On March 19, as part of our annual National Policy Seminar (NPS), ACTE held a reception on Capitol Hill titled “CTE Leaders in Action.” The event provided NPS attendees and guests the opportunity to engage with and learn about eight Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) and hear from Members of Congress on their involvement with the CTE Caucus, as well as the legislation they are working on to help strengthen and support CTE.
This event followed a day of advocacy for attendees, which began with a panel featuring congressional staff from the House and Senate who work with CTE issues regularly. After the panel, attendees met with their Members of Congress and staff to discuss CTE policy issues impacting them. Advocates shared their stories on what CTE means to them, and the challenges they face working in the field at both the secondary and postsecondary levels.
The reception featured eight CTSOs, including Business Professionals of America (BPA), DECA, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), National FFA Organization, HOSA-Future Health Professionals, SkillsUSA and Technology Student Association (TSA). Students from each CTSO showcased a bit of their work and were able to network and mingle with ACTE staff, NPS attendees, staff from the Department of Education, congressional staff and Members of Congress.
Student representatives from each CTSO introduced themselves and their organizations to the group, and welcomed special guests including Assistant Secretary of the Office of Career and Technical Adult Education (OCTAE) Amy Lloyd, Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Glenn “GT” Thompson, who serve as co-chairs of the House CTE Caucus, and Senators Tim Kaine, co-chair of the Senate CTE Caucus, and Amy Klobuchar, member of the Senate CTE Caucus. The speakers shared some of their incredible work on CTE policy, including but not limited to the House Resolution introduced by Representatives Thompson and Bonamici to recognize February as CTE Month. They also shared their personal stories with CTE, highlighting the positive impact such programming has had on their families and their careers.
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