Perkins is Back
At the beginning of the past fiscal year, Carl D. Perkins funding was cut significantly by the federal government in order to decrease spending.
Thankfully for CTE programs, the current administration has approved increased spending in accordance with the American Recovery and Revitalization Act (ARRA), which will reinstate the Carl Perkins Vocational and Technology grants that are alloted to states.
The Sous Chef Software programs are fully supported by Perkins funds, technology and vocational grants, as well as many state vocational and tech prep organizations.
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act
The Perkins Act provides resources to secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs to support innovation and program improvement. States receive Basic State Grant funding that is then distributed by formula to eligible recipients, including high schools, area career and technical schools, and community and technical colleges. State and local funds are used for activities such as:
- Developing a strong accountability system that ensures quality and results
- Strengthening the integration of academic and career and technical education
- Ensuring access to CTE for special populations, including students with disabilities
- Developing and improving curricula and new course offerings
- Purchasing equipment to ensure that CTE classrooms have the latest technology
- Providing professional development and technical assistance for educators, counselors, and administrators
The Perkins Act also supports seamless pathways from high schools to postsecondary experiences through the Tech Prep program that offer articulated postsecondary credit, integrate academic and technical skills, and lead students to industry-recognized credentials, certificates, or degrees in high wage, high skill, or high demand career fields; provides funds for critical national research and dissemination of best practices; and authorizes occupational and employment information activities to guide students in education and career choices. For more information on Perkins funding visit The National Association of State Directors of CTE or ACTE Online.