Carl Perkins

On July 31, 2018, the president signed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) into law. Perkins V includes key changes that will impact the implementation of CTE programs, such as an added emphasis on programs of study, the addition of a Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment, and the introduction of new program quality indicators. The Texas Perkins V four-year state plan, covering all the requirements of the Act, will be submitted to the US Department of Education upon approval by the Governor and State Board of Education in spring 2020. This grant provides formula allocations to CTE programs operated by LEAs. 

Career and Technical Education

Career and technical education programs offer a sequence of courses that provides students with coherent and rigorous content. CTE content is aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in current or emerging professions.

The purpose of the career and technical education (CTE) program is to develop more fully the academic knowledge, technical, and employability skills of secondary education students who enroll in CTE programs and programs of study, by:

(1) building on the efforts of States and localities to develop challenging academic and technical standards and to assist students in meeting such standards, including preparation for high skill, high wage, or in-demand occupations in current or emerging professions;

(2) promoting the development of services and activities that integrate rigorous and challenging academic and career and technical instruction, and that link secondary education and postsecondary education for participating career and technical education students;

(3) increasing State and local flexibility in providing services and activities designed to develop, implement, and improve career and technical education;

(4) conducting and disseminating national research and disseminating information on best practices that improve career and technical education programs and programs of study, services, and activities;

(5) providing technical assistance that-- (A) promotes leadership, initial preparation, and professional development at the State and local levels; and (B) improves the quality of career and technical education teachers, faculty, administrators, and counselors;

(6) supporting partnerships among secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, baccalaureate degree granting institutions, area career and technical education schools, local workforce investment boards, business and industry, and intermediaries;

(7) providing individuals with opportunities throughout their lifetimes to develop, in conjunction with other education and training programs, the knowledge and skills needed to keep the United States competitive; and

(8) increasing the employment opportunities for populations who are chronically unemployed or underemployed, including individuals with disabilities, individuals from economically disadvantaged families, out-of workforce individuals, youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system, and homeless individuals.