EARLE ATTENDS EDUCATION POLICY SEMINAR IN WASHINGTON
MCBEE, SC….Pat Earle, Agricultural Education instructor and FFA advisor at McBee High School, attended the 2010 Career and Technology Education’s National Policy Seminar in Arlington, Virginia, March 8-10. He joined others from throughout the country who came together to learn about federal policy priorities and upcoming legislative activities. A major effort of the attendees was to help national policymakers understand that Career and Technology Education is the answer to many of the key challenges facing the country, including drop-out rates, postsecondary access and completion, the skills gap, unemployment and more.
One of the major concerns is the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2011 budget request that level-funded the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act which hasn’t had an increase in funding since 2004. The Perkins funds provide resources for secondary and postsecondary education and training programs that prepare youth and adults to be successful in high-wage, high-demand careers.
While in Washington, Mr. Earle visited with US Congressman John Spratt and a staff executive of Congressman Jim Clyburn on Capitol Hill to encourage increased federal support for career and technical education and workforce development training programs.
During the conference, Mr. Earle and other attendees heard a number of speakers address a variety of issues including funding opportunities, the role Career and Technology Education plays in the economy and workforce, and the latest information on the Workforce Investment Act, Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Fiscal Year 2011 budget and appropriations process.