“Educators and community officials across Montana continue to stress to me the value of vocational and technical education and its importance in preparing young men and women for a successful future,” Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said. “VoTech education is important to our economy, providing good paying careers that keep young people in our state.”

          The measure reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, often known as the Perkins program, improving the framework of current vocational and technical education programs without expanding the federal role in education.  The bill would increase the focus on student academic achievement and helps states and local communities make the most of federal resources.  The bill also continues to move away from the so-called School to Work model of the past, explicitly rejecting federal standards and instead increasing local control and local accountability.

          “Educators throughout the state have told me how important it is to build both academic and technical skills if we want to help prepare students for college or employment or both,” Rehberg explained.  “We want students to succeed in finding and building careers.  Vocational and technical education programs are designed to give students a sense of direction, helping them focus on the next step, whether it’s employment or postsecondary education.”