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| 84.243 TECH-PREP EDUCATION |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND ADULT EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, Title II, Public Law 109-270, 20 U.S.C. 2373. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| This program provides assistance to states to awrd grants to consortia of local agencies and postsecondary education institutions for the development and operation ofprograms consisting of the last two years of secondary education and at least two years of postsecondary education, designed to provide Tech Prep education to the student leading to an associate degree or a two-year certificate. The program also is designed to strengthen links between secondary and postsecondary schools. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Formula Grants; Project Grants (Contracts). |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| States must award program funds to consortia of local agencies and postsecondary education institutions. Consortia must implement tech-prep programs that have seven elements: (1) an articulation agreement between secondary and postsecondary consortium participants; (2) a two-plus-two or a four-plus-two (only four- or six-year programs are authorized) design with a common core of proficiency in math, science, communication, and technology; (3) a specifically developed Tech Pep curriculum; (4) joint in-service training of secondary and postsecondary teachers to implement the Tech Prep curriculum effectively; (5) training of counselors to recruit students and to ensure program completion and appropriate employment; (6) equal access for special populations to the full range of Tech Prep programs; and (7) preparatory services. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 76-564-76.569. For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Costs Group on (202) 708-7770. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| The Department of Education makes formula grants to State agencies. Eligible recipients for subgrants are consortia of local educational agencies, intermediate education agencies or area vocational education schools serving secondary school students, or secondary schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and nonprofit and proprietary institutions of higher education which offer a 2-year associate degree program, and which are qualified as institutions of higher education pursuant to Section 481(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, including institutions receiving assistance under the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978, or a two-year apprenticeship program that follows secondary instruction, if such institutions are not subject to a default management plan required by the Secretary of Education. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| Individuals desiring to participate in a combined secondary/postsecondary program leading to a postsecondary degree or 2-year certificate with technical preparation in at least one field of engineering, applied science, mechanical, industrial, or practical art or trade, or agriculture, health, or business. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| The establishment of a State Board for vocational education, and a State occupational information coordinating committee is required. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| A 5-year State plan for vocational education must be prepared with active participation of the State Council on Vocational Education. Annual revisions may be submitted as necessary. State plans are subject to public hearings. This program is eligible for cover under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-102. |
| Application Procedure |
| A State board submits its application along with a 5-year State plan for career and technical education to the Secretary of Education. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. |
| Award Procedure |
| The Department of Education approve the 5-year State plan and make allocations to the States. |
| Deadlines |
| States should contact the Program Office for deadlines. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| The range is approximately 30 to 120 days. |
| Appeals |
| A State board that is dissatisfied with the final action of the Assistant Secretary in disapproving a State plan is afforded reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing. |
| Renewals |
| None. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| The funding formula is based on State per-capita income and population in three age cohorts (15-19, 20-24, and 25-65). The formula provides for a minimum State allocation of at least 0.5 percent of the total, and a "hold-harmless" provision in the formula ensures that no State's share of the appropriation is less than its share of the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. A special provision limits the increase a State with an initial allocation of the 0.5 percent minimum may receive, resulting in a number of States that receive an allocation of less than 0.5 percent of the total. If appropriations result in the amount of funds for allocation to States exceeding the amount of funds allocated to States from the FY 2006 appropriation, up to one-third of the additional funds are allotted to States with FY 2006 grants that are less than the minimum 0.5 percent grant amount and the remainder would flow to the other States. In addition, the Pacific territories receive 0.13 percent of the total appropriated for State Grants to operate the same kinds of career and technical education programs as the States. Also, 1.25 percent of the total appropriation for State Grants is set aside for grants to federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and 0.25 percent is set aside for competitive grants to organizations that primarily serve and represent Hawaiian Natives. The Bureau of the Census supplies the population data; the Department of Labor supplies the per capita income data. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Funds must be expended within 27 months after the first date of availability. States draw funds as needed under the electronic transfer system. |
| Reports |
| An annual financial report, performance report, and Office for Civil Rights Annual Compliance Report must be submitted. A quarterly Federal Cash Transaction Report is required under the electronic transfer system. |
| Audits |
| In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. |
| Records |
| In accordance with Section 443 of the General Education Provisions Act grantees must maintain records for 3 years. |
| Account Identification |
| 91-0400-0-1-501. |
| Obligations |
| (Grants and Contracts) FY 07 $104,753,000; FY 08 est $102,923,000; and FY 09 est $0. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| The range of State grants was $56,154 to $11,260,243. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| There are Tech Prep Consortia in all 50 States, DC, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. In school year 204-05, approximately 2.3 million students were enrolled in Tech Prep programs. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| Rules and regulations, Title 34 CFR 400 and 406; EDGAR, Parts 74, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, and 86; OCR guidelines for vocational education. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Department of Education, OVAE Division of High School, Postsecondary and Career Education 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20202-7241. Contact: Sharon Lee Miller. E-mail: sharon.miller@ed.gov. Telephone: (202) 245-7846. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/cte/tphome.html |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| 84.048, Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States; 84.051, Career and Technical Education -- National Programs. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| Some projects promote a rigorous high school curriculum in order to prepare participants for the postsecondary portion of the program. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| None. |
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General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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