Perkins V: Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, as amended by the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V), was signed into law on July 31, 2018. The new Act provides an increased focus on the academic achievement of career and technical education students and emphasizes alignment with state-level and local needs.
Purpose
Perkins V aims to more fully develop the academic knowledge and technical and employability skills of secondary and postsecondary students enrolled in CTE programs of study by:
- promoting the development of services and activities that integrate academic, career, and technical instruction, and that link secondary and postsecondary education for participating CTE students;
- increasing state and local flexibility in providing services and activities designed to develop, implement, and improve CTE;
- disseminating national research, and providing professional development and technical assistance, that will improve CTE programs of study, services, and activities;
- conducting technical assistance that promotes leadership and professional development to improve the quality of CTE teachers, faculty, administrators and counselors;
- supporting partnerships among secondary schools, post-secondary institutions, area CTE schools, local workforce investment boards, business and industry, and intermediaries;
- providing individuals with the skills to keep the United States competitive; and,
- increasing employment opportunities for special populations.
West Virginia’s State Plan
The West Virginia Community and Technical College System (WVCTCS) and West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE), in collaboration with system partners at the state and local levels, developed the West Virginia Perkins V State Plan by leveraging vast statewide expertise in workforce, K-12 education and higher education.
The plan seeks to ensure students of all ages will understand not only the career opportunities available to them, but also the education they need to be successful in their chosen fields. The powerful partnership between the WVCTCS and WVDE underscores a truly unified approach to preparing a more skilled and educated workforce in West Virginia.
Eligibility & Application
West Virginia awards Perkins grants to community and technical colleges based on the number of Pell grant recipients enrolled in postsecondary-approved career and technical education programs. No institution is eligible to receive an allocation of less than $50,000.
Community colleges must submit a Local Application for approval. The funds must be targeted for new or improved activities that support career and technical education. The planning guide is due by May 1 of each year.
Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment
The Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) is a new requirement of the Perkins V legislation. Each institution that receives a Perkins basic grant allocation must conduct a needs assessment that addresses how Perkins programming and funding will support CTE programs and assist special populations students as outlined by the Act.
