Senate cte caucus: An invaluable partner on capitol hill.

Lynch, Sean

THE ASSOCIATION FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION'S (ACTE) PUBLIC

Policy staff 'yorks coin inuottsly with leaders on Capitol Hill JcIvoca LC for policies and legislation that will create positive change for the career and technical education (GTE) community. NVe've appreciated the support and hard work our champions in Congress have demonstrated, as yell as the exemplary dedication they have shown in serving America's students and the economy by preparing a robust 21st-century workforce.

However, what's even more encouraging than ACTE blinding support is when leaders in Congress take the reins and make GTE a priority of their own. And that's exactly what Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rob Portman (R-OH) did on'Januarv 30. 2014, when they announced the formation of the lirst-ever bipartisan Senate CTE Caucus. The chairs stated in a release that the caucus would serve to improve and strengthen access to CTE programs nation-wide so that students graduate with the skills needed for success in college and careers.

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"Through career and technical programs we can strengthen the links between the classroom and the workplace. helping students acquire the education and skills that will help them find employment and en} v prc Iductive, successful lives after graduation," kaine said upon the caucus" launch. He continued. "I am proud to launch the Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus with Senator Portman, and I look forward to working together to improve CTE."

"In today Competitive and dynamic job market, far too many Americans are finding that they lack the skills they need to get a good-paving job," Portman stated. "I look forward to working with Senator Kaine as a co-chair or the Senate Career and Technical Education Caucus to bridge the skills gap and get Americans back to work.'" 'The caucus garnered significant attention from other congressional leaders who wanted to build on our nation's investment in for a competitive worklbree. just clays after the caucus was first announced, Kaine and Portman welcomed Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Mike Enzi into the fold as the caucus third ncl fourth co-chairs. Toget her. I hey have ensured that. the group will tel as a partner In AcTE, the House C'I'E Caucusand America's GTE educators. and raise awareness of these vital programs in the Senate halls as well.

Early Signs of Support

The Senate GTE Caucus members began their work by demonstrating their connection to the broader GTE community by working with ACTT to IbrmaIlv recognize GTE h mth in the U.S. Senate. Organized by ACTE, GTE Month is an annual celebration of the achievements of millions of educators, administrators, career and guidance counselors and students in the GTE community. Despite a busy legislative session, on February 26, co-chairs Kaine. Portman and Baldwin introduced formal congressional resolutions declaring February 2014 as GTE Month. Coupled with floor statements in the House of Representatives, these actions ensured that Washimoon was aware of this important event. Although ACTE members regularly do fantastic work to coordinate GTE Month resolutions on the state and local levels, it was particularly encouraging to see this step on a national level, as it was the first of its kind in more than five ears.

Participating in Hands-on Learning

The Senate CTE Caucus then hosted its first ch nil visit on May 29, 20 when legislative experts across the Senate and Department of Education traveled with AG'I'E stall to Edison Academy in Alexandria, Virginia, to meet with the school's GTE teachers, administrators, counselors and students. l'he visit gave congressional stalTa chance to get out of the halls of Congress and into a 21st-century classroom, where they witnessed local educators implementing high-quality. rigorous CTE programs in such areas as animal sciences. culinary arts. ITnetwork administration, and a lull automotive technician and collision program. 'these programs and others are equipping students with the skills they need lbr success in college and careers. Additionally, the staff learned more about the vital role tech-rat funding has played in meeting industry standards through state-of-the-art equipment and indust recognized credentials.

After touring the programs, the Senate staff met with a panel of the school's partners. including members from the business community and postsecolldarV institutions. These representatives voiced the crucial need For America's secondary institutions to equip students with the technical and employability skills they will need on the job or in further education, as well as the role that federal polievmakers have in ensuring that these classrooms have the resources and support necessary to fulfill their mission.

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Getting the Facts

The Senate CTE Caucus has also worked to dispel the misperceptions pertaining to CTE Or "vocational education by spreading their knowledge to their colleagues in the Senate about the benefits of GTE and the importance of supporting the CTE community through policy solutions. On June 11, 2014, the Senate GTE Caucus held its first public eyent----a briefing on Capitol Hill concerning GTE and its role in preparing tomorrow's workffirce, which was at by TIMIT (han 70 Senate staff members from both sides of the aisle. This was the first of what is likely to be many briefings on CTE as Congress appriyaches reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Cat and Technical Education Act. The briefing also featured a panel discussion on CTE and its role ill keeping our economy strong and our worklOrce competitive for the benefit of America's students and the business community.

The panel included a number of CTE advocates, all of whom expressed the need for congressional siipport On a variety of CTE policy to ensure that all students have access to high-quality GTE. However, the cveitt's highlight occurred when Sens. Baldwin and Kaine took to the podium to voice their personal devotion to the work and ideals that the caucus has laid forth in its commitment to serving the CTE community.

While planning the Senate briefing, the caucus members were collaborating on another initial ive to recognize leadership and excellence in CTE. Co-chairs Portman, Baldwin and Kaine jointly sent a letter to President Obarna encouraging him to issue an executive order expanding the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program by crea t ing a new award Ihr student excellence in CTE, the Presidential Career and prechnical Scholars Award ... A. CTE voiced its support for the initiative and the co-chairs leadership in identifying and showcasing CTE success stories from across the country.

Keeping Its Nose to the Grindstone

The Senate CT17., Caucus may be a new player on Capitol Hill, but its members have already demonstrated that they don't plan for this to be a "do-nothing" team. Congressional staff is already planning a host of new events and outreach strategies for the next legislative session. and are partnering Willi AUFE on a variety of legislative initiatives that will strengthen the CTE community

Though there is still a lot to be done to make Washington work for CTE, these senators are committed to bipartisan collaboration for America's students and future work force. Tech

Through career and technical programs we can strengthen the links between the classroom and the workplace, helping students acquire the education and skills that will help them find employment and enjoy productive, successful lives after graduation.--Sen. Tim Kaine

Sean Lynch is the media relations manager at ACTE. He can be reached at slynch@acteonline.org.