July 31, 2018

Manchin Applauds President Trump for Signing Career and Technical Education Act Reauthorization

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded President Trump for signing the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. This legislation will provide funding for CTE programs and stands as the largest federal investment in America’s high schools, as well as a significant source of support for postsecondary institutions. The reauthorization passed the Senate unanimously last week.

“I have always strongly supported this legislation and am glad the President signed this reauthorization that will have a significant impact on improving our education system,” Senator Manchin said. “These updates will align our curriculum priorities with local economic needs, enabling more than 25,000 West Virginia students to develop skills for high-wage and in-demand jobs. The updates are just what West Virginia needs in its pursuit to diversify its economy and strengthen its workforce. 

“We are extremely thankful for the reauthorization of the Federal Perkins grant by the US Senate. This program allows our community colleges to provide students the career technical education they need to join West Virginia’s technical workforce,” said Chancellor of the WV Community and Technical College System Dr. Sarah Tucker. “Perkins funding makes sure our colleges stay relevant and responsive to the business and industry needs of our state.”

Updates to the Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act 

  • Requires states and local CTE providers to ensure career and technical education programs are responsive to local community economic needs to help students gain the skills needed to enter high-skill, high-wage or in-demand jobs.
  • Allows States to develop state-determined levels of performance on required performance indicators, removing the requirement that States negotiate with the Secretary in current law. But requires states to meet certain requirements when setting levels of performance, including consulting with stakeholders to establish State-determined levels of performance for graduation rates, credential attainment, job placement, continued education, and other indicators that signify high-quality programs preparing students for success in the classroom and the workplace. 
  • Improves transparency around accountability and student performance for all CTE students by collecting data disaggregated by student groups that updates the law to align with the Every Student Succeeds Act and adds additional special populations.
  • Allows the Secretary to fund state and locally designed initiatives to improve skills training through innovative methods and to update curriculum, equipment and technology, with the support of local stakeholders like industry or sector partnerships, qualified intermediaries, and those most able to support program quality at the state or local level.

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