Last Week, U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Betsy DeVos testified in a hearing hosted by the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-H) subcommittee on the Presidents Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget request. The goal of the hearing was to examine the Administration’s justifications for the funding levels in the president’s request. Many topics were discussed, including the current teacher shortage plaguing our nation’s schools, but the critical need and effectiveness of CTE programs was particularly highlighted.
From the beginning of the hearing, it was clear that CTE was going to be a focal point of the discussion. In both of their opening statements, Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-OK) acknowledged the proposed increase to the Basic State Grant and expressed support for the program. Specifically, Rep. Cole stated he has been a long-standing supporter of CTE programs and applauded the Administration for their large increase in proposed funding. Further, he noted the robust CTE presence and its success in his home state of Oklahoma when describing the Perkins Basic State Grant as a “wise investment.”
Secretary DeVos dedicated a large portion of her testimony to the Administration’s push to increase CTE funding. She described an appetite nationwide from local education agencies and states to create or expand their CTE programs, but explained they currently lack the resources to do so. Additionally, she spoke about the Administration's support for expanding Pell Grant eligibility to students who are enrolled in short-term programs. This proposal already has bipartisan support through the JOBS Act, which has been introduced the past few years by the Senate CTE Caucus co-chairs and ACTE has endorsed.
Other relevant topics the Secretary discussed included her proposal for Education Freedom Scholarships, which essentially allow private donors to provide education scholarships and in return receive a 100% tax credit. Theoretically, students could use these "scholarships" toward CTE programs. The president's budget funds the proposal at $5 billion, nearly four times larger than Perkins. Most education advocates view the proposal as essentially a voucher program funded by the government through the 1:1 tax credit, and ACTE has long opposed vouchers.
The House CTE Caucus Co-Chairs, Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) are circulating a Dear Colleague letter to other House members asking the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies to provide “robust funding” to the Perkins Basic State Grant program in FY 2021. This “Dear Colleague” is a critical first step in building congressional support for a Perkins increase. A bi-partisan group of 162 representatives signed a similar letter last year, so a good showing is critical! Please click here to send a message to your representative asking that they sign onto the Dear Colleague.
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