A House education committee today unanimously approved legislation (HR 5587) that would reauthorize the Department of Education’s career and technical education programs. The bipartisan legislation would also create a new innovation program that would support evidence-based career and technical education initiatives, including through the use of pay-for-success strategies.
The overall bill (detailed summary) reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which was last updated in 2006. The proposed innovation program (bill language for the proposal) is part of a larger set of national program activities that are authorized at $7.5 million per year starting in fiscal year 2017, which begins October 1 of this year.
The overall bill has drawn broad bipartisan support in Congress and support from over 200 groups that focus on career and technical education. Results for America was among the supporters. It worked with members of the Invest in What Works coalition to support the new innovation program, according to a statement.
One organization — the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) — said it was concerned about the overall bill’s proposed rollback of state accountability measures. However, it expressed support for the proposed innovation program.
The bill must still be approved in the full House and in the Senate, but experts believe it has a realistic chance of being enacted this year.
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