Pence Talks Up Education Proposals Before U.S. House Committee

Governor Mike Pence made a trip to Capitol Hill Wednesday to present examples of what’s going on in Indiana to help all students succeed, whether they’re headed for college or career.

Pence has long promoted expanding career and technical education in the Hoosier state.

He testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, emphasizing the need for high schools to work for all students, regardless of where they’re headed in life.

"I believe Indiana will be the first state in America to make career and vocational education a priority in every high school again," the governor said.

Pence also spoke of increasing charter school funding to match traditional public school funding, but that idea hasn't gotten the Indiana General Assembly's approval yet.

Both Pence and President Barack Obama have the connection between schools and the workforce in their respective annual budgets. Obama has requested $200 million this year for a new initiative he’s calling the “American Technical Training Fund,” to expand school-employer partnerships.

The president plans to visit Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis this Friday, where he is expected to talk more about his ideas to help middle class workers.