Running head: CARL D.

PERKINS ACT 1

Vocational Education Act of 1963

Meredith Bunderson

BYU-Idaho
CARL D. PERKINS ACT 2

Vocational Education Act of 1963

In 1963, President Lyndon B Johnson, signed into law, the Perkins-Morse Bill, which is

also known as the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Carl D. Perkins was one of the main

advocates for this bill, and it was created, because there was a large number of people who were

unemployed and there was a greater stress on the skills and knowledge needed for jobs at this

time. One of its main focuses was to better the already existing vocational education programs,

help ensure that all people could have easy access to the training that they needed for their jobs,

interests and talents, and allow young students to work part time in order to pay for their

education. This bill has been amended several times, in the years: 1984, 1990, 1998 and 2006.

Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act of 1984

The Perkins Act of 1984, amended the 1963 act, and helped schools to expand and

improve their vocational and technical education. The act consisted of two major goals, one

economic and one social. The economic goal of the act was to improve the skills of the labor

force and prepare adults for job opportunities. The social goal was to provide equal opportunities

for adults in the vocational education. (Gordon, 2014)

Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990

President George W. Bush signed into law the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied

Technology Act on September 25, 1990. The new nameVocational and Applied Technology

Education signaled congressional interest in emphasizing the application of the academic and

vocational skills necessary to work in a technologically advanced global society. (Gordon,

2014) This act amended and extended the vocational education act of 1984, and focused on all

parts of the population; meaning it applied to anyone of any age. Congress wanted a 3 pronged

approach To help to better prepare the workforce. This approach included an integration of
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academic and vocational education, education in workforce preparation and links between school

and work.

The Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998

The Perkins Act of 1998, replaced the 1990 act, and authorized vocational programs for 5

years. This law allowed for any amount of funds as necessary for the states grant, and the funds

for states were split by a formula based on the age of the population. The Law required that 85

percent of the funds must be distributed to local programs; 15 percent of funds were reserved at

the state level. These funds are distributed under certain rules.

Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006

President George W. Bush signed the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education

Improvement Act of 2006 on August 12, 2006. This reauthorization began in 2004 and continued

through 2012. Some major themes through this reauthorization were in relation to accountability

and program improvement, secondary and post-secondary connections, links to rigorous

academics, and a stronger focus on business and industry. Career and Technical Education

eliminates the restriction of career preparation that required a bachelors degree, it improves and

expands the use of technology, provides preparation for non-traditional fields of study. CTE also

allows for a link between secondary and postsecondary education and provides funding for

career and technical programs.

The use of the Perkins Act in Idaho and Current Uses

In Idaho, the Carl D. Perkins Act is what provides funding for CTE programs in an effort

to improve and expand these educational programs through rigorous academics, linking

secondary and post-secondary education and providing individuals with opportunities for

lifelong learning, the Perkins Act provides funding to states throughout the United States for
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these same purposes. In Idaho, one of the qualifications of receiving Perkins funding, is that you

must offer at least one CTE program of study.

How does it impact me as a teacher?

Family & Consumer sciences is a CTE program, which allows us as future FCS teachers

to receive funding for our future classes and programs. Our eligibility is also based on a report of

our annual progress and performance, and now having the knowledge that this is a requirement,

enables us to be aware and track our progress. (IDAHO CTE) Being able to receive some type of

funding, helps me as a teacher to be able to pay for and incorporate technology and offer

different and more educational experiences in my classroom.

References:

Gordon, H. R. (2014). The History and Growth of Career and Technical Education in America

(4th Ed.). Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press.

Carl D. Perkins Act. (n.d.). Retrieved October 04, 2016, from

https://cte.idaho.gov/educators/forms/carl-d-perkins-act/