Take a Look Back at National Policy Seminar
National Policy Seminar & CTE Innovation Summit 2023
Crystal Gateway Marriott
Arlington, VA
March 19-22, 2023
- Engage on key federal education policy priorities
- Influence federal policies related to CTE advocacy & messaging
- Participate in Capitol Hill visits
- Benefit from the full-day CTE Innovation Summit, included with your NPS registration or available as a stand-alone event, happening on the last day of NPS on March 22
Watch the free NPS Orientation Webinar
Event Website (Must be registered to access!)
Keynote Speaker
Daniel Lippman
White House and Washington Reporter at POLITICO
Reporting on the White House and Washington for POLITICO, Daniel Lippman has his ear to the ground on all the headline-grabbing events shaping our nation’s political landscape during a highly transformative period in American history. An unparalleled investigative researcher and journalist who reports straight from the source, Lippman possesses an expert understanding of the inner workings of Washington, D.C.’s political scene and is a sought-after voice sharing important insights on today’s top stories.
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Lippman makes audiences feel as if they are in the know as he takes them behind the scenes to show them Washington as they’ve never seen it before. He is uniquely skilled at securing the big scoop and piecing together the story behind the headline as he provides deep, nonpartisan analysis that paints a full, accurate picture of the key issues, as well as our nation’s leading decision makers and the potential for their platforms and policies to impact American businesses, organizations, and society. Tapping into his extensive network of power players in politics, Lippman shares exclusive insights on hot-button issues, while also breaking down and adding narrative to the stories that aren’t being reported.
Lippman began his tenure at POLITICO as co-author of the publication’s flagship Playbook newsletter before moving into his current role as White House and Washington reporter. Prior to POLITICO, Lippman was a reporting fellow for E&E News, covering climate change, environmental, and energy news for ClimateWire, an online subscription news publication produced by the organization. Before that, he was a reporter for The Wall Street Journal where he penned articles on a variety of topics related to personal finance for Wall Street Journal Sunday, including disaster prevention and future job growth, and contributed pieces for the main paper, including the “Special Reports” and “Personal Journal” sections. As a freelance reporter, he found himself reporting at the center of a heated conflict, traveling to the Turkish-Syrian border to cover the Syrian civil war for The Huffington Post and CNN.
Lippman regularly appears in leading media outlets, including CNN, MSNBC, BBC, CNBC and C-SPAN, speaking to the latest in current affairs. He is also a Rising Leader of the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Strategy Group and an International Strategy Fellow at Schmidt Futures, a philanthropic initiative started by Eric and Wendy Schmidt. Lippman is a graduate of The George Washington University and The Hotchkiss School.
Innovation Summit
Join us for the 2023 Career and Technical Education Innovation Summit, included as part of NPS registration, or available as a stand alone event, on Wednesday, March 22. CTE is at an inflection point in defining its high-quality proposition. As we enter an era of post-pandemic strategic education, we face a growing challenge to rapidly and effectively prepare learners for the changing world of work. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from and ask questions to national experts on issues ranging from the use of AR/VR and Artificial Intelligence for instruction, to what are rapidly growing new programs of study and a look into what’s new in specific disciplines. Included in the day-long event will be information from the federal front on where governmental officials see and seek to support innovative CTE activities. Draft agenda is available here!
2022
NPS 2022
Advocate for CTE!
March 21-23, 2022
Happening virtually and in person in Arlington, Virginia
Join CTE professionals at ACTE’s National Policy Seminar to engage on key education policy topics, hear best practices for influencing federal policy related to CTE advocacy and messaging, and participate in Capitol Hill visits. This year’s event happens March 21-23 both virtually and in person in Arlington, Virginia. A tentative agenda is posted below, but we may have to make some COVID-related adjustments as case numbers and protocols change in and around the Capitol. We will be monitoring the situation, including the operating status of Capitol Hill offices, and providing guidance as we get closer to the event.
Please note, the virtual event will include the same programming as the in-person event:
- Live streamed general sessions from the in-person conference on Monday and Wednesday
- Live zoom breakout sessions for virtual attendees, including during the breakout time slot on Monday and for the Capitol Hill visit prep
- Access to the event website with all conference materials
- Specific tips on scheduling virtual Hill meetings and electronic versions of Hill visit “Leave Behinds
2021
NPS Orientation
For a sneak preview of NPS, watch the orientation video to learn what you need to know to participate in next week’s virtual event:
- An overview of the event agenda and speakers
- How to navigate the NPS attendee website and use the materials included to prepare for the event
- The process of scheduling virtual “Hill” meetings with your federal policymakers
- Tips for conducting virtual meetings and other basic advocacy strategies
Keynote Speaker
David Castagnetti
Founder
Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas
Recognized as one of Washington’s top lobbyists by BusinessWeek, Washingtonian magazine, The Hill and Congressional Quarterly, David Castagnetti’s policy expertise has played a critical role in shaping many significant policy issues of the past two decades. His forte is translating complex policies into straightforward issues, then navigating the political, legislative and regulatory challenges that dictate outcomes. This combination of skill and working style has made Castagnetti a trusted advisor to Members of Congress, Fortune 100 CEOs and executives across Washington’s business community.
Castagnetti’s career has put him at the highest levels of politics, business and government. Before helping to found Mehlman Castagnetti, he served John Kerry as the top liaison to Congress for the Democratic nominee’s presidential campaign. He earned plaudits from House and Senate Members for his briefings on campaign strategy and messaging, deft handling of political requests, and sensitive management of surrogates and speaking roles at the Democratic National Convention.
Virtual School
Join us on Thursday, Feb. 25 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. for a virtual tour of Butler Tech, one of the largest career and technical education districts in the nation. To kick off the virtual visit, we will be flying over southwest Ohio where Butler Tech’s six campuses and 11 associate schools cover over 370 square miles and serves over 18,0000 students daily. Learn how Butler Tech’s leading-edge curriculum meets the global workforce needs and provides a well-rounded education to all students in Butler County. See and hear directly from students, staff, and alumni how this CTE district has started the Education Revolution focusing on students pursuing their passion, finding their purpose and making an impact on the world. Pack your virtual bags, we will see you at NPS!
2020
Event cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
2019
Leave Behinds
2019 Legislative Priorities
CTE Caucus Flyer
Reception Invitation
PowerPoint Presentations
HEA 101
Perkins 101
First Timer’s Orientation
Other Resources
FY 2020 House Dear Colleague Letter Sign-ons
NPS 2019 Press Release Template
Featured Keynote Speaker
Alexander Bolton
Senior Staff Writer, The Hill
Alexander Bolton has covered the United States Congress and national politics for two decades in Washington. He writes extensively about the Senate as senior staff writer for The Hill, which was named the third most tweeted news outlet in the United States by Twitter in 2018 and reached 13 percent of the nation’s total digital population with 33.4 million unique views last year. He has received several awards for excellence in reporting from the D.C. Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Join us at NPS to hear his insights on the current political climate and the impact of the mid-term elections and outlook for the next two years.
New! Sunday Sessions
3:00 – 3:45 HEA 101
This session will provide a general overview of the law and its current structure and tenets; targeted toward those that are not as familiar with HEA.
4:00 – 5:00 Perkins 101
This session will provide a general overview of the law and its current structure and tenets; targeted toward those that are not as familiar with Perkins.
For the complete tentative agenda, click here.
Special Swiss Embassy Apprenticeship Event
Back by popular demand, this special event for a limited number of NPS attendees will explore Swiss-style apprenticeships in the United States at the Embassy of Switzerland and will include:
- A workshop featuring the Swiss apprenticeship model along with experts sharing their knowledge and experience related to implementation at the model in the U.S.
- An evening cocktail reception and buffet dinner
- Transportation to and from the event
2018
NPS 2018 MATERIALS
Leave Behinds
2018 ACTE Legislative Priorities
CTE Caucus Flyer
Reception Invitation
Perkins Funding House Dear Colleague Letter
PowerPoint Presentations
Every Student Succeeds Act Breakout Session
Austin Estes, Advance CTE
Phillip Lovell, Alliance for Excellent Education
Alisha Hyslop, ACTE
CTE Public Awareness Symposium
Joshua Starr, PDK
Jackie Kuffel, Tolles
Scott Springer, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools
Margquita Friday, Maryland Department of Education
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Dr. Robert D. Atkinson
Founder and President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
Dr. Robert D. Atkinson will share his expertise on innovation policy and economics as our featured speaker. With an extensive background in public policy and service as a valued adviser to state and national policymakers, Dr. Atkinson will provide an overview of the dynamics at play in Washington. Other general sessions will cover hot topics in Washington and the latest on the reauthorization of the Perkins Act as well as federal funding.

Pre-Conference Event
Using a Powerful Narrative to Revolutionize the CTE Paradigm
Presenter: Mark C. Perna, Author, Founder and CEO of TFS®
March 4, 1:30–4:30 p.m.
In this dynamic workshop, you will learn how to approach stakeholders, legislators and your community with the transformative message that CTE throws open a vast new array of expanded college and career opportunities and turn the tide in the local, state and national conversation.
Post-Conference Event (Registration for this event is closed)
Pentagon VIP and Arlington National Cemetery Tour
March 7, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Join us following NPS for a private VIP Pentagon Tour, guided by the esteemed U.S. Army Honor Guard. Begin your afternoon with a self-guided tour of Arlington National Cemetery followed by a one-hour, behind-the-scenes look at the extensive U.S. Department of Defense headquarters.
Limited to 100 attendees and transportation provided. Please note you must register and provide your birth date and Social Security Number by Feb. 9 to participate in this tour.
National Education Association CTE Listening Session
The National Education Association will be conducting a listening session on CTE issues at this year’s National Policy Seminar, to take place 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 4. This session runs counter to the First Timers Orientation.