123 South Elm Street

Ponca City, Ok 74601

(580)382-1727
ebatsch@cableone.net

President Donald J. Trump

US President
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

June 17, 2017

Dear President Trump,

The United States of America may have been funded by the upper-rich families like the
Rockefellers and the Kennedys (and other families such as yours), but it was built by skilled
workers and laborers, and that is why it is critical that we continue educational funding for
vocational and technical education. I understand you have a great task ahead of you and your
party to create a budget that will benefit our country and decrease the national debt, but cutting
education funding so deeply that schools are unable to offer students vocational and technical
training will be detrimental to the U.S. in the long run. We need a skilled labor force in order to
rebuild our infrastructure, protect our borders, and produce more goods at home instead of
overseas or Mexico. This will put more citizens to work and strengthen our economy.

According to the Association for Career and Technical Education, 94% of high school students
are part of Career and Technical Education (CTE), and I was one of those students. Traditional
high school was not for me, and, after looking at all my options, I elected to enroll at my local
Career Tech in the SHARE (Sharing Hope and Redefining Education) program. It allowed me to
complete my core classes online with a teacher available if I needed assistance and to gain
specific career training at the same time. It was a more adult environment for me, and that is
exactly what I needed. Just like millions of other high school students who are on the brink of
failure, I was desperate, and I was fortunate enough to find an educational program that allowed
me to learn. I graduated high school on time and also completed the Health Careers Program. I
was a licensed Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA). Unlike my peers who finished high school
with no skills, I was able to get a better-paying job and attend college at the same time. While I
am thankful for the training I received and the opportunity to continue my education by going to
college, after my first year, I realized college was not for me. When looking at different options,
I realized that I wanted to use my artistic skills in a new and different way, and I have decided to
enroll in beauty college, another vocational program, and to obtain the skills necessary to go to
work in the beauty industry and someday open my own business.
Career Academies (Vocational and Technical Schools) have been around more than 30 years and
have demonstrated the feasibility of improving labor market preparation and successful school-
to-work transitions without compromising academic goals and preparations for college, as
James Kemple explains in his article, Career Academies: Long-Term Impacts on Work,
Education, and Transitions to Adulthood, According to a 2016 study conducted by Shaun
Dougherty:

Students with greater exposure to CTE are more likely to graduate from high
school, enroll in a two-year college, be employed, and earn higher wages.
Students taking more CTE classes are just as likely to pursue a four-year degree
as their peers.
Students who focus their CTE coursework are 21% more likely to graduate high
school compared to otherwise similar students.
CTE provides the greatest boost to the kids who need it mostboys and students
from low-income families.

The study shows that technical and vocational education provides long-term financial benefits to
students. In a later study, Dougherty explains, Students admitted to regional vocational schools
[are] more likely to graduate [and] earn industry credentials. Despite all these positive benefits
of CTE, your proposed budget would cut vocational training from high schools. As Dougherty
describes, you are proposing a $168 million (15%) reduction in Perkins funding that supports
career and technical education in high schools and community colleges. CTE is on your list of
cuts, sir, even though research clearly suggests that it has the most potential to boost economic
growth, a goal I know you feel is important.

Mr. President, I am not a traditional student, but I am a hard worker who is thankful for
vocational and career training and the opportunities it has provided me today and those it will
provide me in the future. I ask that you do not cut funding for career and technical education, as
it results in fewer dropouts and better-paying jobs which will help you achieve other positive
social and economic outcomes. I know you are a busy man, and I want to thank you for taking
the time to read my letter. I am available if would like to discuss your plans to cut educational
funding for career and technical training. I can be reached via telephone at (580) 382-1727,
email at ebatsch@cableone.net, or personally if I can make the travel arrangements.

Sincerely, Mr. President, thank you again for your time and for your service to our country.

Respectfully,

Emily Batschelett
 Works Cited

Dougherty, Shaun M. "Career and Technical Education in High School: Does It Improve Student

Outcomes?" The Thomas B. Fordham Institute. N.p., 07 Apr. 2016. Web. 14 June 2017.

Dougherty, Shaun M. "How Trump's harsh education cuts undermine his economic growth goals." Salon.

N.p., 04 June 2017. Web. 14 June 2017.

Dougherty, Shaun M. "New Study Finds High Quality Career and Technical Education Can Significantly

Improve Student Outcomes - MassBudget." Mass Budget. Massachusetts Budget and Policy

Center, 9 May 2017. Web. 14 June 2017.

Kemple, James J. "Career Academies: Long-Term Impacts on Work, Education, and Transitions to

Adulthood." MDRC. Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation, 24 Apr. 2017. Web. 14

June 2017.

"What is CTE?" Association for Career & Technical Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 June 2017.