The 2004 ACTE National Policy Seminar.

The 2004 ACTE National Policy Seminar. More than 500 career and technical educators came to Washington,D.C., in March to advocate for stronger federal education and trainingpolicies. This year's National Policy Seminar (NPS NPS National Park ServiceNPS Naval Postgraduate SchoolNPS Net Promoter Score (customer management)NPS Non-Point Source pollutionNPS Native Plant SocietyNPS Norfolk Public Schools (Virginia)), held March14-16, 2004, featured dynamic speakers, educational panels, the latestupdates on federal legislation and plenty of enthusiasm. During thethree-day meeting, ACTE ACTE Association for Career and Technical Education (formerly American Vocational Association)ACTE Association of Corporate Travel ExecutivesACTE Approvals Committee for Terminal EquipmentACTE Anodal Closure Tetanus members had the opportunity to visit theirMembers of Congress on Capitol Capitol, seat of the U.S. CongressCapitol,seat of the U.S. government at Washington, D.C. It is the city's dominating monument, built on an elevated site that was chosen by George Washington in consultation with Major Pierre L'Enfant. Hill and share information about thesuccess of career and technical education in schools and communitiesaround the country. Featured speakers at the meeting included Mara Liasson Mara Liasson (born June 13, 1955 in New York City) is a national political correspondent for National Public Radio, and a regular panelist on Special Report with Brit Hume and Fox News Sunday on Fox News Channel. fromNational Public Radio, The Honorable Earl Pomeroy Earl Pomeroy (born September 2 1952) is an American lawyer and politician from the U.S. state of North Dakota. A member of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party, Pomeroy has served as the member representing North Dakota's at-large congressional district in the United States House from the United States United States,officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. House of Representatives, Assistant Secretary Susan Sclafani and DeputyAssistant Secretary Hans Meeder from the U.S. Department ofEducation's Office of Vocational and Adult Education The Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) is a subdivision of the United States Department of Education. OVAE falls under the supervision of the Undersecretary, who oversees policies, programs and activities related to vocational and adult education, postsecondary , and key staffmembers from the House and Senate committees that will be consideringthe Perkins reauthorization. Other sessions covered No Child LeftBehind, the latest career and technical education research, working withCongress and the media, mid workforce development and welfare policyissues. Attendees at the National Policy Seminar also had an opportunityto work with others from their states to plan strategies for reachingout to Members of Congress. At NPS, more than $16,000 was raised for ACTE's LegislativeSupport Fund, including a $5,000 contribution from ACTE exhibitorBridges.com, an education and career planning software company. TheLegislative Support Fund is used to increase funding for the associationand members to advocate for legislative and regulatory positions thatsupport, enhance and recognize the value of career and technicaleducation. Donations to the fund are tax deductible That which may be taken away or subtracted. In taxation, an item that may be subtracted from gross income or adjusted gross income in determining taxable income (e.g., interest expenses, charitable contributions, certain taxes). , and no funds willbe contributed to candidates for elected office. The Legislative Support Fund Committee set a goal of raising$50,000 during 2004, and thanks to the generous contributions of membersduring the National Policy Seminar, this goal is on its way to becominga reality. A list of all members who have made contributions to theLegislative Support Fund, both at the National Policy Seminar and duringthe last year, is available on ACTE's website athttp://www.acteonline.org/ policy/leg_support/index.cfm. During 2004, members will be recognized based on the followingdonation levels: Bronze--$10 and above Silver--$25 and above Gold--$50 and above Platinum--$100 and above Diamond--$500 and above Titanium--$1,000 and above The levels of giving are calculated on a yearly basis, with totalsstarting anew a��new?adv.1. Once more; again.2. In a new and different way, form, or manner.[Middle English : a, of (from Old English of; see of) + new each year. For example, someone making a $50 donation atthe 2003 Policy Seminar and a $50 contribution at the 2003 Conventionwould have been recognized as a Platinum donor for the 2003 year, butwould have to donate that same total again in 2004 to maintain thePlatinum donor status and he recognized in 2004. The National PolicySeminar was the official kickoff to this year's campaign, and otherfundraising "Contributions" redirects here. For information about the Wikipedia user contributions log, see . Fundraising activities will be held at state and regional meetingsthroughout the year. For resources and presentations from the 2004 Policy Seminar, visitACTE's website at http://www.acteonline.org/policy/legislative_resources/NPS_2004.cfm. The handbook distributed to attendees is also available throughACTE's bookstore at http://www.acteonline.org/ store/index.cfm.Make plans now to attend next year's National Policy Seminar--to beheld March 7-9, 2005, in Washington, D.C.!