1. Senior Associate for Federal Policy, Advance CTE
CTE Hot Topics
Kathryn Zekus
Senior Associate for Federal Policy, Advance CTE
September 23, 2018

2. Agenda Perkins V Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019
What is Perkins?
Perkins V Reauthorization Process & Timeline
Major Tenets of Perkins V
Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019
The Value & Promise of Career Technical Education (CTE)
Resources
Questions

3. What is Perkins?

4. What is Perkins & What Does It Do?
Perkins is a federal education program that invests in secondary, postsecondary and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the territories
Perkins is:
dedicated to the continuous improvement of and relevancy of CTE to meet the ever-changing needs of learners and employers
increasing learner access to high-quality CTE programs of study

5. How Does Perkins Funding Work?
Congress appropriates funds to Perkins on an annual basis
States designate an eligible agency to administer Perkins and must submit a plan to the U.S. Department of Education to receive funds
Locals submit an application to the eligible agency to receive funds, local recipients of Perkins funds often include:
Local school districts
Area technical centers
Community and technical colleges
Pre-apprenticeship/youth apprenticeship programs

6. What Do Perkins Funds Support?
A variety of activities, including:
Programs of Study
Professional development
Technical assistance
Career exploration, guidance and advisement
Data collection and analysis, including program and plan evaluation and monitoring

7. Perkins Reauthorization & Timeline

8. How did we get here? 2012 2014 2015 Perkins IV Ends
OCTAE Blueprint Released
2014
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act signed into Law
2015
Every Student Succeeds Act signed into law
Hearings on Perkins Senate bipartisan principles introduced

9. How did we get here? 2016 2017 2018 House introduces H.R. 5587
Approved 405 to 5 in September
2017
New Administration, New Congress
May – Introduces H.R. 2353
June – Approved by voice vote
2018
Spring – Senate on different paths
April – White House Dinner
June – Mark Up
July – New law!

10. Major Tenets of Perkins V

11. Major Tenet 1: Program Improvement
Maintains commitment to programs of study
Introduces comprehensive local needs assessment
Increases reserve fund to spur local innovation and implement programs of study
Adds new national, competitive grant program that focuses on innovation and modernization
Increased focus on alignment to labor market needs
Stronger focus on equity, including a new purpose on increasing opportunities for special populations

12. Major Tenet 2: Flexibility
Retains governance structure
Expands support for career exploration to go as low as grade 5
Alignment to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

13. Required Uses of Funds State
Career exploration and career development activities
Preparation for non-traditional fields, programs for special populations
Professional development for educators
Individuals in state institutions
Skills necessary for students to pursue high skill, high wage or in-demand occupations or sectors;
Recruiting, preparing or retaining CTE teachers/faculty
Support the integration of academics into CTE
Technical assistance
Reporting on effectiveness of funds
Support implementation of programs resulting in increased student achievement
Evaluation activities
Local

14. Major Tenet 3: Data & Accountability
Defines who is included in the accountability system
Changes the process for setting performance targets
Includes strengthened stakeholder engagement process
Focuses on disaggregation of data
Shifts the accountability indicators

15. Secondary Accountability Indicators
Graduation rates
Academic proficiency
Student placement
A measure of “CTE program quality”:
student attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials;
student attainment of postsecondary credits in their CTE program/program of study; or
percentage of students participating in work-based learning.
The percentage of CTE concentrators in CTE programs that lead to nontraditional fields

16. Appropriations Source: The federal budget process explained
By Politico PRO DataPoint Staff. Published: 05/04/17

17. Federal Budget Process Under ‘Regular Order’: Step 1

18. Federal Budget Process Under ‘Regular Order’: Step 2

19. Federal Budget Process Under ‘Regular Order’: Steps 3, 4, 5

20. Federal Budget Process Under ‘Regular Order’: Steps 6, 7, 8

21. Federal Budget Process Under ‘Regular Order’: Step 9

22. Federal Budget Process Under ‘Regular Order’: Step 10

23. Federal Budget Process Under ‘Regular Order’: Step 11

24. How Much Is the Federal Investment in Perkins?

25. How Much Is the Federal Investment for 2019?
Senate Passed Appropriations Package on September 18, 2018
Included $70 Million Increase for Perkins Basic State Grants
Next up: Vote in the House this Week
By September 30: President’s Signature
After October 1: Process Begins Again

26. The Value & Promise of Career Technical Education

27. Research Goals
Explore what middle & high school parents and students know and think about CTE
Understand motivators and barriers to enrolling in a CTE program
Determine which messages are most compelling to consider a CTE program and which are not
Identify trusted decision-makers and effective communication channels for CTE

28. Research 8 focus groups Qualitative Quantitative
6 prospects, 2 current CTE
Bethesda, MD; Columbus, OH; Jackson, MS
Racial, socio-economic and grade-level mix
Quantitative
971 US adults online survey
252 current/previous CTE parents (9-12th grade)
506 parents of prospective students (6-11th grade)
776 students online survey
252 current/previous CTE students (9-12th grade/grads)
514 prospective students (6-11th grade)

29. Key Takeaways CTE Delivers for Parents and Students
College and Career Success are Both Important Goals for Parents and Students
CTE Has an Awareness Challenge
Prospective Parents and Students are Attracted to the “Real World” Benefits of CTE
CTE Needs Champions and Messengers

30. CTE Delivers for Parents and Students
Parents and students involved in CTE were more satisfied than those not involved in CTE with regards to their:
Overall education experience
Opportunities to earn credits towards a certification
Quality of the classes
Opportunities for internships
Quality of teachers
Ability to learn real-world skills
Ability to begin preparing for and get a leg up on your career
Opportunities to make connections and network with employers
Opportunities to explore different careers of interest
Social life opportunities
Opportunities to earn college credit(s)
Opportunities to take elective courses

31. CTE Awareness Is Moderate
Just 47% of prospective parents and students have heard of “Career Technical Education” compared to…
68% Vocational Education
54% Career Center
45% Career Education
30% Career Academy

32. Language that Works “Real world skills” “Practical knowledge”
“Hands-on experience”
“Mentoring”
“Internships”
“Explore career options and what you are passionate about”
“Career” and “career-focused”
“Extra advantage for both college and careers”
“Leadership” and “confidence”

33. Most Effective Message: Preparation for the Real World
CTE gives purpose to learning by emphasizing real-world skills and practical knowledge.
Students receive hands-on training, mentoring, and internships from employers in their community. They also learn how to develop a resume and interview for a job.
These additional tools and experiences make school more relevant, and ensure students are ready for the real world.

34. Educators and Students Are Best Messengers
How much do you trust each for learning more information about CTE?

35. Insights and Recommendations
Be consistent in your messages
Communicate the success of your program through current and past student success stories
Localize your examples, and make it relevant. Don’t forget the details
Emphasize that CTE is a pathway towards college and a career
Share tangible benefits of CTE – networking, internships, college credit, certifications, etc.
Engage educators, counselors and the business community as your messengers.
Keep it positive!

36. Resources
Stay informed: Read Legislative Updates:
Advance CTE Federal Policy Page:
Fact sheets on CTE topics:
Communications Tools & Resources:

37. Questions?
Kathryn Zekus Senior Associate for Federal Policy, Advance CTE Follow