New National Evaluation Examines How States and Districts Are Implementing Perkins V

Arlington, Va. - A new federally funded evaluation explores how states are using money designed to strengthen career and technical Education (CTE) programs in U.S. school districts. The U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) released the "National Evaluation of Career and Technical Education Under Perkins V," which was conducted by American Institutes for Research (AIR).

The evaluation uses survey results and federal data sources to examine how states and districts are implementing the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). Perkins V reauthorized the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, which funds state agencies that in turn provide grants to school districts and postsecondary institutions to implement career and technical education (CTE).

The study provides a nationwide descriptive picture of implementation in K-12 public school districts during the 2022-23 program year and focuses on three central priorities of Perkins V: expanding access and participation in CTE, improving program quality and labor-market alignment, and increasing flexibility in funding and accountability systems.

Among the report's key findings:

• Most states and districts sponsored activities designed to expand access to and participation in CTE, though these efforts were often not among their highest priorities for CTE.
  
• States and districts widely implemented strategies intended to improve CTE program quality and labor-market alignment, including conducting Comprehensive Local Needs Assessments (CLNA). However, some districts reported that CLNA requirements limited implementation.
  
• Most states leveraged Perkins V funding flexibilities to support local priorities, while fewer states adopted accountability flexibilities such as using multiple program quality indicators.

The study found substantial implementation activity nationwide. For example, 46 states reported supporting CTE in the middle grades, 44 reported encouraging districts to incorporate career guidance within CTE, and 45 states identified work-based learning as either one of their top priorities or an active priority.

The findings provide an important snapshot of how Perkins V is being implemented across the country and identify areas where additional support may help states and districts fully realize the law's goals.

The full report is available at https://ies.ed.gov/use-work/resource-library/report/evaluation-report/national-evaluation-career-and-technical-education-under-perkins-v.

About AIR
Established in 1946, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance both domestically and internationally in the areas of health, education and the workforce. With headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR has offices across the U.S. and abroad. For more information, visit www.air.org.