NAPE Statement on Perkins Reauthorization

House and Senate Reauthorize the Perkins Act – HR 2353 Now Goes to the President for Signature

The National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) applauds the bipartisan leadership of the Congress in the reauthorization of the Perkins Act, now called the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. On Monday evening, July 23rd  the Senate passed HR 2353, with an amendment on a voice vote. On Wednesday, July 25th the House followed the lead of the Senate to provide final passage of the legislation on a voice vote, where it will now move to the President’s desk for signature.

NAPE is pleased that the passage of H.R. 2353 reflects our priorities supporting equity in career and technical education (CTE) and providing opportunities for every student, including special populations, to become prepared for high skill, high wage careers. The bill continues the current commitment to equity in accountability and adds provisions supporting states and locals to analyze disaggregated participation and performance data and to use this analysis to drive state and local planning to close equity gaps. The bill’s provisions continue to emphasize the importance of increasing access, opportunity and support services for special population students and implementing programs that will increase the diversity of the workforce.

NAPE is gratified to have worked closely with members on both sides of the aisle in both the Senate HELP Committee and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce as well as with our coalition partners in education, organized labor, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to support the reauthorization of the Perkins Act. The legislation passed this week gives secondary and post-secondary students the opportunity to acquire the skills and certifications for sustainable, high skill, living wage occupations and careers in nontraditional fields that our 21st century workforce demands and our nation needs to remain globally competitive.

NAPE commends the collaborative efforts of Congressional CTE Caucus Co-chair, Congressman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) for introducing this vital legislation. NAPE also recognizes the bipartisan leadership of Senate HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Ranking member Patty Murray (D-WA) as well as House Education and the Workforce Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Ranking member Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) and dedicated committee staff for their tireless efforts in moving this legislation forward to final passage. Like the members of Congress and our many coalition partners, NAPE looks forward to seeing the Carl D. Perkins, Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act signed by the President.