CFDA Number: 84.051
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants, Cooperative Agreements

The Perkins National Activities authority supports research, evaluation, information dissemination, technical assistance to states, and other activities aimed at improving the quality and effectiveness of career and technical education. The legislation specifically calls for, among other activities, the operation of a national center for research, dissemination and technical assistance in career and technical education, and a national assessment of career and technical education programs operated under the Perkins Act (see legislative citation). Current major activities by CFDA # include:

• National Centers for Career and Technical Education (NCCTE) (# 84.051A)—This program supports the establishment of a national center or centers to conduct applied research, development, dissemination, and training activities in the field of vocational education. See also http://www. nccte.org.


• State Scholars Initiative (SSI) (# 84.051U) — This initiative is designed to dramatically increase the percentage of high school students who have the solid academic foundation that is necessary to succeed in postsecondary education and in an increasingly dynamic labor market. SSI supports state-level business-education partnerships that work with school districts to encourage more students to complete a rigorous course of study.

Projects include: research, development, demonstration, dissemination, identification of best methods, capacity building, technical assistance, evaluation, and assessment activities.

The NCCTE conducts research projects that include development of management systems to improve performance; and projects that provide teaching and learning, organization and finance, professional development, and research and development.

The SSI supports a national nonprofit organization that selects and funds state business-education partnerships that encourage high school students to enroll in rigorous courses. Projects stress the importance of completing a rigorous high school curriculum; develop incentives for students to complete rigorous course work; and work with state-level policymakers, business, and community stakeholders to help encourage students statewide to enroll in demanding courses.

National Centers for Career and Technical Education (NCCTE) (84.051A)

Supports the establishment of a national center or centers to conduct applied research, development, dissemination, and training activities in the field of vocational education. National Centers for Career and Technical Education Website http://www.nccte.org

Fact Sheet

State Scholars Initiative (SSI) (84.051U)

This initiative is designed to dramatically increase the percentage of high school students who have the solid academic foundation that is necessary to succeed in postsecondary education and in an increasingly dynamic labor market. SSI supports state-level business-education partnerships that work with school districts to encourage more students to complete a rigorous course of study.

Fact Sheet