NASHVILLE, TN— State Rep. John Crawford, R-Bristol/Kingsport, today announced Bristol City Schools will receive a $50,000 Perkins Reserve Grant to expand career and technical education. The district will also receive a Regional Career Pathways Award of $118,727 to implement regionally focused secondary and post-secondary partnerships.
The Tennessee Department of Education on Wednesday announced the U.S. Department of Education has approved the state’s plan, Strengthening Career and Technical Education in Tennessee, which will provide $110 million over four years in federal funds to implement CTE at the K-12 and postsecondary levels in Tennessee. The department also announced more than $3 million in Perkins Reserve Grants to 44 school districts for the 2020-21 school year.
“While we will be able to see the initial effects of these rewards through our students participating in these programs, Bristol City will reap the benefits of CTE for many years to come,” Crawford said. “I appreciate the Tennessee Department of Education’s efforts to expand the future workforce of our community.”
The Perkins Reserve Grant (PRG) is a competitive grant opportunity. It was redesigned under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education in Tennessee State plan to help foster local innovation and support implementation of CTE programs.
The Strengthening Career and Technical Education in Tennessee Plan expands equitable access to comprehensive CTE across the education to workforce pipeline, including in the early and middle grades, increases participation in high-quality and aligned career pathways and work-based learning experiences, and supports the attainment of relevant certificates, credentials, and/or degrees needed to meet the workforce demands of Tennessee.
“Every student deserves the opportunity to graduate with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful, whatever pathway they choose. Tennessee’s Perkins V Plan will help our districts and education leaders expand access to high quality learning experiences for more students, like work-based learning, STEM programming, and opportunities to earn certifications and credentials even before graduating,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “By strengthening CTE in Tennessee, we are not only investing in our students—we are preparing the future workforce of our state.”