Nation-wide Perkins grants were re-authorized to continue and to be managed locally  by each state Department of Education, Perkins Grants are currently  used by different school systems to fund their participation into the EVMaster program…

EVMaster on Perkins grant

Purpose:

The purpose of the federal Perkins Act is to prepare a workforce with the academic and
vocational skills needed to compete successfully in a world market. According to the National
Assessment of Vocational Education study, the most frequent uses of funds include curriculum materials for learning labs and curriculum development or modification. These basic grants are given to states according to a formula based on states’ populations in certain age groups and their per capita income. The statute strongly encourages eligible organizations to collaborate with school districts when applying for funds. Essentially, all funds are handed down from the feds to the states and then to the local education agencies.
Application Deadline: Varies from state to state
Grant Amount: Varies
Expected Distribution: October to February
More information: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/CTE/perkins.html

Policies:

To develop more fully the academic, vocational, and technical skills of secondary and post-secondary students who elect to enroll in vocational technical education programs, by

1. building on the efforts of States and localities to develop challenging academic standards;
2. promoting the development of services and activities that integrate academic, vocational, and technical instruction, and that link secondary and post-secondary vocational programs;
3. increasing State and local flexibility in providing services and activities designed to develop, implement, and improve vocational and technical education;
4. disseminating national research, and providing professional development and technical assistance that will improve vocational and technical education programs, services, and activities.

State goals for use of funds:

1. academic and technical skills (professional technical education) development for students in vocational programs
2. success of special populations students including alternative learning options
3. “nontraditional” training (related to gender imbalance in occupations)
4. “all aspects” of an industry (related to a broad understanding of world of work, i.e., marketing, finance, production, customer service, management, human resources, etc.)
5. partnerships among stakeholders of schools (parents, business, etc.)
6. assessment of quality of programs
7. professional development of educators
8. comprehensive school counseling and career development
9. connections between secondary and post-secondary (curriculum and assessments)
10. school improvement e.g. CIM and CAM implementation
11. curriculum development, implementation and integration
12. application of technology to the teaching process and as training of students in technology related careers

For the latest information about this grant visit: http://www.ed.gov/policy/sectech/leg/perkins/index.html