The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) represents an important opportunity to expand opportunities for every student to explore, choose, and follow career and technical education programs of study and career pathways to earn credentials of value. Under Perkins V, local education agencies and postsecondary institutions should offer more than one program of study that: A) incorporates challenging State academic standards; B) addresses both academic and technical knowledge and skills, including employability skills; C) is aligned with the needs of industries in the economy of the State, region, Tribal community, or local area; D) progresses in specificity (beginning with all aspects of an industry or career cluster and leading to more occupation-specific instruction); E) has multiple entry and exit points that incorporate credentialing; and F) culminates in the attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential.

Resources for Developing and Implementing Programs of Study

• Programs of Study Design Framework
  Review the 10 key elements that support the development and implementation of effective programs of study.
• Local Implementation and Self-Assessment Tools
  Find resources that state administrators and local CTE program providers can use to assess the implementation status of programs of study, and their readiness for state program approval.
• Promoting Rigorous Programs of Study (RPOS) Project
  Learn about OCTAE's initiative to support states and local grantees in developing and implementing rigorous programs of study.