As part of our celebration of the fifth birthday of Perkins V, this week we will be sharing ACTE resources that support CTE programs with implementation of the law.
The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, informally known as Perkins V, mandates local recipients to conduct a comprehensive local needs assessment (CLNA) to be eligible to receive federal funding. The CLNA is a significant change in Perkins V that supports data-driven decision making and provides the opportunity for better alignment across planning, spending and accountability activities at the local level.
To help CTE programs with this new requirement, ACTE has developed or co-developed the following CLNA related tools and resources:
- Maximizing Perkins V’s Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment & Local Application to Drive CTE Program Quality and Equity: This ACTE tool assists readers in translating the language of the law into concrete actionable steps for conducting the CLNA whilst providing tips for program improvement founded on meaningful, data-driven consultation with stakeholders.
- ACTE’s Quality CTE Program of Study Framework Self-evaluation: A Tool for the Perkins V Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment: The ACTE Quality CTE Program of Study Framework™ and its companion self-evaluation can help local CTE leaders comprehensively evaluate program quality, scope, delivery, implementation and more for the CLNA.
- Lessons in Collaboration and Innovation: The Impact and Promise of the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment: This report from Advance CTE and ACTE elevates lessons learned from state and local CTE leaders regarding the first round of CLNAs and offers recommendations and enhancements to ensure that future CLNAs meet the promise of ensuring equitable access to CTE.
- High-quality CTE Library: Data and Program Improvement: ACTE’s online library of resources contains publications and toolkits focused on leveraging data and engaging in program improvement processes, such as the CLNA, to support CTE.
These resources can help state and local leaders maximize their CLNA process. ACTE and Advance CTE have also collaborated on technical assistance to provide more targeted assistance to states and local CTE programs focused on effectively conducting the CLNA.
