January 31, 2024 Committee of the Full Board Item 6
Discussion of Proposed Updates to the Texas State Plan for Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V)
January 31, 2024
COMMITTEE OF THE FULL BOARD: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION
SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the committee to discuss proposed updates to Texas’s Perkins V State Plan. The current approved plan has been in effect since the 2021-2022 school year. Proposed updates would streamline the plan and provide opportunities to focus resources and technical assistance in response to needs identified through the Career and Technology Education (CTE) program of study refresh process.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 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 section of this agenda.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: In April 2019, the SBOE approved the Texas State Transition Plan for Perkins V. In April 2020, the SBOE approved the Texas State Plan for Perkins V.
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 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 CTE 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 Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) certifications and other assurances. The four-year CTE plan must be approved by the SBOE in order to meet the April 2020 submission deadline set by the United States Department of Education.
Staff Members Responsible:
Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner, Standards and Programs
Alexis Bauserman, Director, College, Career, and Military Preparation