Business and Industry Groups Support Perkins Reauthorization

On May 21, more than 200 business, industry, political and trade organizations, along with education groups like ACTE, published a letter to demonstrate their support for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. Funding included in the Perkins Act constitutes the most important piece of federal support for America’s CTE programs by providing schools with the resources necessary to keep our economy strong and workforce competitive. 

The letter emphasized three key elements that should be priorities in reauthorization:

• aligning CTE programs to the needs of the labor market
• supporting collaboration between secondary and postsecondary institutions and employers
• increasing student participation in experiential learning opportunities and promoting the use of industry-recognized credentials 

ACTE strives to educate leaders both on and off Capitol Hill about career and technical education’s (CTE) crucial role in our education system and workforce development, and fostering support among a diverse group of stakeholders for Perkins’ reauthorization is a major component of our efforts. 

The principles expressed in the letter are key elements of CTE programs and existing Perkins law, and are consistent with ACTE’s principles for reauthorization of the Perkins Act—particularly the focus on program quality elements. Our principles include: 

1. Redefine the federal role in CTE.
2. Target expenditures.
3. Define program quality elements.
4. Ensure relevant and consistent data.
5. Offer incentives for innovation.
6. Provide the infrastructure to support the system.

In addition, ACTE has developed specific Perkins policy priorities to guide reauthorization efforts. To learn more about the Perkins Act, visit ACTE’s Policy and Advocacy page here.