Evaluation of the implementation of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006

Abstract

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV), signed into law on August 12, 2006, lays out the statutory requirements governing federal support for career and technical education (CTE) services offered within secondary schools and postsecondary institutions throughout the United States. Aimed at more fully developing the academic and technical skills of students enrolling in CTE programs, Perkins IV stipulates the required and permissible uses of federal funds by state and local grant recipients and the administrative and compliance reporting expectations for states and local subgrantees. This study by RTI, conducted as part of the National Assessment of Career and Technical Education, presents information on how CTE services are organized, administered, and delivered by state eligible agencies and secondary eligible recipients and postsecondary eligible institutions. The study used a mixed methods research design that included quantitative and qualitative data from a variety of sources at the state and local levels. Specific research activities included collecting original source data through web-based surveys of secondary and postsecondary state and local CTE directors; assembling fiscal allocation data from state agencies; conducting case study site visits to a subset of representative states; and convening an expert panel to review state POS materials and guidance.