Proposals for Career Education Grants Now Being Accepted

For immediate release
contact Crystal Greene, 503-947-5650

November 16, 2011

Proposals for Career Education Grants Now Being Accepted

First awards from new grant fund to be made this spring

PORTLAND- State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian and State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo today announced the opening of a statewide Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking schools and school districts that will develop or expand career and technical education (CTE) programs in Oregon middle and high schools. Earlier this year PDF

, the Oregon legislature dedicated $2 million to revitalizing CTE programs in Oregon schools, building opportunities for students to access high-wage, high-demand jobs much earlier in their careers.

“CTE is the bridge from our public schools to a successful workforce,” Avakian said. “Oregon’s economy is driven by the skill and productivity of our workers, and giving our students the opportunity to discover their interest and talent in applied ways will ready them to contribute to the economy sooner. The potential talent that is going to be developed through these programs is just one reason that labor and industry groups are so eager to partner with our schools.”

“Besides the economic benefit, revitalizing CTE programs is a huge win for Oregon students,” Castillo said. “Applied learning opportunities through CTE programs increase student engagement, reducing drop-out rates and increasing graduation rates. This is exactly the kind of pro-active strategy that we need to support our students and help them meet higher high school standards.”

The Bureau of Labor and Industries and Oregon Department of Education (ODE) will host an online workshop for interested parties and potential applicants on Tuesday, November 22, offering an opportunity to learn more about the requirements and expectations of the CTE revitalization grants. Proposals must be received at the ODE office in Salem by 5pm on February 10, 2012.

Links to the RFP itself, contact information for assistance, and additional resources regarding the grant fund are all available at www.ode.state.or.us/go/ctegrant.

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Susan Castillo, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Christine Miles, Communications Director, Telephone (503) 947-5637
http://www.ode.state.or.us

Oregon Department of Education News Releases contain information that was originally released to the press as an official release. Refer to each News Release for the details.