the perkins act
TRANSCRIPT
The Perkins ActPresentation Developed by Micah Melling, CRVP for 2011-2012
Presentation Outline and Objectives To define the Perkins ActTo establish the law’s importanceTo discuss the history of the Perkins ActTo provide an overview of the major components in the Perkins Act
To discuss recent news about the Perkins ActTo explain how the Perkins Act affects Career and Technical Student Organizations
What is the Perkins Act?The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act is the federal law the funds Career and Technical Education (CTE).
Currently, the Perkins Act provides approximately $1.13 billion per fiscal year to be shared among states.
The programs, funding, and requirements in the Perkins Act affect CTE programs throughout the nation.
History of the Perkins ActVocational Education Act of 1963The modern era of federal funding for CTE began with the passage of this legislation.
Congressman Carl D. Perkins was the main advocate for this law.
History of the Perkins Act (Cont)Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act of 1984In 1984, Congress revised the Vocational Education Act, and it was renamed for the revered Carl D. Perkins.
History of the Perkins Act (Cont)Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act of 1990This legislation marked a turning point for CTE. Contextual learning and academic measures became major points of emphasis.
Measures were strengthened to assist “special populations” and economically-disadvantaged students.
History of the Perkins Act (Cont)Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998This legislation provided more flexibility in how funds were spent, required more contextual-learning integration, and enhanced accountability for student achievement.
History of the Perkins Act (Cont)Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006The Perkins Act was most recently reauthorized in 2006. The following slides provide an overview of the most recent Perkins Act.
The 2006 Perkins ActState and Local Uses of FundsState education departments are allowed to keep 15% of their Perkins funds. The other 85% is given to school districts and postsecondary institutions.
For state activities, there are 9 required and 17 permissible uses for Perkins funds.
For local activities, there are 9 required and 20 permissible uses for Perkins funds.
The 2006 Perkins Act (Cont)State PlanEach state education department was required to submit a State Plan to the U.S. Department of Education.
The State Plan explained each state’s strategy for using their Perkins funds.
This plan was submitted in the spring of 2008, and it covered Fiscal Year 2008-2012.
States can annually revise their State Plan.
The 2006 Perkins Act (Cont)Local PlanEach local recipient was required to submit a Local Plan to their state education department.
The Local Plan explained the local recipient’s strategy for using their Perkins funds.
The 2006 Perkins Act (Cont)AccountabilityIn cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education, each state has set quantifiable performance levels. If these standards are not met, funding may be withheld from the state.
Local programs have worked with their state education department to set performance levels. If these standards are not met, local programs may be subject to a series of sanctions.
The 2006 Perkins Act (Cont)Programs of StudyPrograms of Study create a sequence of class-work that helps students attain postsecondary degrees or industry-recognized credentials.
The ultimate goal for implementing Programs of Study is to help provide a successful transition between secondary and postsecondary education.
The 2006 Perkins Act (Cont)Tech PrepTech Prep was a program within the Perkins Act until its funding was eliminated in Fiscal Year 2011.
The goal of Tech Prep was to connect secondary and postsecondary CTE programs.
When it was still funded, states had the option of combining the Tech Prep Grant with the “regular” Perkins Grant.
Recent News about the Perkins ActFiscal Year 2011 ReductionFrom 2002-2011, the Perkins Act was practically flat-funded at $1.27 billion per fiscal year.
In February of 2011, Congress voted to cut Perkins funding by $140 million (11%), decreasing the monetary value of the Perkins Act to approximately $1.13 billion.
This reduction completely eliminated the Tech Prep Program ($103 million) and cut the Basic State Grant by $37 million.
Recent News about the Perkins Act (Cont)Fiscal Year 2012 Appropriation In December of 2011, Congress passed an omnibus funding package that included the appropriation for the Perkins Act for Fiscal Year 2012.
In this legislation, the Perkins Act was level-funded at Fiscal Year 2011 levels - approximately $1.13 billion.
Recent News about the Perkins Act (Cont)Outlook for Fiscal Year 2013 With the need to need to reduce the federal government’s budget, Perkins funding could potentially be subject to cuts for Fiscal Year 2013.
In his Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Proposal, President Obama requested that the Perkins Act be level-funded at approximately $1.13 billion; however, this proposal does not ensure that the Perkins Act will be safe from reductions in Fiscal Year 2013.
Recent News about the Perkins Act (Cont)Upcoming ReauthorizationThe current Perkins Act is authorized through 2012.
A reauthorization will not likely occur in 2012, though.
Given the slow progress of other reauthorizations, an official timeline is uncertain.
As long as the program remains funded, the current law will continue.
How Does Funding for CTE Impact CTSOs?Under the Perkins Act, state education departments and school districts are not required to allocate funding for CTSOs.
CTSOs are specifically listed as a “permissible” use of Perkins funds, not a “required” use.
However, the Perkins Act still has a large impact on CTSOs (see the next slides).
How Does Funding for CTE Impact CTSOs? (Cont)CTE programs are the basis for CTSOs. Therefore, legislation that affects CTE also impacts CTSOs.If funding for CTE is reduced, CTSOs will be negatively impacted.
If funding for CTE is increased, CTSOs will be more likely to thrive.
Can Perkins Funds be Specifically Used for CTSOs?State-Level ActivitiesUnder the Perkins Act, state education departments are not required to allocate funding for CTSOs.
However, many state education departments opt to provide state advisors to administer their CTSOs.
Can Perkins Funds be Specifically Used for CTSOs? (Cont)Local-Level Activities Under the Perkins Act, local recipients are not required to allocate funding for CTSO activities.
School districts may allocate funding for CTSOs if they believe that action can help improve student achievement and meet accountability requirements.
However, Perkins funds cannot be used to pay for conference costs, except when dealing with “special populations.”
Points to RememberThe Perkins Act is one of the major driving forces behind the direction and success of CTE and, by association, CTSOs.
Under the Perkins Act, the federal government has provided funding for CTE for nearly 50 years.
The Perkins Act was most recently reauthorized in 2006.
The 2006 Perkins Act includes many programs, requirements, and expectations for state education departments and local recipients.
Points to Remember (Cont)In February of 2011, Congress cut the appropriation for the Perkins Act by $140 million (11%), reducing the law’s monetary value to approximately $1.13 billion.
The Perkins Act was appropriated at approximately $1.13 billion for Fiscal Year 2012.
The current Perkins Act is authorized through 2012. However, an official timetable for a reauthorization is uncertain. As long as the Perkins Act receives an appropriation, the current law will continue.
Points to Remember (Cont)CTSOs are listed as a “permissible” use of Perkins funds, not a required use.
However, CTE programs are the basis for CTSOs. Therefore, legislation that affects CTE also impacts CTSOs.
Many state education departments provide a state advisor to administer their CTSOs.
School districts may allocate funding for CTSOs if they believe that action can help improve student achievement and meet accountability requirements.
For More Information…Three other political outreach resources can be found on DECA’s SlideShare Account.A “DECA and Politics” documentA “Political Outreach Kit”A PowerPoint about “Obtaining Legislators’ Support”
Questions?Email Central Region Vice President Micah Melling. [email protected].
After May of 2012, contact John Fistolera. [email protected]