February 1, 2023 

Dear Colleagues:

On behalf of the Division of Academic and Technical Education, “Happy CTE Month 2023!”.  During the month of February, we join the nation in celebrating the achievements and contributions that career and technical education (CTE) programs provide in preparing students for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers.  We celebrate our administrators, teachers, faculty, counselors, advisors, business and industry partners, parents, and other key stakeholders for their tireless efforts to help all of our students—regardless of circumstance—to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential to build a better tomorrow.  And, we applaud and thank each of you—CTE state directors, state staff, organizations, and associations—for your leadership and stewardship of our nation’s CTE programs and services.

This month, we can also celebrate an increase in funding. The 117^th Congress released a spending package that provides $50 million of additional funding for Perkins V’s basic state grant program (a total for the formula grant account to roughly $1.43 billion annually) and an additional $25 million under Section 114 of the law authorized as the Perkins V’s Innovation and Modernization grant program. Although we celebrate CTE Month in February, we are eager to support you throughout the year in your continuous efforts to implement innovative practices in CTE.

Best -

Sharon Lee Miller                                                                                                                                                        

Director, Division of Academic and Technical Education