Vocational Education-Basic Grants to States (84.048)

Program

84.048 Vocational Education-Basic Grants to States

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Education
Office: Office Of Vocational And Adult Education

Authorization

Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, Title I.

Program Number

84.048

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To develop more fully the academic, career, and technical skills of secondary and postsecondary students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs.

Types of Assistance

FORMULA GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Each State must distribute at least 85 percent of its award to local agencies to fund secondary and postsecondary institutions that provide career and technical education services, from which the state may choose to award an amount equivalent to 10 percent of its award to make awards to local agencies in rural areas, areas with high percentages of career and technical education students, and areas with high numbers of career and technical education students. Each State may keep up to 5 percent (0r $250,000, whichever is greater) of its award for state administration and up to 10 percent of its award to fund leadership activities (and from that amount, it must reserve an amount equivalent to 1 percet of its award to assist individuals in state institutions and between $60,000 and $150,000 to fund services to prepare individuals for non-traditional fields). This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate, which is referenced under 34 CFR 76-564-76.569. For assistance call the Office of the Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202) 708-7770.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The Department of Education makes formula grants to States. Eligible recipients for subgrants are local educational agencies and postsecondary institutions.

Beneficiary Eligibility

A wide range of individuals pursuing vocational education and training will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation

The establishment of a State Board for Career and Technical Education is required. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

A 5-year State plan for career and technical education must be prepared. State plans are subject to public hearings. An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. States submit 5-year State plans for career and technical education to the Department of Education.

Award Procedure

The Department of Education approves the 5-year State plan and makes allocations to the States.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

The range is approximately 30 to 120 days.

Appeals

A State board that is dissatisfied with the final action of the Assistant Secretary in disapproving a State Plan is afforded reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory Formula:

Matching Requirements: The funding formula is based on State per-capita income and population in three age cohorts (15-19,20-24, and 25-65). The formula provides for a minimum State allocation and a "hold-harmless" provision in the formula ensures that no State's share of the appropriation is less than its share of the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. A special provision limits the increase a State with an initial allocation of the 0.5 percent minimum may receive, resulting in a number of States that receive an allocation of less than 0.5 percent of the total. If appropriations result in the amount of funds for allocation to States exceeding the amount of funds allocated to States from the FY 2006 appropriation, up to one-third of the additional funds are allotted to States with FY 2006 grants that are less than the minimum 0.5 percent grant amount and the remainder flows to the other States. In addition, the Pacific territories receive 0.13 percent of the total appropriated for State Grants to operate the same kinds of career and technical education programs as the States. Also, 1.25 percent of the total appropriation for State Grants is set aside for grants to federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and 0.25 percent is set aside for competitive grants to organizations that primarily serve and represent Hawaiian Natives. The Bureau of the Census supplies the population data; the Department of Labor supplies the per-capita income data.

Section 102 of the Perkins Acts requries 50/50 matching for State administration. No match is required for American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, or the Republic of Palau.

Section 311(b) of the Perkins Act describes maintenance of effort requirements.

This program has MOE requirements, see funding agency for further details.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Funds must be expended within 27 months after their first date of availability. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: States draw funds as needed under the Electronic Funds Transfer System.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Annual financial report, performance report, and Office for Civil Rights Annual Compliance Report must be submitted. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

In accordance with section 443 of the General Education Provisions Act, as amended, grantees must maintain records for 3 years.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Grants are made to the States and Outlying Areas to support career and technical education programs at the secondary, postsecondary, and adult levels. In school year 2007-2008 over 14.8 million students enrolled in secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs. Fiscal Year 2009: In school year 2008-2009 over 14.8 million students enrolled in secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs. Fiscal Year 2010: In school year 2009-2010 over 14.8 million students enrolled in secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs.

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0400-0-1-501.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $1,141,988,000; FY 09 est $1,141,988,000; FY 10 est $1,141,988,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

The range or awards in FY 2008 was $613,000 to $128,508,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Rules and Regulations, Title 34 CFR 400 and 403; EDGAR 74, 76 (except 76.103), 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, and 85; OCR Guidelines for Vocational Education.

Related Programs

17.201 Registered Apprenticeship and Other Training; 23.002 Appalachian Area Development; 84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States; 84.051 Career and Technical Education -- National Programs; 84.101 Career and Technical Education - Indian Set-aside; 84.243 Tech-Prep Education; 84.245 Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Sharon Lee Miller Department of Education, OVAE Division of High School, Postsecondary and Career Education, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20202 Email: sharon.miller@ed.gov Phone: (202) 245-7846

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/cte/index.html.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Local recipients must operate a career and technical education program that: Strengthen the academic, career, and technical skills of students participating in vocational and technical education programs, achieved by integrating core academic subjects into career and technical education programs through a coherent sequence of courses; proide students with strong experience in and understanding of all aspects of an industry; develop, improve, or expand the use of technology in career and technical education; provide professional development programs to teachers, counselors, and administrators; develop and implement evaluations of the career and technical education programs carried out with funds under the Perkins Act, including an assessment of how the needs of special populations are being met; initiate, improve, expand, and modernize quality career and technical education programs; provide services and activities that are of sufficient size, scope, and quality to be effective; and link seconday career and technical education, including Tech-Prep programs, with postsecondary career and technical education programs. Fiscal Year 2009: Same as FY 2008. Fiscal Year 2010: Same as FY 2008.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.