1. Implementing a Web-based Perkins Plan
Jeanne-Marie S. Holly
Program Manager, CTE Systems Branch
Maryland State Department of Education
Division of Career and College Readiness

2. Why a Web-based Perkins Plan?
Perkins IV is about preparing Career and Technology Education (CTE) students for the careers and world of the future
Moving to a web-based format is in alignment with increasing the use of technology in CTE
Requiring local staff responsible for submitting local Perkins Plans forced them to use technology more
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 states that funds may be used to develop improve, or expand the use of technology in career and technical education.
We decided to force the issue by requiring central office staff and community college administrative faculty to become more adept at using technology.

3. Benefits to Local School Systems and Community Colleges
Requires less time to complete
Pre-populated with:
- List “A” Program Names, CIP Codes and Schools
- Core Indicators of Performance
- Required Plan Elements
- Highest and Lowest Performing Programs
- Previous Year’s information
Automatic Totaling of Strategy Worksheets
Subtraction of equipment costs as a separate figure
Quick links are provided for reference
That was only one reason. We wanted to share the benefits to local school systems and community colleges. After using the web-based plan for three years now, the Perkins Plan coordinators are finding it much easier than the previous Word version.
The pre-populated data helps to cut down on staff time that was spent checking each of these items. Maryland requires that programs be state approved before they can use federal Perkins funds to support them. This has been a long standing policy for almost 30 years. Despite our best intentions, some local recipients would include programs for federal expenditures which were not state approved. This has eliminated that.
The Strategy Worksheets are automatically totaled , avoiding arithmetic errors.
Equipment costs are automatically subtracted in order that indirect costs can be taken only against assessable items.
The Quick Links feature allows local recipients to get help with certain items required within the plan such as how to write an outcome, an input and other parts related to the Perkins Plan.

4. Benefits to Local School Systems and Community Colleges
Spell Check
Multiple users may work at the same time from various locations
Standard parts of the plan are saved and can be updated
Data analysis pieces and other annual updates are removed each year
Better quality control as automatic addition of budget figures reduces errors
With Spell Check, at the bottom of each page, it is easy to check the words to be sure they say what you really mean.
For parts of the plan that do not change much from year to year in the annual update, such as the Vision and Mission, these parts of the plan are saved and can be edited, if needed on an annual basis.
For the data analysis pieces, these parts are not saved as they must analyze their latest data each year to determine upgrades.
As mentioned previously, automatic addition of planned expenses cuts down on incorrect budget figures. 4

5. Benefits to MSDE Ability to produce reports Plan Interface
List of Lowest Performing Programs
Total Funds Spent by Program
Recap From Five-year Plan
Plan Interface
Data Analysis with Strategy Worksheets
Five-year Plan with Strategy Worksheets
Financial Compliance Worksheet with Strategy Worksheets
The web-based plan allows MSDE to produce reports such as:
Lowest Performing Programs
Total funds spent by category by program
A recap of the Five Year Plan to see if the planned upgrades for the current year are in alignment with the Five Year Plan
The Plan interfaces with the Data Analysis and Strategy Worksheets. For example, when the data is analyzed, it shows what is a low performing program. This program should be included in the Strategy Worksheets, even if it is to say that it is being eliminated. If it doesn’t show up, we know that right away.
The Five Year Plan interfaces with the Strategy Worksheets because we should be seeing actions that are planned for a specific year within the annual update. If they are not included, an explanation should be given as to why.
The Financial Compliance Worksheet interfaces with the Strategy Worksheets in that it tallies the total amount and brings it forward. It lists the amount spent for equipment to determine the assesble amount for indirect costs.

6. Benefits to MSDE Saved time regarding: CIP Codes and Sites
Strategy Worksheet totals
Required Plan Elements
Core Indicators of Performance
Financial Compliance Worksheet

7. Web-based Plan

8. Web-based Plan

9. Web-based Plan

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11. Web-based Plan

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33. Web-based Plan 33

34. Next Steps
Mid-year and Final Programmatic Reports
Questions ???