from governors, state legislatures and boards of education. As workforce demands continue to illustrate the need for robust, comprehensive, high-quality CTE, we hope to continue to see state support for education that prepares students for college and careers.”

The report can be found here.

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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: State Leaders Connecting Learning to Work 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 visionary state leadership, cultivates best practices and speaks with a collective voice on national policy to promote academic and technical excellence that ensures a career-ready workforce.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2017

Contact: Jarrod Nagurka
703-683-9312, jnagurka@acteonline.org

ACTE Announces Board of Directors Election Results

Alexandria, VA – The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is pleased to announce the results of the recent election for several spots on the Board of Directors. The election was open to ACTE’s membership of 25,000 educators, administrators and other CTE professionals. The following members were elected:

Becky Cox, President-Elect
Ms. Cox is a family & consumer sciences teacher and program area specialist in the Alpine School District in Highland, Utah. Her one-year term will begin in July 2017 and will be followed by one-year terms as president and past president, respectively.

Patrick Biggerstaff, Administration Division Vice President-Elect
Mr. Biggerstaff is the director of CTAE and Area 31 career programs at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He will serve a three-year term beginning July 2018.

Richard Faulkner, Marketing Education Division Vice President
Mr. Faulkner is a business and marketing teacher at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He will serve a three-year term beginning July 2017.

Dick Lowe, Postsecondary, Adult and Career Education Division Vice President
Mr. Lowe is the industrial coordinator at Canadian Valley Technology Center in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He will serve a three-year term beginning July 2018.

Jay Davis, Engineering & Technology Education Division Vice President (appointed)
Mr. Davis is an instructor at Kokomo Area Career Center in Kokomo, Indiana. He will serve a three-year term beginning July 2017.

Additionally, vice president-elects whose elections occurred last year will join the Board as vice presidents in July 2017. Jon Quatman in Region I, Christine Holecek in Region IV and Dean Baker in Trade and Industrial Education will all be assume the position of vice president in their respective regions or division.

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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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2016

Media Contact:
Jarrod Nagurka, ACTE
703-683-9312, jnagurka@acteonline.org

Katie Fitzgerald, Advance CTE
301-588-9630; kfitzgerald@careertech.org

ACTE, Advance CTE Congratulate Senator Tim Kaine on HELP Appointment

Alexandria, VA – The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and Advance CTE are pleased to congratulate Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) on his appointment to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). The committee has jurisdiction over legislation critical to career and technical education (CTE), including the reauthorizations of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and the Higher Education Act, both of which are expected to be acted upon in the new Congress.

“From his experience in his father’s ironworking shop to his missionary work in Honduras and his efforts as Virginia’s Governor, Senator Kaine has long been a champion for CTE students, parents and educators,” said ACTE executive director LeAnn Wilson. “Since his election to Congress, Senator Kaine co-founded, and now co-chairs, the Senate CTE caucus. His dedication has helped shine a light on the important role that CTE has to play in preparing students for college and career success. The Senator’s appointment to the HELP committee is a win for CTE, and we look forward to continuing to work with him.”

“We congratulate Senator Kaine on his appointment,” said Advance CTE executive director Kimberly Green. “As a champion of CTE, he has worked tirelessly to ensure that students in his home state of Virginia, as well as across the country, have access to high-quality career and technical education programs. We are thrilled to have the Senator in a position to more directly guide the nation’s major education and workforce legislation and look forward to collaborating with him and the HELP committee in the new Congress.”

The press release from the Senator’s office announcing the appointment can be found here.

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About ACTE:
The Association for Career and Technical Education 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, guidance counselors 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: State Leaders Connecting Learning to Work 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 visionary state leadership, cultivates best practices and speaks with a collective voice on national policy to promote academic and technical excellence that ensures a career-ready workforce. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2016

Media Contact: Jarrod Nagurka
703-683-9312; jnagurka@acteonline.org

Candidates Selected for ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program’s 2017 Class

Alexandria, VA – Today the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced the selection of nine participants for its National Leadership Fellowship Program, which provides educators with an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and involvement in professional organizations. The program identifies, trains and motivates a cadre of leaders who will continue to advance efforts which support an educated, prepared, adaptable and competitive workforce.

The Fellowship Program is a one-year commitment through the end of 2017. Each of the five regions of ACTE is represented in the program in addition to several Divisions whose fellows were selected by their respective Vice Presidents and the Policy Committee. This year’s fellowship class includes:

• Carrie Scheiderer; Newark, OH; Region I
• Monica Brisbon; Myrtle Beach, SC; Region II
• Mariatu Swayne; Indianapolis, IN; Region III
• Audrey Lee; Oklahoma City, OK; Region IV
• Michelle Camp; Maumelle, AR; Region IV
• Robert Van Dyke; Denver, CO; Region V
• Tommy Hamilton; Norman, OK; Business Education Division
• Elaine Webb; Louisburg, NC; New and Related Services Division
• Ernie Gomez; Oklahoma City, OK; Oklahoma ACTE Postsecondary, Adult and Career Education Division

Mr. Doug Major will serve as the Fellowship Coordinator for the class of 2017.  He is a past ACTE president and the Superintendent/CEO of Meridian Technology Center in Oklahoma.

The fellows are required to complete several activities throughout the year, including conducting in-person visits with local, state and federal legislators, writing blog posts, attending events and submitting final summaries of their accomplishments to the ACTE Board of Directors.

More information about the ACTE Fellowship Program, including the application process and program requirements, is available here.

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About ACTE: The Association for Career and Technical Education 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, guidance counselors 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 ACTE Excellence Awards recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to CTE, programs that exemplify the highest standards and organizations that have conducted activities to promote and expand CTE programs. Award winners serve as inspirational leaders to ACTE: they embody the core values of serving their students and being committed to CTE.

 

The 2017 ACTE Excellence Award winners were recognized?at the Awards Banquet?during?ACTE’s CareerTech VISION on November 30, 2016. Photos of the event are coming!