Secretary Duncan Addresses ACTE National Policy Summit

Arne Duncan, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, gave the keynote address at the ACTE National Policy Summit on March 11.  In his remarks, Secretary Duncan stated that there exists a “perfect storm” for education reform:  President Obama is making education a top priority, there is an unprecedented amount of funding for education, and there are more effective strategies than ever before to fix our country’s education system.  Some of the administration’s education priorities include early childhood education, higher standards and reducing the dropout rate.  The Secretary wove into his speech the ways in which CTE programs connect to each of these priorities.   

The Obama Administration has identified early childhood as one of the most important educational levels on which to focus its efforts.  Secretary Duncan noted that CTE produces early childhood education teachers, and emphasized that teacher quality at this level must be expanded.   

Reducing the dropout rate is another key priority of the Obama Administration.  In tandem with reducing the dropout rate, the Administration has set a goal of the United States once again leading the world in high school and college graduation rates by 2020.  Secretary Duncan stated that CTE is instrumental in reaching this goal because it gets students engaged in their school work, gives them much needed structure, and puts students on multiple pathways to higher education.  The Secretary also suggested giving those sixth, seventh and eighth graders who may not consider postsecondary options the opportunity to spend time on college and technical school campuses in order to acclimate them to that environment and show them that a postsecondary degree is a viable option.   

On an economic level, Secretary Duncan noted that CTE is an important tool for getting people back into the workforce.  CTE can be used to retrain workers who are changing careers or whose jobs are beginning to focus more on incorporating “green” elements.

President Obama’s Education Speech

On March 10, in a speech to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, President Obama outlined his plans for education reform.  The President’s five goals include investing in early childhood education, improving standards and assessments, improving teacher quality, promoting innovation, and providing students with quality higher education. 

In order to confront this reality and remain a global economic leader, the United States must bring its educational system into the 21^st century.   

The President noted that other countries are preparing their students “not only for high school or college, but for a career.”  Our schools must reform their curricula to be more in line with 21^st century demands and to teach students such skills as problem solving and critical thinking that they can then take with them to future careers.   

The President also called on Congress to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act in an effort to provide Americans with advanced training in preparation for a successful career.   

Reprinted with permission from the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium.