Posted: 02.16.2011
This alert was issued by concerned agriculture educators in Wisconsin - and the Wisconsin FFA Foundation. It explains that federal funding for ALL technical education in Wisconsin (high school and tech campuses for example) is slated for devastating cuts.
You can hear a complete interview with Waterford agriculture educator, Craig Kohn, as he explains how it could impact his program and others. Just click here for that audio.
On February 11, the House Appropriations Committee introduced a new FY 2011 appropriations bill, H.R. 1. The legislation completely eliminates funding for the Perkins Tech Prep program for the 2011-2012 school year, an 8 percent reduction in overall Perkins funds, and makes drastic cuts across other education and workforce development programs.
The impact will be significant:
- Wisconsin stands to lose $2.1M.
- Technical colleges will no longer have funds to work with secondary schools in their district, which is crucial for developing transcripted credit agreemends (articulation agreements) and facilitating externships for high school counselors to be exposed to Tech Colleges and the opportunities they afford to students.
- These funds are also allocated as mini-grants to local high schools to develop transcripted credit courses, which creates smooth transitions for students going to higher education.
- In the bigger picture, Perkins funding keeps CTE programs like Ag Ed in local high schools. It doesn’t provide large amounts of funding, but the funds are important because they’re specifically earmarked for CTE while the rest of school funding us “up for grabs.”
- If decision-makers don’t hear from constituents about this cut, it will set the stage for deeper cuts down the road.
Students, parents, school board members, administrators - eveyone, is being encouraged to concentrate their comments, calls and emails on soliciting support from Wisconsin's two key U.S. Senators. Below are key messages you might consider incorporating - and obviously share your personal stories and experience.
- Our students, communities and economy need CTE programs like Ag Ed to continue engaging students in their schooling and prepare them for college and careers. These programs get students excited about going to school.
- CTE programs like Ag Ed equip students with knowledge and skills that will take them to whatever rung of the educational and career ladder they aspire. They are contributing members of society.
- Our technical colleges are vital in preparing our local talent. Of the 20 fastest growing occupations, 10 require an associate's degree or less. Without Perkins funding, our technical colleges will suffer directly and also indirectly by closing off their connection with and source of students.
- Projections show that, over the next five years, the supply of talented and trained agricultural workers will fall short of the demand. Nationwide, more than 3,000 ag-related jobs go unfilled each year. We need bright, innovative, entrepreneurial leaders to grow our state’s largest industry.
- Perkins funding has remained stagnant for a number of years while demand for career and technical education has increased. Losing funding now would be devastating to CTE programs.
- Community and technical colleges are seeing some of the most significant enrollment increases in years and students are seeking education and training from these institutions due to the value of the education. These institutions are relying on education and labor funds to serve students next year.
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