The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act of 2018, also known as Perkins V, was designed to improve and expand high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that meet both student and employer needs. It maintains a strong focus on academic rigor in CTE programs, while also emphasizing development of technical skills and employability skills that prepare students to be career and college ready after graduation. Perkins V promotes stronger connections between secondary and postsecondary education through greater emphasis on Programs of Study (POS), and stronger connections between education and industry through greater emphasis on work-based learning (WBL) experiences and industry-recognized credentials.

Implementation of Perkins V ensures that career and technical education programs are an integral part of a well-rounded secondary education, meeting the needs of students and educational systems as part of Minnesota’s “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA) plan. Learn more about Minnesota’s ESSA plan.

Minnesota uses the consortium model of secondary and postsecondary partnerships to facilitate allocation of Perkins V federal grant funds intended to spur innovation and support programs of study aligned with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations or industries. In order to access Perkins grant funds, local school districts must have approved CTE programs taught by appropriately-licensed CTE teachers. As part of the development of consortia Perkins plans, each consortia conducts a Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) which guides the development of their two-year consortia plans and priorities. Access the CLNA Reporting Framework. Teachers and administrators seeking assistance with compliance issues related to Perkins V implementation are encouraged to contact their consortium leaders.

Resources provided below will provide information and guidance for understanding the Perkins V legislation and its implications.
  

• General Guidance for Perkins V Local Uses of Funds - 7/28/21
  Description of criteria for approved and unallowable uses of Perkins V funds.
• Secondary Perkins Equipment/Curriculum Request Form - 6/23/21
  Form used by Perkins Consortia to submit requests for use of Perkins funds for allowable equipment and curriculum resources.
• Perkins Equipment Request Form Completion Tips - 6/22/21
  Handout to assist Perkins Consortia Leaders with proper completion of the Equipment/Curriculum Request Form.
• Secondary Equipment, Curriculum and Approved Uses of Perkins V Funds - 1/18/21
  Information about procedures for equipment acquisition, curriculum and other Career and Technical Education (CTE) student support activities with secondary Perkins funding.