Perkins V: Strengthening Career & Technical Education

Perkins V: Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act

On July 31, 2018, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 was reauthorized with the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) signed into law. Approved unanimously by both chambers of Congress, Perkins V maintains much of the purpose and structure of the prior legislation. In short, Carl D. Perkins funds administered under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21^st Century Act are intended “to develop more fully the academic knowledge and technical and employability skills of secondary education students and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs and programs of study…” (Perkins V).

As a subrecipient agency, SBCTC awards Perkins funding to colleges supporting CTE programs in the form of Perkins Plan Grants and Perkins Leadership Grants, which include the Leadership Block Grant, Non-Traditional Employment and Training Grant, Special Projects Grant, and Corrections Education Grant. SBCTC also tracks outcomes related to the three Perkins performance metrics (1P1-3P1), monitors colleges for compliance purposes, and provides technical assistance to colleges with respect to their application for Perkins funding, utilization of Perkins funds, and administration of the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA), which informs each college’s local application. Outlined below are the mission, vision, and values for Washington State’s administration of Perkins V, as outlined in the Perkins V State Plan.

Washington State's Perkins V Plan

Mission

The Washington state Perkins V plan uses an industry-informed, equity-focused approach to support the design, development, implementation and improvement of career and technical education. 

Vision

Support high quality CTE pathways that develop a skilled workforce, ensure business and industry thrive and expand across the state, and enable every Washingtonian to obtain living wage careers through credentials of workplace value.

Values

The Washington state agencies entrusted in administering the Perkins V plan are committed to the following values, which prioritize equity and access for individuals served by Perkins V:

• Using quantitative and qualitative data to inform decisions 
• Engaging a diverse range of stakeholders, reflective of the communities they serve, to inform policies and practices
• Leveraging and aligning federal and state policies and funding to improve student outcomes
• Responding to labor-market gaps and emerging industries and occupations in the design of programs of study
• Promoting life-long learning that develops the knowledge and skills that allow individuals to remain competitive in chosen occupations/careers