Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, has written to the Washington state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to encourage the office to expand career and technical education (CTE) to the sixth grade.
While Congress allows funds from the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education program to be utilized in state and local CTE programs as early as fifth grade, Washington currently restricts the funds usage to the seventh grade and above.
In the letter, Gluesenkamp Perez expressed support for expanding CTE access to the sixth grade, which she said came after she heard from CTE teachers throughout the district.
“Every child deserves the chance to be the smartest kid in their school at some point in their day. It’s why we’ve got to protect trade classes in schools and invest in more of these opportunities for rural students. Expanding the forms of intelligence we value and recognize in students is a critical tool for increasing self-esteem and mental health outcomes,” wrote Gluesenkamp Perez in the letter.
Before her election in 2022, Gluesenkamp Perez operated an auto repair shop with her husband in Portland. While in the nation’s capital, the congresswoman has sought to expand CTE access, including legislation that would help small businesses hire trade school graduates.
“As a strong supporter of the Perkins program, I stand ready to partner to ensure CTE programs reach young students in Washington State and across the nation,” Gluesenkamp Perez wrote.
