ACTE is currently accepting applications for the 2022 Policymaker of the Year and 2022 Baird-English Advocate of the Year. Nominations are due January 1, 2023. See below for details. 

2022 Policymaker of the Year 

Purpose
This award can be presented annually by the ACTE Public Policy Department to nationally recognized policymakers who have made a contribution of national significance to career and technical education.

Criteria and Eligibility
The award is presented to the individual or individuals who are determined to have made the most significant impact on policy related to career and technical education either during the past year or over an extended career of public service. (The award is not limited to one recipient.)

Application Requirements
Nominations for the award can be made by the ACTE Public Policy Department, Board of Directors, state associations or members and must include:

• a letter stating the nominee's qualifications for the award
• supporting information listing significant CTE national policy accomplishments
• any other appropriate accomplishments related to CTE

Nominations may be submitted from any standing committee, task force, state association, national affiliate organization, educational institution member, region or division.

Deadline
Each year, nominations for the award are due by January 1. The Board of Directors approves the award recipient in January, and the award is presented in Washington, DC, during the National Policy Seminar. For more information, please contact Jori Houck at 703-683-9303.

2022 Baird-English Advocate of the Year 

Purpose
The Baird-English Advocate of the Year Award can be presented annually by ACTE to an ACTE member who has worked to enhance career and technical education in federal policy through advocacy.

Eligibility
An ACTE member who has advocated for CTE issues to federal policymakers is an eligible recipient of this award.

Criteria
The nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Advocacy actions the nominee has taken in the past year to advance CTE in federal policy, such as but not limited to:
  • program visits set up for Federal policymakers or staff
  • emails or letters sent to Federal policymakers or staff
  • phone calls made to Federal policymakers or staff
  • meetings with Federal policymakers or their staff (both in DC and back home)
  • letters to the editor or op-eds on CTE topics submitted to local, state or national media
• Significant accomplishments related to CTE advocacy actions that have contributed to the improvement, promotion, development and progress of federal CTE policy.

Criteria will be reviewed by ACTE Public Policy staff for appropriateness and significance.

Application Requirements
Applicants may nominate themselves or be nominated by an ACTE member, ACTE Public Policy staff or by the ACTE Board of Directors, and Applications for this award must be submitted through the ACTE Awards Portal and include the following information:

• Letter of Introduction summarizing the following:           
  • A brief overview of the applicant (i.e. short biography or background information)
  • Advocacy actions the nominee has taken in the past year to advance CTE in federal policy (see above criteria).
  • Significant accomplishments related to CTE advocacy that have contributed to the improvement, promotion, development and/or progress of federal CTE policy.
  • (Note: letter of introduction should not exceed 500 words in length.)
• Supporting Documents (optional): Each application should provide proof of advocacy actions and significant accomplishments, as appropriate and available, such as:
  • Newspaper articles, news video or pictures of Members of Congress or their staff on school visits, or
  • Copies of or internet links to op-ed or letter to the editor 

Additional Information

• The award is not limited to one recipient.
• Award winner will be determined by the ACTE Public Policy staff following the nomination deadline.
• The commendation will be presented at an appropriate ceremony or reception to be held in Washington, D.C. during the National Policy Seminar (NPS).
• Award winner will receive complimentary registration to the NPS following the submission deadline.
• All applications should be submitted on the ACTE Awards Portal by January 1.  
• All applicants will receive notice prior to February 1 of the status of their application.
• Winning applicants permit ACTE to use and edit the content of applications for promotional activities.

For more information, please contact Jori Houck at 703-683-9303.