ACTE Statement on Results of PDK Education Poll

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2016

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

ACTE Statement on Results of PDK Education Poll 

Alexandria, VA – Today, Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK) released the results of their 48th annual poll of the public’s attitudes toward public schools. The 2016 poll is based on a 50-state representative sample of more than 1,200 adults. The poll found that 68 percent of respondents prioritize “offering more career-technical or skills-based classes” for schools in their local community. Additionally, 90 percent of respondents believe it is an extremely or very important local public school objective to help students “develop good work habits,” the highest-scoring response for that survey question.

“The results of the PDK poll prove yet again that the American public overwhelmingly supports expanding and enhancing career and technical education (CTE) options and availability,” said ACTE executive director LeAnn Wilson. “Now, Congress has the opportunity to build on the hard work of the House Education and the Workforce Committee and act on the public’s strong support for CTE by passing H.R. 5587, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act.”

Wilson continued, “H.R. 5587 reauthorizes and makes important updates to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which provides resources to all 50 states and thousands of local CTE programs. Reaffirming congressional support for CTE by passing H.R. 5587 this year would be a critical step in response to this poll and the public’s clear demand for robust CTE programs.”

For more information and full results of the PDK poll, visit pdkintl.org.

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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.