Graphic reading: Seeking Public Comment, Kentucky Department of Education

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to Kentucky’s Carl D. Perkins federal performance goals as part of the process to update the state Perkins plan.

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act was first authorized by the federal government in 1984 and reauthorized most recently in 2018 as the Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). Named for the former U.S. representative from Kentucky, Carl D. Perkins, the act aims to increase the quality of technical education within the United States to help grow the economy.

The new law includes provisions for vertically aligned programs of study between secondary and postsecondary education partners, fosters collaboration with the business community and across state agencies, requires an extensive and comprehensive local needs assessment process, focuses on strengthening the CTE teacher and faculty pipeline, expands the reach and scope of student guidance and counseling, and promotes a variety of innovative practices.

Perkins law requires each eligible agency to develop a four-year state plan and submit it for approval to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education (OCTAE). The state plan must address a variety of information related to the plan’s development and consultation strategies, the implementation of CTE programs and programs of study, accountability and performance measures, as well as other required federal assurances.

The proposed amendments to Kentucky’s federal performance goals for Perkins are located on KDE’s Perkins V Accountability webpage.

The public comment period will be Aug. 15-Oct. 15. The public may send written comments on the proposed waiver to Karla Tipton, Branch Manager, Data and Investment Branch, Office of Career and Technical Education, Kentucky Department of Education, 300 Sower Blvd., Fifth Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. Comments also may be submitted by email to Karla Tipton or by telephone at (502) 564-4286.