Career Academy Division Coming Soon

ACTE is partnering with the National Career Academy Coalition on a potential new Division on career academies. If your CTE program is or will be in a career academy setting, you could benefit from joining this Division. Learn more at http://www.acteonline.org/about/division/CareerAcademy.cfm.

Video PSA Contest

Encourage your CTE student filmmakers to produce a 29-second video public service announcement to promote CTE—they could win cash and software for your school! The deadline is October 31; visit www.acteonline.org/contest for all the rules.

Help Re-vamp ACTE’s Online Lesson Plan Library

ACTE would like to ask state associations to help with the Association’s efforts to increase the offerings in the lesson plan library. ACTE wants to provide members with up-to-date lesson plans that will help them implement the latest programs and techniques in their classrooms. If you have a lesson plan to submit, please post a short synopsis here and your contact info and we’ll get back to you!

First-Time Convention Attendees Stipend

ACTE is pleased to be able to offer a first-time Convention attendee stipend again this year. Recipients will be chosen by drawing. October 1 is the deadline to receive the application: http://www.acteonline.org/convention/upload/FTASApplication.pdf.

Pre-Convention Penske Tour

Are you ready for some racing? ACTE will offer a Pre-Convention tour of the Penske Racing facility in Mooresville, North Carolina, on Wednesday, December 3, from 9-11:30 am. The event will include a self-paced walking tour of the facility, which has a unique walkway that looks down on the racing garage. Learn more and register at www.acteonline.org/convention.

Congress Passes Higher Education Act Reauthorization

For the first time in 10 years, Congress has approved a new version of the Higher Education Act. The bill raises the ceiling on the maximum Pell Grant to $8,000, subject to Congressional appropriations, and allows for students to receive Pell Grant funds year round, instead of just during the traditional academic year. Allowing students to receive Pell Grants year round should be particularly beneficial for the average CTE student, who may need to take courses throughout the year.

Senate Appropriations Chair Pushes for Second Stimulus

Senate Appropriations Chairman, Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), has proposed that the Senate pass a second stimulus package in September just prior to Congressional adjournment. The stimulus would address what Byrd calls "critically needed investments in our infrastructure, for energy and economic recovery, and to alleviate the effects of natural disasters."

Secretary Spellings Extends NCLB Differentiated Accountability Pilot

In early August, U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings sent a letter to state education leaders offering eligible states the opportunity to submit a proposal to incorporate differentiated accountability into their current No Child Left Behind (NCLB) accountability system for the 2009-10 school year based on assessments administered in 2008-09. States wishing to submit proposals for the differentiated accountability pilot must do so no later than September 17, 2008.

TANF Legislation Introduced

The week before Congress adjourned for August recess, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) introduced legislation that would revamp the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in hopes of encouraging welfare recipients to return to school for a two year associate’s degree.

Actually, the info on the NCLB pilot is incorrect. This is the full story:

Secretary Spellings Extends NCLB Differentiated Accountability Pilot


In early August, U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings sent a letter to state education leaders offering eligible states the opportunity to submit a proposal to incorporate differentiated accountability into their current No Child Left Behind (NCLB) accountability system for the 2009-10 school year based on assessments administered in 2008-09. In March, the Secretary announced the differentiated accountability pilot. Six states - Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Ohio – were approved to participate for the 2008-09 school year. Participation of up to four additional states may be granted based on the original cap of ten states in the March announcement. States wishing to submit proposals for the differentiated accountability pilot must do so no later than September 17, 2008.
For additional information, visit the Department of Education’s Web site.