Earlier this week, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) released “A Better Way: Our Vision for a Confident America,” a blueprint for the policies recommended by the House Republicans’ Task Force on Poverty, Opportunity and Upward Mobility. The document includes prescriptions for a wide range of issues, including welfare and entitlement policies, financial services and education at the secondary and postsecondary levels, and specifically references reforms to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Klein (R-MN) joined Speaker Ryan in presenting the blueprint to the public, which may signal what CTE advocates can expect in a reauthorized Perkins.
The document notes that CTE plays a critical role in preparing students for economic success, and emphasizes the ability of federal policies, including Perkins, to make a difference in Americans’ lives. It emphasizes the need for CTE programs to provide critical opportunities that will prepare students for the careers of tomorrow, and notes that CTE programs today provide the skills needed in leading industries nationwide. It also outlines the House Republicans’ policy recommendations for a reauthorized Perkins, including empowering state and local community leaders through program flexibility, streamlining reporting requirements and ensuring alignment with local labor market demands.
Since the blueprint’s release, several other House Republicans have echoed Ryan’s sentiments. In a piece written for The Hill’s Congress Blog, Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) voiced his support for federal policies that will lift more Americans out of poverty by preparing them for in-demand careers. In his blog, Byrne writes:
“My focus during the discussion was on education and helping Americans obtain the skills they need to obtain high-paying jobs they want. Education has always been the great equalizer, and it is one of the best tools we have to fight poverty.
Before coming to Congress, I was chancellor of Alabama’s two-year college system. In this role, I saw firsthand the remarkable success that can be achieved through our two-year colleges and technical schools...
So that is at the heart of our plan: giving people the tools they need to live the lives they want to live instead of just giving them another government program.”
ACTE policy staff remains busy working with Members of Congress to share our members’ priorities for the next Perkins Act, and will continue to work to ensure that CTE students and professionals have a seat at the table! To read ACTE’s Perkins priorities, click here.
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