Introduction of AB 1743 calls for extended funding for critical programs that keep students in school and strengthen the California workforce
(SACRAMENTO) â Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva (D â Orange County) joined with Assemblymember Patrick OâDonnell (D â Long Beach) to introduce Assembly Bill 1743 which would continue funding for K-12 career technical education (CTE) through an extension of the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) Program.
On October 2nd of 2017, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva hosted a hearing with the joint authors of the bill to discuss the challenges facing the Stateâs CTE programs, including the need for ongoing funding for the Career Technical Grant Program. âPreparing a qualified workforce is a top priority for California,â said Quirk-Silva, Chair of Jobs Committee and joint author of AB 1743. âCalifornia has always been a workforce leader. As the economy evolves so must our education systems.â
The CTEIG Program is set to expire in July, despite the continued need for these critical programs. By extending the CTEIG by three years, AB 1743 would ensure the continuation of high-quality CTE programs in K-12 classrooms across the state.
âIn Orange County, we have many excellent CTE programs that are making a real difference in the lives of our students and the businesses in our communities,â said Quirk-Silva. âAB 1743 supports the continued growth of our region, and the upward mobility of our residents.â
High quality CTE programs provide a hands-on approach to the curriculum, which can be more relevant for students, and can equip them with essential workplace skills needed for the real world. Investing in these programs has proven to reduce the drop-out rate, and strengthen the California workforce.
âAs a teacher for more than 20 years, I know first-hand that CTE programs are a must for California students,â Assemblymember OâDonnell said. âNot all students engage and succeed with a traditional approach to the curriculum. CTE provides an opportunity for those students to gain valuable, 21st century skills through engagement with their course material. That is why it is imperative that we provide consistent state dollars for CTE programs â because an engaged student is a successful student.â
Chair of the Jobs Committee, Assemblymember Quirk-Silva (D â Orange County) is joined in this bipartisan effort by many colleagues who serve as authors of this measure: Assemblymember Patrick OâDonnell (D â Long Beach), Assemblymember Tony Thurmond (D â Richmond), Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D â Sacramento), Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R â San Luis Obispo), and Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D â Inglewood).
Additional co-authors include: Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-Concord), Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Escondido), and Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno).
The bill now awaits referral to its first policy committee.