Last night, President Obama delivered his annual State of the Union Address to Congress. In his speech, he unveiled his broad ranging policy goals for the coming year. In addition to addressing tax reform, foreign policy and energy, the president spoke about the Administration’s initiatives on skills training, higher education and CTE. He specifically referenced the recently announced America’s College Promise proposal, which would utilize federal and state funding to cover two years of community college tuition for all students studying at least half-time and maintaining a C+ average or higher. “America thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free, sent a generation of GIs to college and trained the best workforce in the world,” said the president. “But in a 21st century economy that rewards knowledge like never before, we need to do more.” ACTE’s official statement on this new proposal is available here. He also called on business and industry to provide job training and career education opportunities for employees. “Tonight, I’m also asking more businesses to follow the lead of companies like CVS and UPS, and offer more educational benefits and paid apprenticeships—opportunities that give workers the chance to earn higher-paying jobs even if they don’t have a higher education,” said the president.
For the first time in recent history, CTE educators were invited to be on hand in the House chamber to hear the president’s remarks. ACTE member Lisa Barnett, a CTE coordinator at Botetourt Country public school district, was invited by Senate CTE Caucus Co-Chair Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Katrice Mubiru, a CTE teacher for Los Angeles unified school district, attended as a guest of First Lady Michele Obama. "I am honored to represent Botetourt County at the State of the Union Address,” said Ms. Barnett. “It's exciting to be a part of the national discussion on the relevance of career and technical education.”
ACTE Executive Director LeAnn Wilson reacted to the speech. "President Obama's attention to postsecondary education access and skills training issues in his address provides important recognition of our nation's duty to equitably prepare every student for college and career success," said Wilson. "I'm also encouraged by the increased attention that this administration has given CTE as an established mechanism for increasing access to economic opportunity and strengthening the foundation of the American workforce. Hopefully, the president, his Administration and Congress will continue this momentum and recognize the need to build our federal investment in CTE through proven approaches, including the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act."
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