[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3172]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 94, introduced earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 94) supporting the goals and ideals 
     of Career and Technical Education Month.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, the key to America's continued success lies 
in improving our Nation's educational system. Career and technical 
education, CTE, programs are a critical component to every student's 
education, creating diverse pathways into further education and 
careers. Today, these programs serve 94 percent of all high school 
students and 12 million postsecondary students. In both rural and urban 
communities, CTE plays a vital role in building student engagement, 
continuing our Nation's economic competitiveness, and building the 
skills of our workforce to meet and adapt to the needs of the 21st 
century.
  Further, approximately 30 percent of jobs by 2018 will require some 
college or a 2-year associates degree, a need that can be met by 
improved access to CTE programs. By increasing these opportunities to 
obtain postsecondary skills training and meaningful credentials, CTE 
equitably distributes economic opportunity to all students who are 
willing to work for it. According to the U.S. Department of Education's 
Office for Career, Technical and Adult Education, the average high 
school graduation rate for students concentrating in CTE programs is 93 
percent, compared with the national average of 80 percent.
  This is why today, with my Senate CTE Caucus cochairs Senator 
Portman, Senator Baldwin, and Senator Isakson and other colleagues in 
the Senate, I am submitting a bipartisan resolution to designate 
February as Career and Technical Education, CTE, Month. CTE Month 
provides a chance for students and educators alike to learn more about 
the educational opportunities available in their communities, and to 
become more engaged in their studies today so they can plan for their 
future.
  Our Nation's economic competitiveness relies on the skill of the 
American workforce and its ability to meet and adapt to the 21st 
century economy. By formally recognizing CTE Month through this 
resolution, it is our hope that we can build support in Washington and 
across the country for strengthening access to and expanding CTE 
programs.
  Mr. McCONNELL. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed 
to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be 
considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or 
debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 94) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

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