PACTESP – In the Beginning

The Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical Education Special Populations (PACTESP), formerly Pennsylvania Association of Vocational Education Special Needs Personnel  (PAVESNP), has a long history of serving special populations students. Wayne Grubb, formerly with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, participated in an American Vocational Association (AVA), now Association for Career and Technology Education (ACTE), workshop in 1976 in Houston, TX where he saw a need for a state organization to share ideas and programs, both statewide and nationally. A meeting of 37 people interested in organizing a state association of vocational education special needs personnel was held at Host Farm, Lancaster, PA on June 20, 1977.

PAVESNP received its charter from the National Association of Vocational Education Special Needs Personnel (NAVESNP) on December 4, 1977, during the AVA Convention in Atlantic City. The presentation was made by Roger Sathre, NAVESNP President, and present to receive the charter were Sheila Feichtner, PAVESNP President and Mike Lynes, Treasurer. In December 1977, PAVESNP became affiliated with the Pennsylvania Vocational Association (PVA), now Pennsylvania Association for Career and Technology Education (PA-ACTE).

On January 29-30, 1978, the first PAVESNP Mid-Winter Conference was held at the Treadway Inn in Grantville, PA with over 100 participants. This meeting marked the beginning of the PAVESNP Board and members being actively involved in federal and state legislation, leading national trends and encouraging successful and innovative programs. Regional and national involvement was also established during the first year.  

PACTESP leadership and members continue their impact through their on-going commitment to support and innovation for ALL students.

At the March, 2008 General Membership meeting, the PAVESNP membership voted to change the name of the Association from Pennsylvania Association of Vocational Education Special Needs Personnel (PAVESNP) to Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical Educational Special Populations (PACTESP).