2019–2020 Perkins Reserve Grant

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The Texas Education Agency will distribute Perkins Reserve Grant funds to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) through a competitive application process. Awarded funds must be used as described in the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21^st Century Act of 2018, Public Law (P.L.) 115-224.

Purpose of the Grant 

TEA encourages continued collaboration between regional stakeholders to assess local workforce needs and to coordinate the promotion of postsecondary success. Regional stakeholders include LEAs and technical colleges, community colleges and/or universities, and industry and local entities. LEAs can establish public/private partnerships and increase the opportunities for paid internships, apprenticeships, and mentorships. An area of focus is on jobs in high wage and in-demand fields, such as information technology, manufacturing, health care, construction, transportation distribution and logistics (from Prosperity Requires Being Bold: Integrating Education and the Workforce for a Bright Texas Future).

Funding Information

Approximately five to seven grants will be awarded in Focus Area 1: Texas Regional Pathways Network for amounts up to $700,000 each and 150 grants will be awarded in Focus Area 2: Industry-Based Certifications for amounts up to $30,000 each.

Eligible Applicants

Focus Area 1: Texas Regional Pathways Network: Eligible applicants must include at least three school districts, one public institution of higher education, and two employers in the region. Regions are defined by the Texas Workforce Commission, in Workforce Development Areas (see https://twc.texas.gov/partners/workforce-development-boards-websites). LEAs and Education Service Centers (ESCs) may serve as the fiscal agent for the grant.

Focus Area 2: Industry-Based Certifications: Eligible applicants can be LEAs or ESCs. LEAs and ESCs may serve as the fiscal agent for the grant. Additionally, eligible recipients must meet at least one of the criteria below:

• The applicant provides local career and technical education (CTE) programs in rural areas. To determine if your district is categorized as rural, see https://tea.texas.gov/acctres/analyze/1617/district1617.html.
• The applicant provides CTE programs with high numbers of CTE concentrators or participants. CTE concentrators are students who earn three or more credits within a program or program of study, or code 2 in PEIMS. An LEA with 200 or more CTE concentrators in Grades 9–12 is considered an LEA with high numbers of CTE students. To determine if your LEA meets this criterion, see 2018–2019 Perkins Final With Reallocation by LEA.
• The applicant provides CTE programs with high percentages of CTE concentrators or participants. An LEA with 25 percent or more of the total student population in Grades 9–12 who are CTE concentrators is considered a high percentage LEA. To determine if your LEA meets this criterion, use the CTE code 2 counts (found at 2018–2019 Perkins Final With Reallocation by LEA) and divide by your total LEA enrollment (from the PEIMS 2017–2018 Fall accepted submission on report PDM1-120-005 Student Data Review found in Standard, Student Reports).
• The applicant provides CTE programs in areas with disparities or gaps in performance as described in the Strengthening Career and Technical Education Act of 2018, Section 113 (b)(3)(C)(ii)(II).

For more general grant application process information, see the General and Fiscal Guidelines, Eligibility To Apply for Competitive Grants.

Applicants’ Conference/Webinar

Contact Information

Focus Area 1: Texas Regional Pathways Network
Jarrad Toussant, Deputy Director
College, Career, and Military Preparation
Jarrad.Toussant@tea.texas.gov
(512) 936-0356

Focus Area 2: Industry-Based Certifications
Ryan Merritt, CTE Director
College, Career, and Military Preparation
Ryan.Merritt@tea.texas.gov
(512) 936-6358

To apply or for additional information please visit:
Grant Opportunities and search for the “2019–2020 Perkins Reserve Grant.”

Application Deadline
Applications must be received by the Texas Education Agency by 5:00 p.m. (Central Time), February 14, 2019, to be considered for funding. Please see page 3 of the Program Guidelines for additional information on where to submit the application, and how many copies need to be submitted.