Success and Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schols Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to, first of all, thank Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Miller for their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor. While it is not perfect, I certainly appreciate their bipartisan work on the public charter school program.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment basically adds comprehensive career counseling to the criteria that the Secretary of Education will take into account when prioritizing grants awarded under this bill. The amendment would provide school counselors with the most up-to-date information and training for current and future workforce trends and needs. As students plan their path forward, this knowledge will be invaluable.

I am proud to be joined in offering this amendment by my good friend and colleague, Congressman G.T. THOMPSON from Pennsylvania. As cochairs of the bipartisan Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, Representative Thompson and I are committed to expanding skills and training that will provide students of all ages with the capabilities necessary to meet the demands of the modern economy. It is a true partnership, and I appreciate his leadership.

Comprehensive career counseling is a vital part of skills training. It helps to better align school curricula with local workforce trends and available postsecondary opportunities.

This amendment will help school counselors connect high school students to the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century workforce.

As we all can see, it has become clear that high school diplomas are no longer sufficient training for the modern job market. While not every job will require a college degree, some sort of postsecondary education will be absolutely necessary. Whether it comes from a community college, a skills training program, or on-the-job training, we need to change what it means to be college- and career-ready. We need to provide students with the knowledge and expertise that will truly prepare them for what is next.

Comprehensive career counseling and training doesn't just belong to charter schools. It is a tool that all students should be able to access, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to expand this program to other schools in the future. Today, we have an opportunity to take a first step in that direction.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment.

With that, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the ranking member.

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Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague for his kind words in support of the amendment.

With that, I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment. Again, it will give school counselors the most up-to-date information and training that they need as they are advising their young students about their career path forward.

I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Chairman, I just urge support of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).

The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes appeared to have it.

Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

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