Current Issues

Prepared by Michael R. Stone, KACTE Executive Director
Reviewed by Jim Edwards, KACTE Legislative Liaison

This year’s KACTE official visit to Washington in conjunction with the ACTE National Policy Seminar was one of the more positive trips of recent years. In spite of the administration’s proposal to eliminate funding for Perkins Act programs in the Fiscal Year 2009 budget, we were reassured in virtually every office that CTE funding would be appropriated. In a personal meeting with Rep. John Yarmuth, he related the now-reported strategy Appropriation Committee Chair David Obey will follow – the House will continue its appropriation process; an

d if the President does not agree to work with Congress, it will pass a continuing resolution or other funding mechanism to sustain program funding until the new President is sworn into office.

PICTURED (right) are, from left, Michael McMillen, Rep. John Yarmuth, Leslie Watkins and Mary Poole

The visits had a very direct theme – maintain CTE funding by rejecting the administration’s proposal, and if possible, increase Perkins Act funding to the $1.7 billion ACTE recommendation. Secondarily, ACTE sought additional members of the Congressional CTE Caucus. Already, Kentucky Reps. Yarmuth, Davis, Rogers and Chandler are members of the Caucus. In a personal meeting, Rep. Whitfield agreed to join the Caucus. The visits served to update the legislator and staff about the positive developments regarding CTE in Kentucky. Leave behinds

both about Kentucky CTE and from ACTE supported the message. KACTE members were able to provide local examples of program quality and how they make a real difference in the lives of students.

PICTURED (left) are, from left, Mary Poole, Rep. Ed Whitfield, Leslie Watkins.

A thank you is extended to those from Kentucky who participated in the 2008 ACTE National Policy Seminar.

Ø Jay Jackman, Executive Director, National Association of Agriculture Educators

Ø Sarah Raikes, Washington County High School and KACTE’s ACTE Region 2 Representative*

Congress is in recess until March 31. During congressional recess, most legislators return to their states and districts, and constituents often can call their local offices to request a meeting or visit with legislators at public appearances. This contact can reinforce the achievements of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and provide an opportunity to thank the legislator for his past support of Perkins Act reauthorization and appropriation.

Prior to the recess, both the House and Senate passed their respective Fiscal Year 2009 (Oct. 1, 2009-Sept. 30, 2010) budget resolutions, which are not binding but do guide Appropriation Committee subcommittees when they set spending authority. According to information provided by the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), the House budget allows $7.1 billion above the president’s request for education and training programs, and the Senate allows $8.8 billion above the president’s request. The difference will be resolved in a conference committee. The higher the spending level allowed, the more money appropriation committees will be able to provide for programs.

As noted above, ACTE and KACTE are requesting $1.7 billion for Perkins Act programs in Fiscal Year 2009.

Also prior to recess, Congress extended the current Higher Education Act through April 30 in order to provide time to complete conference negotiations between HR. 4137 and S. 1642, the respective HEA reauthorization versions. ACTE supports the reauthorization proposals to help students access and complete postsecondary education to secure jobs in emerging career fields, particularly year-round Pell Grants and Academic Competitiveness Grants. ACTE is concerned about possibly complicated new data collection and reporting requirements. ACTE asks conferees to support the House provisions of College Partnership Grants, Grants to Create Business-Workforce Partnerships, Student Success Grants, and Bridges from Jobs to Careers Grants. Kentucky District 3 Rep. John Yarmuth authored the Student Success Grant proposal.

No official action has taken place on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, better known as No Child Left Behind. Discussions are taking place at the committee level. At the ACTE National Policy Seminar, Jill Morningstar, majority education policy adviser, House Education and labor Committee, said a goal will be for students to be college AND career ready, rather than college OR career ready. She said there are hopes a bill will be completed this year, but budget issues are making it difficult to get legislators to focus on No Child Left Behind reauthorization. She elaborated on three objectives:

Ø Integrate academic and technical education to better engage and prepare students for their futures.

Ø Support comprehensive guidance and career development strategies to assist students in determining clear pathways to postsecondary and workforce goals.

Ø Increase the focus on secondary school completion through comprehensive dropout prevention and reentry strategies.

Ø Ensure that highly effective educators are supported and available across the curriculum in all schools.

Ø Improve adequate yearly progress and accountability provisions to more accurately reflect student learning progress.

The Kentucky House of Representatives passed its version of a state budget (HB406) on March 13. By incorporating a 25 cent per pack increase in the tax on cigarettes, increasing some additional revenue sources, restructuring the state debt, and projecting savings (particularly from the retirement of state employees), the budget, which passed largely on a party-line vote, restores many of the cuts proposed by Gov. Steve Beshear. The proposal was not warmly received by the Senate, which objects to tax increases. The Senate likely will work the week of March 24 passing its version of a budget. The two houses then will negotiate a compromise before the scheduled adjournment in mid-April.

The main beneficiaries of the House budget are educational programs, although the lack of growth still will limit any consideration of program expansion. The effects of inflation could, in fact, result in an effective cut in programs and services. But most of those potentially affected by previously proposed budget cuts applauded the House’s general direction if not the specifics. Some key elements of the House budget impacting education are:

Ø An increase in SEEK funding to permit a 1 percent teacher salary increase in Fiscal Year 08-09 and a 3 percent increase in 09-10.

Ø An increase in the SEEK formula in 08-09 to $3,884 per student average daily attendance, and to $4,037 in 09-10

Ø Restored funding to 07-08 levels for Flex Focus funds of extended school services, professional development, safe schools and textbooks.

Ø In both 08-09 and 09-10, parental involvement programs, individual learning plan development and the Teacher Professional Growth Fund are included.

Ø Bonding for the Knowledge Management Portal, Student Information System and On-line Testing were included.

Ø The FFA Leadership Training Center will be eligible for $2 million in bonds for renovation.

Ø Overall KCTCS funding was set at $683 million in 08-09, an increase over the $632 proposed by the administration. KCTCS funding increases to $708.5 million in 09-10.

A legislative alert from KCTCS President Michael McCall notes the House restoration still makes permanent the 3 percent cut imposed by the administration for the current year. At the start of 08-09, KCTCS will have available almost $7 million less than the current year. McCall also advised $10 million in maintenance and operating funds for 15 new buildings was not provided, nor was $10 million in “Bucks for Brains” endowment matching funds. He urged the Senate to fully restore funding and add the funds for maintenance and operations and Bucks for Brains.

The funding levels reported in the March 4 Issues Update for secondary career and technical education programs remain the same.

Ø $11,585,700 each fiscal year for locally operated vocational schools, about a $400,000 increase over the current level.

Ø $63 million is 08-09 and $62.5 million in 09-10 in the Education Cabinet budget for the Kentucky TECH system (still a cut from the current $65 million funding level). Included in the Kentucky TECH funding is $23.2 million in SEEK funds, the same as the previous year, of which 20 percent is directed to local school boards for maintenance of the Area Technology Center buildings, with the rest earmarked to serve secondary students including those in the Kentucky Community and Technical College system.

Ø Senate Bill 1, which would change the accountability testing process by incorporating national standardized tests, passed the Senate 22-15. It was received in the House and referred to the Appropriation and Revenue Committee, whose chair, Rep. Harry Moberly, voiced criticism of the proposal.

Ø Senate Bill 2, which would encourage education in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), passed the Senate 36-0 on Jan. 23. It passed the House Education Committee on March 4 and was posted for passage by the House on March 11, but to date has not been called for a vote.

Ø Senate Bill 32, which would enhance application of career pathways and CTE programs, passed the Senate 37-1 on March 4. It was received in the House and referred to the Appropriation and Revenue Committee. There has been no further action to date.

Specifics on bills before the Kentucky General Assembly can be found at www.lrc.ky.gov.

For information on contacting Kentucky legislators, please refer to Issues Update, March 4, 2008.

Kentucky Issues
2008-2010 Biennial Budget Proposal
Legislation Affecting CTE

Kentucky Issues
The 2008 Kentucky General Assembly session is more than half completed, and no substantive legislation has been forwarded to Gov. Steve Beshear for signature. Few items even have passed either the House or Senate and been forwarded to the other body for consideration. As in most even-year sessions, the dominant issue is money. According to Gov. Beshear, the state lacks $800 million to maintain current program spending. The administration’s biennial budget proposal suggests cuts of 4 percent to elementary and secondary education funding (but includes level spending for the SEEK formula) and 12 percent for postsecondary education.

The financial dilemma extends beyond the budget. There is a projected $26 billion shortfall in public employee and teacher retirement systems. Debate is ongoing whether to raise taxes, most notably the cigarette excise tax, or fees to make up budget and retirement system shortfalls. Consideration is being given to issuing bonds to cover at least part of the retirement system shortfall, as well as restructuring retirement benefits and contributions for future retirees and limiting cost-of-living adjustments for current retirees. The governor proposed to permit limited casino gambling in Kentucky to raise revenue, but the Senate does not appear likely to accept this proposal.

House Appropriation and Revenue Committee Chair Harry Moberly met with House Democratic leadership the weekend of March 1-2 to consider changes to the administration’s budget proposal. According to press reports (Rep. Moberly’s alternative budget proposals were not released by March 4), revenue increases will be offered to help maintain existing program funding and provide a raise for teachers. Twenty-two working days are left in the session, with adjournment set for April 15.

Some programmatic legislation that could affect education, and particularly Career and Technical Education (CTE), is moving forward without funding mandates. For detail on any bill before the Kentucky General Assembly, please follow this link, http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/08RS/record.htm, to the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission website. Bills may be searched by number or Index-Headings (for example, Education, Vocational, http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/08RS/3320.htm.)

2008-2010 Biennial Budget Proposal
The administration’s budget proposal, HB406, includes $4.52 billion for the Department of Education in 2008-09 and $4.54 billion in 2009-10. Within this overall proposal, per pupil SEEK funding distributed by the state to local school districts remains unchanged from 2007-08. Education observers note inflation will in reality result in less money effectively available per student. They warn the state’s progress in improving educational achievement could be harmed. Among the line items within the Department of Education budget:

Ø There is no provision for teacher raises, although state employees may receive a 2 percent increase.

Ø The Kentucky Teachers Retirement System will receive $187 million in 08-09 and $212 in 09-10, compared to $193 million in 07-08.

Ø Locally Operated Vocational Centers will receive a slight increase to $11,585,700 in each year of the biennium, compared to $11,175,400 in 07-08.

Ø Vocational transportation was reduced to $2.4 million each year of the biennium, compared to $2.5 million in 07-08.

In the Education Cabinet budget, the Kentucky TECH system was cut to $63 million in 08-09 and $62.5 million in 09-10, compared to $65 million in 07-08. (NOTE: The Kentucky TECH system also receives $23.2 million in SEEK funds, the same as the previous year, of which 20 percent is directed to local school boards for maintenance of the Area Technology Center buildings, with the rest earmarked to serve secondary students including those in the Kentucky Community and Technical College system.)

Within the Postsecondary Education budget, KCTCS funding was reduced to $632 million each year of the biennium, compared to $672 million in 07-08. The administration budget does authorize several KCTCS capital projects, largely to be paid through bonds. Included are Owensboro Advanced Technology Center, Jefferson Carrollton Campus, Madisonville Energy and Advanced Technology Center, Henderson Fine Arts Center and Child Development Center, Ashland Child Care Facility, design of Maysville Rowan County Campus, and Maysville Licking Valley Center Phase 2.

Issues Update will track and report on budget proposals from both the House and Senate as the process continues.

Legislation Affecting CTE
In addition to the budget bill, HB406, KACTE is monitoring the progress of four other bills: SB1, SB2, SB32 and HB140.

SB1 would eliminate the CATS testing process and replace it with standardized national tests. The bill has received two hearings before the Senate Education Committee, but it has not been passed by the Committee. Proponents claim the existing CATS testing is flawed, is too expensive, and measures schools not students. They believe there now exist national tests that will be less costly and will better measure student achievement compared to students across the country. Included is the phase-in of all high school juniors taking the ACT. Opponents, which include most of the state’s educational associations, believe the national tests are not targeted to Kentucky’s learning goals and thus would make the state out of alignment with No Child Left Behind regulations. They question there really will be any savings and object to the elimination of open-response questions and use of the writing portfolio as reference only.

SB2, the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) bill, passed the Senate 36-0 and was reported favorably by the House Education Committee, although with a House substitute. The bill focuses on the STEM initiative, codifying a STEM Task Force to guide educational development in this area. The Task Force is charged with developing a strategic plan to improve the effectiveness of STEM teaching and increase the number of STEM graduates. The state will pay for advanced placement and international baccalaureate exams under the proposal and provide for teacher professional development in this area. Funding incentives would become available as money is appropriated or otherwise is raised through grants and donations.

SB32, the career pathway bill, which includes support for advanced manufacturing, passed the Senate 37-1. The bill formally changes the name of programs from vocational education to CTE. It defines a “chronically low performing school” and requires such schools to implement comprehensive school reform plans stressing individual graduation plans and small learning communities. It directs the Department of Education to develop career readiness standards in English, reading and math. It authorizes CTE accessibility funds, career guidance coaches, career academies, a CTE facilities fund and directs local districts include CTE capital needs in their facility plans, and evidence-based models for at-risk students and establishing five regional training programs for teachers to learn the models. Those items requiring funding will be implemented as moneys become available.

HB140 would change the requirement for certification of nursing schools to 90 percent of the pass rate for the National Council Licensure Examination. KACTE’s Liaison Committee examined the bill and does not support the legislation. The state action has no effect on the national exam, which is how nurses become licensed in Kentucky. Changing the standard only will increase the ability of schools to be in good standing, but does not necessarily translate that a school’s students will be better prepared to take the national exam. The effect could create a perception among potential students a school is better able to prepare students for the national exam, which may not be the case.

Federal Issues
Much like Kentucky, the U.S. Congress is facing money issues surrounding the federal administration’s Fiscal Year 2009 budget proposal. Congress, too, is addressing two major legislative issues apart from the budget – reauthorization of No Child Left Behind Act and the Higher Education Act. For the latest information and more detail on all federal issues, please follow this link to the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) public policy page: http://www.acteonline.org/policy/index.cfm.

Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Proposal
The proposed fiscal year 2009 federal budget the administration submitted to Congress the last week of January seeks the elimination of funding for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act programs, which was $1.271 billion in the current fiscal year 2008. Kentucky received $19.7 million this year to support equipment purchases, professional development and other program improvements. Congress has rejected proposals to eliminate or cut the Perkins Act programs in recent years, which is an action recognizing the need and improvement of CTE programs and responds to calls from business leaders and educators in support of CTE.

CONGRESS HAS AFFIRMED its support for Career and Technical Education each of the last four years when it rejected the administration’s proposal to eliminate or reduce funding for Perkins Act programs. Kentucky’s congressional delegation – both senators and representatives – consistently voted to reauthorize the Perkins Act and to provide adequate funding. In addition, Representatives John Yarmuth, Geoff Davis, Harold Rogers and Ben Chandler joined a newly formed Congressional CTE Caucus, which advocates the necessity to continue effective CTE programs across the United States.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and KACTE asks individuals and businesses to contact their legislators and request full support for the Perkins Act appropriations. ACTE argues that to have a greater impact in improving the nation’s workforce readiness, $1.7 billion is needed in fiscal year 2009. ACTE writes: “The Perkins program plays a critical role in providing the skills and knowledge essential for a competitive workforce. Quality CTE programs are linked to rigorous academic instruction and are improving student engagement through ‘real world’ application to prepare students for successful careers.”

Below is some specific information for taking action to advocate on behalf of CTE programs.

Legislative Items
Congress is moving forward toward reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. The House passed its version HR4137 on Feb. 7 by a 354-58 vote. It is headed to a conference committee with the Senate version, S1642, which passed last summer. According to ACTE, important CTE issues before the conferees are use of Pell Grants year-round, and opening the Academic Competitiveness Grant Program to students attending college at least half time and to those in certificate programs.

Reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act also is before Congress this year. To date, most of the discussion has taken place at the committee staff level, although ACTE has testified at committee hearings. ACTE’s testimony and position statement on NCLB reauthorization can be found on its website.

Advocacy Action
KACTE asks those who grasp the necessity for an effectively prepared, competitive workforce in Kentucky to contact their federal senators and representative and their members of the Kentucky General Assembly and voice support for Career and Technical Education and the Perkins Act. Following are links to some sample letters to be used as guides in contacting legislators. Please remember these guidelines:

Ø Make the communication personal. Form letters do not carry as much weight. Use local statistics and anecdotes of program effectiveness to make the strongest impact.

Ø E-mails and mailed communication are effective in reaching Kentucky’s General Assembly. Also, phone messages do have an effect, and a toll-free line (1-800-372-7181) is provided for voice messages.

Ø Voice messages or faxed letters are effective in reaching federal legislators. General e-mails seldom reach the legislator, but voice messages and faxes are delivered to the staff member who handles educational issues.

To write or e-mail members of the Kentucky General Assembly, please follow these links:

While the Commonwealth waits to see who will be elected governor, some significant legislative developments have taken place both in Kentucky and at the federal level. Please note KACTE obtained comments from both gubernatorial candidates on their positions on Career and Technical Education in Kentucky. Please see http://www.kacteonline.org/Doc_Files/Fletcher%20response.pdf for Gov. Fletcher’s response to KACTE’s questions and http://www.kacteonline.org/Doc_Files/Beshear%20response.pdf for Mr. Beshear’s response to KACTE’s questions.

State Issues
The Kentucky Board of Education adopted its top 10 budget priorities and approved a 2008 legislative agenda at its meeting on Oct. 3-4, 2007. In addition, the state Board of Education is moving closer to selecting a permanent commissioner. News reports the week of Oct. 29, 2007, listed four candidates and indicated the selection may be made in November.

It is noteworthy that none of the Kentucky Board of Education budget priorities of legislative agenda items specifically mentions support for or enhancement of Career and Technical Education (CTE). Advocates for CTE in Kentucky need to prepare to take their message to the newly elected governor and the General Assembly when it convenes in January. The General Assembly will adopt a 2008-2010 biennial budget during this session. KACTE’s legislative priorities for CTE can be found in its position paper, Leading the Transformation, which is available at this link: http://www.kacteonline.org/Doc_Files/Leading,%201-11-07.pdf.

The state Board’s top 10 budget priorities are: 3 percent SEEK increase, full-day kindergarten, scholastic audits and assistance for low-performing schools, gifted and talented programs, alternative education programs, parent involvement initiative, preschool at 200 percent of poverty, SEEK district facilities funding, SEEK transportation add-on, and refocusing secondary education for student success.

Included in its legislative agenda are recommendations related to principal selection, local taxing authority, use of restricted funds, dropout prevention, surplus technology property, compensation for retired teachers conducting scholastic audits, and raising the compulsory attendance age from 16 to 18.

THE UNIVERSITY of LOUISVILLE is the new home of the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education, winning a $20.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to be the new site. The Center previously was located at the University of Minnesota. James Stone, Ph.D., has relocated from the faculty at Minnesota to Louisville and will remain the Center’s director.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), with which KACTE is a state association affiliate, is a partner in the Center and will serve as the primary distributor of Center-developed materials. The Center, while at Minnesota, was responsible for developing the Math in CTE program now being implemented in Kentucky and across the nation. The Center is working on additional academic integration programs, and its location in Kentucky may help local CTE programs access cutting-edge research.

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System continues to set enrollment records. The fall 2007 system enrollment is 92,428, which is a 6.9 percent increase over the previous year. Kentucky state government has launched a new website to combine education, employment and economic development information in one user-friendly location, www.e3.ky.gov. Interactive services for employers and job seekers are available, as well as summaries of educational opportunities.

Federal Issues
The Senate passed S. 1710, its version of the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education appropriation bill by a 75-19 vote. Senator Mitch McConnell voted for the bill, but Sen. Jim Bunning voted no. KACTE communicated with both senators’ offices and with their staff on Oct. 9 urging a yes vote and asking for consideration for a $25 million increase for CTE funding through the Perkins Act. The bill provides level funding for the Perkins Act. An amendment to increase Perkins Act funding by $25 million, which matches the House-passed amount, was not considered; however, bill sponsor Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) indicated he hoped the Perkins Act funding could be increased in the conference committee with the House.

No date has been set for the conference committee, but the current Continuing Resolution funding education programs since the Oct. 1 start of the fiscal year will expire on Nov. 16. The appropriation will need to be finalized by then or another Continuing Resolution must be considered. The administration has indicated it will oppose the emerging Labor-HHS-Education appropriation bill as too costly and for containing “other objectionable provisions.” More and updated information on federal appropriations is available at the ACTE website: http://www.acteonline.org/policy/legislative_issues/funding.cfm.

The House and Senate are moving toward introduction of their versions of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reauthorization. This version will have more focus on secondary education than the first NCLB. ACTE Executive Director Jan Bray testified before Congress at NCLB reauthorization hearings, and ACTE has developed NCLB recommendations. To review these items, please visit http://www.acteonline.org/policy/legislative_issues/NCLB.cfm.

Congress passed the College Cost Reduction Act (HR. 2669) on Sept. 7. Included in the bill is an increase in the Pell Grant level to $5,400 by 2012. In 2008, the Pell Grant maximum will be $4,800, a $410 increase over the current level. Also included in the legislation are TEACH Grants to encourage future teachers to concentrate on high-need subject areas such as science, technology, engineering and math at high-need or low-performing schools. A provision also permits student loan forgiveness for early childhood educators, school librarians and public safety employees.

KENTUCKY IS WELL REPRESENTED on the new Congressional CTE Caucus. Representatives John Yarmuth (D-3^rd District), Geoff Davis (R-4), Hal Rogers (R-5), and Ben Chandler (D-6) have joined the bipartisan coalition seeking to enhance Career and Technical Education in the United States. KACTE still is asking Representatives Ed Whitfield (R-1) and Ron Lewis (R-2) to join the caucus. KACTE members can thank Reps. Yarmuth, Davis, Rogers and Chandler for their commitment to CTE and for joining the Caucus. KACTE members can thank Reps. Whitfield and Lewis for their past support of CTE (voting for Perkins Act reauthorization and appropriations) while urging they join the Caucus.

KACTE asked the 2007 Kentucky Gubernatorial candidates – incumbent Gov. Ernie Fletcher and challenger Mr. Steve Beshear – to answer five questions regarding their views and support of Career and Technical Education. The survey is similar to a 2003 KACTE survey of gubernatorial candidates. KACTE promised to print the responses unedited except for format on the KACTE website. The letter of request to both candidates read in part:

“As a non-profit, 501(c)(6) organization, KACTE cannot endorse candidates, but it can provide its members and the more than 5,000 employees in the Commonwealth’s system of Career and Technical Education with information to help them make their choice in the upcoming election. KACTE hopes this will be an informational service both for the candidates to promote their positions and for the members/readers who can become better informed voters. . .

“The Career and Technical Education (CTE) mission is to prepare students for meaningful high-skill, high-wage and high-demand careers and advanced training or education; to support high school transformation and redesign efforts; to respond to the needs of Kentucky’s business and industry sector by developing secondary and postsecondary curriculums and worker training programs; and to assist in the state’s economic development efforts. Career and Technical Education in Kentucky implemented academic integration and demanded higher achievement before these enhancements were mandated in the latest reauthorization of the Federal Carl Perkins Act. Since 2000, Kentucky’s CTE concentrators (students taking three or more courses in one area) have increased their CATS scores at a faster rate than the general high school population, narrowing the achievement gap. Kentucky pioneered industry-developed skill standards, and more students are taking and passing skill standard assessments each year. According to U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education for Adult and Vocational Education Troy Justesen, 97 percent of all high school students take at least one CTE course. CTE prepares students for higher education and the workforce.

“CTE programs are vital to Kentucky’s economic security. Approximately two-thirds of all jobs are filled by individuals educated or re-trained through CTE programs. These are the foundational jobs of the economy. Many are well-paying, high-tech jobs that contribute to economic growth. CTE graduates grow your food, repair your car, build your house, fix your air conditioning, prepare your restaurant order, care for your child, process your bank transaction, check your blood pressure, clean your teeth, and service your computer. Kentucky’s Career and Technical Education system consists of programs at middle schools, high schools, area technology centers, technical and community colleges, and universities. It is administered by the Education Cabinet’s Department for Workforce Investment, Office of Career and Technical Education; Kentucky Department of Education Division of Career and Technical Education; and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. KACTE is the professional association for CTE educators. Its members work in all areas and at all levels of the CTE system.”

KACTE thanks the candidates and their respective policy staff for responding timely to this request. Following are the 2007 gubernatorial candidate responses provided to KACTE.

Federal Issues; State Anticipation
By Michael R. Stone, KACTE Executive Director

As the 2007-2008 school year begins, the typical anticipatory hope for a successful year also applies to advocacy action. At the federal level, Congress has not completed work on educational appropriations, and it is in the midst of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reauthorization process. In Kentucky, the question is how the 2008 General Assembly biennial budget session will be shaped by the gubernatorial election in November.

This anticipation may be heightened for some by a wave of actions increasing the visibility and image of Career and Technical Education (CTE) highlighted by data supporting the importance and relevance of CTE. For instance, in testimony on NCLB reauthorization delivered to the House Education and the Workforce Committee on Sept. 10, 2007, Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Executive Director Jan Bray noted, “highly integrated rigorous academic and CTE programs have significantly higher student achievement in reading, mathematics and science than do students at schools with less integrated programs.” And she cited the 2004 National Assessment of Vocational Education Final Report in which the 12^th grade test scores of CTE concentrators increased by 8 scale points in reading and 11 in math compared to 4 reading scale points and no improvement in math among students who tool little or no CTE coursework.

Culled from ACTE’s newly enhanced Career Tech Update, reports from around the country point toward growing public recognition of CTE’s importance to the nation’s economy and to a well-rounded educational system that provides meaningful opportunity for all students. The reports emphasize how CTE programs make education relevant, spur students to higher achievement, and help reduce dropout rates.

Ø The Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colo., reported on a roundtable discussion among Colorado’s business leaders. Among the suggestions was a renewed emphasis on CTE preparing a competitive workforce. It quoted U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings as saying, “CTE is a great place for business to get involved.”

Ø The Journal Record, Oklahoma City, Okla., reported a survey of registered voters in which 63 percent indicated the state’s CTE system’s job performance was excellent or good. Only 9 percent judged it fair or poor. Eight-five percent agreed or strongly agreed state funds appropriated for CTE programs was a good investment.

Ø The News-Record, Gillette, Wyo., reported on a $130,000 advertising campaign on behalf of CTE at a local community college, paraphrasing a school official as saying, “technical education often costs less money, takes the shortest time, provides the most job opportunities, and allows students to stay in the state to work.”

Ø The Tampa Tribune, Tampa, Fla., reported on career academies as a new high school experience where “academic lessons make sense in a real-world context.” It quoted a local school official: “We must deliver instruction differently to stay in a global economy. The kids are different – they’re in a different world.” The article added, “A good academy will offer the same educational foundation as traditional diploma paths, delivered in a different fashion.”

Ø USA Today praised the process of establishing career pathways and individual graduation plans.

NOTE: Career Tech Update is a daily (except weekend) partnership between ACTE and U.S. News and World Report. It provides capsule summaries of educational news gleaned from all media sources and links to the full articles. Relevant and timely information from ACTE is included. Available as a benefit at no additional cost only to KACTE/ACTE members, it is e-mailed directly to the member’s computer. Career Tech Update is a comprehensive resource for cutting-edge education news and information and is a value-added service for KACTE/ACTE members. For information on KACTE/ACTE membership, please visit the Membership Section of this website.

The support for CTE programs in Congress was boosted by formation of a Congressional CTE Caucus. Three Kentucky representatives, John Yarmuth (D-3^rd District), Hal Rogers (R-5^th), and Ben Chandler (D-6^th), signed on as members. KACTE is reaching out to the remaining Kentucky congressmen to join the CTE Caucus. All Kentucky federal legislators voted to reauthorize the Carl Perkins Act, and all have voted for Perkins Act appropriations.

The Labor-Health and Human Services-Education appropriation bill (H.R. 3043) has not passed both houses of Congress. It contains all educational funding, including the Perkins Act appropriation. The House bill proposes to increase Perkins Act basic state grants by $25 million. The Senate holds Perkins Act funding level with last year. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1, but frequently continuing resolutions are needed to provide funding because Congress cannot finalize appropriation bills on time. For more information on the budget and appropriation process, please visit http://www.acteonline.org/policy/legislative_issues/funding.cfm.

Congress did pass and send to President Bush the Higher Education Access Act of 2007 (H.R. 2669), which will, among other changes to student loan procedures, increase the maximum Pell Grant to $5,400 by 2011. It passed the House 292-97, with Reps. Ed Whitfield (R-1^st), Yarmuth, Rogers and Chandler voting yes. Reps. Ron Lewis (R-2^nd) and Geoff Davis (R-4^th) voted no. It passed the Senate 79-12 with both Sens. Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning voting no. Those opposing the bill said it will harm the savings and loan industry and end up adding to federal expenditures. The New York Times reported Education Secretary Margaret Spellings recommended President Bush sign the bill.

The Senate has passed its version of the Higher Education Amendments of 2007 (S. 1642) by a 95-0 vote. The House has not passed its version, and there is no apparent movement of the legislation on the House side. For more information, please visit http://www.acteonline.org/policy/legislative_issues/HEA.cfm.

Work is progressing in both houses of Congress on reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, now known better as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Whereas the first NCLB primarily addressed elementary education, the reauthorized version will include secondary education recommendations. ACTE Executive Director Jan Bray focused on the secondary impact and CTE’s importance in her Sept. 10, 2007, testimony before the House Committee on Education and Labor. She said more than 95 percent of high school students take at least one CTE course, and about one-third are CTE concentrators taking three or more courses in one area. She also cited the number of high school reform strategies that incorporate CTE as a way to “increase motivation and student engagement.”

In commenting on a proposed Graduation Promise Fund, she praised the attention toward secondary education but added, “I sometimes worry that we are focusing only on academic rigor without giving equal consideration to the context and delivery of this knowledge or the workforce skills that students will need in the 21^st Century.” She urged alignment of secondary, postsecondary and workforce standards to promote a competitive workforce, and implementation of academic and skills integration. She suggested graduation be defined by subject and skills competency rather than “seat time.”

Bray’s comments were based on ACTE’s adopted recommendations for NCLB and its recommendations for Reinventing the American High School for the 21^st Century. Both documents can be found on the ACTE website, www.acteonline.org.

Interest built in postsecondary education over the possibility of the General Assembly approving building projects when it met in special session this summer. Governor Ernie Fletcher included in the original session call the projects he previously vetoed, but the House adjourned without acting on the items. After negotiations, a second session was called, but the action was limited to approval of energy-related legislation. The governor and House and Senate leaders all voiced support for the projects. The postsecondary systems now must anticipate action when the 2008 General Assembly develops a biennial budget in the session that will begin in January.

The Kentucky Department of Education and the Council for Postsecondary Education anticipate the process that may bring permanent leadership to the agencies. Kevin Noland is interim Commissioner of Education, a position he’s held since former commission Gene Wilhoit moved to a new job in Washington, DC. He retained the interim post when Barbara Erwin, who had been named commissioner by the Kentucky Board of Education, withdrew her name. The Board is starting a new search process. Brad Cowgill, the state’s former Budget Director, is the interim president of the Council for Postsecondary Education succeeding Thomas Layzell, who left to return to Illinois. It is anticipated a permanent president may be named in the spring.

The gubernatorial election in November raises the anticipation of who will be leading the state when the General Assembly convenes in January. The governor’s budget proposal will form the basis for the General Assembly’s budget and appropriation process, and the direction and recommendations could vary significantly depending on whether Gov. Fletcher is re-elected or former Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear is elected. A visit to the candidates’ websites reveals several issue statements from Beshear that include educational references, including CTE, but none from Gov. Fletcher.

KACTE will ask both candidates to provide statements on CTE for presentation on this website. KACTE will provide information on both candidates’ positions so its members can familiarize themselves with the issues, but KACTE will not make an endorsement due to its incorporation as a non-profit educational association and its 501(c)(6) tax status.

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