The Evolution of Perkins Funding: A Legacy Supporting Career and Technical Education

Career and Technical Education (CTE) has long been a cornerstone of equipping students with the skills necessary to thrive in an ever-changing workforce. Since the early 20th century, the U.S. government has funded vocational programs, continuously refining the process to reflect economic and societal needs. Let’s explore the transformative journey of Perkins funding.

Smith-Hughes Act of 1917: The Beginning

The Smith-Hughes Act marked the first federal investment in vocational education, aimed at preparing students for traditional trades such as agriculture, manufacturing, and home economics. While groundbreaking, its narrow focus on workforce entry without pathways for further education revealed limitations in addressing broader academic and career ambitions.

Vocational Education Act of 1963: Broadening Horizons

As the economy evolved, so did federal funding. This act expanded vocational training to fields like healthcare and business, introduced funding for research and innovation, and focused on inclusivity by supporting disadvantaged and disabled students.

Carl D. Perkins Act of 1984: Emphasizing Accountability

The Perkins Act linked funding to measurable outcomes, ensuring programs were aligned with industry standards and emphasized lifelong learning. By integrating technical and academic education, it marked a shift toward creating a skilled, adaptable workforce.

Perkins V: Meeting Modern Needs

Signed into law in 2018, Perkins V reflects the demands of a 21st-century workforce, allocating $1.4 billion annually to secondary and postsecondary CTE programs. Key features include:

• Accountability: Aligning programs with local labor market needs.
• Equity: Addressing underserved populations through Comprehensive Local Needs Assessments (CLNAs).
• Innovation: Encouraging high-quality career pathways tailored to economic demands.

The act continues to evolve, adapting data collection and reporting processes to streamline performance tracking and improve education-to-employment outcomes.

Conclusion

The evolution of Perkins funding highlights a century of commitment to connecting education with economic opportunity. Understanding this journey empowers educators to maximize its impact, ensuring that students acquire the skills they need to excel in today’s competitive job market.

Vector Solutions’ Powerful Career and Technical Education Solutions

Vector Solutions’ Career & Technical Education (CTE) Suite helps schools, districts, and CTE centers overcome common challenges such as burdensome administrative work, lack of student engagement, and difficulty showing program effectiveness. Additionally, it helps prepare students for their future workplace.

All-In-One Work-Based Learning Platform

The Vector Pathways platform helps schools and career centers create more work-based learning experiences through streamlined workflows, business partner engagement, and digital experience tracking.

• Simplify & Digitize Your WBL Program 

• Enhance & Streamline Business Partnerships 

• Track WBL Program Metrics & Data to Drive Decision Making 

• Increase Student Engagement & Demonstrate Career Readiness 

Career & Technical Education Training for Students

Vector’s CTE Training provides students with essential skills for safe and effective learning in the classroom and workplace, enhancing employability with critical workplace skills and industry-recognized credentials.

• Integrate Comprehensive Offerings into Your Existing Curriculum 

• Provide a Safe & Health CTE Learning Environment 

• Enhance Workplace Readiness 

• Help Students Earn Industry-Recognized Credentials