AUTHORIZATION:

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

OBJECTIVES:

This program provides assistance to states to award grants to consortia of local agencies and postsecondary education institutions for the development and operation ofprograms consisting of the last two years of secondary education and at least two years of postsecondary education, designed to provide Tech Prep education to the student leading to an associate degree or a two-year certificate. The program also is designed to strengthen links between secondary and postsecondary schools.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Formula Grants Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

States must award program funds to consortia of local agencies and postsecondary education institutions. Consortia must implement tech-prep programs that have seven elements:

(1) an articulation agreement between secondary and postsecondary consortium participants;

(2) a two-plus-two or a four-plus-two design with a common core of proficiency in math, science, communication, and technology;

(3) a specifically developed Tech Pep curriculum;

(4) joint in-service training of secondary and postsecondary teachers to implement the Tech Prep curriculum effectively;

(5) training of counselors to recruit students and to ensure program completion and appropriate employment;

(6) equal access for special populations to the full range of Tech Prep programs; and

(7) preparatory services. 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 Costs Group on (202) 708-7770.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   The Department of Education makes formula grants to State agencies. Eligible recipients for subgrants are consortia of local educational agencies, intermediate education agencies or area vocational education schools serving secondary school students, or secondary schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and nonprofit and proprietary institutions of higher education which offer a 2-year associate degree program, and which are qualified as institutions of higher education pursuant to Section 481(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, including institutions receiving assistance under the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978, or a two-year apprenticeship program that follows secondary instruction, if such institutions are not subject to a default management plan required by the Secretary of Education.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Individuals desiring to participate in a combined secondary/postsecondary program leading to a postsecondary degree or 2-year certificate with technical preparation in at least one field of engineering, applied science, mechanical, industrial, or practical art or trade, or agriculture, health, or business.

Credentials/Documentation:   The establishment of a State Board for career and technical education. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Pre-application Coordination:   A 5-year State plan for career and technical education must be prepared. Annual revisions may be submitted as necessary. State plans are subject to public hearings. 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:   OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. A State board submits its application along with a 5-year State plan for career and technical education to the Secretary of Education.

Award Procedure:   The Department of Education approve the 5-year State plan and make 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.

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ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   

Statutory Formula: Title II, Section 201, Public Law 109-270. 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 of at least 0.5 percent of the total, 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. The Bureau of the Census supplies the population data; the Department of Labor supplies the per capita income data. 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 the first date of availability. States draw funds as needed under the electronic transfer system. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Annual performance reports are required and Office for Civil Rights Annual Compliance Report must be submitted. A quarterly Federal Cash Transaction Report is required under the electronic transfer system. 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. Any additional audit requirements may be included in grant documents.

Records:   In accordance with Section 443 of the General Education Provisions Act grantees must maintain records for 3 years.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

91-0400-0-1-501.

Obligations:   (Formula Grants) FY 08 $102,923,000; FY 09 est $102,923,000; FY 10 est $102,923,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

to be determined.

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