postsecondary « Advance CTE Blog

21st Century Initiative Looks at Issues Facing Community Colleges

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011

In January the new president of the Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Walter Bumphus, began a national listening tour as part of an 18-monthÂ initiative to assess the top issues facing community colleges and to help community college leaders address these issues. The tour has already visited Texas, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, New York and the Virginia/Maryland/ D.C. region; it plans to make stops over the next three months in Nebraska, Iowa, and California.

The listening tour is part of AACCâ€™s 21^st Century Initiative, which recently named three community college leaders and experts to head the 21st-Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges:

Augustine Gallego, Chancellor Emeritus, San Diego Community College District
Dr. Kay McClenney, Director, Center for Community College Student Engagement
Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton, President, Cuyahoga Community College

Over the course of the next 12 months, the Commission will analyze what is gathered at the listening sessions, and will also guide the work of a 30-member group consisting of leaders from education, policy making, philanthropy, and business. The goal of commission is to examine the issues and offer recommendations about the future of community colleges. A final report will be released at the 2012 AAC annual convention.

The initiative is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Kresge Foundation, with support from the ACT and ETS.

By admin in Public Policy
Tags: community colleges, postsecondary

Spring Meeting: Legislative Implications for CTE

Friday, April 29th, 2011

The CTE community should prepare for a fight to restore federal Perkins funds, which took its first hit in the FY11 appropriations bill, warned education policy experts at the NASDCTEc /OVAE Joint Spring Leadership Meeting last week.

The FY11 funding bill cut $140.2 million from Perkins, including completely eliminating funding for Tech Prep and cutting Basic State Grants by $37.3 million, said Jamie Baxter, Advocacy Manager of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE).Â The cut will impact funds for the 2011-2012 school year.

Moreover, experts predict that the FY11 bill indicates that funding levels for FY12 may be poised for a similar fate. Thus far, the House has passed their FY12 budget resolution, which proposes to set non-security discretionary spending below 2008 levels and freeze it for five years. The resolution sets spending for Department of Education programs at $360 billion, which is the same as the FY06 level.

Rachel Gragg, Federal Policy Director for National Skills Coalition, said there is a new urgency to push for reauthorization of legislation such as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which funds education and training programs that are of interest to the CTE community. Rising concerns regarding duplicative and ineffective programs will likely endanger funding for such legislation. The strategy to maintain funding would be to expedite reauthorization with the assurance that new language will ensure the support of quality effective programs, she said. On a similar note, Perkins is up for legislation in 2012.

Spiros Protopsaltis, Education Policy Advisor for Senate Committee of Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, urged the CTE community to focus on advocacy efforts that highlight the strong role CTE plays in preparing students for college and career. Addressing that broad overall goal will appeal to Congress and the Administration, which are seeking investments that will prepare students to compete in the global economy and position the nation to succeed.

â€œCTE has an important role to play,â€ Protopsaltis said.

By admin in Public Policy
Tags: funding, postsecondary, Public Policy, WIA

ED Hosts Community College Symposium

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Yesterday the U.S. Department of Education hosted a Community College Symposium at Montgomery College in Silver Spring, MD. This was the last in a series of events, including four regional summits, focused on community colleges led by the Department and Dr. Jill Biden. The symposium featured panels that presented preliminary findings on four issue briefs focused on:

bridge programs for low-skill adults,
alignment of secondary and postsecondary CTE,
developmental education, and
postsecondary-employer partnerships.

In speaking about aligning secondary and postsecondary education, the panelists pointed out that the transition from high school to postsecondary is troublesome for many youth, and that many drop out after only one semester. They acknowledged that CTE is leading the way in the effort to align learner levels, but that alignment must be a broader part of general education in order to better serve all students. Among the successful ways in which CTE accommodates transitions are Tech Prep, Career Clusters, career pathways, and programs of study.

The panelists also mentioned the Common Core State Standards as a way to better align high school standards with postsecondary entrance requirements. However, this is not happening in most states, and would require more collaboration between secondary and postsecondary. Dual enrollment was also talked about as an effective strategy to increase communication and alignment between high schools and colleges.

By admin in Public Policy
Tags: Career ClustersÂ®, community colleges, postsecondary, Secondary

Making the Case for Keeping the Federal Role in Education

Monday, April 25th, 2011

There has been much talk in recent months from freshman and Tea Party Congressmen about the role of the federal government in education, and even calls to abolish the U.S. Department of Education. In a new paper released this month by the Center on Education Policy (CEP), Get the Federal Government Out of Education? That Wasnâ€™t the Founding Fathersâ€™ Vision, Jack Jennings lays out several reasons why limiting the federal governmentâ€™s role in education would be â€œa wrong-headed, simplistic move.â€

First, federal involvement in education is not a new phenomenon. Laws from the 1700s granted federal lands to new states that could be used for public education. These policies existed even before Washington was elected president, and lasted 170 years until the Eisenhower Administration.

Second, it would limit the ability of states and local districts to use tax dollars to support public education. While only 8% of funding for public education comes from the federal government, the federal tax code, through a number of deductions and exclusions from federal taxation, incentivizes states and locals to use their tax dollars for public education. According to CEP, these indirect subsidies for education earned through the federal tax code were worth somewhere between $42 billion to $48 billion for all levels of education in 2009.

Third, federal student financial aid makes college more affordable, leading individuals to good jobs and a better life. Almost three-fourths of student aid comes from the federal government, and if this aid did not exist, many students would be unable to access postsecondary education and training.

Fourth, the federal government has long supported equal educational opportunities for minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and the poor. For example, according to Jennings, the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 was enacted for the purpose of providing â€œvocationalâ€ education to new immigrants and those with low levels of education.

Finally, broad education reforms at that federal level, rather than piecemeal interventions at the local level, will help to raise the United Statesâ€™ academic achievement and competiveness among other countries. During the last four presidential administrations, reforms such as increased accountability and uniform standards, have gained traction at the federal and national levels.

By admin in Publications
Tags: accountability, common core state standards, Congress, federal grants, funding, Job training, Post Secondary Access and Affordability, postsecondary

AP-Viacom Survey: Students Dissatisfied with High School Preparation

Monday, April 25th, 2011

Education stakeholders continue to stress the need to prepare college- and career-ready high school graduates. However, a recent survey reveals studentsâ€™ discontent with their high school preparation, and reveals a need for more focus on the â€œcareer readyâ€ component of college and career readiness.

The Associated Press and Viacom recently released the results of a telephone survey of over 1,100 American young adults (ages 18 to 24) to gauge their perspectives on education today. Overall, most students rated their high schools poorly in areas that would ease the transition from secondary to postsecondary education and prepare them to enter college or the workforce. Career Technical Education (CTE) aims to help students with this transition by providing a pathway from rigorous, sequential secondary coursework into postsecondary education or a career.

About half of the respondents rate their high schools as fair, poor, or very poor in preparing students for further education. An alarming 57 percent of students report their high schools as fair, poor, or very poor at helping students choose or be prepared for future careers. Many students also say that high schools fail to help students find internships or other work experience. Less than a quarter of students credit their guidance counselor for helping greatly with these issues.

Despite respondentsâ€™ reports of not being prepared for further education, two-thirds of students believe that their peers should aim to attend college, and about the same number hope to attain a four-year degree themselves. However, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about one-third of todayâ€™s 25-to-34 year olds hold a bachelorâ€™s degree or higher, and less than 10 percent receive an associate degree. This presents an alarming mismatch because, despite plans to attend college, many students are not attending or completing a postsecondary credential or certificate. As the survey results show, students entering the workforce after high school do not feel adequately prepared for this transition.

To access the survey results, please visit The AP-Viacom Survey of Youth on Education.

By admin in News
Tags: postsecondary, Secondary, survey, transition

Legislative Update: AMERICA Works, 21st Century Careers, Every Student Counts, Financial Literacy, Middle Schools

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

Amid all of the budget action over the last few weeks, Congress has also introduced a number of bills that may be of interest.

AMERICA Works Act

Rep. Joe Donnelly (IN) introduced H.R. 1325, the AMERICA Works Act, which would require that certain Federal job training and career education programs give a priority to programs that provide an recognized and nationally portable credential.Â This bill is similar to the one introduced by Sen. Kay Hagan (NC) last session. The bill would amend Perkins such that state plans would describe how the eligible agency would give priority to programs of study that lead to a skills credential that is in high demand in the area served and listed in the registry described in the AMERICA Works Act.

Providing Innovation to 21st Century Careers Act

Sen. Patty Murray (WA) introduced S.Â 830, the Providing Innovation to 21st Century Careers Act, to establish partnerships to create or enhance educational and skills development pathways to 21st century careers. The bill would fund $912 million in competitive grants to be used by state and regional partnerships to help students graduate high school and enter postsecondary education or a skilled career. State and regional partnerships would include representatives from secondary, postsecondary, business, labor, workforce, and economic development organizations. These partnerships would develop career pathways for high school students that include counseling, mentoring, work-based experiences, and support to obtain degrees, apprenticeships, and other postsecondary credentials.

Every Student Counts Act

Sen. Tom Harkin (IA) introduced S.767, the Every Student Counts Act .Â The goal of the bill is to improve the calculation of, reporting of, and accountability for high school graduation rates. The bill would also give credit to schools, districts and states for graduating students in more than four years, as long as they graduate the majority of all students in four years. The bill also provides incentives for schools, districts and states to create programs to serve students who have already dropped out of school, are over-age or under credited. The Every Student Counts Act builds on the National Governors Association’s Graduation Rate Compact that was signed by all 50 of the nation’s governors in 2005. Rep. Bobby Scott (VA) introduced companion bill, H.R. 1419, in the House.

Financial and Economic Literacy Improvement Act

Sen. Patty Murray (WA) introduced S.Â 787, the Financial and Economic Literacy Improvement Act, which aims to provide grants to promote financial literacy for students and adults. The grants would provide funding to states for resources to teach financial literacy in K-12 schools and 2-and 4-year colleges. The bill also proposes a clearinghouse of resources, tools, and best practices for financial and economic literacy education.

Success in the Middle Act

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) introduced S. 833, the Success in the Middle Act, which would fund grants for states to help school districts improve low-performing middle schools. The grants would be used for early intervention systems for at-risk youth, transition programs between elementary, middle, and high school, professional development, extended learning time, and personal academic plans. While the bill does not specifically mention CTE, there does seem to be a clear connection between the purposes of this bill and the work being done by the CTE community.

By admin in Legislation
Tags: business and industry partnerships, Congress, credentials, federal legislation, Financial literacy, Graduation Rates, Job training, postsecondary, programs of study, Secondary

Update on FY11 Budget Cuts; Tech Prep Eliminated, BSG Cut

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

We learned yesterday afternoon from Congressional sources that the $138 million cut to CTE in the FY11 appropriations bill will be the total elimination of Tech Prep and an additional $35 million cut from the Basic State Grant. The rationale given was that the President had also proposed cutting Perkins in this FY12 budget. It seems that without Democratic or Republican support, we were a target during the tense negotiations last week.

In addition to the cuts to Perkins, we have learned that the following other programs have been cut or eliminated:

$90.5 million in cuts to the WIA Adult program;
$120 million in cuts to the Dislocated Workers program;
$96.5 million in cuts to the WIA Youth program;
$250 million in cuts to the Career Pathways Innovation Fund ($125 million in FY 2011 funds, plus a $125 million rescission of FY 2010 funds). DOL had released a solicitation for FY 2010 CPIF grant proposals earlier this year, but these funds are no longer available;
$31 million cut from adult education programs.

The bill would, however, fund a new $125 million DOL-administered â€œWorkforce Innovation Fundâ€ that would provide competitive grants to states or other partnerships for projects that â€œdemonstrate innovative strategies or replicate effective evidence-based strategiesâ€ to strengthen and align the workforce system to improve participant outcomes.

Please note that in addition to the cuts listed above, the bill includes a 0.2 percent across-the-board reduction for all non-defense programs, which is not reflected in these totals.

By admin in Legislation
Tags: appropriations, budget, community colleges, Congress, funding, Job training, Perkins, postsecondary, president, WIA

Deal Reached to Cut Federal Programs by $38 Billion

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Late Friday night President Obama and Congressional leaders reached a deal that would avert a shutdown and fund the government for an additional week to allow time for both sides to work out a longer term funding bill that will fund the government through the end of September. Congress passed a week-long continuing resolution (CR) which includes $2 billion in cuts, all of which target transportation programs. The figure for cuts reached in the deal for the long-term bill is $38.5 billion (including the $2 billion in the two week CR).

While details have not yet been worked out, here is what we have heard from sources:

Defense programs will receive a $4 billion increase, so the cut to domestic programs will be $42 billion.
There will be a 0.1% across-the-board cut to all programs.
Race to the Top will receive $700 million.
The Pell maximum award of $5,550 was maintained.

In a statement released on Saturday, the White House said that “The two sides agreed to cut $13 billion from funding for programs at the Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services.” We do not know where those cuts will come from, but details are expected to be released sometime today.

The House is scheduled to vote on the long-term CR on Wednesday.

By admin in Legislation
Tags: appropriations, budget, Congress, federal legislation, funding, postsecondary, race to the top

House Introduces FY12 Budget Resolution

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (WI) yesterday released The Path to Prosperity, a budget resolution that aims to balance the budget and reduce the federal deficit. To do so, this resolution outlines cutting government spending by $5.8 trillion over 10 years compared to current spending levels, having the effect of reducing the deficit by $1.65 trillion over 10 years. However, budget resolutions are merely Congressional blueprints and do not have the force of law. If this budget resolution were to pass Congress it could be the basis for legislation that could become law.

While this resolution does not include very many specifics, there are areas where education funding was targeted. First, it proposed to return Pell grants to pre-stimulus levels. This seems to mean cutting the maximum award from $5,550 to the FY08 level of $4,731. Second, the resolution recommends â€œConsolidat[ing] dozens of overlapping job-training programs into more accountable career scholarships to improve access to career development assistance and strengthen the first rung on the ladder out of poverty.â€ It is unclear what impact this recommendation, if included in later legislation, would have on CTE and Perkins programs.

The House Budget Committee will vote on the resolution today, and could go to the full House as early as Friday. However, even if it passes the House, it is unlikely to pass the Democratically-controlled Senate. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (ND) is working on his own budget resolution.

By admin in Legislation
Tags: appropriations, budget, federal legislation, funding, Job training, postsecondary

Job Opportunities, Living Wage Harder to Secure for Individuals Who do not go to College

Friday, April 1st, 2011

The U.S. Labor Department reported that employers added about 190,000 jobs in March, which overall is good news for the nation. However, those who have not secured postsecondary education will have a more difficult time securing a job that will provide them with a living wage, according to a recent New York Times article.

The article focuses primarily on the levels of income people must earn to sustain a living above the poverty line, however it does underscore the growing importance of preparing students for college and career — a primary objective of CTE.

â€œGiven the needs of a more cognitive and more versatile labor force,â€ said Cliff Waldman, an economist at the Manufacturers Alliance, a trade group, said in the article. Â â€œIâ€™m afraid that those that donâ€™t have the education are going to be part of a structural unemployment story.â€

Individuals who only have earned a high school degree have are not doing well during these early stages of the nationâ€™s economic recovery. Between 2008 and February, the gap in unemployment rates more than doubled between individuals who only earned a high school diploma and those with at least a four-year college degree.

By admin in News, Uncategorized
Tags: Job training, postsecondary

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