Implications of the New Perkins Act. Trends and Issues Alerts.

Overview & Synopsis

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990 represents the largest amount of federal funding ever authorized for vocational education. Effective July 1, 1991, the act enables Congress to spend up to $1.6 billion per year on state and local programs that teach the "skill competencies necessary to work in a technologically advanced society." The new law differs in several ways from the original Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act of 1984: (1) emphasizing the integration of academic and vocational education; (2) providing greater opportunities for vocational education to disadvantaged people; (3) requiring states to be more accountable for their vocational programs; (4) distinguishing between the secondary and postsecondary levels of vocational education; and (5) encouraging local districts to provide greater leadership in reforming and improving vocational education. The changes in the reauthorized Perkins Act of 1990 present vocational educators with an opportunity to assume a leadership role in state and local efforts to reform education. (This research summary contains an annotated list of 17 print resources and 5 resource organizations.) (KC)