Funding threats have long loomed over career and technical education (CTE). However, congressional advocates have faithfully preserved investments in CTE--until fiscal year 2011. Global competition and a weak economy are game changers in terms of how policymakers perceive the value of CTE and education overall. And the CTE community must convince policymakers that CTE has been able to evolve to meet the new demands of the economy. The National Association of State Directors of Career and Technical Education Consortium recently launched the national "CTE: Learning that works for America" campaign to increase awareness of and support for CTE.