This morning, the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education held a hearing entitled “Preparing Students for Success in the Skills-Based Economy.” The witnesses included Danny Corwin, the Executive Director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools; Kelly Mosley, Career and Technical Education Supervisor for Clay County District Schools; Richard Kincaid, Senior Executive Director of College and Career Pathways at the Maryland Department of Education; and Brandon Mabile, Strategic Development Manager at Performance Contractors, Inc.
The hearing covered a range of topics related to the benefits of CTE in K-12 education, and the resources required to implement the various CTE programs discussed. Overall, this is a strong bipartisan issue that garners support from leaders on both sides of the aisle, specifically the CTE Caucus Chairs, Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) and Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15).
Chairman Aaron Bean (FL-4) opened the hearing, arguing the value of CTE and noting the baselessness in the stigma surrounding a more diverse set of career pathways, as well as the skills gap born from this stigma. Bean shared that, “If we plan on closing the skills gap, collaboration between educational institutions and industry partners will be key.”
In their opening statements, the witnesses pressed upon the need for funding and the importance of CTE programs. Several witnesses shared that one of the most significant hurdles to overcome in the expansion and development of CTE programs and resources is the national shortage of CTE teachers. They addressed other obstacles facing the widespread access to this pathway as well, including a college-for-all mentality and shortage in resources for CTE and career-oriented learning. They shared practical solutions to these issues, including the integration of skilled trades into "traditional” academic coursework and expanding opportunities for younger students to allow them to explore opportunities each high school has to offer. The witnesses concluded with a unified request: more funding for CTE programs, and an expansion of CTE resources across the country.
Most notably, Ranking Member Bonamici raised the issue of Perkins V funding, noting the decline in Perkins funding over the last four decades and questioning Richard Kincaid on how additional Perkins funding could be applied. Kincaid explained that, “Using Perkins as a lever to reinvest additional funding into these programs would be a game changer for places, like Maryland, that rely not only on federal funds to move this agenda forward, but also to ensure that we are well aligned with business and industry.” This notion of funding was referenced many times throughout the hearing, with several witnesses agreeing that financial obstacles are the most difficult to overcome in CTE. Kelly Mosely also emphasized that many incredible CTE programs are made possible by Perkins funding, but that to improve those programs and create new ones, additional funding is necessary.
Ranking Member Bonamici redirected the conversation back to Perkins once again in her closing statement noting that, “That Perkins funding really makes a difference because we have a lot of schools and districts across the country. And with the value of this investment, I hope that is something we can accomplish, to update that funding.”
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