Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), alongside U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), helped secure Senate passage of bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act.
“I am pleased that we were able to work together in a bipartisan manner on legislation that will help ensure that all students and workers get the skills they need to compete for well-paying jobs today and in the future,” said Senator Casey. “The Senate took a strong step forward and I now urge the House to pass this legislation so that it can be signed into law.”
The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act would make important, necessary updates to career and technical education to ensure all students, including special populations, have access to high-quality programs; help recruit and retain CTE educators, and provide workers and students the skills they need to find high-skill, high-wage or in-demand jobs.
The first reauthorization of the Perkins CTE Act since 2006, this legislation would encourage states, schools and local CTE providers to update education and job training to meet the needs of the local economies, ensuring students have the skills needed to remain competitive. It would also increase alignment with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and promote collaboration between stakeholders so that high schools, institutions of higher education, community-based organizations and local businesses can communicate their needs and coordinate as programs are developed.
The American Federation of Teachers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with nearly 500 businesses and organizations from the National Association of Manufacturers, have voiced their support for bipartisan reauthorization of the Perkins CTE Act.
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