FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 1, 2022 

Contact: Jori Houck – jhouck@acteonline.org

 

CTE Month 2022 Closes with House Resolution 

 

Washington, DC— CTE Month 2022 concluded yesterday with a total of 63 Members of Congress cosponsoring the CTE Month 2022 resolution in the House, capping off a successful CTE Month. The resolution was introduced by several members of the House CTE Caucus, including co-chairmen Reps. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), in addition to Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Carter (R-TX), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Adrian Smith (R-NE). Senate CTE Caucus co-chairs also introduced a companion resolution, which passed the Senate on February 9 with a record 67 cosponsors. The resolutions each highlighted the impact of career and technical education (CTE) programs on learners at all levels, as well as the role of CTE in supporting industries seeking to fill positions in high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage jobs and career fields.

 

“Career and technical education prepares Americans of all ages for good-paying careers in fast-growing sectors of the 21st century economy,” said Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI). “As CTE Month comes to an end, I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my final term in Congress working to expand access to the programs that boost our economy and help hardworking Americans get ahead.”

 

“Career and technical education (CTE) has established itself as a successful career pathway for learners of all ages. Skills-based education allows individuals to gain the tools necessary to earn family-sustaining wages,” said Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA). “As CTE Month ends, we must continue to encourage CTE as an effective workforce strategy. I look forward to supporting policies that close our country’s skills gap and keeps our national economy thriving.”

 

“I’m proud to cosponsor the CTE Month resolution because career and technical education are at the heart of building a skilled American workforce for the economy of the future,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL). CTE has been one of my top legislative focuses since I entered Congress, and I was proud to serve as the lead Democratic sponsor of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act which reformed our federal skills education programs for the first time in over a decade. Supporting and expanding skills-based education is one of the best paths to preparing our students and workers for middle-class, family-sustaining careers while strengthening our entire economy.”

 

“Career and technical education programs are invaluable not only to our students, but to the American economy as a whole. They provide students a pathway to success without having to take on the debt of a 4-year degree and with the skills needed to perform critical trade jobs,” said Rep. John Carter (R-TX). “I am proud to join this resolution honoring National CTE Month and am excited to see what we can accomplish with the future of CTE.”

 

“Career Tech Education Centers play the leading role in equipping our workforce to meet the challenges of Ohio’s modern economy,” said Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH). “CTE Month is a unique opportunity for us to celebrate the work our CTE educators do each and every day to prepare the next generation for success in their careers and in life.”

 

“As a proud product of technical training and an electrician by trade, I couldn’t be happier to celebrate the career and technical programs that are equipping current students with the skills they need to pursue careers in skilled vocations,” said Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ). “Different people need different educational paths. I didn’t go the traditional route. I pursued a registered apprenticeship, learned hands-on, and had a fulfilling career. Students enrolled in technical schools are fortunate to have these career-ready skills when they graduate.”

 

“Career and technical education programs are vital to ensuring America is prepared to meet future challenges,” said Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE). As a former educator, I have long supported CTE to maximize opportunity, help meet workforce demand, and bring discouraged job seekers in from the sidelines of our economy. While a conventional college education is an important path for many, CTE can provide a more direct and cost-effective path to good-paying, high-demand jobs. Recognizing Career and Technical Education Month is an important way to ensure Americans understand the breadth of economic opportunity available across our country.”

 

ACTE conducted a wide variety of activities to mark CTE Month. This February:

 

• Advance CTE and ACTE released the ninth annual State Policies Impacting CTE: Year in Review report and 2021 State Policy Tracker, examining 2021 state legislation, executive orders and budget provisions that significantly impact CTE and career readiness. This year’s report provides an analysis that spans across 41 states that enacted 138 policies relevant to CTE.

 

• ACTE released a new “What is CTE?” infographic to help CTE supporters inform about and advocate for CTE. This resource provides an overview of CTE and highlights the benefits that CTE can provide for students, businesses and communities.

 

• ACTE and Advance CTE hosted a virtual student panel on February 15 to highlight the value of CTE and hear directly from student representatives of career and technical education student organizations (CTSOs) about the impact CTE has made on their personal and professional goals, career paths and interests. Congressional CTE Caucus co-chairs Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) offered remarks at the event. You can view a recording of the panel and read our recap of the event on the CTE Policy Watch blog.

 

• CTE stakeholders spanning CTSO student leaders, industry and business partners collaborated to produce a video highlighting CTE from a wide variety of perspectives, shining a spotlight on the need for robust investments in CTE to support learners and the future of CTE.

 

“ACTE would like to thank our Congressional CTE Caucus members for their continued support of CTE and CTE Month, as well as all who have made this month a fantastic celebration of everything that CTE has to offer,” said ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Wilson. “Throughout CTE Month, we have been reminded of the excellence that CTE inspires in learners, educators and CTE advocates across the country. We look forward to building upon the successes of CTE Month 2022 to continue supporting learners of all ages in obtaining the skills they need to enter and build careers in high-wage, in-demand career fields.”

 

The list of resolution cosponsors, the text of both resolutions and a link to the CTE Month 2022 video are also available below:

 

House of Representatives

 

Cosponsors:

 

– Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12]

– Rep. Axne, Cynthia [D-IA-3]

– Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

– Rep. Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [D-GA-2]

– Rep. Bourdeaux, Carolyn [D-GA-7]

– Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]

– Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

– Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31]

– Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1]

– Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]

– Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]

– Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]

– Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]

– Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

– Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]

– Rep. Doyle, Michael F. [D-PA-18]

– Rep. Emmer, Tom [R-MN-6]

– Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

– Rep. Franklin, C. Scott [R-FL-15]

– Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3]

– Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]

– Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]

– Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]

– Rep. Hagedorn, Jim [R-MN-1]

– Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16]

– Rep. Kelly, Trent [R-MS-1]

– Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6]

– Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

– Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2]

– Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]

– Rep. Lesko, Debbie [R-AZ-8]

– Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5]

– Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

– Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6]

– Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]

– Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1]

– Rep. Meijer, Peter [R-MI-3]

– Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]

– Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]

– Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1]

– Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

– Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]

– Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]

– Rep. O’Halleran, Tom [D-AZ-1]

– Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]

– Rep. Reschenthaler, Guy [R-PA-14]

– Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40]

– Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]

– Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5]

– Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

– Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]

– Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3]

– Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

– Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]

– Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1]

– Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]

– Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

– Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

– Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]

– Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]

– Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3]

 

Senate

 

Cosponsors:

 

Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]

Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]

Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]

Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]

Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]

Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]

Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]

Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]

Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE]

Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]

Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]

Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]

Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]

Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]

Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN]

Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]

Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]

Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]

Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]

Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]

Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]

Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]

Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]

Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]

Sen. Romney, Mitt [R-UT]

Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]

Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]

Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]

Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]

Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]

Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

 

CTE Month Video

 

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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 9, 2022 

Contact: Jori Houck
jhouck@acteonline.org 

ACTE and Advance CTE Release Ninth Annual Report Examining State CTE Policies 

Alexandria, VA – In 2021, career and technical education (CTE) continued to adapt to challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic while delivering high-quality programming nationwide across all learner levels. CTE also remained at the forefront of state CTE policy, with 41 states enacting or passing 138 CTE-related policy actions. Today, Advance CTE and the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), with research support from the Education Commission of the States, released their ninth annual report, State Policies Impacting CTE: 2021 Year in Review. 

This report highlights major trends in CTE and career readiness policymaking, and includes a companion online state policy tracker that tracks and analyzes legislative actions by state and content area. In the second year of the pandemic, states moved past the temporary emergency actions deployed in 2020 to make strategic education and workforce investments in response to ongoing stressors impacting schools, colleges and the labor market. As a result, this past year saw a return to a more typical volume of CTE-related state policy actions. In 2021, state policy most frequently addressed funding, access and equity, and data, reporting and/or accountability. 

This year, some states chose to dedicate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA); Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act; Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and other state fiscal recovery funding to investments in job training programs, learner re-engagement strategies and institutional support for CTE providers. With unprecedented investments from federal stimulus funding, states were able to lessen the impact that the coronavirus had on CTE and education in their state more broadly. 

“CTE programs continue to adapt to the needs of learners and the changing economy, but quality and equity have remained top of mind for CTE policies enacted this year,” said LeAnn Wilson, ACTE Executive Director. “These CTE-related policies will be critical to providing career exploration opportunities and preparing learners to fill in-demand, high-skill and high-wage occupations, and they are instrumental to getting the economy and workforce back on track. As we continue to navigate challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, high-quality CTE programs are more important and needed now more than ever.” 

Advance CTE and ACTE will hold an accompanying webinar with selected state leaders to review key findings from the report on Tuesday, February 15 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET. You can register for the webinar here. 

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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 visionary state leadership, cultivates best practices and speaks with a collective voice to advance high-quality CTE policies, programs and pathways that ensure career success for each learner. 

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 7, 2021 

Contact: Jori Houck – jhouck@acteonline.org 

  

ACTE Endorses Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act 

  

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) endorsed the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide military spouses with professional license reciprocity in the state where their spouse is serving on military orders. This legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Reps. Mike Garcia (R-CA) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the House. The Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act passed the House of Representatives on September 23, 2021, clearing the way for its inclusion as an amendment in the final version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

 

The bill will allow military spouses to retain employment in their fields and advance their careers while providing relief for the often-expensive and onerous process of acquiring a new professional license every time a military spouse is required to move on order of the military. Additionally, this legislation would help keep highly skilled workers employed in many in-demand career fields, such as education, nursing and medicine, improving job security and providing stability for military families and alleviating workforce shortages.  

 

“This is a great opportunity to support our military families, who already sacrifice immensely to serve our country, and help ensure that military spouses can secure the reciprocity they need to continue their careers uninterrupted and support their families,” said LeAnn Wilson, ACTE Executive Director. “Highly qualified professionals – including teachers and instructors – will be able to continue serving in high-demand career fields, helping to alleviate critical workforce shortages and continue training the next generation of workers. In addition, supporting career and technical education (CTE) teachers through this bill will help ensure that students will continue to receive access to high-quality CTE programs and instruction in schools located near military installations. We look forward to its enactment, and we are thankful for the leadership of the Members of Congress that have championed this bill.” 

  

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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 1, 2021
Contact: Megan Kmiotek
mkmiotek@acteonline.org

 

ACTE Announces Minnesota Agricultural Science and Technology Instructor/Career and Technical Education Coordinator as 2022 National Winner

 

ALEXANDRIA, VA Last night, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Luke Becker, Agricultural Science and Technology Instructor and Career and Technical Education Coordinator at Braham High School in Braham, Minnesota, as the 2022 National ACTE Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes the finest career and technical education teachers at the middle/secondary school level who have demonstrated innovation in the classroom, commitment to their students and dedication to the improvement of CTE in their institutions and communities. The Teacher of the Year Award is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals.

 

Luke Becker is an Industrial Technology instructor at Braham High School. Becker has worked in education for 11 years, specifically working at Braham High School for 8 years. Becker’s primary goal is to provide students the opportunity to become aware of the potential that they never thought possible and to show them how to reach that potential through hands on problem-based instruction. With that objective, Becker has created a program that has open doors to students and encourages them to explore. Secondarily, Becker strives to always work on actual problem-based solutions and give students a purpose to what they are designing, building or inventing.

 

“The nominees for ACTE Teacher of the Year are an incredibly distinguished group of educators who are inspiring the next generation to grow and fill the skills gap in the current workforce,” said Bill Stoller, Express CEO and chairman of the board. “I extend my congratulations and appreciation to this year’s honorees, as they continue to embrace innovative teaching methods that will develop the up-and-coming leaders of tomorrow.”

Becker is one of five finalists for the 2022 national title. The national winner was announced at the ACTE Virtual Awards Gala, recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event took place on November 30, prior to the start of ACTE’s CareerTech Hybrid VISION 2021. The Virtual Awards Gala is sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, Goodheart-Willcox, CareerSafe, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.

 

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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 1, 2021
Contact: Megan Kmiotek
mkmiotek@acteonline.org

 

ACTE Announces Illinois Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor as 2022 National Winner

 

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Today, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Jeff Maierhofer, Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor at Seneca High School in Seneca, Illinois, as the recipient of the 2022 National ACTE Carl Perkins Community Service Award. This award recognizes individuals who have used CTE to make a significant impact on their community and demonstrated leadership in programs and activities that promote student involvement in community service.

 

Jeff Maierhofer attended the University of Illinois, graduating in 1989 with a double major in Agricultural Education and Agricultural Economics and then started teaching at Seneca High School in the fall of 1989. The SHS Ag Ed Department and The Seneca FFA have been recognized on the state and national level, including 18 consecutive Illinois FFA Outstanding Chapter recognitions.

 

In addition to his teaching duties, Maierhofer has represented agricultural education in leadership capacities across the country. He served on the Illinois FFA Board of Directors, was elected as the 2004-2005 National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) National President, spent two terms on the National Council for Agricultural Education, was a consultant to the National FFA Board of Directors, and served as the National Vice President of the Ag Ed Division of the Association of Career and Technical Educators (ACTE) from 2010-2012.  Maierhofer is also on the Board of Directors of the Seneca Historical Guild where he was the lead author for “The Story of Seneca, Illinois,” and helped create the Seneca Area Heritage Museum.

 

Maierhofer was one of five finalists for the 2022 national title. The national winner was announced at the ACTE Virtual Awards Gala, recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. The event took place on November 30, prior to the start of ACTE’s Hybrid CareerTech VISION 2021. The Virtual Awards Gala was sponsored by Express Employment Professionals, CareerSafe, Goodheart-Willcox, and Stratasys. For more information about the ACTE Excellence Awards, visit our webpage.

 

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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.