Press Release - NASDCTEc Praises Congress for Passing Perkins Reauthorization

August 01, 2006
For Immediate Release

Washington, DC – After several years of hard work, Congress took final action on the reauthorization Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 this past week. The Senate approved the measure by unanimous consent and the House of Representatives passed it by a recorded vote of 399-1. This overwhelming support mirrors the near-unanimous support each chamber demonstrated when it passed its respective reauthorization bills last year.

“We are grateful to Chairman Michael Enzi, Senator Ted Kennedy, Chairman Howard McKeon and Congressman George Miller, and their staffs for the leadership and dedication in passing this important piece of federal education legislation,” said Kimberly A. Green, Executive Director of the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium [NASDCTEc]. “The tremendous support shown by the Congress sends a strong message that career technical education is a critical investment in the future of our workforce and is vital to the sustained economic prosperity of our nation.”

The legislation reflects the top priorities of NASDCTEc and the career technical education community including retaining 5% for state administration, strengthening accountability, and supporting career clusters and pathways. The reauthorized Perkins Act will provide critical support to career technical education so that it can ensure that America remains competitive through a competent, technically proficient, and well-prepared workforce.

“We are very excited about the new legislation,” said Vice President of the NASDCTEc Board of Directors, Richard Katt. “It will allow us the flexibility that we need in continuing to improve our instructional offerings, strengthening our secondary and postsecondary connections, and improving the nexus between career technical education and academic rigor. This legislation allows us to continue our work on career clusters, ensuring that we provide relevant instruction for the jobs of the future.”

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