Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced a bill on June 24 to strengthen data systems and partnerships between secondary schools, postsecondary institutions and the business community for CTE programs.
The Pathways to Prosperity Act (S. 2524) directs the National Research Center for CTE to provide evaluation and technical assistance to help states better collect information on industry-recognized credentials earned by students. Collecting this information would allow students, parents and policymakers to gain a better understanding of credential availability and demand in the workforce. Current impediments to collecting this information occur most frequently at the state and local levels, due to privacy laws and data ownership issues.
In addition to data collection assistance, the legislation also requires local eligible agencies to develop business partnerships, and sets out allowable tasks for the partners, including:
- Identifying opportunities for experiential and work-based learning opportunities either in person or virtually.
- Ensuring career and technical education programs of study are responsive to community and employment demands.
- Ensuring Perkins funding is spent in a coordinated manner with other local resources.
Lastly, the bill includes a more robust definition of programs of study and directs states to develop statewide credit-transfer agreements in alignment with state-approved CTE programs of study.
ACTE worked with Sen. Warner’s office in the development of this legislation and supports the goals of the Pathways to Prosperity Act. We look forward to a full reauthorization of the Perkins CTE Act, which should include the ideals set forth in this legislation. ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Wilson issued a statement regarding the bill’s introduction on the ACTE website.
Comments