On July 13, the Committee for Education Funding (CEF) released its Fiscal Year 2022 budget book titled, “Education Matters: Investing in America’s Future,” and held a panel discussion about the need for increased education funding. Four panelists participated, each with a wealth of knowledge to share from across the educational spectrum, including Craig Statucki, the Director of Career Readiness, Adult Learning and Education Options for the Nevada Department of Education, who recently served as the Executive Director of Nevada’s Association for Career and Technical Education.
Statucki brought his expertise as a CTE educator and administrator to the panel, focusing on the need to invest in incumbent workers and our future workforce. He identified the pandemic as a force that wiped out thousands of jobs in Nevada, especially in the hospitality and tourism industries – current employment numbers in Nevada are at 124,400 jobs below the pre-recessionary peak, and 35,000 to 45,000 of these positions are not expected to return.
“Unemployment trends during the pandemic have shown that upskilling and reskilling needs have already increased, and we can expect that will continue," said Statucki. "Just as all education programs have been hit hard by the pandemic, so have CTE programs. This has been exacerbated by the lack of CTE-designated funding in stimulus bills."
The Nevada Department of Education features 74 secondary CTE programs of study, serving 72,579 students during the 2020-21 school year. COVID-19 brought assorted challenges to schools; Statucki added that schools were forced to purchase PPE and additional tools, and needed to delay the purchase of needed equipment and materials.
Ultimately, Statucki emphasized that federal support is the key to making students employable. Nevada has seen over 5,800 more students enrolled in one or more CTE courses associated with a program of study in 2020-21 than in 2018-19.
"CTE at the secondary and postsecondary levels is an integral part of achieving an equitable and efficient economic recovery.”
Other panelists included Amanda Lalicker, a Washington state head start teacher, who noted the impact of federal COVID-19 relief funding, and how the pandemic has only highlighted the need for additional funding. Jennifer Halter, 2021 Florida Principal of the Year, discussed the need for more broadband access, especially in rural areas. In addition, Halter discussed the myriad challenges of recruiting and retaining school leaders. Richard Davis Jr., a graduate student and policy intern with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, also called on Congress to support low-income students through additional federal funding.
You can watch the full briefing on YouTube, and access CEF’s budget book.
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