The Tennessee Department of Education announced $2.9 million in Perkins Reserve Grants to 44 school districts for the 2022-23 school year to support career and technical education (CTE) across the state. Alcoa High School received $12,710 as its share to support a program designed to break down barriers to increase industry certification attainment.
The Perkins Reserve Grant (PRG) is a competitive grant opportunity made possible through the federal Perkins V legislation passed in 2018. In 2020, the PRG grant opportunity was redesigned under the four-year Strengthening Career and Technical Education in Tennessee state plan to foster local innovation and support implementation of CTE programs and career pathways, especially in more rural areas, aligned with regionally identified high skill, high wage, and/or in-demand occupations or industries.
During the month of July, the department is celebrating Innovative School Models, which are aligned to the programs funded through the Perkins Reserve Grant Awards by eliminating structural barriers that exist between middle and high school, workforce, and postsecondary opportunities. These models allow students the ability to seamlessly make connections earlier and graduate high school prepared to successfully complete a postsecondary credential or excel in a career pathway of their choice.
“Across the state, districts are focusing on innovating in career and technical education to boost student readiness and access to postsecondary opportunities, and the Perkins Reserve Grant awards help support this important work,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “These grant awards provide avenues to build upon and create partnerships between districts, schools and community organizations to expand innovative CTE opportunities for all students.”
Districts are eligible to apply for a Secondary Grant and/or Regional Career Pathways Grant, which are included in the Perkins Reserve Grant funds provided to states.
This year’s Perkins Reserve Grant recipients submitted applications for programs, initiatives, and strategies that help to foster innovation by identifying and promoting CTE programs, practices, and strategies to prepare individuals for nontraditional fields. Some applicants sought funding to provide drone technology and industry credentials for multiple programs, new culinary arts equipment for students, and a STEM makerspace for project-based opportunities. Other applicants focused on creating a school-based enterprise offering wireless internet service to eliminate barriers to student success and modernizing welding with industry standard equipment.
Applications were reviewed by a team of TDOE staff from the Division of College, Career and Technical Education. All applications needed to address at least one of the state plan’s priority areas—ensuring equitable access, aligning career pathways, and/or ensuring high-quality learning experiences. The Regional Career Pathways application also needed to include a regionally focused secondary and postsecondary or workforce partnership.
More information on the Perkins Reserve Grant may be found here.