Carl D. Perkins Grant

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act (Perkins III),
signed into law on October 31, 1998, sets out a new vision of vocational and technical
education for the 21st century. The central goals of this new vision are improving student
achievement and preparing students for post-secondary education, further learning, and careers.

The Perkins plan focuses on high quality programs that:

• integrate academic and vocational education
• promote student attainment of challenging academic and vocational and technical standards
• provide students with strong experience in, and understanding of, all aspects of an industry
• address the needs of individuals who are members of special populations
• involve parents, students, employers, and other stakeholders in planning, implementation, and evaluation of local programs
• provide strong linkages between secondary and post-secondary education
• develop, improve, and expand the use of technology
• provide professional development opportunities for teachers, counselors, and administrators.

Eligible recipients of Perkins funds are accountable for:

• student attainment of academic proficiency
• student attainment of vocational-technical skill proficiencies
• student attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, a proficiency credential in conjunction with a secondary school diploma, or a post-secondary degree or credential
• student placement in, retention, and completion of post-secondary education or advanced training, placement in military service, or placement or retention in employment
• student participation in and completion of vocational and technical education programs that lead to nontraditional training and employment.

The Perkins plan addresses the five growth sectors:

In 1999, the New Jersey's Council of Economic Advisors completed a two-year process of identifying the sectors of the state's economy that have shown the greatest growth between 1989 and 1998. The Perkins plan must address the following five sectors that were identified, high technology, logistics, health care, financial, and entertainment.