Tuesday, June 5, 2012

U.S. Dept. of Ed. Blueprint for Transforming CTE


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Investing in America’s Future
A Blueprint for Transforming
Career and Technical Education
April 2012


"In his 2012 State of the Union Address, President Obama laid out a blueprint for an
economy that is built to last.  The President’s plan affirms that the strength of the
American economy is inextricably linked to the strength of America’s education system.
Particularly in times of economic challenge, American employers need a workforce that is
skilled, adaptable, creative, and equipped for success in the global marketplace.  And our
students need a more rigorous, better tailored education to acquire the skills they need to
compete, to follow a clear pathway into the middle class and to continue to prosper.

"To educate our way to a better economy, educators, public officials, and policymakers must
ensure that every student in our country graduates from high school prepared for college
and a successful career.  Yet that is not enough.  If America is to once again have the highest
proportion of college graduates in the world by the end of the decade, every American should
have access to at least one year of higher education or postsecondary training at an affordable
cost.  A world-class education system that provides high-quality job-training opportunities
will reduce skills shortages, spur business growth, encourage new investment and hiring, spark
innovation, and promote continued economic growth.

"These educational goals are central to rebuilding our economy and securing a brighter future
for our nation, and our career and technical education (CTE) system plays a critical part in
accomplishing them.  With $1.14 billion in funding for Fiscal Year 2012, the Carl D. Perkins
Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins Act or Act) represents a considerable
investment in career readiness.  Perkins Act programs leverage other components of a broader
education and career pathways system that includes K–12 and postsecondary education,
workforce investment and job training, adult education, and health and human services.  They
help create an American economy built to last.

"At present, however, the Perkins Act is in need of reform and updating.  The 2006 Act took
modest yet important steps to improve the quality of CTE programs.  But it did not go far
enough to address the overarching educational and economic needs of youths and adults
preparing to participate in the knowledge-based, global marketplace of the 21st century.
Our federal investment in CTE must be dramatically reshaped to fulfill its potential to prepare
all students, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances, for further education and
cutting-edge careers.  The need to strengthen and elevate CTE is urgent. This is a not a time
to tinker with CTE—it is a time to transform it.  To help accomplish this transformation,
this blueprint sets forth the elements of a rigorous, relevant, and results-driven CTE program
through reauthorization of the Perkins Act."

Arne Duncan
U.S. Secretary of Education

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