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Strengthening Career and Technical Education Law Could Mean Big Changes For Afterschool And Summer Programming

August 10, 2018
Strengthening Career and Technical Education Law Could Mean Big Changes For Afterschool And Summer Programming 

Throughout the summer, there has been a lot of buzz on Capitol Hill regarding career and technical education.  New funding legislation coupled with the National Governors Association’s announcement placing Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson as Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee means big opportunities for afterschool and summer learning in Arkansas.  How does that impact your afterschool and summer learning programs? There is important language that could result in funding for programs supporting career education for students as young as 10-years-old.
 
On May 4, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 2353) was introduced in the House to provide greater opportunities to support student career pathways. This legislation emphasizes the importance of employability skills and makes career exploration an allowable use of CTE funding as early as the middle school.
This bill would reauthorize the Perkins Career and Technical Education (Perkins CTE) Act, which governs federal investments towards helping students gain education, credentials, training, and skills toward employment in well-paid, skilled, in-demand careers with $1.133 billion in funds for FY18, growing to $1.213 billion in 2023. This bill was last reauthorized in 2006.
On June 26, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held an executive session regardingthe bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. 
 
The Senate bill focuses on flexibility and community decision-making to meet local needs and leverage local resources.  Specifically, the bill provides:
  • Inclusion of employability skills (like collaboration, communication, and problem solving)
  • Ability to begin programming around subjects like career exposure and exploration as early as the middle grades (5thgrade and above)
  • Inclusion of community-based partners in the state plan
  • Collaboration with community-based and youth-serving organizations as a listed eligible use of local funds
However, important language in the House bill around specifically listing community-based partners as eligible entities was overlooked in the Senate version. 
Afterschool and summer programs have been a vital resource in supporting career exploration. Besides the great work programs do in supporting students gaining employability skills, they also introduce students to career pathways and provide skill sets, training, credits, and certification. Examples abound in these areas including automotive maintenance, aviation, welding, health care, engineering and digital technology, food services, construction, and more. Additionally, programs often focus on supporting students in non-traditional careers and providing opportunities to students from underrepresented groups.
 
On Monday July 23, 2018 the Senate passed bill S. 3217 Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act.  The House then accepted the Senate’s amendments on July 25 in House Bill H. 2353, which also passed the House. The bill was signed into law by the president on July 31.
 
 
Hutchinson Named NGA Education And Workforce Committee Chair
How does this impact Arkansas, specifically? It’s no secret that Arkansas has been at the forefront of career and technical education over the past few years. Our state has become a national leader in computer science education and workforce training programs under governor Asa Hutchinson’s leadership.     
 
Recently, The National Governors Association named Hutchinson 2018-19 Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee.  The committee is responsible for ensuring that the views of state leadership are represented in federal policy issues related to early childhood education, K-12 education, higher education, workforce development and career-technical education.
 
“This opportunity is an honor that will allow me to demonstrate at a national level the state-directed initiatives that have served us so well in preparing our students for high-paying, in-demand careers,” stated Hutchinson.

Hutchinson’s new role, coupled with the proposed federal legislation for career and technical education, makes Arkansas a likely candidate for pilot initiatives and increased funding for programs that support STEM workforce skills.  It also means a national spotlight for Arkansas afterschool and summer learning programs.

Consider what your program is doing to emphasize career exploration and development.  Partner with a local school, library, nonprofit or museum to offer increased workforce development opportunities for students.  Afterschool and summer learning programs have the unique ability to provide individualized learning strategies beyond the regular classroom.  Take advantage of partnerships and the new legislative policies to increase the reach and initiatives of your afterschool and summer learning programs.
 
 
To learn more about the Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the 21st Century Actcheck out the Afterschool Alliance’s policypage.