Perkins IV supports the development of academic and career and technical skills among secondary and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in career and technical education (CTE) programs, sometimes referred to as vocational education programs. Perkins IV was authorized by statute through FY2012 and was funded at $1.1 billion in FY2014. The General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) automatically extended the authorization for one additional fiscal year to FY2013. On April 19, 2012, the Obama Administration announced its blueprint for reauthorization of Perkins IV (hereinafter referred to as the Blueprint) in an effort to create more high quality CTE programs. The National Defense Education Act (P.L. 109-270 ). A major innovation was the requirement that each local recipient offer the relevant elements of at least one state developed program of education, providing a progressive sequence of secondary and postsecondary courses that lead to an industry recognized credential. Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV)

Perkins IV is the main source of specific federal funding for CTE. The act aims to achieve this through the following grant programs:
Basic State Grants, which support the development, maintenance, and improvement of CTE at the state and local level; Tech Prep, which specifically supports programs that integrate secondary and postsecondary CTE; and Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions (TCPCTI), which supports CTE programs at TCPCTIs. Title I—Basic State Grants

Over 90% of the funds appropriated under Perkins IV are used to provide Basic State Grants. State Formula Allocation

The base formula for determining state allocations is designed to favor states with larger populations that are of high school age and two years thereafter and states with a lower than average per capita income. One minimum amount is the state's FY1998 grant (hold harmless); the other minimum is 0.5% of the total allocated to states. Based on the most recent data available, in 2009-2010 states distributed 61% of funds, on average, to secondary education providers. Activities at the Local Level

Perkins IV requires eligible recipients at the local level to develop and improve CTE programs. Each consortium receiving funding is required to establish and report on the following indicators of performance with respect to Tech Prep participants:
the number of secondary and postsecondary education students served; the number and percent of secondary education students who enroll in postsecondary education, enroll in postsecondary education in the same field of study pursued at the secondary level, complete a state or industry-recognized credential or licensure, earn postsecondary credit while enrolled at the secondary level, and enroll in remedial math, writing, or reading courses in postsecondary education; and the number and percent of postsecondary education students who are placed in a related field of employment not later than 12 months following graduation from the program, complete a state or industry-recognized credential or licensure, complete a two-year degree or certificate program within the normal time of completion for the program, and complete a bachelor's degree within the normal time of completion for the degree. These courses may or may not be funded with Perkins IV funds.
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Perkins IV; P.L. 109-270) supports the development of academic and career and technical skills among secondary education students and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in career and technical education (CTE) programs, sometimes referred to as vocational education programs. Perkins IV was authorized through FY2012, which ended on September 30, 2012. The authorization was extended through FY2013 under the General Education Provisions Act, although the act continues to receive appropriations in FY2014. The U.S. Department of Education issued its blueprint for reauthorization in April 2012. This report provides a summary of Perkins IV.
The largest program authorized under Perkins IV is the Basic State Grants program. This program provides formula grants to states to develop, implement, and improve CTE programs, services, and activities. The formula awards proportionally larger grants to states with larger populations that are in the age range traditionally enrolled in high school or within two years of high school graduation and to states with a lower than average per capita income. Incorporated in the formula are certain features that guarantee minimum funding levels. These features are a FY1998 hold harmless and a minimum equal to 0.5% of the total amount available for state grants. Each state is able to decide how much of its federal funds will be dedicated to secondary education and how much to postsecondary education. Once this decision is made, funds must generally be distributed to the local secondary and postsecondary education providers through formulas defined by Perkins IV or the state. Approximately 12.5 million students enrolled in CTE courses during the 2009-2010 academic year (most recent data available). These courses may or may not be funded with Perkins IV funds.
Two key requirements for receiving funds under the Basic State Grants program are offering CTE programs of study and compliance with accountability requirements. Secondary and postsecondary education providers must adopt the appropriate elements of at least one state-approved CTE program of study. Programs of study incorporate secondary and postsecondary education elements into a coordinated, nonduplicative progression of courses leading to an industry-recognized credential, certificate, or degree. Perkins IV also requires that states and secondary and postsecondary education providers meet targets on statutorily defined performance measures or face sanctions.
Perkins IV also authorizes additional programs: Tech Prep, national programs, Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions (TCPCTI), and Occupational and Employment Information. Of these, only national programs and TCPCTI received funding in FY2011-FY2014.