Print this chapterPrint this chapter

Perkins Policies & Procedures

Programmatic Aspects of the Perkins Grant

Framework of the Federal Statute & Purpose

The purpose of the Perkins Act is to develop more fully the academic and career and technical skills of secondary education students and NCCCS students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs, by— 

  1. Building on the efforts of States and localities to develop challenging academic and technical standards and to assist students in meeting such standards, including preparation for high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations in current or emerging professions; 

  2. Promoting the development of services and activities that integrate rigorous and challenging academic and career and technical instruction, and that link secondary education and NCCCS education for participating career and technical education students; 

  3. Increasing State and local flexibility in providing services and activities designed to develop, implement, and improve career and technical education, including tech prep education; 

  4. Conducting and disseminating national research and disseminating information on best practices that improve career and technical education programs, services, and activities; 

  5. Providing technical assistance that; ‘‘(A) promotes leadership, initial preparation, and professional development at the State and local levels; and ‘‘(B) improves the quality of career and technical education teachers, faculty, administrators, and counselors; 

  6. Supporting partnerships among secondary schools, NCCCS institutions, baccalaureate degree granting institutions, area career and technical education schools, local workforce investment boards, business and industry, and intermediaries; 

  7. Providing individuals with opportunities throughout their lifetimes to develop, in conjunction with other education and training programs, the knowledge and skills needed to keep the United States competitive.

Respective Role of State Eligible Agency


Perkins IV requires the state to designate a sole state agency (eligible agency) to be responsible for the funds. In Alabama, the State Department of Education (SDE) is the state eligible agency. SDE acts as the fiscal agent for all Perkins grant funds and operates under the authority of the State Board of Education (SBE). In accordance with the State Plan for Perkins IV, SDE negotiates a split each year of the Perkins allocation for activities at the ACCS level. Each state seeking funding under Title I submitted a five year plan to the U.S. Secretary of Education. Alabama submitted a complete six-year plan for FY 2007- 2013. A copy of the current state plan is available on the ACCS Web site. 


The NCCCS allocates funds to colleges, and if applicable, consortia of colleges, based on the number of CTE students receiving Pell grant at the college during the previous reporting year (or in the case of incarcerated students, those who would otherwise be Pell-eligible). Colleges submit an annual College Plan for Career and Technical Education, which serves as the application and extension for Perkins IV Basic Grant funds. 

Organizational Structure and Functions


Alabama State Department of Education (SDE) is the State Eligible Agency (SEA) and acts under the supervisory authority of the Alabama State Board of Education (SBE) and is chaired by the Governor of Alabama. Therefore, the Governor and the SBE are ultimately responsible for the Perkins funds appropriated to Alabama each year. 
SDE is the fiscal agent for Perkins funds and is the principal Electronic Data Collection point for Alabama. The strategies and data used in the ACCS CTE program are designed to assist students to meet or exceed the negotiated levels of performance and are evaluated annually. All ACCS institutions provide annual data required for federal reporting using the methods as prescribed by ACCS and SDE (See ACCS Web site for reporting procedures). Funding may be withheld if required data is not reported in an accurate and timely manner. 

Levels of CTE Students


There are two levels of Postsecondary CTE students for the purpose of Perkins. 

  1. Participant – Students who have earned one (1) or more credits in any CTE program area. NOTE: This includes students with a declared major other than CTE who are participating in a CTE course.

  2. Concentrator – A student who: (1) completes at least 12 academic or CTE credits within a single program area sequence that is comprised of 12 or more academic and technical credits and terminates in the award of an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, or a degree; or (2) completes a short-term CTE program sequence of less than 12 credit units that terminates in an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, or a degree.