Perkins Funds

The Carl D. Perkins Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) was originally authorized in 1984, and most recently reauthorized in 2018. The purpose of Perkins V is to provide individuals with the academic and technical skills needed to succeed in a knowledge and skills-based economy. Perkins supports career and technical education that prepares its students for postsecondary education and the careers of their choice. Federal resources help ensure that career and technical programs are academically rigorous and up-to-date with the needs of business and industry. Perkins funds are used for the following types of activities:

  1. Provide career exploration and career development activities.
  2. Provide professional development for faculty, school leaders, administrators, specialized instructional support personnel, career guidance and academic counselors.
  3. Provide within career and technical education the skills necessary to pursue careers in high-skills, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations.
  4. Support integration of academic skills into career and technical education programs and programs to study.
  5. Plan and carry out elements that support the implementation of career and technical education programs and programs of study that result in increasing student achievement.
  6. Develop and implement evaluations of the activities carried out with Perkins V funding.