Federal Perkins Funds for Schools

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The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act was first authorized by the federal government in 1984 and reauthorized in 1998. A new law, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006, was passed almost unanimously by Congress in 2006.  The Perkins Act aims to increase the quality of technical education within the United States by providing almost $1.3 billion in federal support for career and technical education programs in all 50 States through 2012.

The new law also includes new requirements for “programs of study” that link academic and technical content across secondary and post secondary education, and strengthened local accountability provisions that will ensure continuous program improvement.  As well, it calls for rigorous academic and CTE integration with improved connections to business and industry.

The key for your school to qualify for funding is to show that your program improves teaching and learning in career and technical education.  It is important to be familiar with the accountability provisions as they form the foundation for activities supported with Perkins funds.  Your school is much more likely to secure funding if you are able to meet these requirements.

The Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE), Division of Academic and Technical Education (DATE), administers the Perkins Act.  The Perkins Collaborative Resource Network (PCRN) is the resource and information-sharing forum for state CTE professionals.  You will find legislation & policy guidance, state formula grants, performance accountability requirements and national initiatives.  State allocations of funds are typically available in the Spring.  States can obligate the funds no earlier than July 1st with their first installment.  The remainder of the funds becomes available on or after October 1st.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, uses of funds include: the expansion of technical preparation programs, pre-engineering-program-relevant hardware, software, and additional equipment and supplies.  Studica offers many products available to schools that qualify under the guidelines of the Perkins Act.  Engineering software from Autodesk, www.autodesk.com/education, training models from fischertechnik, www.fischertechnik.biz, graphical programming & data analysis tools from National Instruments, www.ni.com and much more at www.studica.com.

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