Recently, the House and Senate passed a stopgap continuing resolution (CR) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 to provide temporary funding for the federal government through December 8. The CR is intended to put the federal budget on autopilot by continuing the current funding levels for federal programs, including Perkins, until a long-term agreement can be reached. However, this CR also included an across-the-board cut to keep overall spending within the required budget caps for the year. Because of the way Perkins funds are budgeted and dispersed, the cut impacted Perkins Basic State Grant advance funding that will begin rolling out to states on October 1. Based on revised figures from the U.S. Department of Education, 30 states will receive reduced allocations in October. A chart showing the revised state allocations can be found here. The cut could be restored (and has routinely been in years past) if Congress approves a full-year funding bill.
As a career and technical teacher I am asking for your support of Perkins funding. The CTE community is often overlooked in terms of what will benefit students and teachers to contribute to a stronger working class for oour future.
I am proud to say I am a CTE teacher and support vocationaltechnical education for all students.Your support is greatly needed.
Posted by: Carol Hartnett | 09/28/2017 at 08:05 AM
So many of our students are better served with skills when they leave high school. CTE courses incorporate life skills and allow students to experience different fields of work. High School CTE needs funding to give our students good work place base knowledge and classes to help them become successful members in society.
Posted by: Sue Page | 09/28/2017 at 08:37 AM
We know that students who go through CTE program are more productive and active members of our communities. These students graduate knowing that they can go forward with knowledge, the ability to earn a living wage, and the work principles and ethics they have learned while in CTE in high school. It is still inconceivable that we must fight a battle for funding every year on the one hand, while being told what a great value career and technical education is, on the other. Let's just get this right once and for all. Please do not let full-year funding be an afterthought anymore. Fund these programs as the dynamic, forward-thinking, lifelines for students that they are.
Posted by: Jill Parry | 09/28/2017 at 11:22 AM
I am asking for continued support of Perkins funding. The CTE coursework and work-based learning offers many advantages to students. I am a CTE Director and support career and intentional education for all students to learn a trade and problem solving skills as well as tackle our work force gap.Your support is greatly needed.
Posted by: Bo Bundrick | 09/28/2017 at 11:33 AM
The cry for apprentices cannot be answered fully without the funds necessary to train those who would be apprentices!
Posted by: Bob | 10/02/2017 at 04:56 PM