Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5587, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act.

A few weeks ago, I got to visit the new Pathways in Technology Early College, P-TECH, program at Skyline High School in Colorado in the St. Vrain Valley School District. P-TECH is a partnership between the St. Vrain Valley School District, Front Range Community College, IBM, and other employers. It allows students to earn a high school diploma and associate's degree in 4 or 5 years.

I spoke with a number of students participating in the very first P- TECH class, and they shared with me how this program will equip them with the skills they need to get good, reliable jobs after graduation. That is the kind of innovation Congress should be supporting, and this bill allows for that.

The bill also allows funds to be used for open access education resources. Open access education resources and open access textbooks are openly licensed, free to use, and often come with more flexibility than traditional or commercial textbooks. Throughout this country, open education resources are gaining popularity, save resources, and maintain high quality standards.

Last year, Congress recognized the cost-saving potential and flexibility of open education resources at the K-12 level in the Every Student Succeeds Act. I am very excited that support for open education resources continues in this bill.

I urge this bill's final passage today, and I call on my colleagues in the Senate to take up this bipartisan legislation as soon as possible.

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