Adriana Harrington is the Managing Director of Policy for ExcelinEd.
In states across the nation, career and technical education (CTE) is at the forefront of policy discussions as leaders increasingly work to connect students’ learning opportunities to good-paying jobs. CTE is an important element in helping many K-12 students on their pathway into postsecondary and career success.
This year, many states are embarking on a crucial process related to this goal: updating their Perkins plans. These plans, funded at the federal level through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, serve as blueprints for shaping the future of CTE programs. These programs, which cover a broad range of career fields, equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in postsecondary and the workforce.
From expanding access to underserved communities to embracing cutting-edge technologies, Perkins plan updates hold the potential to revolutionize CTE and empower countless learners.
The Perkins Act is a federal program that funds the states to make investments in career and technical education at both the secondary and postsecondary levels. It was first authorized in 1984.
The latest iteration of Perkins, known as Perkins V, was signed into law in 2018. The Act defines its purpose in this way: “to develop more fully the academic knowledge and technical and employability skills of secondary education students and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in CTE programs and programs of study.”
As a requirement for participating in the Perkins program, each state must submit a four-year plan outlining the state’s approach to implementation of the Act.
Perkins grants are a vital catalyst for workforce development, injecting more than $1.3 billion in funding into CTE programs across the nation. This investment empowers states and local institutions to create and strengthen CTE initiatives, ultimately preparing individuals for success in high-demand, higher-skill, higher-wage careers.
In essence, Perkins grants act as a strategic investment in the future of the workforce. When combined with targeted state funding and as part of comprehensive learner pathways for students, CTE programs will support a generation of skilled and adaptable individuals, poised to drive innovation and economic growth in an ever-changing world.
This year, governors and state leaders can build on their commitment to students and continue to advance their state’s future by strengthening their state’s education-to-workforce systems through the Perkins V process. It requires each state to submit either a new four-year state plan or revise its state-determined performance levels for Fiscal Year 2024, along with any other revisions to its approved four-year state plan.
Regardless of which option states pursue, the 2024 state plan process gives states an opportunity to conduct broad stakeholder consultation and to elevate CTE as a core, high-quality strategy to improve student outcomes and strengthen the state’s economy.
CTE is not only about training students for specific jobs; it’s about building a future-ready workforce equipped with the technical skills, practical knowledge and adaptability needed to thrive in a dynamic world.
CTE is one of several elements that can provide strong pathways for students. CTE combined with areas such as college acceleration courses, hands-on experiences in work-based learning, and earned valued credentials provide robust opportunities to help students prepare for what comes next. By investing in CTE, states can empower individuals, bridge skills gaps and fuel economic growth.
Here’s why CTE plays a crucial role in shaping a future-ready workforce:
Perkins program participation is just one of several ways states can support workforce development. Here are some other ways policymakers can ensure they are preparing students for success:
Return on Investment Analysis: As demand grows and evolves for specific skills in the workforce, it is imperative for state policymakers to embrace what we refer to as return-on-investment (ROI) analyses. Are CTE programs supporting learners in being ready and succeeding in their next step in life? Conducting regular ROI analyses gives policymakers the data needed to make decisions that ensure their CTE programs are preparing students for success in the real world, equipping them with the relevant skills they need to secure well-paying jobs.
Governance and Vision: In order to ensure education-to-workforce pathways are high-quality and well aligned along the pathway continuum, policymakers can identify and address any disconnected efforts. They can achieve this by requiring multiple state leaders and systems to work collaboratively to eliminate silos, minimize wasted time and resources, and ensure policies are coordinated in support of a common vision of success.
Setting Clear Definitions: Policymakers can signal program quality by creating common statewide definitions and indicators that demonstrate success of all education-to-workforce pathways. These definitions must be used across agencies and systems to inform decisions about program offerings, funding and expected outcomes for students.
Ensuring Broadband Access: Despite progress and significant financial investment during the pandemic, the digital divide remains very real. Millions of K-12 students still lack access to reliable broadband or devices, and hundreds of thousands of teachers are in the same situation. Up to three in 10 teenagers lack access to broadband and devices needed to complete homework assignments. Policymakers should prioritize access to broadband internet for both education and economic reasons to ensure all students are well equipped to thrive in the digital world.
In recent years, many states have committed to strengthening college and career pathways, including CTE and other policy priorities. A few highlights:
Indiana’s Career Scholarship Accounts: Last year, Indiana became the first state to create K-12 scholarship accounts that support students in fully pursuing internships, apprenticeships and other real-world work experience. With a career scholarship account, 10th, 11th and 12th graders who participate in a workforce training program receive $5,000 per year to pay for courses, training or apprenticeship costs.
Ohio combined education and workforce: In 2023, Ohio policymakers created the Department of Education and Workforce, a cabinet-level agency reporting to the Governor that is responsible for primary, secondary, special and career-technical education in Ohio.
Mississippi’s expanded support for high school career coaching: In recent years, Mississippi has increased its efforts to connect students with industry leaders. Last year, the state deployed more than 50 new career coaches throughout the state, increasing the total for the 2023-2024 academic year to 185, from 20 coaches in 2021.
