NE Florida News

Last week, Subcommittee Chairman Aaron Bean and Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx expressed concerns over the Department of Education's proposed changes to career and technical education (CTE) programs. They criticized the Department's attempts to amend the State Plan Guide and Consolidated Annual Report for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, also known as Perkins V.

Bean emphasized the importance of a skilled workforce in America’s job market. He stated, "The most valuable part of America’s job market is its skilled workforce. That’s why the Department of Education should empower local and state CTE programs, not drown them in paperwork." He highlighted Northeast Florida's efforts in career and technical education as an example of success.

In their letter to the Department, Bean and Foxx noted that "the proposed revisions make substantive policy changes that exceed the Department’s authority under the law" and could place an "unjustified burden on state career and technical education (CTE) agencies."

Earlier this year, Chairman Bean conducted a subcommittee hearing titled “Preparing Students for Success in the Skills-Based Economy,” focusing on how CTE can help fill America's 8.8 million open jobs. The hearing included expert witnesses like Kelly Mosley from Clay County District Schools.