The budget the Bush Administration submitted to Congress earlier this month eliminates all Carl T. Perkins funding for Technical Education and uses it for No Child Left Behind. Read more about the cut at ACTEonline (http://www.acteonline.org/policy/legislative_issues/funding.cfm#resources) Here is another link (http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/education_84457___article.html/programs_cte.html) to an article about how this will affect a Texas school.

If you're involved with education I'm sure you're aware of the problems with No Child Left Behind. All teacher are able to teach anymore is "the test." Now how educational is it to teach someone how to take a test? I think teachers need the freedom to teach their students real education and how to survive in the real world. What do you think..?

What does this mean for the Automotive and Collision Repair industries? I don't think I need to spell it out, as shop managers and owners are already having a difficult time finding properly trained technicians. If this budget goes through, it may directly affect many of the automotive and collision repair programs in the US. If you're currently having a hard time finding qualified employees, just wait, it's going to get a lot harder.

Are you up for this challenge? I don't know what the answer is, but I invite you to be heard by offering your thoughts, opinions, ideas, or solutions on this forum.

Your Thoughts Please?

My old highschool recently cut out all tech programs to expand their "athletic" programs. the common arguement was "how many kids will grow up to be athletes versus how many will grow up to be in a technical field" The same arguement could be said for this. How many kids will grow up to use what they learn to pass this test vs. how many will use what they learn in a tech program.

If I may voice an opinion on this as a student, I learn material better if I'm not just told the answers to spew forth again and instantly forget, but if I'm taught to thouroughly understand it, and apply it.

give a man a fish, he eats for a night. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.