CTE in a Time of Uncertainty …and why our time is now!

1. CTE in a Time of Uncertainty…and why our time is now! Stephen DeWitt, Senior Director of Public Policy Association for Career and Technical Education

2. ACTE • Association for Career and Technical Education is the largest national education association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. • Our core purpose is to provide leadership in developing an educated, prepared, adaptable and competitive workforce. • ACTE initiates significant advocacy promoting CTE at the national level.

3. Theme in Congress currently: “we have no money”Congressional session has beenconsumed by sequestrationand funding issuesPolitical climate isvery partisanAlmost 100 new freshman lawmakers plus new staff who are still learning the legislative process

4. Authorization vs. Appropriation Authorization = legislation that sets policies and funding limits for agencies/programs. Appropriations = legislation needed before a department or agency can cut a check or sign a contract.

5. Budget Timeline February– President releases budget request March/April– House and Senate work to complete budget resolutions by April 15 May-July– Appropriations committees set discretionary funding levels September– Final appropriations bills passed and signed by President October 1 – beginning of federal fiscal year

6. Federal Funding Important Dates • State of the Union occurred February 12 • President Obama and Sen. Marco Rubio in Republican Response mentioned CTE! • President’s budget proposal – due by Feb. 4 but delayed (likely to be out week of Apr. 8) • Sequestration deadline was March 1 • FY 2013 CR expires on March 27 • Debt ceiling debate – delayed until May

7. Federal Funding/Sequestration • House passed H.R.933 on March 8 • Extends for 6 months the current Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2013 funding for most domestic programs • Lowers the funding cap by incorporating the 5 percent sequestration cut and a .098 percent cut • In Senate, Sens. Mikulski and Shelby introduced their bill on March 10 • Maintains the same overall level as House without the .098 cut

8. Importance of Advocacy • State and Local vs. Feds • The majority of education funding comes from the state and local level. • State and local governments make the day to day decisions for districts and schools • However, federal laws often leverage state and local action.

9. Pending Authorizing Legislation • Workforce Investment Act (2003) • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (2007) • Institute for Education Sciences (2009) • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2012) • Higher Education Act (2013?) • Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (2013)

10. Workforce Investment Act House Education & Workforce Committee • Dems reintroduced their bill a few weeks ago. • Republicans introduced the SKILLS Act and it passed in the House of Reps. on March 15. Senate HELP Committee • Republicans are rumored to be working on a bill similar to the House republican bill. • Dems unsure of starting point, but rumored bipartisan bill from Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA).

11. ESEA Waivers Include CTE Measures! • Florida – Advanced curricula includes dual enrollment, and industry certifications, among other forms • Kentucky - Requires that students meet one traditional college-readiness indicator, one career-academic-readiness indicator and one career-technical-readiness indicator • Virginia - Set a goal for 48% of its graduating students to earn an externally validated college- or career-ready credential

12. ACTE Perkins Principles Redefine the Federal Role in CTE Target Expenditures Define Program Quality Elements Ensure Relevant & Consistent Data Offer Incentives for Innovation Provide the Infrastructure to Support the System 12

13. Perkins Blueprint • The Obama Administration’s plan for the reauthorization of Perkins • Only an outline; not reflected in any current legislation • Titled “Investing in America's Future: A Blueprint for Transforming Career and Technical Education” • Four key themes: • Alignment - Accountability • Collaboration - Innovation

15. Career Readiness Achieve ● Alliance for Excellent Education ● American Association of Community Colleges ● American Federation of Teachers ● American School Counselor Association ● America’s Promise Alliance ● Asia Society ● ASCD ● Association for Career and Technical Education ● Business-Higher Education Forum ● ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career ● Corporate Voices for Working Families ● Council of Chief State School Officers ● The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation ● Ford Motor Company Fund ● Gallup ● James B. Hunt, Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy ● The Manufacturing Institute ● National Academy Foundation ● National Association of State Boards of Education ● National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium ● National Council of La Raza ● National Education Association ● National Governors Association ● National League of Cities ● National Youth Employment Coalition ● Skills for America’s Future, The Aspen Institute ● Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium

16. http://cte.ed.gov/employabilityskills/

18. National Interest in CTE • Opportunity Nation • United Way • Brookings Institution • The College Board • Georgetown University • Harvard Graduate School of Education • Center on Education Policy

19. www.iwnc.org

20. Tools and Resources • CTE Policy Watch Blog • Legislative Updates • Legislative Alerts • Fact Sheets • Issue Briefs • State CTE Profiles • Research Clearinghouse • Webinar

21. Recent Policy Pubs

22. December 5-7 in Las Vegas

23. Contact Info Association for Career and Technical Education 1410 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 800-826-9972 www.acteonline.org sdewitt@acteonline.org 23