(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is seeking feedback on the draft state Perkins Plan, also known as Perkins V or the “Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century” Act. The public comment window began on Dec. 1 and will continue for 30 days, concluding on Jan. 1.

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act was first authorized by the federal government in 1984. It was reauthorized in 1990, 1998, 2006 and most recently in 2018. Named for Carl D. Perkins, a former U.S. Representative from Kentucky, the act aims to increase the quality of technical education within the United States in order to help grow the economy.

The new law includes provisions for vertically aligned programs of study between secondary and postsecondary education partners, and fosters collaboration with the business community and across state agencies. For the first time, it also requires an extensive and comprehensive local needs assessment process for local communities. 

The draft plan can be found on KDE’s Perkins homepage. Any individual interested in reviewing the draft plan and providing comments is encouraged to do so. Formal comments should be submitted to octestinfo@education.ky.gov by Jan. 1.