Copyright© 2002 by School Services of California, Inc.

Volume 15                   For Publication Date: December 6, 2002             No. 24

By the Way . . .

Federal Budget Cuts a Threat to Vocational Education. The Bush administration has proposed the elimination of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Program to pay for the $3 billion shortfall in Pell grants, which provide funding for students to pursue higher education. The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998 provides funding to improve career and technical education programs in secondary schools and community colleges.  

One of the tasks that Congress will be tackling when they return in early 2003 is the reauthorization of programs under the Perkins Act. There have been rumblings on Capitol Hill that the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are discussing the elimination of funding for  vocational education programs.  

Linda Michalowski in the Chancellor’s Office has informed colleges of the threat to Perkins VTEA funding. Districts should contact their local congressional representatives to seek support for continued funding.