Iowa Earns Approval for State Career and Technical Education Plan

The U.S. Department of Education last week approved Iowa’s plan for expanding high-quality career and technical education (CTE) programs under the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, commonly referred to as Perkins V. Iowa’s plan reflects a commitment to providing all students with real-world learning experiences to prepare them for success in college and in the workplace.

CTE broadly encompasses six service areas: agriculture, food and natural resources; applied sciences, technology, engineering, and manufacturing; business, finance, marketing and management; health science; human services; and information solutions.

"High-quality CTE programs are part of a well-rounded education and increase student engagement through the integration of technical and academic skills,” said Department of Education Director Ann Lebo. “Iowa’s state plan builds upon efforts under way to expand access to CTE programs that align with regional economic demands and increase work-based learning opportunities to ensure all Iowa students are future ready.”

Iowa’s plan provides a roadmap for fiscal years 2020-2023 with a focus on expanding CTE programs to middle school students, growing career and technical student organizations to enhance classroom learning through real-world experiences and ensuring that both reflect the diversity of our learners, business and industry, and communities. The plan also focuses on teacher recruitment, retention and professional development and increasing student participation in work-based learning opportunities that connect the classroom to future careers.

This work to expand high-quality CTE programs is in line with the state’s Future Ready Iowa initiative, which focuses on making Iowa’s talent pipeline a more skilled workforce.

The Iowa Department of Education submitted the state’s Perkins V plan in April following more than a year of development and feedback from stakeholders. Iowa’s final plan is available on the Perkins V webpage of the Iowa Department of Education’s website, along with a letter of approval from U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

About the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act: Perkins V, which amends and reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, was signed into law by President Trump in 2018. It requires each state to have a plan for implementing the law, which provides almost $1.2 billion in federal support for career and technical education (CTE) programs in all 50 states and U.S. territories, including support for integrated career pathway programs for students. Iowa receives nearly $12 million annually in federal funds, divided between secondary and postsecondary CTE programs delivered through public school districts and community colleges.