What is Perkins?
Perkins is dedicated to increasing learner access to high-quality CTE programs of study and is critical to ensuring that programs are prepared to meet the ever-changing needs of learners and employers.
History of the Act
The Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 was the first authorization for the Federal funding of vocational education (now termed career and technical education). Subsequent legislation for vocational education included the following:
- Vocational Act of 1973
- Carl D. Perkins Act of 1984 Perkins
- Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act (Perkins II)
- Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 1998 (Perkins III)
- Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV)
- Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V)
Perkins V
On July 31, 2018, the President signed into law the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V), reauthorizing the existing Perkins IV law. Perkins V took affect on July 01, 2019.
Perkins V reflects the 100-year federal commitment to Career Technical Education (CTE) and is largely based on the structure and content of Perkins IV; it remains the most important piece of legislation affecting CTE in the country. Perkins V focuses on improving the academic and technical achievement of CTE students, strengthening the connections between secondary and postsecondary education, and improving accountability. Perkins V affords states and local communities the opportunity to implement a vision for CTE that uniquely supports the range of educational needs of students — exploration through career preparation — and balances those student needs with the current and emerging needs of the economy. The Act places additional emphasis on-
- local flexibility
- comprehensive stakeholder engagement and collaborative planning
- innovation
- equity
- alignment with other education and workforce programs