Career and technical education in legislative spotlight
 

Bipartisan bill to revamp high school CTE programs receives public hearing

January 25, 2008

A bill to update 20-year-old career and technical education (CTE) programs in Washington middle and high schools was the subject of a public hearing in the House Education Committee today. House Bill 2826 is sponsored by Reps. Skip Priest (R-Federal Way), Timm Ormsby (D-Spokane) and Pat Sullivan (D-Covington).

House Bill 2826, the first comprehensive overhaul of CTE programs in 20 years, would assure CTE programs are not squeezed out by growing credit requirements for graduation. The legislation would also require CTE programs to clearly connect course skills with recognized certificates, apprenticeships and technical college programs. It would also require better access and awareness of CTE programs and the myriad of career opportunities available through the programs.

"The reality is that we have 175,000 students that rely on the fact we have a clear and rigorous approach to provide them the skills they need to be successful," said Priest, lead Republican on the House Education Committee. "The purpose of this bill is to ensure this goal is met. If we meet our goal of preparing all students for success in whatever career they choose, not only will our students benefit but so will all our employers in Washington."

“As a tradesman myself,” Ormsby said, “I know how vital career and technical skills are for countless students. We have a great system of high-school skills centers and comprehensive high-school CTE instruction in Washington, and our goals with this bill are to raise their profile, to integrate them more fully into the overall education system, and to say loudly and clearly how much respect we have for students who want to take this professional route.”

“We’re creating options without lowering the bar on student achievement,” Sullivan said. “We have to prepare them for success in whatever paths or careers they choose. It doesn't matter if it’s toward a degree or the trades."

The bill, they said, is needed to curb the unacceptable drop out rate in Washington. They added that if students know there's a job waiting for them, or an apprenticeship program they qualify for after graduation, more kids will stay in school.

Priest, Ormsby and Sullivan have long records of working to see that career and technical students and instructors have a strong voice in the state Capitol. Each has been named “Legislator of the Year” by the Washington Association for Career and Technical Education.

Groups testifying in support of the bill included:
Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
Goodrich Aviation and Technical Services
Superintendent of Moses Lake School District
Superintendent of Federal Way School District
South Sound Chambers of Commerce Coalition
Superintendent of Sumner School District
Federal Way Chamber of Commerce
State Board of Education
Students from Future Business Leaders of America and SkillsUSA Washington
Member, Board of Directors of Future Business Leaders of America
Washington Association of Skills and Technical Sciences
Workforce Board
North Thurston Public Schools