FIC: Reauthorize Perkins career technical education 

Members of CSBA’s Federal Issues Council stressed their support for the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act and emphasized their opposition to the President’s proposals to cut Perkins in a March 7 meeting with Richard LaPointe, Deputy Assistant Director, Office of Vocational and Adult Education. President Bush proposes eliminating Perkins and 41 other “low-priority and low-performing” programs and imposing a raft of new testing and coursework mandates on high schools. Congress has shown little enthusiasm for these proposals.

CSBA Immediate Past President Dr. Kerry Clegg, a staunch supporter of vocational education, told LaPointe that California students have benefited greatly from Perkins.

LaPointe, a former California teacher who said he ran a regional occupational program in Contra Costa County, said he has had some “great experiences” working with states on Perkins. But he added that Perkins is problematic because programs don’t produce measurable results. Perkins supporters need to come up with data that can “validate the success” of these programs, LaPointe told the FIC.

Leighton Anderson, Delegate from Region 24 and board member from the Whittier Union High School District, said there are methods for measuring and documenting that career and technical education is effective. But he pointed out that the President’s new high school proposals would not make money available for such evaluations, leaving districts without resources to demonstrate that these programs work.

FIC members described programs in their respective regions that have successfully integrated exacting academic standards with practical skills in career and technical education courses. Last year, California’s Board of Education adopted academic standards for career and technical education programs that incorporate knowledge about career options, technology and skills required for success in life.

Congress last year rejected the president’s proposal to cut Perkins, but it is under increased pressure to reduce discretionary spending.