Career and technical education (CTE) in Tennessee plays a critical role in preparing students as they pursue careers that can enable economic independence. As part of our Informing the Conversation series, this memo explores Perkins V, the federal funding stream available to states to support and strengthen CTE options for students and enhance accountability for student outcomes. Perkins V nationally distributes about $1.4 billion in state formula grants under Title I funding. As part of the 2018 reauthorization of the Perkins Act, greater emphasis was placed on evaluations and support for evidence-based strategies in CTE education. This emphasis aims to ensure that CTE options available to students are better aligned to regional labor market needs, setting students up for success as they enter the workforce.

Key Takeaways

In this memo, readers will learn about:

The history, purpose, funding amounts, and associated requirements of Perkins V
The federal distribution of Perkins V federal grants to state departments of education
How Tennessee distributes local funds and reserve grants to secondary and postsecondary institutions
Components of Tennessee’s revised Perkins V State Plan for 2024-28 and its priorities to advance access to CTE programs that align with desirable current and future careers

To learn even more about Perkins V, explore Tennessee’s updated 2024-28 state plan, Strengthening Career and Technical Education in Tennessee.

Further Reading

This memo is part of SCORE’s Informing the Conversation series, a collection of resources offering data, research, insights, and ideas to inform discussions about Tennessee education in the context of federal shifts. These resources are offered with an eye toward the urgent need to continue improving student outcomes in our state.