The Carl D. Perkins Educational Funding Act is the primary federal legislation that provides funds specifically for Careeer and Technical Education. Virginia receives approximately $26,000,000 each year, of which 85% goes to the local school divisions based on existing legislation. In early 2004, Congress will continue working to rewrite this legislation. Proposals received from the Executive Branch have recommended significant changes to this legislation that will seriously reduce the funding that will go to local schools. 

It is important for those interested in CTE to become knowledgeable about the current status of Perkins, and if you care about public school CTE, become active in supporting the continuation of the legislation. 

TAKE ACTION - The Perkins threat creates a continuous battle for those of us involved in Career and Technical Education. Once you have taken the prescribed action in the Action NOW! pages, you must continue to stay abreast of the latest issues surrounding Perkins. What should you continue to do? Visit these pages with regularity, keeping yourself and your colleagues informed of the latest issues and proposals pending before us.

Don't stop there! As you continue to inform yourself, make sure that your administrators, students, and other principal parties are informed. If there is a new course of action to be taken, spread the word! Make sure that other disciplines are aware, as well, since Perkins is not limited to a single discipline. but rather all Career and Technical Education. Be sure that the involved parties from Marketing Education, Business Education, Technology Education, Agricultural Education, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Occupations Education, and Technical Training Education are all current in their knowledge and action.

Be a leader! Stay informed, and inform others. Visit these pages regularly as your source of information.