House Approves Castle Bill to Help States and Schools Improve Vocational and Technical Education, Strengthen Opportunities for Students

Washington , D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today gave bipartisan approval to legislation introduced by Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) to help states and local communities improve vocational and technical education and enhance opportunities for students.  The Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act (H.R. 366) was approved by a vote of 416-9.  Similar legislation was approved by the Education & the Workforce Committee in 2004, also with bipartisan support.

“In this bill we’re protecting the role of states and local communities, and we’re asking for results in exchange for the money we’re already spending at the federal level,” said Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH).  “Vocational and technical education is a vital component of our nation’s educational system.  States and local communities use Perkins funding to help prepare youth and adults for a successful future.”

The Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act would strengthen and improve the framework of current vocational and technical education programs without expanding the federal role in education.  The bill would increase the focus on student academic achievement and streamline federal funding to help states and local communities make the most of federal resources.  The bill also continues to move away from the so-called School to Work model of the past, explicitly rejecting federal standards and instead increasing local control and local accountability.

“The Perkins Act aims to prepare youth and adults for the future by building their academic and technical skills in preparation for postsecondary education and/or employment.  The bill approved today enhances Perkins by ensuring both secondary and postsecondary students participating in the program are acquiring rigorous academic and technical skills and will have the opportunity to transition into further education and/or successful employment,” said Castle.  “One of the unique attributes of vocational and technical education programs is their ability to show students a path that could end in a certificate, credential, employment, military, or postsecondary education.”

The Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act renews and reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, often known as the Perkins program.  To improve opportunities for students, the bill would:

• Focus on academics without expanding the federal role in education;

• Streamline bureaucracy and give more money to local communities;

• Streamline funding while preserving quality Tech-Prep activities;

• Emphasize success at the local level;

• Ensure equitable treatment for private school students;

• Improve professional development for teachers; and

• Strengthen opportunities for coordination between secondary and postsecondary vocational and technical education.

More information on the Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act is available on the Education and the Workforce Committee website at http://edworkforce.house.gov/issues/109th/education/voced/voced.htm.

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