April 2020 Committee of the Full Board Item 5
Perkins Reauthorization and Approval of State Plan
April 17, 2020
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides the opportunity for the board to hear an update on the reauthorization of federal Perkins funding and approve the four-year career and technical education plan for the state of Texas in compliance with the reauthorization.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: The statutory authority for this action is the Texas Education Code (TEC), §7.109.
TEC, §7.109 designates the State Board of Education (SBOE) as the State Board for Career and Technology Education. The commissioner is the executive officer through whom the State Board for Career and Technology Education shall carry out its policies and enforce its rules.
TEC, §7.109(d) permits the State Board for Career and Technology Education to allocate funds appropriated to the board by the legislature or federal funds received by the board under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 2301 et seq.) or other federal law to an institution or program approved by the State Board of Education, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, or another state agency specified by law.
The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: In April 2019, the SBOE approved the Texas Perkins V Transition Plan. The SBOE discussed the draft of the Perkins State Plan in January 2020.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: On July 31, 2018, the president signed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act into law. Commonly referred to as Perkins V, Section 122 (a) of the law requires each state to prepare and submit to the United States Department of Education Secretary a State plan for a four-year period, except that, during the first fiscal year following the enactment of the Act, each eligible agency may fulfill its obligation by submitting a one-year transition plan. In April 2019, the SBOE approved the Texas Perkins V Transition Plan.
The requirements in the Perkins Act support a renewed vision of career and technical education (CTE) programs for the 21st century. The Act envisions that all students will achieve challenging academic, technical, and employability skills and be prepared for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations in current or emerging professions. The Act provides an increased focus on the academic achievement of career and technical education students, alignment with regional labor market needs, and improves state and local accountability, and strengthens the connections between secondary and postsecondary education.
The required state plan narrative includes seven key areas: planning, coordination, and collaboration prior to state plan submission; program administration; provision of services to special populations; accountability and evaluation; financial requirements; and EDGAR certifications and other assurances. The four-year career and technical education plan must be approved by the SBOE in order to meet the April 2020 submission deadline set by the United States Department of Education.
PUBLIC BENEFIT AND COST TO PERSONS: Students will achieve challenging academic, technical, and employability skills and be prepared for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations in current or emerging professions.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:
Approve the Texas State Plan for Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V)
Staff Members Responsible:
Heather Justice, Director, College, Career, and Military Preparation
Attachment:
Four-year Career and Technical Education State Plan