Running Header: Carl D.

Perkins Act

Carl D. Perkins Act

Dara McAllister

Brigham Young University Idaho

Connect Education and Employment FCS 380

March 7, 2017
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Carl D. Perkins Act
Introduction

The Perkins Act is an act that has been around since 1984. The Perkins Act also known

as the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act. It was named after Carl D. Perkins, a man

from Kentucky (Gordon, 2014, pg.104). He was an advocate for vocational education, by

writing, introducing, and supporting legislation for vocational education. Besides the Perkins

Act, Carl D Perkins also helped with the Vocational Education Act of 1963 (Gordon, 2014,

pg.104). The Perkins Act has been amended or recreated many times over the years to

better realize the many purpose and have a lasting impact on the teachers.

History/Purpose

The Perkins Act has been amended many times. It was first written in 1984. The first

changes to the Perkins Act came in 1990. This act was called, “The Carl D. Perkins vocational

and Applied Technology Education act or Perkins II” (cte.unt.edu, para 9). The third and fourth

amendments to the Perkins Act are in 1998 and 2006. The last two amendments kept the same

name as the original act. Even though the acts have changed over time, they changed to better

suit the times. However, the purpose of the act was still in tacked.

The main purpose of the first Perkins Act in 1984 is to improve upon and modernize the

vocational education programs so that the programs meet the workforce needs, promote

economic growth, and meet the specific needs of the population. This includes people with

disabilities or handicaps (cte.unt.edu, para 8). Though the different amendments, this purpose

has stayed the same, but has been approved to fit the changing world. For example, in Carl D.

Perkins Act 2006 (Perkins IV), focused on academic achievement of the students by

strengthening the connections between secondary and postsecondary education (cte.unt.edu, para
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Carl D. Perkins Act
11). In an article from the National Association of Special Education Teachers, it shines some

light on the most important part of the Carl D. Perkins Acts.

“This law is particularly important, because it requires that vocational education be

provided for students with disabilities. The law states that individuals who are members

of special populations (including individuals with disabilities) must be provided with

equal access to recruitment, enrollment, and placement activities in vocational education.

In addition, these individuals must be provided with equal access to the full range of

vocational education programs available to others, including occupationally specific

courses of study, cooperative education, apprenticeship programs, and, to the extent

practical, comprehensive guidance and counseling services.” (NASET.org, 2006/2007,

para.1-2)

This means that all vocational education educators will be teaching people with disabilities and

handicaps.

Effect

Vocational education educators already cater to a large range of kids. The Carl D.

Perkins Act helps the educators better cater to those students with disabilities and handicaps.

Teachers have two goals to fulfill. The first is to improve skills and prepare adults for jobs and

the second is to provide equal opportunities for adults in vocational education (Gordon, 2014,

pg.113). This is also included in secondary education. The help to teach such a variety of

people has come in the form of funding, technology, changing the curriculum, increasing the

connection between the secondary and the postsecondary schools (cte.unt.edu, para.8-11). This

help has been useful to teachers as they change their curriculum to better help those with

disabilities and handicaps succeed in school and in the work field.

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Carl D. Perkins Act
Conclusion

Overall, the Carl D. Perkins Act is a very important act for those going into vocational

education. It will help the educator cater to the needs of the students and provide funding for

new technology. The purpose of the act is to help keep vocational education up with the times in

order to help those with disabilities and handicaps as well as other adults progress in education.

This education will provide the skills necessary for them obtaining a job in the work field. Due to

the fact that the act wants to be modernized, it has been amended three times since the first act

came out in 1984.

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Carl D. Perkins Act
References

Career and Technical Education. (2017, February 26). Retrieved March 04, 2017, from

http://cte.unt.edu/about/cte-history-of-legislation

Doc. No. R42863 at 1 (2012), form

https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42863.pdf

Gordon, H. R. (2014). The history and growth of career and technical education in America.

Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, Inc.

Legislation - Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998. (n.d.). Retrieved

March 04, 2017, from https://www2.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/CTE/legis.html

NASET.org Home Page. (2006, August 11). Retrieved March 06, 2017, from

https://www.naset.org/perkinsvocational2.0.html

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act. (n.d.). Retrieved March

06, 2017, from https://www2.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/CTE/perkins.html

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Carl D. Perkins Act
 Perkins Act Rubric Points Possible Points
Earned

Format (2 pages, double spaced, 12 pt.) 20 points

Correct Dates 10 points

Main Purpose 10 points

Current Uses 10 points

Uses in Idaho 10 points

Personal Impact 30 points

Summary 10 points

TOTAL 100 points Perkins Act