Understanding Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act: A Guide for Educators and Students
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, also known as Perkins IV, is a federal law that provides funding and support for career and technical education (CTE) programs in high schools, colleges, and other postsecondary institutions across the United States. The act was last reauthorized by Congress in 2018 and is now known as the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, or Perkins V.
The Perkins Act is named after Carl D. Perkins, a former congressman from Kentucky who was a strong advocate for vocational education.
Key Features of the Perkins Act
Supporting Technical Education for Career Success
The purpose of the Perkins Act is to help prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers by providing them with the technical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workforce. The act aims to achieve this by supporting CTE programs that align with the needs of local industries and economies.
Formula Grant Program for CTE Development
One of the key features of the Perkins Act is its formula grant program, which provides funding to states and territories to support CTE programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels. The funding is intended to help institutions develop, improve, and expand CTE programs that meet local workforce needs.
Promoting Access and Equity in CTE Programs
The Perkins Act also requires states to establish performance indicators and targets for their CTE programs, and to report on their progress towards meeting those targets. These indicators may include student achievement, graduation rates, job placement rates, and other measures of program effectiveness.
Promoting Access and Equity in CTE Programs
Another important feature of the Perkins Act is its focus on increasing access and equity in CTE programs. The act requires states to ensure that CTE programs are available to all students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or disability status. It also encourages states to develop and implement strategies to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in CTE programs.
The Perkins Act provides more than $1 billion in federal funding each year to support CTE programs across the United States.
Additional Funding and Support for CTE Programs under the Perkins Act
In addition to its formula grant program, the Perkins Act provides funding for a range of other activities and initiatives aimed at supporting CTE programs. These include:
- Innovation and modernization grants: These grants support the development and implementation of innovative approaches to CTE, including the integration of academic and technical coursework, work-based learning opportunities, and other strategies to improve student outcomes.
- Professional development: The Perkins Act provides funding for professional development opportunities for CTE educators and administrators, with a focus on improving teaching and learning in CTE programs.
- Career and technical student organizations (CTSOs): The act supports the development and expansion of CTSOs, which provide students with opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, and technical skills through participation in career-focused extracurricular activities.
Did you know?
The Perkins Act was first passed by Congress in 1984, with the goal of improving the quality of vocational education in the United States.Over the years, the act has undergone several reauthorizations and updates, with the most recent reauthorization occurring in 2018 with the passage of Perkins V.
Overall, the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act plays an important role in supporting the development and implementation of high-quality CTE programs that prepare students for success in the workforce. Its emphasis on work-based learning, alignment with labor market needs, and accountability and reporting requirements help ensure that CTE programs are effective in meeting the needs of students and employers alike.
- The Perkins Career and Technical Education Act provides funding and support for career and technical education programs in high schools, colleges, and other postsecondary institutions across the United States.
- The act aims to prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers by supporting CTE programs that align with the needs of local industries and economies.
- The act includes a formula grant program that provides funding to states and territories to support CTE programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels.
- The act requires states to establish performance indicators and targets for their CTE programs and report on their progress towards meeting those targets.
- The act emphasizes increasing access and equity in CTE programs, encouraging the participation of underrepresented groups.
- The act provides funding for innovation and modernization grants, professional development, and career and technical student organizations.
FAQ
Who is eligible to receive funding under the Perkins Act?
Eligible recipients of Perkins Act funding include secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, as well as other organizations that provide CTE programs and services.
How is the effectiveness of CTE programs measured under the Perkins Act?
The Perkins Act requires states to establish performance targets for their CTE programs and report on their progress towards meeting those targets.
What is the role of states in implementing the Perkins Act?
States are responsible for implementing the Perkins Act and administering the funding provided by the federal government. States must conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of their workforce and labor market to guide the development and implementation of CTE programs.
How does the Perkins Act support work-based learning?
The Perkins Act encourages the development of partnerships between educational institutions and local employers to provide students with work-based learning opportunities. These opportunities can include internships, apprenticeships, and other types of on-the-job training.