CTE Policy Watch: A blog for CTE advocates

Recap State Education Ballot Measures

The results are in from the states that decided on some key education ballot initiatives last Tuesday. Among the handful of measures that sought to boost funding for public education through tax increases or the sale of state bonds, there were mixed results. Voters in Oklahoma defeated a proposed 1 percent sales tax increase, which was expected to generate $615 million for education, while a 3 percent tax surcharge that has been earmarked to fund public education in Maine was approved. Additionally, the state of California got the go ahead to issue $9 billion in bonds for repairs and upgrades to K-12 schools, community colleges and other postsecondary institutions. 

Despite having the backing of Gov. Nathan Deal (R-GA), voters in Georgia rejected the proposed Opportunity School District amendment, which would have given the state the authority to take control of chronically failing public schools. South Dakota’s Amendment R, a measure allowing the state legislature to establish a separate governing body for the state’s four postsecondary technical institutes, was narrowly approved. Voters also gave the thumbs up to an Oregon measure that will mandate state funding for dropout prevention and career and college readiness programs.

Election Day 2016 Recap

Election Day 2016 has come and gone, and in the marquee presidential race the Republican nominee came out on top. With several races still outstanding, it appears that Republicans will also maintain their majorities in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. When the 115^th Congress convenes in January, Republicans will continue to set the education policy agenda, but their narrow majority in the Senate will still require Democratic support to pass any new legislation. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), who ran as the Democrat nominee for vice president, is expected to return to the Senate and continue his role as co-chair of the Senate CTE Caucus.

For his part, Donald Trump has given little indication as to what education priorities will drive his Administration. He has stated that he will get rid of the Common Core State Standards (which are common academic standards adopted by states) and will eliminate gun-free school zones. He has also noted that he would like to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education or at least “downsize it” significantly. In previous statements, he has expressed support for establishing “centers of excellence” that may incorporate CTE, though he provided no additional details on how his Administration would implement such an initiative. "Vocational training is a great thing. We don't do it anymore," Trump said using the outdated term for CTE at a campaign event in November. “We’d have people [in college] who were brilliant, and we’d have other people who weren’t as brilliant in that way but were brilliant, incredible, when it came to fixing a motor, fixing something.”

Of course secondary and postsecondary CTE programs are available nationwide—preparing students for careers in broad range of in-demand fields, not only the skilled trades. ACTE will work to educate new policymakers on the importance of CTE in equipping students with employability, technical and academic skill they will need for career success. Follow us on the CTE Policy Watch Blog for more election updates.

Why Voting is Important to Me

As a native of Ohio who now resides in Virginia, my perspective on voting is as someone who has always lived somewhere that has been the focus of national campaigns looking to assemble “swing state” votes every four years. It is not difficult to appreciate the importance of voting when you know that a few dozen votes can change the outcome of your precinct, which can help swing your state that can move an election and affect the future of the entire country.

But it is also important to remember that the presidency is not the sum total of our democratic system. The outcome of this election will affect your life in a thousand ways you may not even notice, and that have nothing to do with who is elected president. It’s the 435 seats in U.S. House of Representatives and 34 in the Senate that will determine the direction of the next Congress that will have a significant impact on the future of CTE funding and the likely reauthorization of the Perkins Act. It’s the 12 states that will select a governor who will then be responsible for setting their statewide education policy agenda and establishing annual budgets that provide the majority of the classroom resources that CTE programs need to function. It’s the direct democracy of ballot measures that will determine if California can raise $9 billion through state bonds to fund repairs and upgrades to K-12 schools and community colleges, or if Oregon will have dedicated funding for dropout prevention and career and college readiness programs. It’s the local races and ballot issues that too numerous to mention here, but that have the most direct impact on your community.

Since 2012, we have brought you the Election Watch project not only as a means to encourage CTE advocates to help further our policy goals at the ballot box, but also to demonstrate to the entire CTE community that, no matter where you live, we all have the ability to affect change on Election Day and we all have the responsibility to be informed and engaged voters.  

ACTE is a nonpartisan organization that does not support or oppose any candidate for public office.

Why Voting is Important to Me

Let’s be honest: the chances that you will cast the decisive vote in a presidential election is pretty slim. The probability varies based on the competitiveness of the state in which you vote – an average D.C. voter’s chances are 1 in 490 billion, while a Virginian’s are 1 in 7.9 million – but it’s safe to say that your vote probably won’t decide the outcome. That’s beside the point, however, because in this country we have the opportunity to participate in the civic process more often than just every Election Day. But to establish the credibility necessary to effectively lobby policymakers throughout the year, you should vote.

Imagine if a restaurant patron complained to a chef without tasting the food, if a basketball coach complained to a referee without seeing the play or if a student complained about homework without reading the assignment. Instantly, that diner, coach or student’s credibility would evaporate. The same rings true for a non-voter wishing to influence their policymakers. That’s why it’s important to have established your credibility as an advocate by also weighing in when you have the chance to do so at the polling booth.

The next Congress is likely to tackle some big issues, like reauthorizing the Perkins Act, the Higher Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, among others. On each of these issues, our advocacy efforts rely on our members all across the country lobbying their own representatives to ensure that CTE interests are considered. But to ensure our voices are heard when our issues are debated, we also need to have our voices heard on Election Day. So don’t forget to vote on November 8th, or earlier!

ACTE is a nonpartisan organization that does not support or oppose any candidate for public office.

Why Voting is Important to Me

I vote because I can. I vote because it’s my right. And when I can, I like to help other people exercise their right to vote.

I remember Election Day 2008, sitting on the floor of an empty storefront with my fellow volunteers, calling voters to remind them to go to the polls. I’ve registered young voters turning 18, and squeezed elderly voters into my compact car to drive them to their polling places. Helping my fellow Americans to vote, whichever party they cast their ballot for, is a meaningful way to participate in our democracy.

While education has not been a hot topic on the national stage this election, the legislators that we elect up and down the ballot will have an impact on the educational experiences of our students and children. So be sure to cast your vote!

ACTE is a nonpartisan organization that does not support or oppose any candidate for public office.

Why Voting is Important to Me

Living in a swing state during this election cycle, the average number of political calls I’m receiving every day has climbed to about a half dozen. They include public opinion polls, recorded celebrities urging me to vote for their preferred candidate, requests for donations and more. I’ve gotten much better at screening them, but will be relieved when the deluge ends! Like many others around the country, I’ve grown weary of the drawn out election cycle, the increased partisanship, and the negative tenor of this campaign season—which seems worse in many ways than any I’ve ever experienced. These feelings make it easy to forget about the important implications of this, and every election, and of the privilege we have in this country to help shape our collective future through voting.

Years ago as a high school student, I had the opportunity to help our local supervisor of elections in the office on election night. I helped track the delivery of ballot boxes from around the precincts, and as each set of ballots was counted, I had the task of tallying the results on a large white board in a conference room designated for those running for local office and their supporters. Thirteen votes, twenty-two votes, seven votes from a precinct—in a local race in a rural county, every individual vote was critical.

During a national election where constant polling results and the sheer magnitude of votes being cast can be overwhelming, I think it is vital to remember the impact of these local and state races and ballot initiatives. These “down-ballot” races can often have a more direct impact on local education and workforce policy than anything that happens in Washington!

I recently heard that one of the candidates for school board in my old home town visited every single family in her district during her campaign—forging a personal relationship and educating herself about constituent concerns. Whether she wins or loses, that’s the image that sticks in my mind this election when I think about engagement in the political process and the importance of voting. Educate yourself about all of the important issues and candidates on the ballot this election season, not just those getting the most national attention, and don’t pass up your opportunity to vote!

ACTE is a nonpartisan organization that does not support or oppose any candidate for public office.

Why Voting is Important to Me

With a week to go before Election Day 2016, now is a great time to reflect on the reasons why voting is important to you. Maybe you view voting as a civic duty—a part of being actively engaged in your community. Maybe it’s the issues that will drive you to the polls, education being among the critical national issues that will be impacted by the results of this election. And maybe you vote because you want to ensure the best possible future for the next generation by supporting CTE at the ballot box. No matter the reason, it is important to make your voice heard by participating on Election Day or through an early voting option.

Let us know why voting matters to you, and check out the CTE Policy Watch blog all this week to read some of the reasons why voting is important to us. You can also visit the Election Watch 2016 page on our website for more information on voting in your area.

• Alisha: Why Voting is Important to Me
• Catherine: Why Voting is Important to Me
• Jarrod: Why Voting is Important to Me
• Mitch: Why Voting is Important to Me

ACTE is a nonpartisan organization that does not support or oppose any candidate for public office.

2016 Early Voting Underway

With Election Day just around the corner, there are already opportunities for CTE advocates to make their voices heard at the ballot box. Most states have methods for voters to cast their vote before Election Day through early in-person voting, absentee voting by mail or a combination of these options.

For example, all registered voters in Ohio are able to vote absentee by mail, which allows the voter to vote early from the convenience of home while avoiding the lines at the polls on Election Day. The state also provides for early in-person voting at designated locations in each county during regular business hours, as well as certain weekend hours, right up until November 7. Georgia’s early in-person voting begins today and runs through November 4. Early voting locations and hours vary by county in the state, but Georgia voters should mark October 29, on their calendars because it is the only Saturday where early voting must be available statewide. The Peach State also offers mail-in absentee ballots to all registered voters, which is currently underway.

It’s important to remember that every state runs its elections differently, so the details, deadlines and timeframes for early voting will vary from state to state. Find more information about your state through our partners at Nonprofit VOTE. You can also visit the Election Watch 2016 page on our website or the CTE Policy Watch Blog for more election coverage.

ACTE is a nonpartisan organization that does not support or oppose any candidate for public office.

By The Numbers: Americans Want to Hear Where the Candidates Stand on CTE

Last week we asked our members and partners to voice their support for including a CTE question in the second presidential debate. In response, thousands of people participated through a website developed in partnership with the debate’s moderators. Unfortunately, the moderators chose not to ask a CTE question, or any education question for that matter. However, thanks to all who voted, the initiative led to one very clear conclusion: Americans want to know where the presidential candidates stand on career and technical education.

For many, CTE is top of mind this election season. With the Perkins Act up for reauthorization and the Higher Education Act on the agenda for next year, it’s important that candidates for office articulate how they would support CTE. We hope that the final debate on Wednesday, Oct. 19th will be centered on policy specifics and include a question about workforce development, education and CTE.

Here are the results from the CTE question we submitted and our members voted on:

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where we'll be tweeting and posting questions we hope are asked ahead of the final debate.

Please note that ACTE is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that does not, nor will it, endorse any candidate or political party for elected office.

Presidential Priorities: Urging the Candidates to Talk CTE

 

In November, voters across the country will head to the polls to cast ballots for the next President and Vice President of the United States. Since the last presidential election, significant education reforms have been passed by Congress and signed by the President, specifically the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Now awaiting further congressional action is the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins), which could fall into the next President’s lap, along with pending updates to the Higher Education Act (HEA).

Education, and specifically CTE, is the foundation of today’s economy. Expanding, enhancing and supporting rigorous CTE programs across the country is essential to fueling the talent pipeline for the high-skill, high-wage and high-demand careers of the 21st century. As such, it’s important for candidates to clearly articulate their vision on CTE issues. This year, ahead of the first and only Vice Presidential debate, we released three questions we hope candidates will explore and answer throughout the campaign. We’ll also be releasing questions for the presidential debates on Sunday, October 9th, and Wednesday, October 19th.

Please join the conversation by retweeting our questions below, or tweeting your own to @CTEmedia using #Debates and #CareerTechEd. Most importantly, don’t forget to vote!

 

Tonight is the only #VPDebate! Here's a question on #CareerTechEd we hope @Elaine_Quijano asks @timkaine and @mike_pence. pic.twitter.com/IM75ezpbK9

— ACTE Public Policy (@CTEMedia) October 4, 2016

Here's a question about #FinancialAid for #CareerTechEd we hope @Elaine_Quijano will ask @mike_pence and @timkaine at tonight's #VPDebate! pic.twitter.com/RUxcXUPvEF

— ACTE Public Policy (@CTEMedia) October 4, 2016

Here's a question about #FinancialAid for #CareerTechEd we hope @Elaine_Quijano will ask @mike_pence and @timkaine at tonight's #VPDebate! pic.twitter.com/RUxcXUPvEF

— ACTE Public Policy (@CTEMedia) October 4, 2016