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.

• ƒ Promoting Rigorous Programs of Study (# 84.051C)—This program promotes rigorous programs of study through the creation of statewide or multistate articulation agreements that ensure a common statewide set of program of study standards aligned with postsecondary and employer expectations, and a common assessment instrument documenting student competencies. These agreements will allow secondary students to earn college credit that is accepted throughout a state or consortium of states, and allow community college students to transfer to other state two- or four-year institutions without losing credit for courses already taken.

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