CTE Cuts Might Bolster Educator Reliance on Computer Rentals

America’s current financial crisis is no secret, and budget cuts are falling on various sectors, including education.

As an example, the money for new teachers simply isn’t there – which is a pretty important facet to the entire educational system. By comparison, other, less important areas of the curriculum are in even greater danger. This cutting back includes an increasing lack of investment in computer equipment.

Educators can look to renting or leasing computer equipment as a possible way to trim away some dollar signs. Computer rentals might not seem like an obvious solution, but they allow for the most up-to-date technologies to appear within school systems – and they allow for flexible terms.

No officials are questioning the importance of an education’s technical elements – in fact, it’s quite the contrary. They are looking for ways to incorporate them for a cheaper cost.

The Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, made a case for the importance of CTE (Career and Technical Education) training for students. Unfortunately, Duncan didn’t seem to have any fiscal advice that would help continue to promote this integral program.

Secretary Duncan pointed out the technical disparity between students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds and stated that “unprepared” students will have a more difficult time finding work.

The CTE, in essence, prepares children to go out in to the actual workforce, by giving them the training and industry certification that will give them an edge. And the U.S. is reportedly behind with its technical adaptations.

According to Duncan,“The United States has much to learn from other high-performing countries about strengthening and modernizing career and technical education.”

Duncan’s appeals were heartfelt – but unfortunately, items on the budget that aren’t an absolute necessity are being slashed. Just yesterday, the White House released its budget for the fiscal year 2012 – and the CTE is mentioned prominently (and not in a good light).

As per the budget, funding for the CTE programs will be brought back to 1991 levels. Specifically, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins) will be lessened $264 million, to a budget of $1 billion per annum.

ACTE’s executive director, Jan Bray, had something to say about the cuts. "These programs teach students to be college- and career- ready. CTE is proven to teach students the technical, academic and employability skills employers are looking for, especially with regard to high-skilled and high-demand jobs. If Congress and the Administration want to restore job growth, reduce the dropout rate, and improve the U.S. economy, then we need to continue to invest in CTE."

As important as technical education is, this change in paradigm is a symptom of the disease; gross overspending and poor fiscal conduct have led to these cutbacks.

The good news is that local communities and school systems can still fight to ensure that their children receive the quality technical education that they need.

Hopefully, they will find an alternative solution.