A bipartisan group of senators called for President Obama on Wednesday to establish an award program for students who participate in career and technical education programs.
Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the co-chairs of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, urged the president to establish a Presidential Career and Technical Scholars Award program.
President Lyndon B. Johnson established the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program to recognize graduating high school seniors for academic excellence, artistic accomplishments and civic contributions. The scholars program does not, however, recognize the accomplishments of students who participate in CTE programs.
“Over the past two decades, CTE programs around the country have responded to the growing skills gap by increasing the rigor of their programs through secondary-postsecondary links, dual enrollment and alignment with business and industry needs,” the senators said. “Today’s CTE programs are aligned with the needs of the 21st century workforce in career fields such as engineering, information technology, healthcare and advanced manufacturing. In response to the increased rigor in programs, CTE student performance has risen to the challenge in dramatic fashion.”
More than 90 percent of students with CTE educational concentrations graduate from high school. They are also more likely to pursue secondary education, the senators said.
The senators urged the president to issue an executive order to create a Presidential Career and Technical Scholars Award to help promote CTE programs.