Perkins Funding Increased in FY 14 Omnibus Bill

Yesterday, the House and Senate appropriations committees released the final FY 2014 omnibus appropriations bill, which included a $53 million increase for Perkins! This funding increase will help to restore almost all of the harmful sequester cut for CTE! Sequestration had resulted in a 5.2 percent cut for federal CTE funding in FY 2013, impacting programs at high schools, tech centers, and community and technical colleges across the country. ACTE and the CTE community have been fighting for restoration of funding for the past year, and this is a huge step!

The legislation also includes a provision that will change the name of the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) at the U.S. Department of Education to the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE). This change will more accurately reflect the expanding scope of CTE in the 21st century and the terminology change that was made within Perkins during the 2006 reauthorization. The House and Senate will vote on the omnibus bill later this week. Please take a few minutes to tell your Members of Congress to support increasing funding for Perkins.

Take Action

• Contact your Members of Congress using our CTE Action Center or by phone through the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121.
• Tell them that restoring Perkins CTE funding will benefit your students and community.
• Ask them to vote YES on the FY 2014 omnibus appropriations bill!