State Plan

State Plan

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 was officially signed into law by President Bush on August 12, 2006. Also known as "Perkins IV," the reauthorization of the program represents one of the largest federal investments in our nation's high schools and is a key component of our secondary and postsecondary education systems.

Guiding Assumptions

Perkins IV maintains much of the program improvement emphasis of Perkins III but requires Missouri Career Education to focus on some new areas.  The following guiding assumptions are instrumental in moving Perkins IV forward.

  • Federal Perkins IV funding for Missouri Career Education is not an entitlement at either the state or local level.
  • The Perkins IV legislation is quite clear that funds are to be used to improve career and technical education and student achievement, not to maintain current operations.
  • Missouri Career Education and academic education must be integrated in a more comprehensive way, including improving the academic content of CTE courses.
  • Missouri Career Education must continue to emphasize the comprehensive guidance program as a part of the school counseling program at all levels of education.
  • The skill set needed for success in postsecondary education and for work are the same.

Missouri Career Education must continue to be strategically placed within the broader vision, mission, and goals for education within the state.

New Perkins IV areas of emphasis

Perkins IV requires Missouri and local eligible recipients to emphasize areas designed to result in program improvement and increased student achievement. These areas are:

Secondary/postsecondary curricular alignment and improved student transition

  • Both secondary and postsecondary are required to demonstrate alignment of courses for seamless transition between secondary and postsecondary career education programs of study.
  • Continue to develop statewide articulation of secondary and postsecondary career education programs to improve and increase the opportunities for student transition.

Emphasis on quality data and accountability to drive funding decisions resulting in improved student achievement and program improvement

  • Perkins funds must be used to improve performance measures on the core indicators.
  • Data quality is improved through the development of the statewide system.

Increased and documented academic and technical rigor in both secondary and postsecondary Missouri Career Education courses

  • Academic competencies are strengthened and applied in career education courses.
  • A system of technical skill attainment must be developed and implemented to respond to Perkins core indicators, but more importantly can assist in successful transition between secondary and postsecondary education and/or work.

Sustained professional development for secondary and postsecondary instructors and administrators

  • Professional development must be more than a one-day workshop experience; the emphasis is on a sustained professional development program.
  • Professional development opportunities must support both secondary and postsecondary instructors and administrators and foster partnerships.

Programs of study must be implemented at both the secondary and postsecondary levels that meet labor market needs.

  • Each local eligible recipient must develop at least one program of study in a Career Cluster Pathway during Perkins IV.
  • Programs of study should prepare students for high-demand, high-wage occupations that lead to recognized employer credentials, postsecondary certificates, and associates and/or bachelors degrees.

Changes in funding structure and use of funds to improve performance in these identified areas of emphasis

  • Perkins IV requires the use of funds to improve performance.