Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education

Public Policy

Rationale for Valuing Student Obtained Business and Industry Credentials

A bill sponsored by Senator Frank Wagner and Delegate Chris Stolle would allow schools to receive additional points toward accreditation when students earn Virginia Board of Education-approved credentials (PDF; Word).

Open Letter to the Virginia General Assembly and State Board of Education Regarding Proposed Credential Bill

Print and sign this letter, and send it to your state senator and delegate (PDF; Word).

Talking Points: Valuing Student Obtained Industry Credentials In a School’s Final Accreditation Score

These points (PDF; Word) explain the value of credentials and the intent of the proposed bill.

CTE Platform Statements

This document (PDF; Word) contains several CTE facts worth sharing and tells how you can help spread the word.

Talking Points: Maintaining the Current Balance of Perkins Funding Between Virginia’s Secondary and Postsecondary Public Schools

In July 2011, the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) wrote a letter to Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) requesting that VCCS receive a larger share of Perkins funds. Increased Perkins funding for VCCS would unfairly cut the much-needed Career and Technical Education (CTE) dollars that support our secondary public school programs. Read more: PDF; Word.

Policy Issues in Brief

View the full PDF to see solutions to these issues.

VACTE supports increased efforts by Virginia’s colleges and universities to implement and, where they already exist, strengthen teacher preparation programs in Career and Technical Education.
VACTE supports meaningful industry-recognized standards, assessments, and credentials for Career and Technical Education programs, staff, and students.
VACTE supports continued integration of secondary and postsecondary Career and Technical Education curriculum with the Standards of Learning and postsecondary academic requirements, while placing particular emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
VACTE supports continued priority funding for Career and Technical Education classroom lab equipment and program improvement in order to prepare students for a competitive workforce and further education.