Perkins Funding

The federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21^st Century, also known as Perkins V, provides federal funding to recipients to ensure students enrolled in career and technical education programs are able to fully develop the academic knowledge, technical skills, and employability skills needed to enter the workforce and pursue continued education in their chosen field.

In Massachusetts, programs eligible for funding are: State-approved Chapter 74 CTE programs, state-approved Innovation Pathways programs, Secondary Non-74 Perkins-only CTE programs, Post-Secondary CTE Programs, and CTE Programs at State Incarceration Institutions.

This site covers these commonly asked questions about Perkins funding:

• How Is Perkins Allocated?
• What Can I Fund with Perkins Funding?
• How Do I Apply?
• What Measures Are Used to Evaluate Programs and Support Continuous Improvement?
• What Data Reporting Is Required?

And includes additional resources for understanding Perkins Implementation in MA.

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How Is Perkins Allocated?

What Can I Fund with Perkins Funding?

Programs eligible for funding include: Chapter 74 CTE programs, Innovation Pathways programs, Secondary Non-74 Perkins only CTE programs, Post-Secondary CTE Programs, and CTE Programs at State Incarceration Institutions.

All Perkins Funded programs must:

1. Align to MA definition of Size, Scope and Quality .
   For designated state-approved Chapter 74 CTE Programs adherence to program designation criteria meets these requirements. For state-approved Innovation Pathways Programs, adherence to design criteria and a few additional requirements outlined in the Perkins V/ Innovation Pathways Comparison ensures alignment. For non-designated programs (N74, Postsecondary programs, and programs at state institutions) use these resources and resources on the dedicated pages (N74, PS) to ensure alignment.
   • Resources: Perkins Checklist
   
   
2. Ensure Equitable Access to programs.
   • Implementation resources for reviewing equitable access
   • Refer to disaggregation , culturally responsive practices and population groups & special populations defined in Perkins V.
   • Additional resources available here: English Learner Education and ELE Blueprint, Special Education Policy & Guidance, Culturally Responsive Schools & Classrooms

For current grant recipients, questions regarding allowable expenses would be addressed by your RASP Liaison, Alex Chiu .

How Do I Apply?

First, confirm your district has been allocated funds. Perkins funding is administered through the Resource Allocation Strategy and Planning (RASP) /Federal Grant Programs team. Perkins funds are typically determined in late spring and available to apply for through summer with a Fall deadline.

Then complete the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment Guide and Worksheet . Use this information to identify, develop, revise, and implement your programs and apply for grant funding through the grant posting.

What Measures Are Used to Evaluate Programs and Support Continuous Improvement?

In addition to measures used to evaluate state approved programs such as Chapter 74 and Innovation Pathways, Perkins Core Indicators are used to measure programs quality and opportunities for improvement for programs using Perkins funding. The Department has set State Determined Performance Levels (SDPLs) for each indicator. In limited cases, Districts, institutions & consortiums may propose Locally Determined Performance Levels (LDPLs). For questions regarding LDPLs, please contact CCTE@mass.gov .

Continuous Improvement Resources

Perkin Core Indicators can be used for program improvement using these resources:

• CTE Reports in Security Portal (see Directory Administrators for access)
• CTE Enrollment Visuals
• CTE Perkins Core Indicators Visuals
• Guide: Using Performance Outcomes
• Video: Using CTE Data Resources

What Data Reporting Is Required?

Failure to submit required reports on time may result in the school district/postsecondary institution/consortium not receiving Perkins V Allocation funds.

State Policy Resources for Perkins Implementation in Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Perkins V Definitions
• Perkins V Implementation Workshops
• Perkins V State Plan 2020-2024 Approved through June 2024 by the US Department of Education
  • US ED has called out these noteworthy elements of the Massachusetts State Plan:
    • Links employers and schools for work-based learning experiences and career development activities through its Connecting Activities initiative - including a special focus on STEM employers.
    • Expands access to an array of engaging academic and career programs of study in strong and growing industries and occupations through its High-Quality College and Career Pathways Initiative (HQCCP).
    • Requires internship or capstone experiences through its Innovation Pathways structure that connects student learning to an in-demand industry sector within its regional and state economy.
• Federal Perkins V Act: Strengthening Career and Technical Education in the 21st Century Act / Perkins V Act

Who to contact:

• For programmatic questions, please contact the Office for College, Career, and Technical Education (CCTE) which oversees High Quality College and Career Pathways. Please contact the CCTE Office at 781-338-3910 or CCTE@mass.gov or go to the list of CCTE district liaisons.
• For Perkins Fund Code 400 & 401 grant application questions, please contact the RASP/Federal Grant Programs Perkins Liaison, Alexandria.W.Chiu@mass.gov .
• For programmatic and grant questions related to correctional agencies, please contact Yvonne Corrections Education Specialist in the Office for Adult & Community Learning Services (ACLS), at 781-338-3815 or Yvonne Gittelson .

Last Updated: December 6, 2022