1. Association for Career and Technical Education 1 Alisha Hyslop Assistant Director of Public Policy Federal Career and Technical Education Policy

2. Association for Career and Technical Education 2 Political Environment  Economy taking center stage in every discussion  Calls for bi-partisanship, but in many ways more partisan than ever  Very ambitious agenda ahead –Housing crisis –Credit market issues –Healthcare –Energy –Immigration

3. Association for Career and Technical Education 3 Authorization versus Appropriation Authorization = The level of money allowed for a program (Established by authorizing committee) Appropriation = The actual funding disbursed from the federal treasury (Approved by appropriations committee)

4. Association for Career and Technical Education 4 National Service  Serve America Act signed into law  Expands national service positions from 75,000 to 250,000  Enhances “Learn and Serve” programs for students  Could provide resources for CTE/CTSOs

5. Association for Career and Technical Education 5 No Child Left Behind (NCLB)  Largest federal elementary/secondary bill  Originally due to be reauthorized in 2007  Work stalled in the 110 th Congress  New regulations issued from U.S. Education Department in late 2008  High school reform part of the discussion  Action very unlikely

6. Association for Career and Technical Education 6 NCLB Obama Administration:  Reform and fund the law  Support high quality schools including charters  Make math and science a national priority  Address the dropout crisis  Expand after-school opportunities  Improve secondary-postsecondary linkages  Provide teacher improvement and support

7. Association for Career and Technical Education 7 NCLB-Related Bills  Secondary School Innovation Fund (S. 968/H.R. 2239) Support partnerships that would create innovative models and programs in secondary schools to increase student achievement and prepare them for postsecondary education and the workforce  Fast Track to College Act (S. 627/H.R. 1578) Create a competitive grant program to support early college high school partnerships and other types of dual enrollment programs that combine high school and college curriculum to allow students to earn credit toward a postsecondary degree while still in high school

8. Association for Career and Technical Education 8 Workforce Investment Act (WIA)  Over 10 years since the bill was reauthorized  Bill died in 109 th Congress and little action in the 110 th Congress  Senate held extensive listening sessions and is planning hearings  House has held four hearings this year and has announced plans to release a bill by summer

9. Association for Career and Technical Education 9 Workforce Investment Act Key Issues:  One-stop infrastructure/funding  Training provisions  Size/make-up of WIBs  Youth programs  Accountability provisions  Coordination with education programs  Innovation: sector strategies/career pathways

10. Association for Career and Technical Education 10 Energy Sustainability “We will double this nation's supply of renewable energy in the next three years” President Barack Obama February 24, 2009

11. Association for Career and Technical Education 11 Energy Sustainability Priorities  Develop and fund programs which address need for high-wage, high demand careers  Train educators about new sustainable/“green” technologies  Modernize and upgrade CTE facilities and equipment  Support infusion of energy sustainability concepts throughout curriculum

12. Association for Career and Technical Education 12 GREEN Act  H.R. 1775 introduced 3/30/09  Sponsored by Rep. Jerry McNerney  Grants to develop CTE programs of study and facilities in areas of renewable energy  Two components: –Curriculum grants to partnerships –Facilities grants  Curriculum portions incorporated into broader energy legislation

13. Association for Career and Technical Education 13 President’s Challenge “Tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country – and this country needs and values the talents of every American.” February 24, 2009

14. Association for Career and Technical Education 14 Rethinking Job Training  Administration policy announcement on 5/8  Will expand access to training for unemployed  President vowed to “lay out a fundamental rethinking of our job training, vocational education, and community college programs” in the coming weeks  Wants to move toward comprehensive policy

15. Association for Career and Technical Education 15 Action Needed  Link CTE to critical issues: –Dropout prevention –Economic recovery –Postsecondary access and completion  Highlight data and stories that exemplify CTE relevancy  Use ACTE Issue Briefs & research  Stay informed, build relationships and be ready to act!

16. Association for Career and Technical Education 16 Association for Career and Technical Education 1410 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (800) 826-9972 Web: www.acteonline.org ahyslop@acteonline.org