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WASHINGTON – Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today praised House passage of legislation to strengthen career and technical education.

“For far too long, there has been a discrepancy in what students are learning in the classroom and what employers say they need in the workplace,” said Foxx, chair of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and a former community college president. “This bipartisan bill goes a long way toward ensuring that individuals who pursue a technical education have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.”

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act has provided federal support to state and local career and technical education programs for more than 30 years. H.R. 5587, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, updates the law to reflect today’s economic needs and the challenges that students and workers currently face. 

The legislation empowers state and local community leaders through increased flexibility and by reducing burdensome state and local requirements. It also improves alignment with in-demand jobs by supporting innovative learning opportunities, building better partnerships and encouraging stronger engagement with employers.

Additionally H.R. 5587 increases transparency and accountability by ensuring secondary and postsecondary programs deliver results and providing parents, students and stakeholders a voice in setting performance goals and evaluating the effectiveness of local programs. Finally it ensures a limited federal role by reducing the Secretary of Education’s authority, limiting federal intervention and preventing political favoritism.

“Educational success is about more than just a degree. It’s about preparing students for a satisfying life and teaching them the quantifiable skills that employers need in their employees,” said Foxx during remarks on the House floor. “The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act will help students reach those goals.”

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U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.